Fine and Impressive Late 18th Century Neoclassical Mahogany Library Bookcase
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Mahogany, solid and veneered on oak. Openwork gallery above two doors with wire-mesh panelling, the inside with an arrangement of adjustable shelves, retaining two gilt brass escutch...
Brass
Important Early 19th Century Danish Neoclassical Secretaire NIcolai Abildgaard
By Nicolai Abildgaard
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The slender secretaire on an unusual high stand with four curved legs dived into quarters, the frame with a central inlaid palmette motif. The fall down writing flap, enclosing a fitted interior with numerous drawers, above and below are two doors enclosing one shelf. The top of the secretaire in form of a classical triangular pediment, the center of which is decorated with an inlaid stylized anthemion. The entire front is very plain and geometrical, divided into six panels inlaid with rectangular fields in light wood. The design of this mahogany secretaire is based on classical Roman and Greek models, in this case the bookcases that were portrayed on frescoes, reliefs and Roman gold glass. As secretaires were not known in Antiquity, Abildgaard designed his secretaire as a cupboard though in such a way, that the two centre doors are actually a fall front writing top. The carved turned underframe is inspired by Etruscan footstools, which were known especially from reliefs and had been reproduced in contemporary prints. Abildgaard designed this piece of furniture far more in accordance with ancient tradition than did the other furniture designer of the day. The most important (and avantgarde) piece of the furniture Abildgaard designed in the first decade of the 19th century, is this secretaire, which marks a real renewal in relation to the secretaires that constituted the master's test for the members of the guild of cabinetmakers at this time. Compared with these, this secretaire is a very light piece of furniture that does not follow the contemporary fashion towards classical architectural decorations such as columns, pillars, architraves, etc. which often endow such pieces. Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard (11 September 1743 – 4 June 1809) was a leading Danish Neoclassical painter who also designed (mostly for his own use) elegant Grecian furniture...
Bone, Maple
Architectural Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very rare and elegant Biedermeier cabinet of architectural form. Very simple in design with a fantastic and warm burr-ash veneer, accentuated with ebonized thread inlay, discs and ...
Ash, Fruitwood
Rare 17th Century Baroque Cabinet, South Germany Probably Augsburg, Wunderkammer
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A small architectural table cabinet, veneered in walnut and mulberry, the centre doors enclosing an arrangement of nine various sized drawers with bone knobs, behind a central door a...
Brass
Rare French Empire Mahogany Bookcase Library Jacob Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Large and very unusual French Empire bookcase in beautifully figured mahogany veneer. Four glazed doors (original glass), interior with original shelves (two on each level allow an adjustment for larger...
Mahogany
Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This fine Empire drop-front secretary (secrétaire a'abattant or secrétaire en armoire) with a writing and standing desk is signed M. Hirschgartner. Hans Martin Hirschgartner (1766-18...
Marble
An Early 19th Century Regency Bureau Bookcase After Thomas Hope
By Thomas Hope
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1810 A fine Regency mahogany bureau bookcase, with classical motifs throughout. The upper section comprises a pair of glazed doors set within moulded pilasters crowne...
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Bookcase in Acajou Moucheté Mahogany
Located in Dallas, TX
A refined 19th century French Louis XVI bookcase crafted in acajou moucheté mahogany, one of the most prized and rare forms of mahogany used in fine French cabinetry. Acajou mouchet...
Brass, Bronze
Large Library Cabinet with brass fluting, Germany, around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Large six-door library or bookcase with glazed doors with elegant C-shaped glazing bars and dividing pilasters with brass-lined fluting. The library is veneered in mahogany. The stra...
Brass
Louis XVI Library Cabinet, 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare small Louis XVI mahogany library cabinet from the 18th century Very beautiful little piece which is decorated in the upper part with fake books...
Mahogany
French Empire Secretaire À Abattant With Faux Book Front
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Tall French Empire secretaire à abattant featuring a drop-front writing surface and faux book facade. Crafted with rich mahogany ve...
Stone
19th c Grain Painted Cabinet with Faux Book Paneled Doors, Probably English
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two part grain painted cabinet with a molded cornice surmounting an upper case with polychromed faux book paneled doors, opening to three adjustable interior shelves, over a l...
Wood
