A fine Russian ormolu- and brass-mounted mahogany secrétaire circa 1790, attributed to Christian Mayer

the stepped rectangular cornice with a pierced gallery, centered by a pair of cupboard doors flanked by reeded columns and two small doors enclosing three drawers,  the lower stepped drawer fronts released by a catch; the outset lower part with a fluted secretaire drawer above seven drawers, on square tapered brass-fluted legs.

Anonymous sale, Christie's, Monaco, December 15, 1996, lot 172

Christian Mayer was one of the most important cabinet-makers in St. Petersburg, although influenced by the work of David Roentgen, Mayer was firmly established before Roentgen made his first visit to St. Petersburg in 1783 (see A. Chenevière, Russian Furniture, The Golden Age 1780-1840, New York, 1988, p. 83).  Mayer executed commissions for the Winter Palace, for Pavlovsk, for Mikhailovsky Castle, and for the Catherine Palace.  His work incorporates simple mahogany veneers of excellent quality, outlined with ormolu beading, or molded borders and relatively restrained ornamentation.   A bonheur du jour in the Catherine Palace (reproduced, Chenevière, op. cit. p. 94-95, pl. 76) made by Mayer with similarly figured mahogany veneers also has a recessed niche, a frieze inset with ormolu-lined flutes; the corners and legs are similarly treated. The architectural upper part has a pair of cupboard doors fitted with verre églomisé panels flanked by columns and by an outer pair of doors beneath a curve as on the present lot with niches at the corners inset with urns, the upper part sits upon a similarly stepped section; and like the present lot, the whole is outlined with brass borders.