Large Biedermeier Cabinet in Mahogany, 1840

Details

Description

Exceptionnel large Biedermeier cabinet with secretary flap. North Germany/ Netherlands, around 1840. Solid mahogany and veneered on oak. Traditional polished … Read more Exceptionnel large Biedermeier cabinet with secretary flap. North Germany/ Netherlands, around 1840. Solid mahogany and veneered on oak. Traditional polished with shellac (french polish).

A high-quality, representative piece of writing and storage furniture from a wealthy household of the late Biedermeier period.

Standing on vase-shaped turned baluster feet at the front, with rounded corners and cornice with hinged moulding. Mahogany veneer throughout, partially mirrored and extensively worked on picture.

Lower section with two large drawers and an integrated secretary area disguised as a further drawer above. Behind the hinged writing surface are fine architectural details in the form of round arches with Tuscan columns in front of a mirrored back panel, flanked by 6 small drawers.

The two-door upper section has a functionally well thought-out interior with shelves and drawers. Remarkably, the inside of the doors and the fronts of the interior are also veneered in mahogany.

The key plates were sawn and filed from sheet brass.

A lever behind a pillar in the secretary area can be used to pull a locking bolt into the writing flap.

Dimensions
Height: 244 cm / 96.06 inch.
Width: 175 cm / 68.89 inch.
Depth: 53 cm / 20.86 inch.

Shelf depth: 22 cm (8.66 in.) or 44 cm (17.32 in.)

Internal drawer dimensions: 22.5 cm (8.85 in.) high, 154.5 cm (60.82 in.) wide, 44.5 cm (17.51 in.) deep

A unique piece of furniture of high quality that was clearly influenced in style and construction by the furniture art of the time in England (mahogany wood, ‘linen press’) and the Netherlands (Dutch cabinet of the Baroque and Classicism periods with dismountable top), as well as the emerging Louis Philippe style (moulding).

Combination of noble classical design with monumental architectural effect and high quality craftsmanship.



Restored and shellac polished by hand, with slight signs of age-related wear and visible repairs. Among other things, the following work was carried out: Drying cracks in a side and top element glued, puttied and retouched, drawers made accessible, various minor (veneer) additions and gluing, a mirror glass added, closing of the warped writing flap restored, cabinet aligned and refixed, fastening system for two shelves with subdivision boards added to fit, central compartment division in lower drawer added, function of the flap's lock restored.

The writing flap has unfortunately warped over the years, but can now be closed again with a little pressure - only the top left side protrudes slightly when closed (see pictures) and the small internal drawer at the bottom left cannot be opened (bumps against the flap). Fixed drying crack in the veneer of the lower drawer front.


The upper section can be dismantled into several parts for transport. See less