Alsace Secrétaire

France, 19th Century

$2,295

Antique One-Of-A-Kind Unique Sylvie Favorite

Some desks are made for the private business of writing letters, the kind you fold away the moment it's done. Found in Lille and originally from Alsace, it stands tall and slim on shaped plank sides, its front dropping open to a writing surface over a fitted interior of little drawers and cubbies, with an open shelf above. The French call it a secrétaire à abattant, and this one carries the carved, cut-out charm of Alsace, the region on the German border where furniture always kept a bit of folk decoration. Sylvie stands it in a bedroom corner or a hallway, the shelf above for books and the flap dropped for writing letters.

Minor variations from the images may occur unless otherwise noted. All sales are final.

Age:: 19th Century
Country of Origin:: France
Material:: Wood
Dimensions:: 65.25" H x 41.5" W x 16.0" D

Notes from Sylvie:

Dear collector, as with many antiques, this piece may show signs of its age, including subtle repairs, a bit of movement, cracks, scratches, small holes, and surface variation from years of use. The piece has a semi-gloss wood finish with a few scuffs and scratches but is in beautiful condition overall. The drop-front desk, drawers, hinges, and side-wing mechanisms all function well, with slight water staining to the left wing. The working key is included, though the lock is slightly tight. The interior is partially lined with fabric, with some raw wood visible, and the back is a combination of thin plywood and rough slatted wood. With the wings open, the piece measures 58.5" wide, and with the desk open, 27.25" deep.

All items are final sale.