Secretary Says "guillotine", From The End Of The Eighteenth Century With Inventory Number.

This large and very decorative secretary is generally referred to as a "guillotine secretary". flap revealing the paper holder and the writing desk, and the upper part in a cupboard, with 2 mirrored doors. The production of our model is neat, it is a refined cabinet-making piece of furniture made with a very beautiful moire mahogany veneer for the front of beautiful mahogany leaves from Santo Domingo for the sides, all distributed in mesh frames in ebony surrounded by quarter-round copper on wood. The locks are cloverleaf, confirming quality production, all the locks work and we have a cloverleaf key with it. In terms of style, this secretary is Louis XVI, it corresponds to the productions of the end of this period, and the period of the Directory with a well-designed architecture, marked in particular by the front uprights in corner column (known as ear) at bundles of rushes and the posterior amount in pilaster also with bundles of rushes, this very characteristic pattern of classicism replaces the fluting, it will become knotted to form the lictor's bundles, a pattern specific to the revolutionary period reminiscent of the ancient Roman republic, this pattern will be continued under the period of the Empire. The architecture of the furniture is also well underlined by the grooved cornice punctuated by the projections of the furniture, the "spinning top" base with bronze rings and clogs is also typical of the end of the 18th century. Built on an oak and fir frame, the drawers are entirely fitted in oak, the rear paneling of the cabinet is entirely in oak, a stenciled inventory mark "CR 16" is inscribed there, we have no information on This inventory can be a “private” inventory sometimes carried out when the collection is moved, or even an inventory. This piece of furniture shows old restoration, mainly splits at the level of the flap, and some splits on the sides, otherwise, it presents a good integrity and a perfect authenticity, the woods are clean, the varnished mahogany is very bright, the brasses are shiny, the contrast of these materials interspersed with ebony is superb and most elegant. There is no stamp, it is nevertheless a quality Parisian production. The two high doors retain their original mercury glass, there are wear and small accidents on the edges, completely acceptable and part of the authenticity of the piece of furniture. Dimensions: Height: 180 cm Width: 88 cm Depth: 40 cm Open flap height: 73 cm