The Empire-style cylinder desk
Published by Galerie Atena on 25.04.23
The "secretary" cylinder desk is a piece of furniture a piece of writing and storage furniture that, as we shall see, enjoyed a revival popularity under the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, during the period of the French Empire (1804-1814). It is often considered one of the most elegant and sophisticated most elegant and sophisticated examples of the Empire style, which is characterized by its geometric motifs, massive forms and ornaments inspired by Antiquity.
What does the cylinder desk consist of?
The cylinder desk or secretary consists of a main body often in precious woods such as walnut, mahogany or ebony, topped by a cylinder that can be raised to reveal a workspace. When the cylinder is raised, it reveals drawers and compartments for office supplies, papers and letters. The desk top desk itself can also be used for writing, by pulling out a sliding shelf to provide a flat work surface.
The origins of the cylinder secretary comeback under the Empire
The secrétaire à cylindre was invented in the by the famous French cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, but it was under the French under the French Empire that this piece of furniture enjoyed unprecedented popularity. It It was often used by businessmen, lawyers and high-ranking civil servants who needed a functional yet elegant workspace. The cylinder secretaries were also highly prized by members of the French French nobility and members of the imperial family.
In addition to its practical use, the secrétaire was also a symbol of prestige and social status. Its complexity and elegance reflected the wealth and sophistication of its often used to impress guests at receptions and dinners. receptions and dinners.
Why buy an Empire-style style cylinder desk today?
Today, cylinder desks are highly prized highly prized collector's items. Collectors seek them out for their beauty their beauty, sophistication and history. In short, the Empire-style with its gilded antique bronzes and precious wood frame, the Empire-style of the Napoleonic era, combining sumptuousness and functionality. and functionality. Today, it remains an example of the expertise of French cabinetmaking of the period, and a testament to the importance placed to elegance and refinement in 19th-century French society.
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