19th-century French secretary

A French secrétaire from the first half of the 19th century, in the Empire style. The piece is crafted from wood with a beautiful flamed burl veneer, characterised by a lively grain and a warm golden-brown colour. The front is flanked by two round, freestanding columns, characteristic of the French Empire style. Behind the folding writing flap is an interior comprising an open storage compartment and five small drawers for storing documents and writing implements. Beneath the writing section are three spacious drawers, fitted with round metal knobs and elegant brass key plates. The secretaire is topped by a dark marble top. The piece is in good condition, showing only very slight signs of wear consistent with its age.