IMPORTANT SECRETAIRE WITH UPPER SECTION Baroque, by L.H. Rohde (Ludwig Heinrich Rohde, 1673 - 1755), Mainz, ca. 1725/26.

Walnut, walnut burlwood and various precious woods in veneer as well as engraved ivory, exquisitely inlaid with insects, flowers, foliage, cartouches, scrolls and decorative frieze. Rectangular body with a stepped cornice, on a straight frame, on tapered hexagonal legs connected by an H-stretcher, on spherical feet. Inclined, hinged writing surface over central drawer, with two drawers, one on top of the other, on both sides. Fitted interior with 4 central drawers arranged in two rows, with two drawers arranged on each side. Secret compartment with four drawers. Recessed upper section with mirrored central door over a broad drawer, with four drawers on each side. Central lock. Fitted interior with two shelves. Gilt bronze mounts and drop handles. With Inventory stamp PH 197 below a crown. 1 key.
108 × 61 (open 89) × 193 cm.

This object contains material of endangered species and is subject to certain trade restrictions. Prospective buyers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import it into another country.

In good restored condition, old modifications in the area of the writing box.

Provenance:
- The Princess Dorothea zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst (1872-1954) Collection.
- The Countess Maria von Lamberg Collection.
- The R. Kremayr Collection, Vienna.

Rare and important showpiece of a captivating quality. The secretaire on offer is depicted and described in detail in: F. Windisch-Graetz, Neues zum Werk von Ludwig Heinrich Rohde, in: Alte und moderne Kunst 177 (1981); pp. 20-23.

Among the Mainz cabinet-makers, Heinrich Ludwig Rohde held a special position. He was Court Carpenter under Lothar Franz von Schönborn and thus not controlled by the Guild, but solely by the Mainz Elector. Rohde thus worked to the orders of a courtly clientele. This also explains his relatively elaborate and expensive furniture. His works are considered to be the earliest items made by a Mainz Court Carpenter known to date. Without question, he may be counted among the most outstanding personalities of the Mainz carpenters in the 18th century. Rohde came from Halberstadt and can be traced back to Mainz from 1715 onwards.

Literature: H. Zinnkann, Meisterstücke Mainzer Möbel des 18. Jahrhunderts, Frankfurt am Main 1988; p. 33ff. (biographical data). H. Kreisel, Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels, Spätbarock und Rokoko, Munich 1970; II, p. 111 (biographical data).