Small antique Empire secretary with fire-gilt fittings

Dimensions: H x W x D: 132 x 65 x 37 cm

Description:
Exceptional small secretary of the French Empire. Mahogany veneered on oak.
The measurements are taken at the widest and longest points. The pure corpus has the following dimensions:
H x W x D: 130 x 60 x 32 cm. The height of the writing surface is 72 cm.

The piece of furniture, flanked by half columns, has three drawers at the bottom, the writing surface above and another drawer at the top of the head. The veneer pattern is neatly mirrored, very calm in itself and continuous across the entire front view.
The original fire-gilded and finely chiselled fittings, which are partly figural and partly floral, contrast beautifully with the strong colour of the wood.

When we open the writing flap, we see a tidy interior with four drawers and an open compartment. The writing and working surface is covered with punched green leather.

The sides of the secretary are each veneered with a wide, wonderfully grained mahogany wood.
The top is finished with a loosely laid marble top.

Special features:
Besides the fantastic fire-gilded fittings, I am particularly impressed by the original marble top. In the photo, which shows the side view of this top, it is easy to see that it was created purely by hand. The slab is not exactly straight and not of the same thickness in all places. On the basis of this photo, one can really put oneself in the situation in which the stonemason laboriously made this slab by hand over 200 years ago.
Facts like these never cease to amaze me: about the unique skills of the craftsmen of the time, about the quality that has allowed these pieces to grow so old, and about the fact that each of these old pieces of furniture is absolutely unique.

Condition:
Refurbished condition, very authentic patina. There is an original key.