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Antique Painted Gustavian Grey/White Secretary with Fall-Front & Birch Interior

About the Item

A very lovely Louis Philippe fall-front secretary in pine with a light Gustavian-grey/white painted finish, and original French-polished birch wood interior. Features a carved bonnet top with two storage drawers above the fall-front and three storage drawers below. The desk's birch interior offers a warm and beautiful contrast to the grey/white paint and features a total of ten (10) smaller drawers and a central cubby for correspondence, papers & books. Chest rests on original block feet & comes with original working locks & (3) keys. North Germany, circa 1850. Note: the fall-front slants down to accommodate a writing & reading surface. It can be adjusted in our workshop & made perpendicular to the cabinet, if that were desirable. Measures: 42" wide x 21 1/2" deep x 79 1/4" high Fall front is 30" from the floor when open The work surface is 34 1/2" wide x 23" deep when open Even though the French king, Louis Philippe, reigned from 1830-1848, the style referred to as "Louis Philippe" continued to evolve and inspire the furniture craftsmen of other nations. It was embraced in Germany and other countries in northern Europe following the Biedermeier period. Offering a more florid style, it replaced the generally more austere style that accompanied the Biedermeier movement.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 79.25 in (201.3 cm)Width: 42 in (106.68 cm)Depth: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)
  • Style:
    Louis Philippe (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1850
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Additions or alterations made to the original: This secretary was originally painted in the mid 1800's using a faux-bois finish to simulate mahogany or walnut. Original pine exterior was hand-painted by us using a popular color from the Swedish Gustavian period. Birch wood interior is original. Replacements made: Pulls are cast and hand-chased reproductions from England using the same bronze alloy that was used in the 19th century. Key plate escutcheons are also in brass and follow the style that was being used in Northern Europe in the mid 1800's. Wear consistent with age and use. Comes with all working locks & 3 keys. All of the drawers are working well & glide easily. The fall-front operates with a steel plate that's morticed into the wood & pins into the side of the cabinet making a strong mechanical connection (See photo).
  • Seller Location:
    Miami, FL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU988119997132

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