Rare Secretary Desk With A Retractable Curtain And Latticework Marquetry — Louis XVI Period, Late 18th Century

A rare Louis XVI-era upright secretary desk, made of precious wood veneer and stained wood, featuring remarkable geometric latticework marquetry.

With a straight-lined form, it is topped by a molded black marble top and rests on four straight, square-section legs. The front and sides are entirely defined by fillet frames and a regular grid-patterned marquetry, punctuated by small checkerboard patterns at the intersections.

The piece is distinguished by its ingenious and unusual opening mechanism: the large inlaid front panel slides vertically upward and disappears into the interior of the cabinet. This retractable panel reveals a workspace comprising a writing surface upholstered in black leather, several open compartments, and four small drawers arranged on either side of a central niche.

The upper section opens via a wide drawer also decorated with a marquetry lattice pattern. The lower section remains integrated into the continuity of the geometric composition, creating a particularly architecturally designed front.
Two doors open in the lower section to reveal storage space.

The slightly projecting side panels are adorned with rectangular inlaid panels. Beautiful gilded bronze hardware includes circular pull rings, lock plates, and decorative knobs.

This piece is a testament to particularly elaborate craftsmanship, both in the extent of its marquetry and in the complexity of its vertical roller-shutter mechanism, which is much rarer than the traditional drop-front secretary desk.

Louis XVI period, late 18th century, circa 1780–1790.

In good overall condition. Original, functional mechanism. Maintenance restorations and signs of wear consistent with its age.

Delivered flat on a pallet in a wooden crate (bulky packaging) by a carrier to the ground floor in front of your home; 280 euros in France, 1,000 euros in the EU, and 2,000 euros for the rest of the world.