Lot 1920
AN EARLY 20TH CENTURY AUSTRIAN SECRETAIRE ON STAND BY FRANZ BOHM OF VIENNA, a two door writing cabinet with arched top containing concealed compartments, the doors enclosing a fitted interior with six short drawers above a pull-forward writing surface, all covered in finely tooled brown leather with gilt detailing and elaborate embossed decoration, the doors decorated with children in idyllic pursuits, surrounded by six classical heads. On heavy square section legs with wavy platform stretcher and compressed bun feet, with key, height 93cm, width 70cm, depth 35cm; on a similar stand with decorative leather surface, height 39cm, width 73cm, depth 41cm; also with a similar finely decorated leather desk set comprising blotter, notepad, inkwell, stamp box and rocking blotter. *This cabinet is believed to be based on a similar cabinet in the former Imperial Castle of Schonrunn being in the style favoured by Marie Antoinette. Exhibited in Milan in 1925 at an exhibition of fine leather goods where it received an award, it is thought to have been made for 'The First Vienna' Fair as an example of the best work that could be produced at the time. With a copy of a letter from Franz Bohm, Vienna, explaining the history of this item.
