A VIENNESE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY AND PARCEL-GILT SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT

IN THE MANNER OF FRANZ STEINDL

Details

A VIENNESE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY AND PARCEL-GILT SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT
In the manner of Franz Steindl
Of oval form, the rectangular stepped top with lappeted moulded edge, above the oval body with a fall-front with fruitfilled cornucopiae escutcheon enclosing an architectural amboyna-lined fitted interior, the upper shelf with a pedimented door with Egyptian herm supports enclosing a mirrror-backed interior, above a pedimented recess with mirror back flanked on each side by four small drawers, the steps enclosing a drawer with secret catch, above a semi-circular fronted drawer with conforming escutcheon, flanked on each side by a rectangular column following the curve of the main body, surmounted by an Egyptian maiden's head, the main body on a downswept foot enclosing a drawer, on a rectangular plinth base enclosing a further drawer, restorations, orginally with a further element to the top, possibly a clock
72½ in. (184 cm.) high; 39¾ in. (101 cm.) wide; 16¾ in. (42.5 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

This secretaire a abattant is almost certainly from the same workshop as that which was sold anonymously at Christie's Amsterdam, 21 September 1995, lot 189, which was nearly identical in shape, had the identical metal banding and the same emphasis on the figure of the wood on the exterior. Only the interior arrangement varied, while the concept of the small drawers flanking a cental recess and an elaborate decoration above was the same.

A further nearly identical secretaire a abattant, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, is signed and dated 'Franz Steindl 1814'. This cabinet maker may be realted to an important cabinet maker who worked in Budapest in the 1820s.

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