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.

Physical Dimensions

Height

180cm (70.87")

Width

105cm (41.34")

Depth

53cm (20.87")

Declaration

Holmes Antiques has dated this Georgian Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA931684

Dealers Notes

Holmes Antiques was established in 1932

We are a family business with a shop on Haworth Main Street in West Yorkshire.

We specialise in early English furniture

With the emphasis on quality, originality, colour and surface.

David Holmes has developed a reputation in the antique trade as one of the country's leading experts on early English Oak, Walnut and Mahogany furniture.

Christian Holmes is the 4th generation of the family to deal in Antique furniture

www.holmesantiques.co.uk

Description

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.

Holmes Antiques

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.

fig 1. An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. — fig 1. Fine 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy

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.

fig 2. An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. — fig 2. Fine 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy

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.

Physical Dimensions

Height

180cm (70.87")

Width

105cm (41.34")

Depth

53cm (20.87")

Date of Manufacture

Holmes Antiques has dated this Georgian Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA931684

About the Dealer

Holmes Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2011

Leading experts on early english oak, walnut and mahogany furniture. Established in 1932.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Holmes Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet.

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Archive I

Fine 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy

Archive II

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View II

Archive III

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View III

Archive IV

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View IV

Archive V

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View V

Archive VI

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View VI

Archive VII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View VII

Archive VIII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View VIII

Archive IX

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View IX

Archive X

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View X

Archive XI

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XI

Archive XII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XII

Archive XIII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XIII

Archive XIV

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XIV

Archive XV

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XV

Archive XVI

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XVI

Archive XVII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XVII

Archive XVIII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XVIII

Archive XIX

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XIX

Archive XX

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XX

Archive XXI

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XXI

Archive XXII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XXII

Archive XXIII

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XXIII

Archive XXIV

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XXIV

Archive XXV

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XXV

Archive XXVI

An 18th-century Georgian flame mahogany tallboy featuring a carved fretwork cornice, brass swan-neck handles, and ogee bracket feet. View XXVI

A secretaire tallboy, also known as a chest-on-chest, is an 18th-century storage cabinet consisting of two stacked chest sections. It features a concealed fitted writing desk within one of the upper drawer fronts.

Primary cabinet woods typically include dense flame mahogany or walnut veneers constructed over pine or oak carcases. Hardware comprises cast brass swan-neck handles, backplates, steel locks, and brass escutcheons.

Authentic period pieces exhibit hand-cut dovetail construction, hand-sawn secondary timber linings, and period-correct brassware with historical shadow marks. Natural timber shrinkage cracks and subtle unevenness in drawer construction further indicate age.

Positioning a mahogany tallboy against neutral plaster walls or muted colour palettes creates a strong architectural anchor. Contrast the dark wood grain with modern linear lighting and contemporary artwork to balance classic and modern elements.

Apply a pure beeswax polish once or twice a year to preserve the original patina and prevent wood desiccation. Keep the piece in an environment with stable humidity levels, away from direct radiators and prolonged sunlight.

Holmes Antiques

Fine 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy

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Fine 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Tallboy

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

18th Century George III Chippendale Period Secretaire Tallboy C.1775

A George III Mahogany Dressing-chest by William Gomm.

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Holmes Antiques

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

The Sustainable Choice

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