Russia, likely Karelia or St. Petersburg, circa 1800-1810, Empire period. Rare chest of drawers in practically intact condition.

Likely Karelia or St. Petersburg, around 1800-1810, Empire period. Rare chest of drawers in practically intact condition, made of the highly prized Karelian birch wood. Supports shaped like masterfully carved and ebonized lion paws. Ebonized columns and refined pen decorations with acanthus leaf motifs. The furniture, in addition to being intact, is in its original extraordinary golden patina, with a French polish finish applied using a museum-standard technique. Dimensions: 96 cm high, 123 cm wide, and 65 cm deep. Fun fact: the piece of furniture retains a small secret and original jewelry drawer, hidden by the master cabinetmaker within the structure of the furniture in a truly undetectable spot. The beauty of this piece of furniture cannot be captured in a photograph. In particular, the three-dimensional effects that the grain produces by varying the viewing angle, as well as the warm, unique, amber-like patina. Karelian birch is a tree that produces an astonishing material that sometimes resembles marble. It is very different from ordinary birch and grows much more slowly. It is not a tall tree, usually 5-7 meters high, and sometimes looks like a bush. The trunk is not smooth, but has knots and swellings. The wood has a unique appearance. Today it is very rare and almost extinct. The planting of Karelian birches in "Kivach" is now a nature reserve to preserve the species. The egg made by Fabergé for the Russian royal family in Karelian birch, now kept at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, is famous. Observe the line of refined elegance and modernity of the work in the last photo on this page; a fanciful computer rendering where the work is placed in a high-end modern furnishing context; a surprising "modernity" for a work conceived two centuries ago. Above the chest of drawers is one of our gilded leaf mirrors from the Empire period/early Viennese Biedermeier period. In compliance with the provisions of the New Code of Cultural Heritage, the selling company provides, together with the sale, a detailed written photographic guarantee of originality and provenance of the works sold. The data with which the works are described and then contained in the written guarantees are expressed determinations resulting from accurate and documented technical/historical/artistic investigations, including expert assessments. Learn about the very rare early Viennese Empire style. Read the history of this elegant and understated style and learn to appreciate timeless Viennese masterpieces. Click the link below to read an original, concise, practical guide unique in Italy. Learn about the early Viennese Empire style. Click Principessa Sissi ® antiques. High-end antiques gallery, antique experts Our early Empire gallery. Click on the following link Principessa Sissi ® antiques. High-end antiques gallery in Udine Our antique chests of drawers. Click on the following link: Principessa Sissi ® antiques. High-end antiques gallery