Mahogany, massive and mirrored furnished, with finely worked, fire-gilt bronze applications. How severe the taste and style changed during the second half of the 18th century, can be seen upon the furniture from the workshop of Gottlieb Fiedler (born 1735 in Liegnitz – died after 1818, probably in Berlin). His famous masterpiece, a splendid bureau with attachment from 1775 (Museum of Arts and Trade Hamburg, inv.-no 1879.71) can be assigned to the late Rococo of Frederick the Great – in the proportions as well as in the high quality cube and image inlays. Commodes from the 1780s on the other hand show characteristics of a courtly classicism from which a separate Prussian style had been formed by the end of the 18th century, to which this secretary can be assigned to. Height 136 cm, width 78 cm, depth 46 cm. Himmelheber: “Die Kunst des deutschen Möbels”, Munich 1973, vol. 3, page 30 ff, images 37-39. |
Classic secretary “à abattant“ Workshop of Johann Gottlob Fiedler, Berlin around 1790/95
Categories
Merchant
Christian Eduard Franke-Landwers Christoph Freiherr von Seckendorff