Skip to main content
Items Similar to Eary 19th Century German Empire Secretaire with Ormolu Bustes, Berlin c. 1811
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825
Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts
French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

Eary 19th Century German Empire Secretaire with Ormolu Bustes, Berlin c. 1811

$22,039.24
£16,156.62
€18,500VAT Included
CA$30,357.96
A$30,746.71
CHF 17,662.43
MX$372,843.39
NOK 204,882.03
SEK 208,546.34
DKK 141,073.20

About the Item

Antique Biedermeier secretary with fire-gilt bronzes Berlin Curly maple and others circa 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 141 x 88 x 49 cm Description: Rare and highly refined Berlin writing cabinet from the early 19th century in very delicate dimensions. The piece of furniture stands on cast iron lion's paws with two large drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above and a head drawer below the moulded and ebonised cornice. Two blackened and downwardly tapering pilasters accompany the front of the furniture on the left and right. They are crowned by two cast and fire-gilded bronze busts of the highest quality. The busts are complemented by keyhole fittings, which are also excellently crafted, and griffins mounted on a black background and surrounded by water-dispensing servants and tendrils. The mounting of bronzes on a blackened background was widely practised in Berlin classicism. The strong colour contrast enhanced the effect of the fire gilding and the fineness of the chiselling was more clearly visible without the distracting surrounding wood grain. A particularly fine example of this, very similar to the piece of furniture offered here, can be found on a chest of drawers and a secretary in the Museo Mario Praz in Rome [see Patrizia Rosazza Ferraris - Il Museo Praz p. 30]. Here too, mythical creatures surrounded by tendrils are arranged symmetrically in a black rectangular field and are of the finest quality. The bronzes were supplied by Werner & Mieth, a foundry founded in 1792, which was regarded as the leading Berlin manufacturer of artistic bronzeware in the early 19th century. The company made a name for itself primarily through the high-quality realisation of Karl Friedrich Schinkel's designs and thus also came into contact with the cabinetmaker Karl Wanschaff, who worked for Schinkel and to whom the furniture now kept in Rome is attributed. The flourishing craftsmanship in Berlin in the late 18th and early 19th century is due, among other things, to the dismantling of the guild monopolies. From the mid-1790s, numerous bronze casters and gilders founded and established themselves. In addition to Werner & Mieth, Hanff, Ermisch, Schröder and Ravené should be mentioned here. It is not clear which foundry produced the bronzes mounted on the piece of furniture on offer here. In addition to the bronzes, the secretary offered here also attracts attention through the choice of wood and the colouring of the wood. For example, maple veneer was used all over the outside instead of the expected mahogany. The increased use of European woods in the early 19th century is directly linked to the revolutionary and trade wars between England and France, as a result of which the import of exotic woods from the West Indian colonies came to an almost complete standstill. After decades of specialising in the processing of mahogany wood in Berlin, it was now necessary to use high-quality alternatives from domestic sources. The desire to become permanently independent of imports led to a legal ban on the import of exotic woods in Prussia and the awarding of bonuses for the successful processing of local material. Whereas European woods had previously only been used in small quantities - for example as a light contrast to the dominant mahogany - they initially appeared in the period around 1800 with an equal design presence and then completely replaced the tropical woods in the following years. In order to imitate the valued effect of the tropical veneer, the Berlin workshops now also specialised in the further development of staining and surface techniques: light woods were darkened to match the colour of mahogany. This technique can also be seen in the secretary presented here - its relatively dark surface is due to the intensive staining of the maple used. The use of veneer cut from burls also became increasingly popular at this time, but also posed special technical challenges: For example, these veneers tended to warp much more than sheets cut from the straight trunk and ensured that the great art of veneering was further perfected in Berlin. When we open the writing flap, we are presented with an interior veneered in these same burl woods above the leather-covered writing surface. The light and dark stained woods are geometrically veneered in the style of early classicism with brass string inlays and dark-coloured wood. Smaller remnants of simply grained mahogany were used for the outer border of the writing compartment and the central open compartment. The secretary offered here is therefore an excellent example of early 19th century Berlin furniture making. It combines dark-stained maple with variously coloured burl woods and is complemented by finely chiselled, elaborately gilded bronze contours. Below the top plate is a barely legible signature: G. Beuthen (?) 1801 or 1811 (see photo). Condition: Restored with a shellac hand polish to preserve the patina. The bronzes have been lightly cleaned and are in a very good and authentic condition together with the gilding. Please compare the following specialised literature: -Achim Stiegel - Berliner Möbelkunst vom Ende des 18. bis zur Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts S. 97, 493 -Patrizia Rosazza Ferraris - Il Museo Mario Praz S. 30
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 55.52 in (141 cm)Width: 34.65 in (88 cm)Depth: 19.3 in (49 cm)
  • Style:
    Empire (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Maple,Ormolu,Gilt,Marquetry
  • Place of Origin:
    Germany
  • Period:
    Early 19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1811
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Restored with a shellac hand polish to preserve the patina. The bronzes have been lightly cleaned and are in a very good and authentic condition together with the gilding.
  • Seller Location:
    Greven, DE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5419247450682

More From This Seller

View All
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835

19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835

19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Biedermeier secretary desk Rhineland Walnut, etc. Biedermeier, c. 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 163 x 108 x 50 cm Description: The tall, rectangular cabinet body rests on ro...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Secret Compartment

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Berlin Biedermeier secretary in mahogany Berlin Mahogany a.o. around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 169 x 101 x 53 cm Description: When closed, this piece of furniture presen...

Category

Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire with Gilded Lions, Berlin, circa 1825

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Biedermeier secretary in conical form Berlin / Brandenburg Birch tree Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 186 x 101 x 52 cm Description: Extravagant Biedermeier...

Category

Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815

Located in Greven, DE

North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier period around 1815. Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with two drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above, another drawer above and a hidden head drawer at the very top. The piece of furniture is veneered in exciting grained birch wood. Due to the different color hangings within the wood and the interplay of hues associated with it, we also refer to it as "flamed" birch. The beautiful wood is complemented by blackened moldings and beautiful fire-gilded bronze hardware in beautiful quality. The interior of the writing compartment is veneered in apple tree. We see a stair-like rise to a central door flanked by pilasters. Drawers of different sizes and two large compartments with dividers for letters and papers complete the secretary part. Looking at the piece of furniture from above, we see an old shipping label. According to it, the secretary was loaded onto the train at the station "Odertor" in Wroclaw. The destination was probably Berin. Corresponding mmarkings we find on the back panel. Piece of furniture made in wonderful quality craftsmanship. A true testament to the high quality of Prussian furniture...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Fruitwood

Early 19th Century German or Danish Secretaire, Mahogany, Biedermeier, c. 1815

Early 19th Century German or Danish Secretaire, Mahogany, Biedermeier, c. 1815

Early 19th Century German or Danish Secretaire, Mahogany, Biedermeier, c. 1815

Located in Greven, DE

Small antique Biedermeier secretary Schleswig-Holstein Mahogany and others Biedermeier around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 137 x 88 x 45 cm Description: Piece of furniture standing...

Category

Antique 1810s German Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Mahogany, Maple

You May Also Like

Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant

Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant

Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant

Located in Rome, IT

Very fine Italian 18' century ormolu-mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant with a dark Grey marble top. Measures: cm. 170 x 105 x 46.

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830

Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830

Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830

Located in Regensburg, DE

Large, original Biedermeier Secretaire from South Germany around 1840. Cherry veneered on softwood and solid cherry. Solid cherry solid columns with carved Corinthian capitals. Pro...

Category

Antique 1830s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Iron, Tin

20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire

20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire

20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire

Located in Berlin, DE

Delicate secretaire in Biedermeier style. Maple roots on solid pinewood. Natrual leather covered and gold-embossing. (L-Mhs-42).

Category

20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Wood, Maple

18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet, Germany ca. 1770

18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet, Germany ca. 1770

18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet, Germany ca. 1770

Located in Lichtenberg, AT

Remarkable, museums quality late 18th century secrétaire or writing cabinet elaborately made in the baroque period in West Germany around 1770. Different kinds of fine nutwood/ walnu...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century

Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century

Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century

By Empire Furniture

Located in Madrid, ES

Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant" Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm. Material: Mahogany wood Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Secretaire "À Abattant" Signed Hyppolyte-Edme Pretot, Paris, 19th Century

Secretaire "À Abattant" Signed Hyppolyte-Edme Pretot, Paris, 19th Century

Secretaire "À Abattant" Signed Hyppolyte-Edme Pretot, Paris, 19th Century

By Hippolyte-Edme Pretot

Located in Madrid, ES

Secretaire "à abattant". Fine woods, marquetry, interior with drawers in rosewood and textile, gilded bronze and enameled porcelain; on marble. Signed HYPPOLYTE-EDME PRETOT (Paris, 1...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Bronze