Secretary

Date: ca. 1804–09

Culture: French

Medium: Amboyna wood veneered on pine; gilt-bronze mounts

Dimensions: 68 1/4 x 34 1/2 x 14 7/8 in. (173.4 x 87.6 x 37.8 cm.)

Classification: Woodwork-Furniture

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1923

Accession Number: 23.147.1

Description

Although the handles and mounts are arranged to give the illusion of a chest of drawers, the upper part is a fall front that conceals a writing compartment. Tradition has it that this secretary was presented by Napoleon to Maréchal Lannes, duc de Montebello (1769–1809).

Related