Antique French Louis XVI Style Neoclassical Mahogany Secretaire, circa 1820

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Antique French Louis XVI Style Neoclassical Mahogany Secretaire, circa 1820

About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! The clean lines of this antique French neoclassical Louis XVI style mahogany secretaire, circa 1820 remain as desirable today as they were two centuries ago. This type of antique French desk is known as a "bureau à cylindre" because of the rounded shape to the front of the desk that retracts when opened. The desk stands upon four straight tapered legs that each end in a brass cap known as "sabot" after the wooden clogs worn by the residents of Brittany. Sabots, being made of metal and performed two functions. One, to protect the mahogany timber from an errant kick of the foot and scond, to provide a reflection of the ambient light in an interior so the base of the leg could be seen even in almost total darkness. The top of the bureau has a brass gallery rail that also serves a reflective purpose as well as providing a low barrier to contain the precious objects originally displayed there upon the marble surface. This bureau was for private use as seen by the locks on both the cylinder section as well as the pair of cabinet doors set above the cylinder. Interestingly the pair of doors were fitted with pieces of mirror to reflect available light back into the room and illuminate what tasks were being performed at the desk. Being the original mirrors they both exhibit the characteristic fogging and foxing notable in antique mirror with the right side being almost entirely obscured. These signs of aging in mirror, especially combined into an item of furniture, greatly increases the desirability. When unlocked the doors open to reveal a storage space with a shelf. When raised, the cylinder front to the desk also reveals a storage space fitted with individual drawers and open spaces. The leather topped writing surface is pulled forward, away from the desk, to accommodate a chair and increase the available area for writing. The sleek neoclassical profile of this desk makes it suitable for a variety of interiors where its rich mahogany timber combined with mirror and brass will be a unique addition.

Dimensions:
Height: 53 in (134.62 cm)Width: 36.5 in (92.71 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
Style:
Louis XVI (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Leather,Mahogany
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1820-1829
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1820
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: MCB181stDibs: LU86685578723