Louis-Philippe secretary, mid-19th century, in burr walnut

Louis Philippe period secretary, mid-19th century, is made of burr walnut. The burrs of walnut are flamed because they have many aesthetic designs. These designs have very contrasting complex patterns and intertwined veins on a naturally dark background of varying intensities. This secretary placed in an office or occupying a corner of the living room is a private place reserved for writing, correspondence, storing mail, documents. All these more or less precious papers are thus safely sheltered from prying eyes. The main function of this piece of furniture is therefore well fulfilled: to keep things secret. The secretary has four drawers, one of which has an ogee hidden in the upper part of the piece of furniture and in the central part a panel. This part opens horizontally using a flap. The panel once opened serves as a table on which it is possible to write. The panel in question is covered with used leather. This dates from the creation of the piece of furniture. The flap, once opened, reveals a theater composed of six small drawers on one side and two small secret drawers on each side on the other. The latter are a priori impossible to open but an ingenious system hidden in an upright of the piece of furniture releases a spring and then allows them to open, it's up to you to find it! The middle drawer, once removed from the piece of furniture, leaves room for a double bottom obstructed by a board. All the drawers are mounted in dovetail, thus ensuring perfect solidity. The drawers can be opened daily and contain many sometimes heavy objects. They slide perfectly. The discreet entries do not protrude from the surface. They are made of brass and are called "fil entries". The key is used to close all the drawers. The top of the secretary is made of solid walnut. The edge of the top is finished with a molding called a "pair of buttocks". The back of the secretary has a panel.