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Opulent Secretary in Napoleon III - Makart Style, Vienna, circa 1880
$6,947.28
£5,196.67
€5,800
CA$9,573.02
A$10,523.08
CHF 5,524.57
MX$125,127.02
NOK 70,948.02
SEK 64,625.98
DKK 44,202.01
About the Item
Opulent Secretary Desk in the Makart Style with Brass and Mother-of-Pearl Inlays
Vienna
Ebonized wood, brass, mother-of-pearl
c. 1880
Dimensions: H × W × D: 138 × 77 × 51 cm
Description:
This tall rectangular secretary rests on compressed bun feet. The front is structured with four broad drawers at the base, a fall-front writing surface in the center, and a narrow top drawer above. Two turned and fluted columns with gilded Corinthian capitals and bronze drapery mounts flank the body of the piece.
In terms of form, the secretary adheres to the French Napoleon III style, but it is unmistakably shaped by the opulent aesthetic of the Austrian painter and stage designer Hans Makart (1840 Salzburg – 1884 Vienna).
Makart was known for creating complete interior concepts in the Neo-Renaissance style, marked by heavy drapery and lavish decoration. His approach deeply influenced Viennese decorative arts of the late 19th century. Furniture like this secretary was conceived as an autonomous art object, contributing—together with architectural elements and rich textiles—to a theatrical Gesamtkunstwerk, as exemplified by Makart’s famous studio in Vienna.
The present piece features Makart’s signature wide bands of inlaid mother-of-pearl, framing finely engraved brass inlays executed in the manner of André-Charles Boulle. The decorative scheme includes intertwined acanthus scrolls, stylized lion masks, and applied rosettes, particularly prominent on the writing flap.
The sides are more restrained, with a classic frame-and-panel construction and fine brass stringing that follows the contours of the corpus.
The interior of the writing compartment comprises two small drawers and a large open compartment veneered in mahogany. The fall-front is mounted on brass hinges and lined with tooled green leather.
Although the stylistic language of the piece appears distinctly French, it is important to recognize that design trends in the late 19th century were highly international, shaped by creative impulses from major cities such as Paris and London. Furniture in the Napoleon III style was not limited to France but appeared in closely related forms in Italy, Germany, and Austria.
The back panel of this secretary reveals a clear indication of its Austrian origin: made of softwood, it features four raised and fielded panels—a detail typical of Austrian or South German cabinetry. By contrast, high-quality French furniture of this period would typically use smooth-planed oak, often with only one or two panels.
Condition:
Good, original condition. The secretary has been professionally cleaned and preserved. Minor surface wear and light marks to the leather. No losses.
- Dimensions:Height: 54.34 in (138 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 20.08 in (51 cm)
- Style:Napoleon III (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1880
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Good, original condition. The secretary has been professionally cleaned and preserved. Minor surface wear and light marks to the leather. No losses.
- Seller Location:Greven, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5419247830502
About the Seller
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