catalog text
LOUIS XVI STYLE CHINOISERIE DECORATED RED-PAINTED FALL-FRONT SECRETARY DESK
France, ca. last quarter of the 19th century
Item # 310RZP04W
An incredibly attractive 19th century fall-front secretaire abattant, it is designed in the Louis XVI style and features a gorgeous lacquered scarlet surface with gilt chinoiserie decorations painted throughout depicting landscapes of houses and sprawling grounds with trees and foliage. The black marble top is a 20th century replacement situated over a single full-width drawer over the large fall-front writing surface. This opens to provide a very generous writing area lined with a lacquered canvas writing surface backed by a large open file space flanked on either side by three small drawers beneath three shelved spaces. Below this are three more drawers, each with large hand-cut dovetails in the oak secondary woods. The case rests over tapered feet terminating in brass sabots. A very compelling form.
Measurements: 56 1/4" H x 15 1/8" D x 38 1/4" W, writing area is 30 1/2" H over the ground x 29 1/4" H knee clearance x 20" D x 33 1/4" W
Condition Report:
Replaced marble top; cracking in the surface throughout, especially in the fall-front; numerous areas with lifting to the paint layer and areas with losses to the gilt decoration and red pigment; large chip above the lock of the fall-front writing surface; interior blue paint refreshed; old writing surface with heavy wear; a very beautiful piece that is in ready-to-place condition.