A German white marble and gilt-bronze mounted ebonised Mahogany secrétaire signed and dated Karl Ullinger, Berlin, 1st September 1803

the stepped super-structure with a central niche, with mirrored back and sides and white marble columns, flanked on either side by two push-button release mirrored doors, above a drawer, with a pull-out base, above a baize pull-out writing slide, the fall-front opening to reveal a fitted interior with a mirrored drawer with a balustrade, flanked on either side by two push button drawers inlaid with a stylised fan motif, above five short drawers flanking a niche, the steps concealing a drawer, the lower section with a pair of cupboard doors enclosing a shelf, on tapering block feet, with panelled sides the piece applied with white marble pilaster with corinthian columns and neo-classical busts, and gilt-metal mounts throughout, with a hinged door in the back

Published in Achim Stiegel, Berliner Möbelkunst Deutscher Kunstverlag, Berlin, 2003, cat. num. 233.

Comparative Literature:
Achim Stiegel, Berliner Möbelkunst Deutscher Kunstverlag, Berlin, 2003, p. 336-338
Heinrich, Kreisel, Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels, Munich, 1973, cat. no. 424.
Georg Himmelheber, Biedermeiermöbel, Munich, 1987, cat. no. 218.

Karl Ullinger, born in Pressburg Hungaria, received master in Berlin, 1^st September, 1803

This secrétaire is typical of the North German cabinet making tradition, with grand proportions derived from 17th century cabinets and architectonic features developed by Germany’s premier cabinetmaker David Roentgen. Several comparative examples can be found in the Bremen Focke-Museum, and the Marburg, Universitätsmuseum (Kreisler, no. 225).

Karl Ullinger, born in Pressburg Hungaria, received master in Berlin, 1^st September, 1803. Karl Ullinger was apprenticed to the famous Hamman firm in Berlim. This family of furniture merchants were active between 1790 and 1850.