Located in Shippensburg, PA
GUSTAVIAN MAHOGANY SECRÉTAIRE À ABATTANT WITH MARBLE TOP
Sweden, circa 1790
34 3/16" H x 17 3/4" D x 36 1/8" W
Writing area: 13 1/4" D x 30" W x 26 3/8" from floor to underside of writing area
A finely crafted mahogany chest of drawers surmounted by a green-teal marble top. The uppermost drawer functions as a fall-front secretaire, the hinged front panel opening to reveal a fitted interior with multiple small drawers and compartments arranged around a central recess. The interior is polished mahogany with turned brass knobs and hand-cut dovetail joinery throughout. The two lower drawers provide additional storage, each mounted with circular brass pulls and brass key escutcheons. The case is outlined with applied brass edging, the drawers framed in applied brass cockbead moldings, the fluted corner stiles terminating in tapered legs with inset brass fluting below applied triangular brass mounts.
While the form reflects the Neoclassical aesthetic common throughout Northern Europe in the late 18th and early 19th century, the restrained ornamentation, lightness of proportion and use of gilt-brass accents are particularly characteristic of Swedish Empire furniture...
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
