Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire)

Various artists/makers

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 527

This secretary was made for the Cabinet Intérieur of Louis XVI at the Palais de Compiègne. The cabinetwork was executed under the supervision of Guillaume Beneman (master 1785). The gilt-bronze mounts were modeled by Louis-Simon Boizot (1743-1809), Martin, and Michaud; cast by Forestier; chased by Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), Bardier, and Tournay, among others; and gilded by Galle. Work on the secretary was coordinated by Jean Hauré, entrepreneur des Meubles de la Couronne (active 1774-96). The "eyes" of the marquetry were originally set with gilt-bronze rosettes.

#2268. Drop-front Secretary (Secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire)

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Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire), Guillaume Benneman (active 1785, died 1811), Oak veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, holly partly stained green, ebony, and mahogany; brèche d'Alep marble (not original); modern leather; gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris

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Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire), Guillaume Benneman (active 1785, died 1811), Oak veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, holly partly stained green, ebony, and mahogany; brèche d'Alep marble (not original); modern leather; gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris
Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire), Guillaume Benneman (active 1785, died 1811), Oak veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, holly partly stained green, ebony, and mahogany; brèche d'Alep marble (not original); modern leather; gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris
Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire), Guillaume Benneman (active 1785, died 1811), Oak veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, holly partly stained green, ebony, and mahogany; brèche d'Alep marble (not original); modern leather; gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris
Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire), Guillaume Benneman (active 1785, died 1811), Oak veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, holly partly stained green, ebony, and mahogany; brèche d'Alep marble (not original); modern leather; gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris
Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire), Guillaume Benneman (active 1785, died 1811), Oak veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, holly partly stained green, ebony, and mahogany; brèche d'Alep marble (not original); modern leather; gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris

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