French secretaire, possibly

[mr natural]

This desk was inherited from the wife's mother:


We need the room and want to sell; but we don't know much about it. It was bought in France, probably Paris, probably sometime in the 1970s, certainly not later. The top is solid stone and very heavy; Grandmere always said it was marble. The construction seems fair with dovetail joints where I can see joints. I don't know what the wood is but it seems rather nice.

Any ideas please?

[mart]

Your pics are way too big for me to enlarge here and I can`t see them all !!  Can you take a pic of the dovetails on that top drawer and open the bottom doors and take one of the hinges and inside plates where the screws are ?

[mr natural]

Thanks. And sorry about the size. I've shrunk these down a bit:

[mart]

You didn`t say if this was purchased new or used !!  I would guess it was purchased used,, looks more like 40`s styling and construction !!   Appears to have been stripped and re-done from the smearing on the interior !!  Galvanized screws so it has  had some work !!  What are the triangular pieces on the front of writing shelf for ?? Was it broken at some time and repaired ??

[KC]

Not sure what triangular pieces you are referring to Mart....which pic?

Looks early 1900's (30's to 40's) to me.

[mart]

Look along the top edge of the writing desk. I think its in the first pic,, right above the lock !! Two triangular areas !!

[ghopper1924]

Are those phillips screws in pic 8?

A French secretaire such as this with machined dovetails would be post 1930, perhaps up to post WWII. The wood looks like pine.  A charming provincial desk.

[KC]

I have a French piece over 150 years old and the dovetails are so perfectly handmade they look machine made - so that doesn't always hold water.

Mart, the front side of the writing portion has the triangels...but the back side has the large lock area.  Is it possible they had to piece in an area when they erred putting in the lock?

Can you please post a closer pic of the inside lock piece on the drop down desk area?

[ghopper1924]

"I have a French piece over 150 years old and the dovetails are so perfectly handmade they look machine made - so that doesn't always hold water"

But often times it does. If there are original phillips screws that would also contribute to a later date. We've only really seen the marble in profile, but the color and cut makes it look like lots of 40s revival pieces I've seen. The reeded stiles and/or legs are also often seen in early mid century pieces.

[mart]

Thats correct KC !! I wondered about the lock too !! But it seems rather odd that they are triangular when the lock is not !! Thats why I thought it was some sort of repair !!
But it seems we concur that it is likely mid century, pine and my opinion is that it has been stripped and refinished probably in the 70`s when it was purchased by his mother.

[antiquesnsuch]

This is actually called an "abattant" this may help you with your search.

[ghopper1924]

"This is actually called an "abattant" this may help you with your search."

True. Usually, in the U.S. at least, you'll see them referred to as a "Secretaire Abattant."

I think Mart's last sentence pretty much sums it up. 1940s, pine, refinished. It's worth maybe.....$500? Depending on where you are, or course. Maybe more, maybe less.

All the give and take on this one has been very educational.

An attractive piece!

[mart]

Thanks for the info but what it was was never in question !!  We were more or less mulling over the details in order to come up with an approx value !!  Here in my area it might bring $200. to $250. on a good day !!  Its pine construction helps a bit as some do like more primitive looking furniture rather than dark woods !!

[KC]

Look at the one listed on this site Mart....

2nd one down  http://www.antiqueandartexchange.com/materials/wood?page=19

[mart]

Couple of small similarities,, but this one is not in that catagory at all !!  Did you see those Biedemeiers ?? Gorgeous !!