Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

French Antique 19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Inlaid Secretary Desk

About the Item

NAPOLEON III EBONIZED AND MARQUETRY-INLAID SECRETARY DESK France, circa late 19th century Item # 311PCG30A An intricately bone-inlaid Napoleon III era secretaire a'abattant from the third quarter of the 19th century, this lovely desk features a replaced Carrara marble top with projected front corners that conform to the profile of the cabinet. It features a single drawer in the top over a fall-front lid that opens with a replaced key to reveal a tidy interior of four drawers below a small storage space over a gilt-tooled maroon leather writing surface. The outside of the lock is beautifully engraved in the same spirit as the inlays. The lower cabinet features three full-width drawers and all drawers are crafted to the same very high grade with crisp hand-dovetailed joinery. The desk is raised on turned feet. Note the delicacy of the inlay work with vibrant scrolls of foliage and bouquets of flowers, the floral display in the fall front with a bird flying over the crest. A lovely desk that has seen a great deal of life and has wonderful surface history throughout - it immediately captures the attention of the room, while still being quite restrained in size and easily incorporated even into relatively small spaces. Measurements: 55 7/8" H x 15 1/2" D x 29 1/2" W; 25 1/2" H to the underside of the writing surface if seated in front of it Condition Report: Extensive surface wear and damage, including losses of the ebony veneers throughout with visibility of the underlying secondary woods, losses to the inlays, chipping, scratching and cracks. Many moldings have been reattached and show the repairs/cracks. The Carrara marble top is replaced and the molding that would have surrounded it originally has been reduced to be flush with the top. The key is not original and is a bit finnicky, functioning only when not pushed into the lock too far. Sturdy and strong in all joints, fully functional and most enjoyable. A great presentation that is ready to place. About silla antiques & art Established in 2009, we have available in our 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery an ever-changing selection of carefully curated and catalogued furniture, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and estate jewelry. Our company has long specialized in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display. The gallery is located at 117 W Burd Street in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and is open by appointment only. We welcome your visit and would love to meet with you at the shop. For clients located outside of the area, we are always available to discuss items by video conferencing or by phone.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 55.88 in (141.94 cm)Width: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Depth: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
  • Style:
    Napoleon III (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Unknown
  • Condition:
    Replacements made: See condition notes. Repaired: See condition notes.
  • Seller Location:
    Shippensburg, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 311PCG30A1stDibs: LU1059040175202

More From This Seller

View All
French Empire Style Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK Composed of 19th century elements ref. 501GWU22P 45 7/8" H x 32 1/8" W x 15 5/8" D; writing area is 15" D x 26 1/8" W Thi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER France, circa 1830 Item # 403ZGP18C An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Empire Desks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

Fine English George III Antique Mahogany Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE WITH A GLAZED BOOKSHELF ABOVE A CHEST OF DRAWERS England, circa 1780 Three drawers signed "William Jones" ...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

George III English Antique Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III MAHOGANY DIMINUTIVE SECRETARY WITH BOOKCASE England, circa 1780 Item # 307PZN13W A very fine secretary desk of diminutive proportions, this fabulous form features an upper bookcase with a cove-molded cornice over a pair of glazed doors with eight panels each, these divided with original astragal moldings, opening to reveal an adjustable three-shelf space bookcase. The doors are beautifully embellished with fluted pilasters boasting Ionic capitals that are exquisitely detailed with rich undercutting. The lower case features a brushing slide situated over five rows of graduated drawers, the second from the top cleverly fitted with a green baize writing surface that pushes back to reveal storage space beneath while the faceted glass inkwell bottles (one missing the lid) and double trough pen tray are situated along the right side. The timbers selected for the case are above reproach and present with a ruby hue throughout that is incredibly appealing, this finished under a glowing silky French polish to the mahogany veneers throughout. The drawers are hung with period Georgian brasses...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Kingwood Antique Writing Table a Rognon, France, 19th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH LOUIS XVI KINGWOOD WRITING TABLE A ROGNON Circa 19th century Item # 803NCR07 A very fine 19th century French vide poche, the table remains in pristin...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th Century Pair of French Patinated Beechwood Arm Chairs
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF LOUIS XV STYLE PATINATED BEECHWOOD WINGBACK BERGERES Circa late 19th century Item # 306XGL21P A good pair of wingback bergere arm chairs in the Louis XV style, they feature...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Beech

You May Also Like

19th C. Napoleon III Boule Marquetry Ebonized Bonheur Du Jour Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare mid 19th Century Napoleon III Boule Marquetry Ebonized Wood Bonheur Du Jour Secretary Desk. Amazing brass inlays fron top to bottom. measures 33.5"in width, 21" in depth and s...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Napoleon III Ebonized Desk with Marble Inlay, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Ebonized desk with compartments on either side. Central drawer decorated with a cherub. Marble inlay. Leather top.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Napoleon III, Desk, Center Table, Bronze, Inlaid Tortoise, France, 19th Century
Located in Manhasset, NY
Napoleon III Desk or Center Table, Ormolu Bronze, Inlaid Burlwood, Marquetry, France, 19th C., Aristide-Henry Gros. (after) An exemplary French Centre Table or Writing Desk, dating ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony and Brass Inlaid Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony and brass inlaid desk. The oval shaped desk is raised by elegant slender circular tapered fluted legs with fine ormolu bo...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Ladies Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
shaded precious wood, veneered. Extremely fine, floral, bronze fittings. On slanting, curved legs, on all sides with perforated corner fittings. On the other hand, a fully curved, si...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century George III Secretary Desk/Chest
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A spectacular piece of English craftsmanship. The details are amazing. Desktop is tooled leather, multiple drawers as well as three hidden drawers in the trim and behind doors. This ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English George III Desks

Recently Viewed

View All