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FINE GUSTAVIAN SECRETARY DESK OVER CABINET IN EARLY RUST AND BLUE PAINT
Probably Swedish or Danish, circa first half of the 19th century
Item # 403BAS18Q
An very cool and quite rare Gustavian writing desk executed in pine with a very early painted surface, it is comprised with a faux-marbelized top surrounded by an applied cove molding over a single full-width drawer. This is highlighted with a cupid's bow motif across the front and is constructed with large hand-cut dovetails in the corners,
A fall-front writing surface that is lowered to reveal a robin's egg blue painted interior fitted with five small drawers on either side flanking a tiny drawer over a horizontally hinged prospect door and a pair of flanking columns also decorated in a faux-marbelized finish. This central arrangement is raised on a squared plinth that is a secret drawer, withdrawing to hide papers or valuables; the columns are also secret drawers and are easily removed.
The lower cabinet features a pair of drawers that open to reveal a single fixed shelf interior. A carved pinwheel motif is situated central to the apron.
The distinct angularity of the triangulated open base and the graduated elongated octagonal form of the fall front and lower cabinet doors create an air of geometrical minimalism that makes the desk a welcomed addition even in a starkly modernist setting. Highly function and very useful, it is an incredibly attractive and rather early example in almost untouched original condition.
Measurements: 48 5/8" H x 18 1/2" D x 46 7/8" W; writing area is 12 3/8" D x 43 5/8" W x 28 7/8" H (from ground to underside of writing surface)
Condition Report:
Paint surface largely original or at least incredibly early without evidence of later layers; surface is incredibly worn, oxidized, chipped and stained from careful use over the centuries; the molding around the top is very heavily worn and chipped, being slightly loose where the joints have separated (and one modern nail visible on the edge); the left side of the fall-front writing surface shows the large steel hinge inside the edge through several large chips along the extreme edge; the locks are inoperable and the included key is only a "pull" for the fall-front; shrinkage over time has created a large gap in the lower doors; all original hardware; right side lost the strip of applied molding along the bottom edge a very long time ago (deep oxidization in surface); see detailed images for full condition overview; a very fine piece that is ready to place immediately.