Secrétaire à abattant - Desk, bureau, flap desk, flap desk, secretary with a drop-front - Hulst, Mahogany, Alloy - ‘Golden patina’

Dutch Louis XVI secretaire a abattant, late 18th century. Attributed to Dirk de Vrij, master furniture maker in the workshop of Bernardus Abelen van Luijk, Rotterdam.
Top with tapering leg and diagonally placed and cannelé columns with finely detailed ‘caryatids’. The ‘heads and toes’ are cast in tin or an alloy and finished with gold lacquer.
Frontal mahogany veneer (on oak) that runs beautifully uninterrupted.
Handleless upper (blind) drawer, fall-front and doors.
Writing surface with olive-green leather inlay.
Characteristic ‘Van Luijk’ construction of drawers and central interior door with holly inlays on the corners of the door and band inlay work.
Locks and keys working for the fall-front and cabinet doors. All locks originally with original and working keys.
Very fine quality, in good ready-to-use condition with beautiful patina.
More info about the Van Luijk workshop at the bottom of this advertisement.
Holland c. 1775 - 1795

Dimensions:
H = 150 cm (78 cm to the bottom of the writing surface)
W = 93–99 cm (narrowest to widest)
D = 45–48 cm (shallowest to deepest)

Recently thoroughly checked for loose parts of construction and veneer. No live woodworms found as of 25/9/2026

Sec-3033~

Photos are part of the description; please view the photos carefully to avoid misunderstandings. If in doubt, ask questions via the auctioneer before you bid.

Within Europe no additional customs costs for this piece.
Last photos show the packaging method for international transport. Euro pallet with pallet wrap and sturdy thick cardboard or moving blankets with at least 2 straps.
Due to single-person delivery on a pallet, delivery is to the door. Contact us immediately after payment if you live on an island, in a building without a lift, or if you have delivery requirements (2-person delivery, insurance, etc.).

Take photos of the packaging upon receipt to rule out damage during transport.

NB:
A secretary from this workshop is signed as follows: 1789 October Per order of Mr. van Luijck made by Mons Dirk de Vrij in Rotterdam. This Dirk de Vrij worked in the joinery of Bernardus Abelen van Luijk. To date, many pieces of furniture known to be so closely related to this signed secretary that they undoubtedly originated in the same workshop. The furniture from this workshop is very recognizable by their design and details. Typical for the secretaries (and sideboards) is the use of rosettes engraved in a light wood such as holly; these appear on both the exterior on the doors and fall-front, as well as in the interior, often combined with inlaid moulding built from small pieces of tropical woods. (Origin research in cooperation with Mr. de Viet)

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