Secretary with a marble top - antique from 1840

Ancient secretary from the period of the Directorate, veneered with walnut wood with inlays of rosewood and maple. The original top is made of black Serpentine marble. The edges are rounded, vertically inlaid with boxwood, and an inlaid strip with geometric motifs made of maple and rosewood runs horizontally across the base. Inside, there is a cabinet marked from top to bottom with a cardboard, some partitions, and a series of Poggiante drawers on two ebonized pear-shaped legs (not original). It features a high lower plinth that conceals a false drawer, followed by three drawers veneered with maple (the middle one has been reconstructed). The abattant hides a framework of ebonized columns and arches resting on a rich floor of walnut and maple with geometric patterns, so we find 2 rows of 5 maple drawers with handles made of lion masks in gilded metal. On the sides and under the top, there are 13 secret compartments. The balcony with an ebonized balustrade at the top conceals a drawer. Finally, the last drawer is placed under the frame supporting the black Serpentine marble top; this drawer has a front matching the shape of the frame, which decorates the entire end of the cabinet. At the back of the cabinet, there is an inscription: “In the year 1840, on March 10th, Albenga in Botega, carpenter Filippo (pi…) and Franco Conte.” The drawer locks are not original; the cabinet has been recently restored.

Clear age and origin: 1840, Albenga in Liguria, Savona province. Regarding dating, it should be noted that the discussed secretary is stylistically transitional towards Louis Philippe (see the flared shape of the drawer under the top and the light inlay on a darker background), but like the geometric decorations and the silhouette, which is better than the tulip influence, it reflects an earlier taste. 

As for the origin, in Piedmont and Liguria, especially, rounded edge decorations with vertical inlays, marble tops, and particularly large “tulip” shapes are quite common.

A certificate of market approval accompanies the furniture.

Stylish antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Currently, there is a growing number of enthusiasts of high-quality vintage items that have a specific character and soul. It’s a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few are particularly prominent. Eclectic furniture refers to the 19th century, dominated by the Biedermeier style. Its early variations include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture dates from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It originated during Napoleon’s reign, heavily inspired by Roman and Greek decorative motifs.

Neoclassical furniture reflects the Louis XVI style, which also draws strongly from ancient architecture. Noteworthy and interesting are antique products in the Rococo style and Louis XV. The next is Baroque, whose name derives from the Portuguese “barocco” – meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly representative pieces designed to exude splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were selectively used to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much influence the Baroque style has had on modern classical furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture-making art. The Renaissance style was quite heavy and bulky. It used brown stains, cornices, robust bases, and reliefs. These products were quite specific but opened new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly speaking, chest-type furniture. The Renaissance also drew inspiration from mythology and ancient times, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

The most important aspect of elite antique furniture is originality. And this is ultimately crucial from the buyer's perspective, as the market is filled with many imitations. Luxury Products provides a certificate confirming the product's compliance with the actual description and photo. We have appraisers, art experts, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.