Early Viennese Biedermeier. 1810-15. Lady's desk/secretaire, possibly produced by Joseph Danhauser.

Let's start with the first photo, which is our imaginary computer simulation where the important work is imagined in a high-end modern furniture context. A surprising "modernity", brightness, and abstraction emerge for a work conceived two centuries ago, as well as a great touch of class and extraordinary elegance to the whole. The high Viennese antique cabinet-making, with its sober and minimal elegance, is very much linked to the lines of modern furniture. Description of the work: Lady's desk/secretaire, probably by Joseph Danhauser. Period of the early Viennese Biedermeier. Circa 1815. City of Vienna; attributable, due to the construction technique, the quality of the wood used, shape and proportions, to the immediate circle of Joseph Danhauser or possibly his workshop. Veneered in the finest quality blonde walnut feather, with masterfully mirrored panels. Refined maple wood threads. Details in animal/bone bone. Interior in maple feather wood, with leather writing surface (only the latter integrated). In museum-like conditions of practical integrity with shellac finish applied by swab with museum standard technique on the original patina. MEASUREMENTS: high cm.92 wide. cm. 99 deep cm.73. For a similar piece of furniture, see photo at the bottom of the page of a painting of the time by an anonymous author depicting Princess Wilhelmina Kinsky née Colloredo Mansfeld, depicted in the Prague palace of the Kinsky family, in the Old Town Square. This painting, depicted here for illustrative purposes only, belongs to the state of the Czech Republic and is visible to the public in the castle of Hermanuv Mestec. This type of desk/secretaire is particularly rare and was made to order for the nobility and/or the upper bourgeoisie. Joseph Ulrich Danhauser, a great Viennese cabinetmaker and designer, documented his product range in a vast drawn catalog, parts of which (approx. 2,500) have survived the times and are now preserved in the MAK (Austrian Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna). This catalog includes, among others, 153 chair models, 56 sofas, 179 types of chandeliers and 124 curtains. All these models were numbered consecutively. He boasted a clientele of rank from all over the Austrian monarchy and Germany. The company was equipped with offices and sales agencies in Graz, Prague and Budapest. The most prestigious job entrusted to Danhauser was the renovation of the Palace of Archduke Charles (today Albertina, home to an important Viennese museum) around 1822. The Danhauser furniture factory holds a prominent position in the history of Viennese furniture making and interior decoration. Danhauser's designs allow us to follow the development of Viennese furniture style, which was initially based on French models, such as those created by Percier and Fontaine, but soon gained its own precise and refined autonomy. The exceptional quality and uniqueness of Danhauser as a furniture creator lies in the harmonious combination of concreteness and abstraction, functionality and emotion. Thus he assumed the role of mediator between individuality and anonymity and became one of the most important inspirations for the modern avant-garde movement. In compliance with the provisions of the New Code of Cultural Heritage, the seller provides, at the time of sale, a detailed written photographic guarantee of the originality and provenance of the works sold. The data with which the works are described and then contained in the written guarantees are express determinations resulting from accurate and documented technical/ historical/artistic investigations, even of a peritial nature. Recognize the true Viennese Biedermeier of the first phase of the period, distinguishing it from late or Northern European imitations! Read the history of this elegant and sober style and learn to evaluate timeless Viennese masterpieces by designers from 1815 to 1830! Click on the link at the bottom of the page to read an unpublished, synthetic, practical guide of our own, unique in Italy, with links and a virtual tour of museums and galleries in Vienna. Principessa Sissi ® antiques. High antiques and antiques experts in Udine Our gallery of the true first Viennese Biedermeier by designers, unique in Italy, at the top in Europe. Click on the link below to visit it: Principessa Sissi ® antiques. High antiques gallery Our antique desks: click on the link below Principessa Sissi ® antiques. High antiques gallery in Udine