A German gilt-bronze, brass and white marble mounted mahogany, ivory and ebony inlaid secrétaire-cabinet, Potsdam circa 1810

the upper section with a demi-rotunda applied with corinthian white marble demi-columns, the cupboard door opening to reveal a mirrored interior with grey and white marble doric pilasters and painted landscape and marine scenes, the lower section with a pullout leather writing slide above a further fitted drawer for writing implements, the roll-top revealing a further pull-out writing slide, four short drawers, flanked by stepped plinths revealing a hinged drawer, the rear fitted with three short drawers above one long drawer flanked on either side by four short drawers, with a central sliding cupboard door enclosing a shelf on bracket feet

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
Heinrich, Kreisel, Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels, Munich, 1973, cat. no. 256, 262.
Dietrich Fabian, Roentgenmöbel aus Neuwied, Bad Neustadt, 1986, p. 305
George Himmelheber, Biedermeiermöbel, Munich, 1987, cat. no. 217

This impressive piece with a domed top is typical of the architectonic secrétaire-cabinets conceived during the Biedermeier period. The outside frame appears to be inspired from designs by Roentgen, one of the greatest German cabinetmakers of his day, whereas the interior would seem derived from a more ancient tradition of 17th century cabinet making in Germany. With magnificent carving, the use of a variety of materials, the creation of perspective and the use glass to produce optical illusions, are all reflected in an albeit more neoclassical manner inside this bureau.