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19th Century Italian Secretaire with Safe Deposit Box, circa 1840

$19,542.66
£14,356.49
€16,500
CA$26,832.69
A$30,074.86
CHF 15,744.60
MX$371,105.81
NOK 197,781.58
SEK 186,175.28
DKK 125,552.82
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About the Item

Very rare Biedermeier secretary with safe deposit box Northern Italy Walnut and others around 1840 Dimensions: H x W x D: 154 x 98 x 49 cm Description: Super rare and fantastically preserved antique secretary with built-in safe. This piece of furniture, standing on multi-profiled round feet, is typical of the late Biedermeier period or the "Epoque Charles X". We see cleanly continuous and bookmatching walnut grain courses, which unfold an incredible "depth" due to the matt shellac polish. The front is divided into two real and one false drawer at the bottom, the writing flap above and a curved top drawer below the loosely fitted top panel made of white Carrara marble. When we open the two lower drawers, we notice the exceptionally high-quality locks for a piece of writing furniture of this type, each with two bolts and an elaborately designed key. If we pull out the top of the two drawers fully, we see the intermediate shelf in the body, the so-called dust shelf - another detail that can only be found on a few secretaries of the time. The corner joints of the drawers are neatly dovetailed, the bottoms of the drawers are divided in two with a central crossbar - this workmanship also meets the highest quality standards. The writing tablet, which is closed with three latches, can be folded down to the front and is covered with fabric on the inside. The interior features a large roller shutter, three drawers and 12 open letter compartments. The roller shutter slides upwards to reveal a solid iron safe made by Mossone Gio Bat. Fab. in Andorno / Province Di Biella with the serial number N.525. There are two panels on the side of the framed mascaron, the left of which can be opened using a secret release mechanism and reveals two elaborately designed keyholes. The two keys, one of which has a cloverleaf-shaped shaft, are incredibly accurately crafted. This detail is best seen in the attached video. Inside the safe, in addition to the large open compartment, there are various drawers and doors as well as a flap at the bottom, which conceals a wide storage space that fills the cavity behind the drawer front in the lower body area. Of course, the safe is made of riveted iron plates on all sides. There is a small hole in the back wall so that the secretary can be screwed to the wall from inside the safe. The drawer located above the writing section is also a nice quality feature. Please take a look at the photo showing the front corner joint. Such a beautiful dovetail joint across the radius not only testifies to the highest standards of craftsmanship of the master craftsman, but also to his enormous attention to detail. Worth knowing: In the northern part of Italy, influenced by the countries of the Alpine region, furniture was also built in a style that we call "Biedermeier" in Germany and "Charles X" in France. This fact can be explained by the fact that the north-eastern part of Italy was under strong Austrian influence in the first half of the 19th century and the north-western part, the Sardinia-Piedmont region, was under French influence. Condition: Very well preserved, desirable and absolutely authentic condition. Restored and hand-polished with shellac. All locks and mechanisms work perfectly.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 60.63 in (154 cm)Width: 38.59 in (98 cm)Depth: 19.3 in (49 cm)
  • Style:
    Charles X (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Iron,Walnut
  • Place of Origin:
    Italy
  • Period:
    Mid-19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1840
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Very well preserved, desirable and absolutely authentic condition. Restored and hand-polished with shellac. All locks and mechanisms work perfectly.
  • Seller Location:
    Greven, DE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5419245585112

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