Secretary by Jean-Henri Riesener, 1783

Secretary (secrétaire à abattant), 1783 Jean-Henri Riesener (French, 1734–1806) Oak veneered with ebony and black and gold Japanese lacquer, tulipwood, holly and black stained holly, amaranth, gilt-bronze mounts, white marble. Ordered from Riesener together with a matching commode and encoignure (corner cabinet) for use in Queen Marie Antoinette's cabinet intérieur at Versailles in 1783, the secretary and the commode were sent several years later to the Château of Saint Cloud. Based on their superb quality, the mounts have been attributed to Pierre Gouthière (1732–1813), the most famous Parisian bronzeworker of the late eighteenth century who became doreur du roi (gilder to the king) in 1767.

 ***

Below, the matching commode.  Both pieces are in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.