Biedermeier secretary in cherry wood

Dimensions: H x W x D: 125 x 113 x 62 cm

Description:
Writing desk standing on plinth-mounted square legs with a cleanly continuous cherry veneer pattern.

The base of the piece of furniture has three drawers - the lower ones flanked by half-columns, the upper one slightly protruding.
A further row of drawers is located above the cylinder flap. To the left and right of this are two hidden drawers with caryatid fronts.
The upper end is formed by a partially open gallery with an ebonised ball finial.
When closed, the horizontal bands of burl wood and the blackened key plates in the shape of coats of arms also set accents.

If we pull the brass handles on the writing surface, the cylinder lock opens to reveal the interior.
Behind the leather-covered writing surface, we see six drawers and three further compartments with roll-up fasteners.
Under each of the three lower drawers is a secret compartment that is located far back and is difficult to discover.

Pulling out the writing surface completely releases the locking devices of the row of drawers above the writing compartment. Held under tension by metal arches, the drawers now open automatically.

Craftsmanship:
In addition to the special functions of the furniture, the perfect craftsmanship is particularly impressive.
The upper and lower sections are not plugged or dowelled together, but are connected using large, wooden screws and nuts. All the box corner joints are extremely neat, and the frame and panels of the rear wall are perfectly angled.
The choice of wood is also excellent. Not only the visible cherry veneers, but also the dummy timbers are of good quality. The drawer bottoms, for example, are each made from a single wide and knot-free oak plank, which must have been dried slowly and carefully so that it has not warped significantly to this day.

The multitude of technical refinements, the choice of materials and the broad spectrum of craftsmanship on display suggest that this secretary was a piece of furniture made for testing purposes. This thesis is supported by F. Arens, Meisterrisse und Möbel der Mainzer Schreiner plate 105.

Condition: refurbished condition, hand-polished shellac. Flawless in function. (See video)

Price: 8500,- €