Napoleon III Secretaire, Late 19th Century

Details

Description

This Napoleon III period writing desk, crafted from wood and adorned with rich floral marquetry, is a prestigious piece of … Read more This Napoleon III period writing desk, crafted from wood and adorned with rich floral marquetry, is a prestigious piece of furniture combining decorative virtuosity and architectural elegance. It is organized into two harmonious sections: the upper section forms a display cabinet topped with a gendarme's hat cornice, featuring two undulating glass doors framed by gilt bronze moldings. The escutcheons and key, finely chiseled with scrolls and volutes, operate a functional lock. The interior reveals two shelves mounted on racks, their edges delicately inlaid with light wood, adding a luminous touch to the whole. Beneath this display cabinet are two drawers whose fronts, inlaid with garlands of flowers on a background of wood veneered in a butterfly wing pattern, demonstrate a particularly refined attention to detail.

The lower section comprises a slant-front desk with a curved front, featuring a drop-front sumptuously inlaid with scrolls, florets, and arabesques. The entrance and key, also finely crafted, operate a lock in perfect working order. When opened, the undulating drop-front reveals new black leather, edged with a gilt vignette and adorned in its center with an arabesque motif. The interior offers structured and ingenious storage space, consisting of a niche, three drawers, and two secret compartments with sliding lids, reminiscent of the craftsmanship and ingenuity of 19th-century cabinetmakers. The piece rests on cabriole legs in the Louis XV style, enhanced with bronze mounts and terminating in matching sabots, emphasizing the desk's elegant and dynamic silhouette.

A refined and harmonious piece, this writing desk brilliantly combines the artisanal finesse of the 19th century with the timeless charm of a piece of furniture designed to blend beauty, functionality, and prestige.

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Period: Second half of the 19th century

Excellent condition inside and out after restoration in our workshop.

Finish: Waxed over a hard base.

Dimensions:
Width: 87 cm
Depth: 51 cm
Height: 182 cm See less