Burr Walnut Secretaire Abattant c.1840

Superb mid 19th.c. French secretaire abattant or writing bureau in burr walnut c.1840. Open the fall to form a good sized desk (height 32") with a gilt tooled writing surface. Beautiful fitted interior in sparkling maple veneers with ebony inlaid stringing featuring a long drawer and open bookshelf over five small drawers plus two secret compartments opening with hidden sprung catches. Original grey marble top, a frieze drawer above the bureau and three more drawers below. Highly figured burr veneers arranged in a symmetrical pattern across the fall and drawer fronts with decorative brass escutcheons. Walnut veneered sides. Raised on a moulded plinth and shaped bracket feet, also veneered to match. Oak drawer linings. Remove the top drawer to reveal two unusual handwritten inscriptions dated 1846 and (Strasbourg) 1847. Excellent condition, cleaned and waxed in our workshops. Note the original locks, keys supplied.