Walnut Secretary with Flap

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A beautiful walnut Secrétaire à Abattant in the Empire style of the 19th century, The top bears a rounded rectangular … Read more A beautiful walnut Secrétaire à Abattant in the Empire style of the 19th century, The top bears a rounded rectangular fossil marble top above a substantial fall door, inlaid with a bottle green leather slope. The slope is delicately embossed with symmetrical gold leaf detailing. Enclosed is a fully outfitted inside theater with one long top freize drawer, four additional functioning drawers with brass drawer pulls and a wide open niche for books and letters. The bottom has three smooth running long drawers with original brass drop handles and escutcheons. The same key that opens the fall door also opens each of the three lower drawers accompanied with functioning brass locks. The term Abattant is used to describe the fall-front mechanism seen in French style writing desks, known as Secrétaire à Abattant. Secrétaire’s were also used for the safekeeping of important correspondence and documents as they conceal drawers and shelves within. In excellent original condition, displaying superb colour and grain throughout. French, circa 1810. See less