Circa 1790 Swedish Gustavian Marble Top Mahogany Desk Commode Chest

GUSTAVIAN MAHOGANY SECRÉTAIRE À ABATTANT WITH MARBLE TOP
Sweden, circa 1790

34 3/16" H x 17 3/4" D x 36 1/8" W
Writing area: 13 1/4" D x 30" W x 26 3/8" from floor to underside of writing area

A finely crafted mahogany chest of drawers surmounted by a green-teal marble top. The uppermost drawer functions as a fall-front secretaire, the hinged front panel opening to reveal a fitted interior with multiple small drawers and compartments arranged around a central recess. The interior is polished mahogany with turned brass knobs and hand-cut dovetail joinery throughout. The two lower drawers provide additional storage, each mounted with circular brass pulls and brass key escutcheons. The case is outlined with applied brass edging, the drawers framed in applied brass cockbead moldings, the fluted corner stiles terminating in tapered legs with inset brass fluting below applied triangular brass mounts.

While the form reflects the Neoclassical aesthetic common throughout Northern Europe in the late 18th and early 19th century, the restrained ornamentation, lightness of proportion and use of gilt-brass accents are particularly characteristic of Swedish Empire furniture under King Gustaf III. The aesthetic shares similarities with designs of the Baltic regions and Russian Empire forms.

For a similar example with the same tapered legs, brass fluting, cut triangle mounts, brass wrapping of the feet and identical applied stamped brass mounts and embellishments, see Neoclassicism in the North: Swedish Furniture and Interiors 1770-1850, Groth, 1990, p.209, ill. 22 (Late Gustavian Secretaire, Stockholm, 1790s: Nordiska Museet). Also see ill. 8 for an example by Anders Scherling (master in Stockholm 1771-1809/19) circa 1790 without the brass triangle mounts.

Condition: Light scratches and abrasions to the apparently original marble top. Some veneer patches to the commode (bottom drawer blade, right edge), squares of touchup above right leg and above back right leg. One replaced brass triangle mount (above left leg, left side). Missing brass above both front and back right leg replaced with color-matched giltwood. Drip mark to the finish below bottom right drawer pull. Retains one original working key. A very fine presentation, ready to place.

ref. 510WPP14E