1790-French Empire Writing Desk Secretaire Gilt Ormolu-manner Thomire/Desmalter

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1790-French Empire Writing Desk Secretaire Gilt Ormolu-manner Thomire/Desmalter

About the Item

A Remarkable Connoisseur Desk for an Emperor and today's Power Player, with secret camouflaged compartments to protect the finest King's papers or treasures! An Important period circa 1790-1810 French Empire Napoleonic Desk of the finest detail and refined restraint, in the manner of ebeniste Master Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)and bronze gilt ormoulu as Thomire- we have found no markings. A Refined, Elegant 'Tour de Force' with extraordinary finely chased gilt bronze ormolu detail of winged griffins, Lion heads, paw feet in the manner of the finest ebeniste Thomire. For security, a very special unique invention of the era-a Pressure Key, was utilized in the era, which is provided to buyer, This Pressure key locks the long center drop front writing surface. The slide out drop front writing surface is covered in a gilt tooled bordered green leather. A Secretly Hidden locked box, with provided key, is poised inside the lower right drawer with a camouflaged compartmented removable wood insert in front of the interior drawer. This most extraordinary period French Empire secrétaire slide top desk displays superb proportion and balance. Beautifully crafted of mahogany, an articulated wood gallery edge with finial features along the top with gilt finely detailed ormolu mounts , the secrétaire features a drop-front slide out desk top that opens to reveal a green gilt tooled-leather writing surface and a multitude of fitted drawers (in both above and below the desk top), a secret locked compartment drawer on the right side, perfect for protecting one’s most precious documents or small objects. the Finest Period Empire furniture is known for using only the finest woods, mounts, and hardware, precisely fabricated as this is. A beautifully finished work exhibits an architectural sense of proportion and restraint of decoration that suggest a thoroughly modern functionalism that works well into any sophisticated decor. The present important Writing Desk may be attributed to the renowned Parisian cabinetmaker Jacob-Desmalter, who often employed many similar details, many examples of which were produced in his workshop in the rue Meslée. Among the rare similar models known, one example is depicted in a painting by Sergio De Francisco, which shows the Grand Salon of the Ricci Palace in Rome (illustrated in J-P. Planchon, Pierre-Benoît Marcion (1769-1840) ébéniste de Napoléon, Editions Monelle Hayot, 2007, p. 72). A second example was formerly in the Mancel-Coti collection (see C. Bizot, Mobilier Directoire-Empire, Editions Charles Massin, Paris, undated, p. 65). A third example, which stood in the study of Queen Caroline, is today in the Blue Salon of Nymphenburg Palace (see L. de Groër, Les arts décoratifs de 1790 à 1850, Fribourg, 1985, p. 174, fig. 329). One further quite similar to the present one, but smaller and less elaborately decorated, is in the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris (illustrated in E. Dumonthier, Mobilier national de France, Le meuble-toilette, Toilettes-coiffeuses portatives, Miroir, Psychés, Morancé, 1923). Provenance-From the Estate of the Oil Tycoon William Hale Harkness, co- founder, along with Flagler and Rockefeller of the Standard Oil Corporation.. Harkness was the financier for the group and became a legendary philanthropist leading his generations to follow suit.

Similar to:
Jacob Desmalter (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 42.5 in (107.95 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
Style:
Empire (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Mahogany,Ormolu,Gilt,Glazed,Repoussé
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1798
Condition:
Has been french polished and the gilt bronze finish restored to full luster...
Seller Location:
West Palm Beach, FL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU97335202633