An Andaman Padauk secretaire à abattant with an ingenious secret compartment system - Louis XVI - Brass, Marble, Andaman Padauk - 1790-1800

A late 18th century secretaire à abattant manufactured during the French late Louis XVI/Directoire period around 1790-1800. The secretary is made up, among other things, of oak & chestnut wood and glued with the precious exotic Andaman Padauk veneer, which is unusual, which is inlaid with brass piping. At the top there is a single drawer with the flap underneath. Behind it is an interior consisting of six veneered dovetail drawers, one with compartment distribution for an ink & sand jar and writing utensils. And four differently sized post / document compartments. There is a flap at the bottom of the centrally placed compartment, between the drawers, that can be opened by means of an ingenious system. By pressing the round plane, which is incorporated into the lock of the flap, a bar is pushed forward, which in turn presses a plate, which is incorporated into the travers. This plate is attached with a small rod to a springy catch that locks the lid. By pressing the round surface with one finger, the flap can be lifted up with the other one. In this secret space there are four dovetail oak drawers with brass handles. In addition to the normal closure of this lock and the locking system for the secret compartment, there are also two bolting points on either side of the flap attached to this one lock! This is a unique piece of customisation from not just any locksmith! All three locks are original and work with the corresponding keys. The writing surface is inlaid with high-quality dark green English sheet. Behind the two doors there is a compartment distribution and the two brass side sliders in the left door are original. The secretary is decorated with a variety of refined dentil and profile frames. In addition to the single piping, the secretary is richly decorated with very high-quality detailed cast and gilded brass frames. These are equipped with rosettes, flowers, laurel leaves and branches, oak foliage, acanthus leaves. And on the top of the over-angled side styles there are two rivalling roosters with a militaria/cavalry helmet hanging from a bow in the middle. The back consists of a style & stretch work with panels that is connected to each other by means of arched pin & hole connections and on the top dovetail connections are visible. The secretary is trimmed with a "rouge royal de belgique" profiled marble top. A number of old non-disturbing restorations throughout the secretary have been carried in the past. The entire secretary has an authentic wax finish, which has obtained a beautiful look and patina over the centuries and gives the Andaman Padauk with its deeply warm red-orange-brown colour a beautiful shine! In all areas a unique, chic and stately piece of furniture, which is an absolute eye-catcher in everyone's interior! ! !