Bone Secretaires

This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections. The upper section has three doors: a l...

Uncovered sample desk made of wood, with the central part advanced and highlighted with a double chapel of architectural composition. Each of the sides has five drawers with the front decorated with tortoiseshell and an elaborate golden bronze lock shield (two rampant lions faced, located on a garland and with a shield crowned between them, in which the hollow of the key). The center of the front has two levels: the lower one has four columns with éntasis, two on each side and joined by an entablature and a top finish in dark wood, and a series of gold metal elements in the center between which it stands out, sheltered under a semicircular arch, the figure of Hercules fighting against Caco; the upper one has some moldings forming some recesses, with an important heraldic shield in the center, all enhanced with volutes towards the sides, and different elements in gilded metal, of classicist inspiration. The general scheme of the furniture responds to a very widespread and valued model in 17th century Europe, of which the best examples have been, as a rule, those of Italian manufacture, and which is continued in the eighteenth century without breaking the compositional clarity of the one that shows in this frontal but yes changing slight decorative details and elements in the area of the central chapel, above all. The practice of using tortoiseshell plates...

Offered here is a stunning Dutch secretary desk in the Biedermeier style, crafted in the mid-19th century, around 1840. This exquisite piece is made entirely from the finest quality ...

19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top HRH . Very Rare Early 19th century secretary " Secrétaire a'...

Impressive set consisting of a wooden bargueño (barga) on a matching chest. The chest features ornamental wrought iron fittings decorated in red, contrasting with the warmth of the w...

Exquisite antique cabinet with detailed ornamentation highlighted by ivory inlays in geometric and floral patterns. The front features a central design evoking a tree of life, surrou...

An exceptional Federal period tambour secretary, crafted around 1800, showcasing a sophisticated combination of figured mahogany and vibrant birdseye maple. This piece beautifully ex...

An exceptional Spanish vargueno or collector cabinet with a sophisticated assemblage of decorated drawers and cabinets on the interior with columnar accents. The exterior with except...

Early 19th-century Danish Empire secretary bureau crafted in mahogany veneer with both bowfront and concave cabinet doors. The piece features elaborate inlay and marquetry throughout...

A very fine antique Napoleon III French style ebonzied Boulle & ormolu Bonheur du Jour by Nordisk Kunst & Mobel-Etablissement, Copenhagen Denmark, 1903. In remarkable condition. Thi...

English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top section having a shaped cornice with an ebonized lion medallion flanked by sphinxe...

Beautiful and rare original North German "Altona" Secretary, circa 1810-1820. Fine cuba-mahogany, Birch and elmwood veneer. Inlays in different woods. Original fittings in bronze and...

Rustic German (19th Century) oak cabinet with horn trim & carved medallions with flip seat bench base and upper section with 2 large stained glass doors and...

This unique Mid Century Tall Boy and/or Secretary, made from solid oak covered by real tortoise shells fully varnished, was made in Milano by a sm...

Rare Danish early 19th century secretary or slant front bureau. Exquisitely crafted from mahogany with fabulous marquetry decoration in black n...

A British Colonial secretary, probably Anglo-Indian, in Campaign form with burl wood and ebony and bone inlay.

The slender secretaire on an unusual high stand with four curved legs dived into quarters, the frame with a central inlaid palmette motif. The fall down writing flap, enclosing a fitted interior with numerous drawers, above and below are two doors enclosing one shelf. The top of the secretaire in form of a classical triangular pediment, the center of which is decorated with an inlaid stylized anthemion. The entire front is very plain and geometrical, divided into six panels inlaid with rectangular fields in light wood. The design of this mahogany secretaire is based on classical Roman and Greek models, in this case the bookcases that were portrayed on frescoes, reliefs and Roman gold glass. As secretaires were not known in Antiquity, Abildgaard designed his secretaire as a cupboard though in such a way, that the two centre doors are actually a fall front writing top. The carved turned underframe is inspired by Etruscan footstools, which were known especially from reliefs and had been reproduced in contemporary prints. Abildgaard designed this piece of furniture far more in accordance with ancient tradition than did the other furniture designer of the day. The most important (and avantgarde) piece of the furniture Abildgaard designed in the first decade of the 19th century, is this secretaire, which marks a real renewal in relation to the secretaires that constituted the master's test for the members of the guild of cabinetmakers at this time. Compared with these, this secretaire is a very light piece of furniture that does not follow the contemporary fashion towards classical architectural decorations such as columns, pillars, architraves, etc. which often endow such pieces. Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard (11 September 1743 – 4 June 1809) was a leading Danish Neoclassical painter who also designed (mostly for his own use) elegant Grecian furniture...