A fine South German gilt-bronze mounted walnut, marquetry and engraved secrétaire 'Aufsatzschreibschrank', Dresden Baroque, mid 18th century

the wavy upper section with a moulded pediment, above a short drawer and a central door inlaid with a cartouche enclosing two engraved coats-of-arms, flanked on either side by four drawers and with a further drawer below the door, the lower part with a sloping top opening to reveal a black leather covered writing surface and three short drawers, flanked on each side by another short drawer and a brushing slide, above three further drawers, on scroll legs joined by an x-shaped stretcher and on bun feet, overall inlaid with fruitwood banding and engraved with rocaille and flowerheads

The arms are those of SPITZEL auf EBERSTALL, of Bavaria, created Noble of the Holy Roman Empire 1723, and those of KERN auf HÖHENRHAIN, of Bavaria, created Noble of the Holy Roman Empire 1745 (Siebmacher´s Bayrischer Adel, Nürnberg 1856,Tafel 103, 142).