Biedermeier Secretaire with Secret Compartments, 1825

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Biedermeier secretary desk with secret compartments

northern germany
mahogany
c. 1820

dimensions: h x w x d: 206 x 100 … Read more Biedermeier secretary desk with secret compartments

northern germany
mahogany
c. 1820

dimensions: h x w x d: 206 x 100 x 59 cm

a writing desk standing on tapered legs, featuring a carefully selected mahogany veneer laid in a mirror-image pattern.

beneath the writing compartment are two wide drawers.

above this is the work surface, which is closed by a cylindrical flap. The cylindrical lock can be lifted upwards and thus slid into the body of the cabinet. Behind it lies a neatly organised interior, featuring three drawers stacked one above the other on either side, flanking letter trays and a central compartment with a mirrored back. Thanks to the clever arrangement of the mirrors, the parquet flooring laid at the base of the compartment appears to extend sideways into infinity, whilst the alabaster columns multiply into groups of three.
the round arches above the letter compartments can be pulled forwards with minimal effort, revealing themselves to be shallow little drawers. The letter compartments can now also be pulled out. At the very back of the now exposed cavity are small secret drawers, concealed behind the mirrored compartment.
when the writing and work surface is pulled out forwards, a further row of drawers, seemingly arranged side by side, appears. In fact, however, these are front panels that complete the overall look of the interior. The leather-covered writing and work surface can be raised and locked into various angles of inclination.

above the writing compartment is another wide drawer, the front of which folds down to serve as a standing desk.

the three-part top section, with its concave and convex curved doors, is also spectacular. The central door is fitted with a keyhole and opens in the usual way. Behind it is another compartment, whose semi-circular parquet-floored base is reflected in the mirror fitted to the rear, forming a complete circle.
moving a small slider reveals another keyhole on the left. Once the lock has been released, the entire central section can now be opened like a door. At the very bottom of this movable element is an additional folding drawer. In the upper section, a further secret drawer is concealed; it is held in place by a spring and opens automatically at the push of a button.
the two concave side doors can also be opened at the push of a button, aided by the force of a metal spring.

the top of the piece is finished with finely carved round and pointed arch galleries.

condition:
restored and hand-polished with shellac. All drawers and mechanisms function perfectly.

there is a stylistic resemblance in terms of the shape of the top section to a writing desk held in the collection of the municipal museum in braunschweig.

please refer to the following specialist literature:
christiani - schreibmöbelentwürfe zu meisterstücken braunschweiger tischler aus der 1. Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts fig. 70 See less