French Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk Cabinet With Drawers Ca. 1830

Description

LOUIS PHILIPPE ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED-MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE À ABATTANT
Paris, France | circa 1830 | unmarked
Item # 408LTW21P

A very good … more LOUIS PHILIPPE ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED-MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE À ABATTANT
Paris, France | circa 1830 | unmarked
Item # 408LTW21P

A very good Louis Philippe period secretaire à abattant (secretary desk) of Parisian quality from the second quarter of the 19th century. It features brilliant flamed-mahogany veneers dressing the primary surfaces throughout, these highlighted with gilt-bronze mounts that pop in high contrast against the woods. The early and almost certainly original black marble top projects slightly over all sides with a cove-molding finishing the edge over applied relief masks on either corner of Perseus, the slayer of Gorgon Medusa and the hero who rescued Andromeda from a sea monster, on the right and a heroic figure opposing him on the left. The central full-width drawer in the frieze is mounted with an elaborate display of a maiden drawn by peacocks while an ensemble of putto dance along the path before and behind her.

Below this, a fall front lid is opened with the original trefoil key to reveal a tidy interior with a gilt-tooled green leather writing surface before an architectural interior of columns on either side raising a gentle arch backed by a mirror to allow for the storage of books and other decorative objects. The columns rest over curved mahogany plinths that house secret drawers released by opening the drawer below and depressing buttons underneath the columns.

The full-height columns on either side rest over conforming toupie feet and flank the three full-width drawers in the lower portion of the desk, these with early lion-mask handles (bottom two replaced).

A very nice presentation with brilliant selections of mahogany that play against eachother with great balance and forethought. The front and interior remain a particularly good presentation.


Measurements: 56 1/8 H x 17 1/4" D x 37 1/2" W; writing surface is 20 1/4" D x 29 1/4" W with 25" off knee clearance


Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, 22 April 2010, Sale n08627, lot 79, estimate of $ 7,000-10,000 (achieved $ 6875)

Condition Report:
An attractive presentation. Historical surface is old throughout with discolorations and staining. Some surface chipping and veneer losses throughout. Fall front has gentle cracking to the veneers that corresponds to the underlying construction. Green leather probably not original but old and in good repair with only minor age related blemishes. Left and right side of the case with sunfading (presenting more mellow than the front), each with a few veneer patches at the top and the back left edges with a vertical shrinkage crack that extends the length of the case - this has been secured with screws from the back on both sides and the cracks filled, but is still visible. Mounts appear to be original, the bottom two Lion Mask pulls are replaced. Retains a single original trefoil key. The black marble top is early and almost certainly original, presenting with scuffs, scratches and minor chips. Other blemishes and flaws throughout (review images closely for particulars). The desk is ready to place with a well patinated historical surface, functioning beautifully with easily operating drawers and fall-front. less