Antique Viennese Biedermeier desk

Dimensions: H x W x D: 98 x 133 x 79 cm, desk height: 80 cm

Description:
A piece of furniture standing on slender, tapered legs. The base consists of two doors with a row of drawers above them. The top section is formed by a writing top with a slatted closure.
The piece is entirely veneered in mahogany. The pilaster strips are accentuated by fine ebony inlays. Dark edging on the door and drawer fronts emphasises the precise lines of the design.

The roller shutter mechanism features a rod lock that bolts into the side panels of the piece. When closed, a lever fitted at the bottom right is also operated to secure the writing top against being pulled out.
Comprising numerous narrow slats, the roller mechanism can operate within a tight radius when opened and is thus recessed into the rear section of the piece.

When open, the result is a clearly structured, uncluttered workspace with a pull-out writing surface that creates additional legroom. The top features a leather-upholstered central section with a continuously adjustable tilt.
Behind this is a row of what appear to be four drawers and a central open compartment. On closer inspection, however, the two outer ‘drawers’ turn out to be false fronts – the hidden drawers behind them are revealed by folding the central partition downwards. The drawers can then be pulled out inwards.

The piece’s standout feature is a storage compartment running the full width of the unit, concealed in the upper rear section. It is therefore situated in the space that, at first glance, appears to be merely the necessary cavity for the roller shutter.
The concealed compartment is raised using a sophisticated crank mechanism with a worm gear. It consists of eight small drawers and three open compartments.

The desk is also carefully and neatly finished on the reverse side. It could therefore have served as a prestigious piece of furniture, standing free on its own in a larger office or business premises.

Interesting facts:
The overall appearance of this desk is typical of Viennese furniture-making in the early 19th century. Mechanisms such as the one featured here are documented in the works of Karl Schmidt and Gottlieb August Pohle, amongst others. Corresponding technical drawings, held at the MAK in Vienna, confirm this (see accompanying photographs). The specific design, featuring the lift-up compartment seen here, is based on a master piece drawing by Georg Joseph Killian from 1810.

Both the worm gear in the crank mechanism and the slatted lock with a hinged front later became characteristic features of Karl Schmidt’s furniture designs. It therefore seems likely that it was manufactured in his workshop.
The fact that this desk is a model which – in slightly varying versions – was produced in small batches also suggests that it was made in this highly specialised workshop.

Condition:
Excellent condition with a hand-polished shellac finish. The mechanism and all moving parts function perfectly.

Price: €12,800

Please refer to the following specialist literature: