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Napoleon III Period Desk, 19th Century, With Burr Walnut Veneer And Secret Drawers
"Secrets of the Loire" Desk.
Four-tiered desk with five drawers and two secret drawers.
Solid walnut, rosewood, burr walnut veneer, carving, glass (mirror), bronze fittings; leather-covered top with gilt tooling.
France, Napoleon III period.
Dimensions: height 145 cm, width 95 cm, depth 59 cm.
Condition: very good.
Expert appraisal, document available.
General Description:
Napoleon III period desk, 19th century, with a drop-front, burr walnut veneer, and secret drawers, characteristic of French production in the second half of the 19th century. This piece features an architecturally structured four-tiered design, carefully proportioned and richly executed, illustrating the Second Empire's taste for furniture combining functionality and decorative refinement.
The front is distinguished by a cylindrical drop-front concealing a writing surface covered in black leather with gilt trim, complemented by five visible drawers and a pair of secret drawers ingeniously integrated into the structure. The whole rests on finely carved, cabriole legs connected by a shaped apron. The upper section, designed as a small sideboard, is adorned with a framed mirror and surmounted by a carved, openwork finial, giving this Napoleon III period desk an elegant verticality and a strong decorative presence.
Materials and Techniques:
The piece is made of solid walnut, enhanced with rosewood and a burr walnut veneer, crafted using traditional 19th-century French cabinetmaking techniques. The veneer work, executed with great precision, highlights the expressive grain of the burr and emphasizes the curved lines of the piece.
The carving, measured yet precise, animates the legs, uprights, and upper elements. The original bronze fittings are both functional and understated, blending harmoniously into the overall design without excessive ornamentation.
Dating and Historical Context:
Through its style, materials, and decorative vocabulary, this desk is a prime example of French production during the Napoleon III era, circa 1860–1880. This period of the Second Empire is characterized by a pronounced taste for refined eclecticism, the use of precious woods, and a quest for balance between functionality and decorative richness.
Artistic and Functional Characteristics:
• Multi-level construction offering ample storage capacity.
• Cylindrical drop-front revealing a leather-covered writing surface with gilt edges.
• The presence of secret drawers reveals a high level of craftsmanship.
• Burr walnut veneer with rich and carefully selected grain.
• A successful combination of decorative value and everyday use.
Condition:
Very good overall condition.
• Solid and stable structure.
• Veneers well preserved, with only minor, localized losses.
• Leather top replaced with new leather, strictly conforming to the original, with traditional gilding.
• Drawers and mechanisms complete and fully functional, including the pair of secret drawers (see photo 7).
Collector's Value:
Napoleon III period drop-front desks from the 19th century, veneered in burr walnut and equipped with secret drawers, are among the most prized pieces of French furniture from this period.
This example, with its harmonious proportions and documented expert attribution, is a significant collector's piece, sought after by both amateurs and serious collectors.
Ref: 4317
Four-tiered desk with five drawers and two secret drawers.
Solid walnut, rosewood, burr walnut veneer, carving, glass (mirror), bronze fittings; leather-covered top with gilt tooling.
France, Napoleon III period.
Dimensions: height 145 cm, width 95 cm, depth 59 cm.
Condition: very good.
Expert appraisal, document available.
General Description:
Napoleon III period desk, 19th century, with a drop-front, burr walnut veneer, and secret drawers, characteristic of French production in the second half of the 19th century. This piece features an architecturally structured four-tiered design, carefully proportioned and richly executed, illustrating the Second Empire's taste for furniture combining functionality and decorative refinement.
The front is distinguished by a cylindrical drop-front concealing a writing surface covered in black leather with gilt trim, complemented by five visible drawers and a pair of secret drawers ingeniously integrated into the structure. The whole rests on finely carved, cabriole legs connected by a shaped apron. The upper section, designed as a small sideboard, is adorned with a framed mirror and surmounted by a carved, openwork finial, giving this Napoleon III period desk an elegant verticality and a strong decorative presence.
Materials and Techniques:
The piece is made of solid walnut, enhanced with rosewood and a burr walnut veneer, crafted using traditional 19th-century French cabinetmaking techniques. The veneer work, executed with great precision, highlights the expressive grain of the burr and emphasizes the curved lines of the piece.
The carving, measured yet precise, animates the legs, uprights, and upper elements. The original bronze fittings are both functional and understated, blending harmoniously into the overall design without excessive ornamentation.
Dating and Historical Context:
Through its style, materials, and decorative vocabulary, this desk is a prime example of French production during the Napoleon III era, circa 1860–1880. This period of the Second Empire is characterized by a pronounced taste for refined eclecticism, the use of precious woods, and a quest for balance between functionality and decorative richness.
Artistic and Functional Characteristics:
• Multi-level construction offering ample storage capacity.
• Cylindrical drop-front revealing a leather-covered writing surface with gilt edges.
• The presence of secret drawers reveals a high level of craftsmanship.
• Burr walnut veneer with rich and carefully selected grain.
• A successful combination of decorative value and everyday use.
Condition:
Very good overall condition.
• Solid and stable structure.
• Veneers well preserved, with only minor, localized losses.
• Leather top replaced with new leather, strictly conforming to the original, with traditional gilding.
• Drawers and mechanisms complete and fully functional, including the pair of secret drawers (see photo 7).
Collector's Value:
Napoleon III period drop-front desks from the 19th century, veneered in burr walnut and equipped with secret drawers, are among the most prized pieces of French furniture from this period.
This example, with its harmonious proportions and documented expert attribution, is a significant collector's piece, sought after by both amateurs and serious collectors.
Ref: 4317
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