Antique Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase in West Indies Mahogany, c. 1800

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Antique Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase in West Indies Mahogany, c. 1800

About the Item

An exquisite Empire bureau secretary with bookcase, in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany. Denmark, circa 1800. Cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk which offers an adjustable lectern or writing surface that is flanked by sliding storage compartments, as well as a series of 12 small drawers with original pulls & a small central compartment for keepsakes, which comes with its own working lock & key. Above the desk, are three cabinets for the storage of books & documents with the central cabinet rising higher & featuring a pedestal top. Upper doors have a subtle line inlay in satinwood; flanking cabinets feature a fan-motif, also inlaid in satinwood, where the crown molding arches upward. Below the desk, are four long storage drawers, with base resting on original tapered square feet. The figuring & quality of the mahogany is exceptional, as is the book-matching which is carried out to perfection throughout the piece. The Neoclassical design, beautiful scale & proportions further attest to the expert craftsmanship that went into making this masterpiece! Measures: 46 1/2" wide x 24 1/4" deep x 83" high; 38 1/2" deep when secretary is pulled out Condition: We were very careful not to alter the beautiful patina the wood has acquired over its 220 year history. Through the oxidation process caused by exposure to light, the mahogany has taken on a lovely light brown tone. We chose, therefore, to leave any naturally-occurring minor checks or imperfections, avoiding any sanding since the patina is delicate and can easily be sanded through. Once the effect of the sun-bleaching is removed, the patina is irretrievably gone and the color reverts back to a darker brownish-red tone. Fortunately, this secretary was well cared for and in very good condition, requiring only some coats of expertly-applied French polish to resurrect the original finish, along with minor carpentry. Note: The old felt or baize was in poor condition so we removed it; it may be replaced with a variety of colors of felt or leather with tooled border.

Dimensions:
Height: 83 in (210.82 cm)Width: 46.5 in (118.11 cm)Depth: 24.25 in (61.6 cm)
Style:
Empire (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany,Polished
Place of Origin:
Denmark
Period:
1800-1809
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1800
Condition:
Additions or alterations made to the original: Original felt on writing surface was removed. We can replace it with leather felt. or mahogany. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. There is a natural check in the panel of the left and middle doors of the upper cabinets.
Seller Location:
Miami, FL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU988122760052