19th Century French Empire Secretary. Secretaire À Abbattant. Mahogany and Gold

Details

Description

Dating from the first period of the French Empire, circa 1810, this secrétaire à abattant (fall-front desk) is a simplified … Read more Dating from the first period of the French Empire, circa 1810, this secrétaire à abattant (fall-front desk) is a simplified version of an influential design attributed to Jacob-Desmalter et Cie, one of the greatest cabinetmaking shops of the time, patronized by Emperor Napoléon and his glittering court as well as by the monarchs of Russia and Spain. Framed by pilasters with gilt-bronze ornaments, the central panel opens to a columned theatre, an open space for displaying objects or shelving books, and a writing surface. Five drawers are fitted beneath the theatre, another drawer is hidden in the entablature, and three further drawers are inset below, all with their original pulls and locks (key included); the Saint-Anne marble top is also original. The simplicity of form and ornament and the modestly grained, casually handled mahogany suggest that the secrétaire à abattant could have been among the furnishings of a country house rather than of an urban hôtel particulier. That being said, the unusual columnar cylindrical teet lend the piece an eccentric air. A palatial example of this design, formerly in the collection of the marquis and marquise de Amodio y Moya, was sold at auction in 2015.
Dimensions
37W x 18"D x 57"H See less