Louis XVI period secretary stamped Jean Baptiste Bernard DEMAY

Mahogany and mahogany veneer secretary opening with two doors at the bottom, a flap topped by a drawer.

The flap opens onto 2 lateral rows of 3 drawers framing the compartments.

Veneered with a very nice speckled mahogany on the front and on the sides, the four corners of the desk are decorated with solid turned mahogany columns, ending in the bottom with nice little tapered feet and in the upper part with a succession of rings.

The three original locks have a cloverleaf barrel.

With a very sober line, the cabinetmaker played on the quality of the veneer and the details of the architecture of the piece. Made at the end of the reign of Louis XVI, this secretary already suggests the sobriety and aesthetic quality of the Directoire style.

This secretary is topped with a white marble concealing the stamp of the author. Poorly struck, we can distinguish on the left of the signature "RUE..." and on the right, "CLERY". This stamp is the only one which corresponds to that of DEMAY.

Jean Baptiste Bernard DEMAY was a carpenter in seat. However, according to the rules of the guilds, it was forbidden to the joiners to make furniture, privilege reserved to the cabinet makers. But on June 14, 1791, the Le Chapelier law forbade any professional grouping, whether of tradesmen, the "masters", or of their workers and apprentices. This law will therefore allow Demay to manufacture seats and furniture.

Our secretary is thus a piece of furniture of the end of the XVIIIth century, manufactured after 1791.

Width: 104 cm.
Height: 144 cm.
Depth: 43 cm.