Featured Secretary

Hello everyone,
We just got this secretary. We wondered about any information on it. We do not find a marking or name on any surface. We have not found anything similar looking in google searches. Thank you all!

 

@verybrad
@Ghopper1924

 

Where are you located?

Looks like northwest European, walnut, ca. 1890 or so. Beautiful piece!

 

I love the bombe form - Dutch? Does the prospect's door with the jasperware plaque pull out? Sometimes there was a hidden/secret cubby.

 

Beautiful, indeed, but has the bureau parted company with the bookcase (and its back, for that matter)?
Look for serpentine or bow front, a this is actually not a secretary at all, but a bureau a cylindre, a refinement that could also help in your searches.

 

We are in Memphis Tennessee.

 

Thank you for that information.

No, it is all taken apart right now for cleaning and repairs, but all the parts are with us and it will be put back together! The bottom part has several very large cracks and we want it to bear as little weight as possible until those are properly repaired.

 

Yes, there are drawers and compartments behind the little door.

Thank you for the jasperware term! I had no idea what that was called. Is it true it is safe to clean it with a very mild biodegradable dish detergent and soft rag?

 

Thank you again for telling us about it being a "bureau a cylindre" because we found one almost identical to it now!

https://www.antiquesplus.com.au/index.cfm/item/98949-bombe-cylinder-top-desk-18th-century/

 

Mild soap and lukewarm water will do, but do not get anything too wet (especially as the inlays around it seem to want to come loose), and wipe it promptly. The one in the Australian site looks quite similar, and I'm sure yours will look even better