An example of a rare facet of Charles X period furniture made in the neo-gothic style. One of the first of a series of stylistic revivals observed during the 19th century was that of the 14th-15th century gothic. This trend began in England in the 18th century, and was popular in France especially among members of the nobility returning to the continent after years of exile after the French Revolution and the years of Napoleon.

The Charles X style is fundamentally a romanic one, which gains in elegance what it looses in majesty from the previous empire style. It is a highly refined, usually through hyper-precise marquetry work, which conjures up a sort of nostalgic and beautiful vision of the ancient republics. Near the end of the Charles X style (circa 1828-30) this romantic neoclassicism shifts to romanticizing the gothic period. This was particularly appealing to the catholic nobility who had been briefly restored to positions of real power and who longed for the bygone days of chivalry, lords and ladies (in a world which was becoming progressively more industrialized and “modern”).

The exceptional grain of the flame mahogany on this secrétaire à abattant was planned to flow up the façade of the piece undisturbed by the seams of the drawers and fall front. Thin gothic pilasters adorn the side posts of the piece, contrasting the massive detached corinthian columns sometimes found on Napoleonic fall front desks. The fall front writing surface is covered in green leather which is embossed with gothic style motifs like the rose window at its center. The white Carrara marble is a typical choice for Neo-gothic Charles X pieces, as it contrasts the dark mahogany. Thin filets of holly wood were favored on this piece over a sometimes busier albeit more expensive and elaborate inlay pattern. These understated filets privilege the quality of the wood grain as the primary aesthetic, and they frame the drawers and conjoin to a pointed Gothic arch atop each side post.

Secret compartments deploy at the touch of hidden buttons inside the desk, a testament to these pieces as secret-ary and not simply secretary desks.

H: 58 inches. L: 39.5 inches. D: 18 inches.

Myers & Monroe, LLC