AN EMPIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT

CIRCA 1800, IN THE MANNER OF MOLITOR

Details

AN EMPIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT
Circa 1800, in the manner of Molitor
The later white marble rectangular top above a long secret frieze drawer, the fall front flanked by engaged classically draped caryatid pilasters, enclosing an interior fitted with two long drawer over a long and two smaller pigeonholes above three small brass-inlaid drawers to either side of a locking deep drawer, above a pair of doors enclosing three lockable long drawers, on ebonized lion's paw feet, lacking caryatid feet mounts
55in. (139.5cm.) high, 38¼in. (97cm.) wide, 17½in. (44.5cm.) deep

Lot Essay

The straightforward and simple design of this secrétaire which exploits the natural figuring of the mahogany veneer, is distinctively reminiscent of the designs of Bernard Molitor, maître in 1787. The use of Egyptian term capitals with the royal klaft headdress is also very characteristic of Molitor's oeuvre. For further information, see U. Leben, Molitor: Ebéniste from the Ancien Régime to the Bourbon Restoration, London, 1992.

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