Secretaire
1670-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Secretary, walnut veneers decorated with marquetry of satinwood and kingwood. Flat top and sloping front with a symmetrical baroque design of fronded scrolled stems and floral devices akin to 'seaweed marquetry'. The front, opening, gives access to an interior lined in front with the original purple velvet (now faded) and fitted at the back with one long, narrow drawer positioned between two stacked short drawers on each end. The woodwork on the interior drawers is decorated with similar marquetry designs. When open, the front is supported on a pair of gate-legs, swivelling symmetrically from the marquetry frieze below the front. At each end, below the ends of the closed part, is a locking drawer with the front decorated with marquetry.
Four corner columnar turned legs connected by plain flat stretchers. The legs have been renewed. There are three locks (front and side drawers) but no key. Brass lock plate on front with coronet.
Four corner columnar turned legs connected by plain flat stretchers. The legs have been renewed. There are three locks (front and side drawers) but no key. Brass lock plate on front with coronet.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Walnut, with marquetry of satinwood and kingwood; brass lock plate. |
| Brief description | Secretaire with marquetry and gate-legs, English, late 17th century. |
| Physical description | Secretary, walnut veneers decorated with marquetry of satinwood and kingwood. Flat top and sloping front with a symmetrical baroque design of fronded scrolled stems and floral devices akin to 'seaweed marquetry'. The front, opening, gives access to an interior lined in front with the original purple velvet (now faded) and fitted at the back with one long, narrow drawer positioned between two stacked short drawers on each end. The woodwork on the interior drawers is decorated with similar marquetry designs. When open, the front is supported on a pair of gate-legs, swivelling symmetrically from the marquetry frieze below the front. At each end, below the ends of the closed part, is a locking drawer with the front decorated with marquetry. Four corner columnar turned legs connected by plain flat stretchers. The legs have been renewed. There are three locks (front and side drawers) but no key. Brass lock plate on front with coronet. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | WRITING DESK
ENGLISH; about 1690
Pine veneered with walnut and marquetry decoration.
Museum No. W. 37-1947(1976) |
| Object history | From RP 47/2286 on Nominal File MA/1/H857 Harris M Sons: Purchased from Moss Harris & Sons (44-52 New Oxford Street, London WC1) in October 1947 for £195. No condition recorded. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.37-1947 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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