attributed to Maison Krieger, Paris, after an 18th-century model by Jean Henri Riesener, crafted in the last quarter of the 19th century, mahogany and oakwood, partly mahogany veneered, with polished finish in traditional artisanal technique, ornamented with elaborately executed high-quality gilt bronze mounts, contour strips and top edgings, the facing side with 2 drawers, 1 fall-front, 1 middle shelf, five inside drawers, leather-lined writing surface, marble top (bleu turquin), 122 x 66 x 37 cm, in beautiful professionally restored condition. (MIN)

A "secretaires en cabinet" by Jean-Henri Riesener served as the model for this piece of furniture. Master from 1768 and undisputedly one of the most important representatives of the Louis XVI period. During the reign of Napoleon III, Louis Auguste Alfred BEURDELEY had the right to make replicas of this furniture, which passed to his son Alfred-Emmanuel when he took over the atelier. It was subsequently bought by Francois LINKE, a pupil of Antoin Krieger. Under the cooperation of the two cabinet-makers, many Linke pieces of furniture were sold under Maison Krieger. Sublicenses were also granted for the replication of individual models. Several important 19th-century cabinet-makers are associated with the present piece, and it is not possible to say with certainty which of the three workshops (Krieger, Linke, Beurdeley) it comes from.