Small Antique Biedermeier Cabinet in Walnut

Dimensions: H x W x D: 121 x 105 x 54 cm

Description:
A small, slanted flap secretary standing on block feet with an exciting veneer pattern.

The three-bay chest-like base also gives the piece of furniture the name "chest of drawers secretary".
The furniture front is veneered with expressive and wildly grained walnut, the grain pattern on the sides is clearly calmer. The key escutcheons made of leg provide subtle contrasts.

With the writing flap open, we see four drawers to the right and left of an open compartment. Above these drawers, and only visible and openable from inside the compartment, are two hidden drawers.

The head end is formed by a row of three drawers. These three drawers are inscribed on the inside, partly also on the bottom and on the sides with countless signatures.
We find many signatures from the greater Aachen area but also isolated ones from cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig and even Paris, Copenhagen and New York. The dates range from the 1880s to the 1920s.
It seems reasonable to assume that the piece of furniture was in a publicly accessible room such as a library, a municipal institution or a museum at the time the signatures were made.
They say "Fool's hands smear table and walls...". In this case, however, I think the many inscriptions add to the special charm of the piece of furniture and yet are also a patina of their own!

Back wall with brand stamp: "P.S."

Condition:
Restored to living room condition. Shellac hand polish. All drawers run smoothly, the locks work.

Price: This secretary is already sold. Comparable objects are priced between 4000,-€ and 5000,-€.