Solid mahogany desk chest of drawers called scriban. Bordeaux 18th century
So-called “scriban” desk chest of drawers in solid Santo Domingo mahogany, curved on all sides, opening with a flap and four drawers.
Bordeaux work from the end of the Louis XV period.
In the 18th century, this piece of furniture that we call today “scriban” was referred to as “office-cabinet”. This is undoubtedly not a simple coincidence because in fact it seems to have the same functions as the old ebony cabinets of the Louis XIV period, both furniture intended to contain precious and secret objects but with a strong spirit of representation. In Bordeaux, even more than the famous tomb chest of drawers, the scribanne chest of drawers is the furniture of the wealthy Bordeaux shipowner or merchant, a perfect expression of the splendor of these merchant societies in the 18th century.
The upper part opens with a flap made of a single wide board with two slats in offset miter cuts, closing with a brass-faced iron lock and held by two …
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…brass hinges. The open cabinet reveals a large curved theater centered with an arched tabernacle door flanked by ten small curved drawers in three tiers and two small lockers left free. The interior of the tabernacle is equipped with a mahogany-clad shelf and a wooden bolt placed along one of its uprights which blocks-unblocks the sliding of the floor closing the secret cellar.
Note the excellent connection between the desk part and the chest of drawers, a connection which is not as convincing on all the scribans, here providing a fluid line to the whole.
The chest of drawers is provided with substantial curves, both in plan and in elevation, its uprights are hollowed out with reserves and molded on their internal edge in the continuity of the crosspieces to form a frame around the drawers, while the borders of the drawers, of which the ends are curved following the elevation of the uprights, are themselves highlighted by a wide flower bed, this being typical of Bordeaux manufacturing. Finally, the front and rear uprights are punctuated with very well sculpted scrolled feet and the wide low crossbar, highlighted by a large frame molding which continues on the side crossbars, is covered with vigorous fretwork.
All visible parts in mahogany, the drawer units in elm and fir, the back in oak.
Very good original condition (almost no grafts to report), with all its bronze trim (6 pull handles, 3 keyholes), brass (2 small keyholes on the flap and the door of the tabernacle, 10 large interior drawer knobs and 2 pulls, 2 hinges) and wrought iron (2 keys and 2 small scriban locks, 4 large chest of drawers locks), all period and original on the furniture .
Opulent Bordeaux shipowner’s furniture with a beautiful classic layout.
Enhanced by a meticulous restoration and the finish of a beautiful waxed filling.
Bordeaux, end of the Louis XV period, 18th century.
For any object or piece of furniture from 5,000 euros, we deliver ourselves free of charge everywhere in France (and sometimes even beyond), it is possible to obtain this same service for pieces of lesser value depending on the destination and the deadline. .
2024-02-02 19:35:39
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