Biedermeier Secretary, Mainz, 1830s

Mainz (Kimbel workshop)
walnut etc.
Biedermeier around 1830

Dimensions: H x W x D: 163 x 106 x 56 cm

Description:
Fantastic Biedermeier secretary with an extremely cleanly laid grain pattern and a spectacular interior.

You can see a classic Biedermeier piece of writing furniture with three drawers at the bottom, the fold-down writing surface above it and another drawer at the top. The piece of furniture is flanked by two full columns.

Even when closed, the extraordinarily high quality of the secretary becomes clear.
We see a neatly symmetrically laid walnut veneer on the furniture front. The mirroring of the grain occurs not only vertically, but also horizontally.
The perfect symmetry continues on the sides as well.
You can see a special feature in the photo, which shows the piece of furniture diagonally from the front. Here you will notice that the columns are also veneered in the spirit of this reflection. The veneering of such small radii required exceptional craftsmanship at the time the piece of furniture was created. It has been achieved with a degree of perfection that simply amazes.


The interior continues to be spectacular.
There are a total of six maple grain veneered drawers at the top and bottom.
Another small section is designed as a staircase and leads the viewer's gaze into the central, open compartment resembling a theater stage.
The round arches supported by columns are decorated with winged caryatids and friezes of grapevines and tendrils.
Inside the open compartment, the bottom shows circle and flower ornaments in antique style. On the back wall we see Vestal Virgins at the burnt offering to the left and right of the mirror.

Useful information:
Typical of the Mainz and Palatinate area are the slightly bulging area below the cornice and the segment-like arch on the upper drawer.

The exceptionally high quality of the veneer, the architectural design of the interior and, above all, the type of ink painting and transfer printing technology suggest that the piece of furniture was made in the workshop of the Mainz carpenter Wilhelm Kimbel.

[Compare Heidrun Zinnkann - Mainer cabinet maker of the first half of the 19th century p. 268 and title page]

Condition:
Restored condition.
The shellac polish gives the grain a special "depth". All locks work. The partially damaged key plates were renewed in their original form.