Very Fine Neoclassical Empire Swedish Secretary by Johan Högman, circa 1814

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Very Fine Neoclassical Empire Swedish Secretary by Johan Högman, circa 1814

About the Item

From the estate of Swedish Architect Alfred Grenander, from Villa Tångvallen, in Falsterbo Sweden. This extraordinary Neoclassical Secretary in West Indies mahogany is a masterwork by the Stockholm master cabinet maker Johan Högman. The Secretary is documented in the cabinet makers' society in Stockholm where there is a unique collection of original drawings of all masterworks made between 1751 and 1846. Johan Högman's masterwork was submitted in 1814 which gave him entry into the Swedish society of master cabinetmakers. His master work, this exceptional secretary, is exquisitely crafted starting with the secret spring-loaded drawers underneath and flanking the pediment top, and ending with the beautifully articulated lion heads that embellish all four lion's paw feet on which this fine piece rests. Högman's cabinet found its way into the estate of Beck-Friis Löwenhielm at some point in its history. Alfred Grenader being a decedent of the Beck-Friis Löwenhielm family several generations removed was presumably in possession of the Secretary as a family heirloom. Alfred Grenader, who was trained in Berlin, was influenced by German Jugendstil and the later Bauhaus movements, as can be readily seen in his summer home, designed and built by him in Falsterbo, Sweden, in 1906. Most of the purchased furnishings in that home were Jugendstil in style, however he also included some family heirlooms including the Högman secretary. The secretary has resided in Villa Tångvallen, in Falsterbo from 1906 until this year when the estate was sold by the living descendents of Alfred Grenander. Alfred Grenader is best known for his work on the Berlin Uban. Between 1902 and 1930 he constructed numerous U-Bahn stations, many of which have landmark status today. There is writing scribed onto the bottom of the last drawer, but since it is faint and worn, it is difficult to say with certainty if it is Högman's signature or if the writing represents another facet of the cabinet's history. Fall-front opens to a writing desk that offers a myriad of small drawers and two small cabinet doors, an open cubby hole flanked by marble columns capped with ormolu and letter compartments that pull-out offering hidden storage. Marble columns also decorate the exterior. Features wood peg construction with white pine and kiefer as the secondary woods, original ivory pulls and brass escutcheons. More photographs are available upon request as well as a detailed condition report. Call us to set up a FaceTime session so that you can speak with one of our staff while you examine at all aspects of the piece in real time. Dimensions: 50" wide x 21 1/2 deep x 65" high. 35" deep when open.

Creator:
Johan Högman (Cabinetmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 65 in (165.1 cm)Width: 50.5 in (128.27 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
Style:
Empire (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Mahogany,Marble,Polished
Place of Origin:
Sweden
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1814
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Condition of Secretary is good to excellent. Left exterior marble column was replaced at some point in its history with faux-painted wood (photographed) and was done so well it is indiscernible except to the touch.
Seller Location:
Miami, FL
Reference Number:
Seller: SEC001391stDibs: LU98811233066