A very unique piece made by Lyonnaise master furniture maker, Pierre Grange, or his predecessors Daubet & Dumarest. These makers won awards for master furniture making at the 1855 Paris World’s Fair thanks to their ingenious mechanism which opens secretaries such as this one automatically.

This desk is veneered in burled black “mountain” walnut which is a darker walnut found in the environs of Lyon employed for centuries by master furniture makers there. Stylitically, the desk and bookcase is in the Louis-Philippe style, showing no influence of older stylistic revivals which will influence the design of pieces dating from the second half of the 19th century. The upper bookcase portion has retained its original and charming glass panes which rest above a row of three drawers. This center drawer, with a keyhole, is in fact simulated.

One turns the key which presses a button in the top of the bottom tier, activating a mechanism which deploys the writing surface automatically. The 1849 Fair Jury Report lists “Daubet & Dumarest” of Lyon in a separate category of master furniture makers: “the jury has placed in this second category all furnishing objects which by their marquetry or fantasy could not be classed among the usual works of ébénisterie.”

H: 7ft 8 inches. L: 45.25 inches. D: 22 inches.

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