Empire secretary Bottega Maggiolini in walnut, Italy, 19th century

Secretary composed of a drawer beneath the top, a drop-down door, with a cabinet and two drawers at the bottom. Veneered in walnut and marquetry of different woods. The secretary is bipartite with a decorative motif on the lower part entrusted to the pronounced grain of the walnut; in the upper part, the sides and the door are framed by frame drops and mouldings; at the centre of the crossbar, placed on a shelf, a wicker basket containing a bouquet of flowers. In the band under the top, stylised Greek leaves; on the uprights, two reserves with candelabras and bouquets of ivy leaves held by ribbons. The cabinet contains two rows of three small drawers inside, veneered in mahogany, with a row of four in cherry wood with bronze knobs in the centre, above a compartment. Various springs allow access to numerous hidden compartments. The double-lock door also secures the upper drawer, while the door has counterweights that allow it to remain stationary in the open position and then close automatically when lifted.