Baroque Secretaire with Marquetry, 1750s

Southwest Germany
Walnut a.o.
around 1750

Dimensions: H x W x D: 211 x 127 x 65 cm

:
Antique top-mounted secretary from the mid-18th century with exceptionally rich marquetry.

The base stands on pinch feet and has eight drawers and a door. The drawers can be locked from the inside of the cabinet compartment by means of pin locks.
In the middle, at writing and working height, is the writing compartment flanked by two drawers one above the other. The drawers are locked here in the same way as in the base unit.
The recessed top of the piece of furniture has two doors, behind which there are simple open compartments.

The feet, the plinth, the edge of the top and the cornice are significantly darker in color. It can be assumed that these parts were originally blackened. This detail, the general structure of the furniture and the old transport labels found on the back and underside suggest that it was made in south-western Germany.

In addition to the well-chosen proportions, there are two things that particularly impress me and distinguish this secretary from many others of its time. One is the curve of the furniture and the other is the marquetry.

The curve:
The front of the base is curved concave and convex, typical of the period. What is striking here is that the front of the door is straight-lined. Due to the dark edges in the plinth and the edge of the panel, however, the general lines are retained. The door is set back just under 10 cm, providing more legroom. The axis of the door continues upwards onto the sloping flap of the secretary section.
The lines of the stacked drawers to the left and right of the writing compartment are a real highlight. The designer of this piece of furniture has managed to create a harmonious transition from the only subtly moving superstructure to the more curved lower section. The resulting curve requires great three-dimensional imagination in the planning, is also difficult to draw on paper and requires great craftsmanship in its implementation. The result is a very harmonious piece of furniture in which the drawer fronts are precisely embedded in the shape of the carcase.

The marquetry:
The design of the surfaces is truly unique. The geometric inlays of plum wood are accompanied by threads of maple. They intersect, are twisted into themselves and form fascinating frames for the ten folding stars made of maple and bog oak.
In contrast to many other pieces of furniture of the time, the sides here are also extremely precise and of the same quality as the front. The inlay work also continues in the area of the knee hole, on the left, right and below the door.
The thickness of the veneer can be clearly seen in the photo, which shows the open door of the kneehole.

Like the body itself, the interior is made of softwood and was probably originally papered.

The original fittings are discreetly engraved. This can be clearly seen in one of the photos.

Condition:
The furniture is in a desirable, refurbished condition suitable for everyday use. The patina and the color tone that has developed over the centuries have been completely preserved thanks to the careful restoration.

Please refer to the following literature:
Wolfgang Eller – Schreibmöbel 1700-1850 p. 254. The furniture is in a desirable, refurbished condition suitable for everyday use. The patina and the color tone that has developed over the centuries have been completely preserved thanks to the careful restoration.