Items Similar to 18th Century Cylinder Secretary, Roll Desk with Marquetry, France, circa 1780
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
18th Century Cylinder Secretary, Roll Desk with Marquetry, France, circa 1780
$15,184.67
£11,228.78
€12,700
CA$21,013.31
A$23,397.03
CHF 12,175.36
MX$282,397.74
NOK 152,690.25
SEK 144,225.55
DKK 96,711.19
About the Item
Cylinder desk with elaborate marquetry
Alsace / Upper Rhine
walnut, maple, etc.
around 1780
Dimensions: H × W × D: 120 × 132 × 75 cm
Description:
Writing cabinet on tapering legs with trompe-l'œil fluting, comprising two large drawers at the bottom, the writing compartment above, and three small drawers in a row at the very top.
The piece is dominated by extravagant marquetry. The stiles are inlaid with shaded coin bands, while friezes and fillets run across the crossbars, the base moulding and the edge of the top.
The sides are structured by frames whose centres hold medallions: nesting birds as symbols of fertility, and bow with arrows as symbols of love.
The main focus lies on the quarter-cylinder roll-top. Its inlay work is impressive not only for the fineness and the multitude of fitted wooden pieces, but also because this form and richness are extremely rare.
Natural and partly green-stained woods – arranged into geometric bands – form the frame for the central roundel, which opens onto a maritime world.
We see a romanticised fantasy landscape with lighthouse and quay wall before a small harbour town. A staffage of figures in the foreground observes the bustling manoeuvres of larger and smaller sailing ships in the narrow bay or river mouth. Fine engravings make the gentle waves visible and render the textures of sailcloth and clothing tangible. Appropriately chosen wood structures give a three-dimensional effect to the promontory in the foreground.
Originally, all woods were vividly coloured. The green hues have been preserved relatively well; traces of red can be discerned at the quay wall. The blue of the water has completely faded, as has that of the horizon, which now resembles a mountain range in outline, but originally, in varied shades of blue, may have represented gathering clouds.
Opening the roll-top reveals a spacious writing compartment with eight drawers, four drawer fronts, and a central roll-front compartment concealing four additional small drawers. Here, protected as best as possible from sunlight, the original and remarkably well-preserved green stain conveys an impression of the rich colours the entire piece once displayed. Abundant geometric inlays dominate the writing compartment as well. Even the lower edge of the roll-top is inlaid with a light-dark contrasting frieze – a testimony to the exceptional love of detail.
Two doves joined by a ring form the central marquetry motif inside, suggesting that the secrétaire was originally made as a wedding gift. The symbolic inlays on the sides of the piece support this assumption.
Background:
Marquetry of this kind is known from eastern France. The absence of elaborate bronzes also points to the more rural region of Alsace.
A comparable roll-top secrétaire was made in 1789 by Nikolaus Camus in Wissembourg (Alsace) and is today in the collection of the Historisches Museum der Pfalz in Speyer (see catalogue Die Neuzeit, 1995, p. 94).
The Dutch-looking harbour scene of the present piece may relate to the wedding of the recipients; moreover, other maritime scenes are known from the region, such as a 1776 roll-top secrétaire from Zweibrücken (see Kreisel/Himmelheber, Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels III, fig. 169), or a roll-top bureau made in Strasbourg around 1760 (see Françoise Léwy-Coblentz, L’Art du Meuble en Alsace, pl. CXL, p. 330).
Condition:
Restored and suitable for everyday use, with a shellac hand-polish.
Please compare with the following reference works:
Françoise Léwy-Coblentz - L'Art du Meuble en Alsace p. 330
Kreisel / Himmelheber - Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels III fig. 169
- Dimensions:Height: 47.25 in (120 cm)Width: 51.97 in (132 cm)Depth: 29.53 in (75 cm)
- Style:Louis XVI (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1780-1789
- Date of Manufacture:1780
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Restored and suitable for everyday use, with a shellac hand-polish.
- Seller Location:Greven, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5419246348252
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2014
1stDibs seller since 2020
194 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Münster, Germany
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllLate 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry
Germany (Westphalia)
Walnut etc.
Classicism around 1795
Dimensions: H x W x D: 118 x 116 x 62 cm
Description:
Beautiful writing fur...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Small Swiss Louis XV Secretaire, Walnut, Writing Chest, circa 1760
Located in Greven, DE
SmallLouis XV or Baroque Secretary
Switzerland (Bern)
Walnut
Baroque around 1760.
Dimensions: H x W x D: 109 x 93 x 60 cm
Description:
Writing furniture standing on a ...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swiss Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Transforming Table, Ladies Desk, Secretaire, Walnut, France ca 1860
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique secretary, lady's desk
France
Walnut
around 1860
Dimensions: H x W x D: 90 x 59 x 53 cm
Description:
Quite extraordinary small piece of transforming furniture...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Secretaire with Architectural Marquetry, Italy, circa 1770
Located in Greven, DE
Antique top secretary
Italy
various precious woods
second half 18th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 219 x 89 x 50 cm
Description:
Slender and well-proportioned secretary with architectural marquetry.
Two-piece piece of furniture standing on slightly curved stud feet.
The three lower drawers are veneered diagonally and mirrored starting...
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Secretaire à la Bourgogne, Transformation Table, Louis XV Style, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Very rare antique desk or secretary, so-called bureau à transformation "à la Bourgogne" in Louis XV style.
France
Walnut
19th century
Dimensions: H...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Late 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Secretary With Impressive Marquetry
Located in Greven, DE
18th Century Louis XVI Secretary With Marquetry
The Netherlands
Amaranth, satinwood and others
Louis XVI around 1790
Dimensions: H x W x D: 149 x 89 x 46 cm
Description:
Elaborate...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
You May Also Like
18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire or Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Louis XVI marquetry secretaire, or secretary desk with bookcase. Beautifully made with book matched veneer of mahogany and fine inlay of walnut and mahogany. I...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Cylinder Desk with central lock and beautiful patina
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 18th Century Cylinder Desk with beautiful Patina,
1800, France
Cylinder desk with straight sides, closed in the upper part with a semi-circular flap, with two drawers. The whol...
Category
Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Dutch Rococo Inlaid Marquetry Walnut Bombe Secretary Desk Bureau 1780
Located in Portland, OR
A fine 18th century Dutch Rococo walnut inlaid marquetry bombe shaped desk, circa 1780.
The desk top is inlaid with a satinwood panel and having corresponding panels to the sides, th...
Category
Antique 1780s Dutch Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut, Ebony, Satinwood
Louis XVI Secretary with Cylinder Top & Tambour Front Northern Europe circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
A Louis XVI secretary desk in mahogany with satinwood inlays. Offers a cylinder top that opens to reveal a series of small drawers surrounding...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood
Louis XVI Style Cylinder Secretary In Marquetry And Gilt Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Very elegant Louis XVI style cylinder secretary in mahogany and light wood marquetry with floral basket decorations on the front of the cylinder and floral arrangements on the sides ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1780, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This original Louis XVI Secretary Desk dates back to 1780 and comes form the southern part of Germany. It is a real beauty! The lower part has...
Category
Antique 1780s German Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
