Very Rare Late 19th Century German Secretaire - Please Read Full Details

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Seller: microbi-5232 ✉️ (35) 100%, Location: Tiverton, GB, Ships to: GB, Item: 395039315844 Very Rare Late 19th Century German Secretaire - Please Read Full Details.

Please read full details before bidding. I will consider all reasonable offers.

I acquired this secretaire about 18 months ago as I enjoy doing up old furniture. Normally I do minimal restoration and try to leave it in as original condition as possible. From the beginning this was very different. The first thing to note that this item is very heavy (needs two people to move it). The second is that it had two large cracks down both sides. If the piece was to survive then I would need to more or less disassemble it, which I eventually did to good effect. The more I worked on the piece the more I realised that it is actually of very good quality and potentially quite important from a furniture history point of view. My observations are summarised below, please note I am not an antiques expert, this is just a hobby and these are my thoughts only.

* I believe the piece is German. On the drawers old labels in German were found (and have been kept to put back on if wished.) These labels in German indicate that at some point in time the piece was used in a doctors surgery or hospital (possibly during either the 1st world war or 2nd world war.)

* The piece is made of what I believe is a pitch pine frame. It then uses hardwood ply. I am not 100% sure but I think the top and top inside of the fold out desk top are rosewood. I haven’t identified the front wood, it is relatively soft and the handles are solid wood of the same variety (possibly satinwood).

* The piece dates from November 1899. Written notes presumably by the maker are penciled inside once a couple of drawers are removed. See photo. Parts are all numbered in pencil under the varnish/finish. The top had some writing under the varnish but I couldn’t make it out.

*The inside I believe is Biedermeier in style and uses more traditional veneers (maple and possibly beech) I think. Handles etc have been ebonised.

*The joins of the pitch pine frame and hardwood ply are exceptionally good.  

Finding furniture of this quality and still in very good condition must be a rarity.

The base was especially interesting. It consisted of damaged veneers (rosewood I think) which have been removed and replaced. However these were applied to what I would describe as a chipboard type of material. At first I thought the base was a later replacement due to this , but I inspected the bottom and the pitch pine frame and way it fits together suggests otherwise. I surmise that this could be a very early example of chipboard being used in furniture. On further researching this is appears that chipboard (also called particle board) was invented in Germany in 1887. This raises the possibility of it being an important early example, being only 12 years after the technique was first used. Please not I could be wrong, these are my thoughts only. 

Bringing this piece back into a piece that can be used and treasured for many years to come has taken many hours and has been fascinating. Quite what the history of the piece has been is anyone’s guest, but that is the beauty of re-using rather than simply throwing out.

I have deliberately not tried to hide repairs etc, I have now completed the structural restoration works to the piece. The following are steps that still need to be done by someone taking this on to completion. Unfortunately I am spread rather thinly at the moment with multiple projects and one has to give. I hope the person taking this on can finish and do it justice.  I have tried to be as comprehensive as possible. To be clear these are the steps I think the buyer will need to take on to arrive a fabulous fully restored piece. 

1. Small amount of veneer repair needed on the large maple drawer (relatively minor). 

2. The central cupboard door needs a little light work to prevent rubbing. 

3. A small screw is missing from the lock casement on the front. 

4. The plinth at the bottom needs re veneering (all alternatively thin planks of rosewood or similar could be fitted). 

5. The whole piece needs finishing in whatever finish you decide.  It will probably look best in dark rosewood like finish as was previously applied (indeed parts it appear to be rosewood). 

I am certainly not wanting to make money on the piece and have taken great pleasure in getting it to this start and researching and finding evidence of its age etc. Nonetheless once completed by a competent DIYer of restorer it should be worth quite a bit. 

I am happy for you to view before buying, please message me and we can arrange.

Collection in person or via courier at buyers expense.

  • Antique: Yes
  • Type: Secretaire
  • Original/Repro: Original
  • Material: Plywood
  • Maker: Unknown
  • Age: 1850-1899

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