Secretary Of Movement Form, Alphonse Giroux, Napoleon III Period. (126cm X 63cm).

Exceptional secretary with an eventful shape, in ebony veneer in the form of a checkerboard. It is inlaid with foliage and flower scrolls in engraved brass. This work of art is curved horizontally and vertically on all its faces. This piece of furniture is richly ornamented with gilded bronzes, such as acanthus leaves and leafy shells. The gallery above is also in gilded bronze, openwork decorated with flowery scrolls. This secretary opens with a rounded flap, giving way to a workspace with five drawers, four small and one large. The front of the drawers is also curved. Each drawer is inlaid with small mother-of-pearl crosses surrounded by brass threads for each cross. Both the interior space and the interior of the drawers are in Viotette wood veneer. The bottom door opens horizontally, leaving room for storage with a shelf. Also in violet wood and rosewood. This secretary is assigned Alphonse Giroux (expertise). It dates from the second half of the 19th century. This great 19th century cabinetmaker is very recognizable by the use of marquetry decorated with mother-of-pearl crosses, and the use of violet wood for interiors. The Maison Giroux et Cie, 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré, was created by François Simon Alphonse around 1799 and then taken over by his son Alphonse Gustave from 1838. It is also in his store that Louis XVIII and Charles X chose the New Year's gifts for the young princes: Princess Louise and the Duke of Bordeaux. He transferred his shop to 43 boulevard des Capucines in 1857 and worked there until 1867 when he handed over the house to Duvinage and Harinkouke. Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie bought him various pieces of furniture of which the happiness of the day preserved in the national museum of the Castle of Compiègne acquired at the universal exhibition of 1855. This secretary of very original form is of very high quality. It is in good condition, with its natural wear.