Antique Biedermeier secretary in cherry

Dimensions: H x W x D: 159 x 105 x 56 cm

Description:
Antique secretary with a cubist design and an unusual structure.

The piece of furniture, which can be dismantled into two parts, consists of a wide base section with a large drawer. On top of this is a recessed centre section with two further drawers and the writing flap. Above this is the head drawer and a flat triangular pediment with a dentil frieze underneath.

A light cherry wood was chosen for the veneer, which with its unobtrusive grain is deliberately reserved in comparison to the actual surface design with the dark thread inlays and the recessed arched segment that extends across the front of the entire centre section. Fine floral marquetry surrounds the keyholes and emphasises the central axis of the furniture.

When the writing flap is open, the architectural character of the unit continues in a particularly beautiful way. There are nine smaller drawers and a wide writing drawer, the front of which can be folded down and used as a work surface to protect the polished flap, surrounding the centre compartment with parquet flooring and mirrored back. To open this handleless drawer, the left-hand drawer of the top row must be pressed - a slide behind it then allows the drawer to slide forward.
Dark frames on the fronts of the drawers structure the surfaces and frame the wonderful pull knobs, the centres of which are made of star-shaped engraved mother-of-pearl.

On the back of the furniture we see an engraved inscription: MENNER WIEN 1800. I doubt the credibility of this insofar as the design of the furniture certainly has classicist features, but on the whole it can certainly be located in the Biedermeier period. The strict, cubist form corresponds to the taste of the 1820s, while the key plate design is more likely to be dated towards the middle of the century.
Comparable pieces of furniture are known from central Germany, for example a secretary made in Meiningen around 1820 and another made in Gotha around 1840. Cf. Eller - Schreibmöbel p. 344.
The name, which has aged with the furniture, has certainly been in this place for many decades. It may have been carved by the former owner according to oral tradition from the family.

Condition:
Restored and suitable for everyday use with a shellac hand polish.

Price:
This secretary is already sold. I offer comparable pieces in age, quality and condition for around 6500,-€ to 8500,-€. Please contact me if you are looking for a piece of writing furniture that suits you.