Rare pair of furniture - secretary and fronted cabinet

Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 66 x 33 cm

Description:
Extremely rare pair of furniture in impressively high craftsmanship quality.
When closed, we see two furniture fronts that are already absolutely symmetrical in themselves. Made as a pair, the two pieces of furniture were certainly intended for a room concept in which everything was subject to strict symmetry. They were probably placed as mirror images on two opposite walls or to the left and right of a window or door.
As one piece of writing furniture was sufficient in the room, the counterpart to the secretary was designed as a cabinet, a so-called "blender".

Secretary:
Body standing on a plinth with three drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above and a further drawer at the top below the black marble top.
We see elaborate inlays of dark wood on a light-coloured background. The typical design elements of the period are depicted: flowers and rosettes, twisted branches and wreaths. The floral elements are complemented by squirrels on the writing flap and small geometric details on the frame below.
The flanking bundle columns with their absolutely extraordinary, finely inlaid ionic capitals are a real highlight. To emphasise the multi-layered nature of the columns, a narrow strip of dark wood was placed between the individual strands as a contrast.

If we open the flap, we see a fantastic interior in the neo-Gothic style.
Above a row of elegantly curved drawers and separated by an elaborate fillet band, there is a large open compartment. The base of the compartment is decorated with linear, geometric marquetry. High pointed arches rise up at the sides, which are extended by the mirror mounted on the back to form a veritable archway.
The upper end of the writing compartment is formed by a mahogany moulding cut out with trefoils and pointed arches, veneered in maple and accentuated by fine inlays. If you look at the photo showing the ogival archway with the mirror at the back, you will see that the aforementioned moulding is just as elaborately designed at the back as it is at the front and is therefore also attractive in the mirror. This is attention to detail at its best.

The writing and working surface is covered with the original punched leather. The wide lock closes the writing compartment with three latches.

Also worth mentioning are the drawers, which, apart from the fronts, are made entirely from solid mahogany.

Cupboard:
In its external appearance, this piece of furniture follows the design of the secretary. The door is only apparently divided into a writing flap and drawers, hence the term "blind cabinet".

If we open the door, the high quality is also evident here. The entire interior is veneered in rosewood. The height-adjustable shelves have fine maple thread inlays on the front edge.

Interesting facts:
The introduction of the Continental Blockade in 1806 meant that the mahogany, which had been extremely popular until then, was replaced by local woods. The preference for light colours, which was appreciated in the interiors of the 1820s, prompted cabinetmakers to use woods such as maple, ash, sycamore, elm, lemon tree and yew.
In order to enliven the light-coloured and plain surfaces, motifs of dark woods such as amaranth, mahogany and rosewood were inlaid.
This design style is known in furniture making as "Epoque Charles X" or "Epoque Restoration".

Condition: Wonderful state of preservation with beautiful age patina. The polish has only been lightly touched up.

Price: 14000,- €