Top Secret Compartments: Circa 1820 Secretary Desk (Restoration Period or Louis XVIII Furniture)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- Welcome back to another video, featuring a publication quality work of decorative art from the time of King Louis XVIII (1815-24). The style of this time is generally referred to as "restoration" for the restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy in post-Napoleonic France. The term Louis XVIII is used rarely to specify pieces such as this from the early years of this period when fundamentally empire pieces (neoclassical, in mahogany & gilded bronze) were slightly redesigned without a purely new style truly yet emerging. Pieces of this quality from the early days of the restoration seem rare as few were made due to budget constraints.
The side posts of the secretary desk, instead of being angular and straight as one would expect just a few years earlier, have flourished into long consoles. The bronze ornamentation has become less warlike than what we might expect on true empire furniture, but the primary materials used here are the same as what was used many pieces from the previous period. I hope you enjoy taking a closer look at this interesting piece from from the early days of the restoration, the transitional Louis XVIII style.
Many thanks to all viewers and subscribers,
Myers & Monroe, LLC - Навчання та стиль
By far the best, most informative informationally compact furniture videos out there.
I always look forward to seeing your new videos. Thank you again.
Much appreciated ! I’ll try to post more often
So excited that I didn’t miss this episode. Great job!! The piece is beautiful ❤
Thank you 👍 more videos on the way !
I just love your videos,I learn so much! Thank you!!!
Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoy the videos!
It looks incredible! If only I have that kind of money. Thank you Cole.
Thanks again for watching and commenting - more videos on the way!
That name looks like Gebhart. Beautiful secretary.
Thanks for watching - I have asked a few friends with access to some furniture maker dictionaries to check that out !
Thank you, another informative video and a beautiful piece
More on the way as I find good pieces ! Thanks for your kind note.
Wonderful presentation, as usual. It seems that the maker of this beautiful piece attempted to carry out some kind of aesthetic and political "restoration" by adding those graceful curves that remind us of the baroque. Your observation about the purpose of the mirror made me laugh, fancy keeping an eye on the mirror expecting to see the silhouette of an approaching assassin!
Like you, I was also surprised by the fact that the whole piece is made of solid mahogany. The person who commissioned this superb secretaire must have been very wealthy. Thank you so much for this beautiful video. Regards from Argentina.
Fantastic piece! Love the bee anecdote. I wonder how many works of this caliber are still waiting to be found.
I wonder as well - in any case, current French law imposes very stringent inheritance taxes so people are forced to sell these heirlooms when a loved one dies - hence why I have them.
I'm sure it has a very interesting history as you seams to be sure of. Just look at the quality of the gilt bronzes!
I wish I could figure out the provenance !
So do I, there is someting about this beautiful furniture, I will have look in my books....@@MyersMonroe
You're back. Good to see ya. Were you in witness protection or something? Never mind, I'm happy to see your content again.
More videos on the way!
Such a stunning piece! Ever since watching your video about the Charles X Secrétaire à Abattant I've been really curious about these massive, double throw, three bolt, French locks. I was wondering if you might be able to point me toward some resources regarding how the mechanism works and if there are craftspeople who still make them. Thank you for the lovely videos I look forward to more releases!
Thank you! There are a few more long videos coming soon - and aside from a few books on this subject that I have in the US, I don’t know much about locksmith history material. I’ll send you the book names when I can get back to them!
Thank you very much!
nice
The name seems to be "Gebhart", i know quite a few french people (most likely with german ancestry) bearing that name
It’s interesting as many great French furniture makers were of Prussian origin - if only I had all of my books we could try to see if that name means anything
@@MyersMonroe Very true ! Riesener for example ! Hopefully one day you will get an answer :)
Restauration
Thank you for another superb video. I have a question. I have a French shaving cabinet from the 19th century. Like this secretaire, the locks on the drawers have two stages of closing. With one turn of the key, they lift half way. On the second turn, they lock fully. Do you know why this is?
Really glad you liked it! I’m not sure why the locks have two stages - sometimes the second stage locks the upper drawer as well.
Many thanks for your time. No one makes better videos about these pieces than you. Please keep them coming.
THE SIGNATURE READS LIKE: " GEBHART" TO ME; WHAT WOULD BE A GERMAN SURENAME ?
Perhaps this piece is German or Austrian - it’s such an unusual one- but there were many makers of Prussian origin working in France so maybe this name will turn up when I can get a response from a friend with the dictionary!