Fine 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy

A very fine 18th Century figured Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy in superb original condition and of the most wonderful untouched colour and patina. Retaining the original decorated handles, locks , hinges, drawer knobs to the interior, feet and quite remarkably the original key. The interior of the secretaire drawer is so exceptionally clean that it is hard to imagine it was actually made around 250 years ago, it has obviously had very little use with no signs of ink where you would expect it. The quality of the craftsmanship is superb and the piece is highly decorated with dental cornice, carved blind fretwork to the frieze, canted fretwork corners, and ogee bracket feet. The incredibly clean drawer linings are all original and made in oak. It is worth noting that it is most unusual to see carved detail added to fretwork as it is on this piece. This piece was probably commissioned for an important house and made by a leading furniture maker of the period. It seems from the label on the back of the piece that it was probably purchased from John Keil Ltd. Interestingly information about the firm including images of the shop at 51 Park St can be seen on the website of Antique Dealers -University of Leeds.