CIRCA 1795, ATTRIBUTED TO ALEXANDRE MAIGRET

Details

A DIRECTOIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT
CIRCA 1795, ATTRIBUTED TO ALEXANDRE MAIGRET
The rectangular grey-veined white marble top above a frieze drawer and panelled fallfront, enclosing a green leather-lined writing surface, four drawers and pigeon holes, with secret drawer above, the base section enclosing three drawers with drop handles, lacking backplates, above a further door, on moulded spreading plinth and ebonised feet carved with stylised palmettes, the sides plain, inscribed in red chalk '1580' and in pencil 'no 5 cabinet', distressed
56 in. (142.5 cm.) high; 29¼ in. (74.5 cm.) wide; 17½ in. (45.5 cm.) deep

Special notice

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Lot Essay

With its restrained masculine dependence on flame-figured mahogany and linear ormolu mounts, this sécrétaire was probably bought by John, 6th Duke of Bedford in Paris in 1803. It is perhaps attributable to Alexandre Maigret (circa 1775-1826) on the basis of a commode stamped by him and sold at Christie's New York, 24 May 2001, lot 64. First listed as a tapissier and ébéniste circa 1775, Maigret was established at 20, rue Vivienne, next door to the marchand-mercier Martin-Eloi Lignereux, whom the Duke is known to have visited in 1803. Maigret was appointed fournisseur to the Garde-Meuble Impériale and collaborated on the production of ormolu with the Feuchères and Fossey workshops throughout his career. In fact, Maigret went so far as to acquire the stock-in-trade of Feuchère in 1829.

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