This Louis XVI style secretary desk bears the stamp of JG Schlichtig. It combines rosewood, satinwood (on the sides), and amaranth veneers on an oak and softwood frame. It opens with two lower doors, a central drop-front, and a top drawer. The interior contains six drawers and three niches. At 1.20 meters long, it is a lady's secretary desk.
Jean-Georges Schlichtig († February 1782)
Jean-Georges Schlichtig was a Parisian cabinetmaker of German origin, admitted as a master on October 2, 1765. He first established himself on the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, then on the rue Saint-Nicolas. He thus worked during the pivotal period that saw the transition from the Louis XV to the Louis XVI style. His production consisted mainly of commodes, secretaries, roll-top desks, dressing tables, and storage furniture. It was distinguished by its meticulous craftsmanship.
Indeed, he employed veneers of precious woods (rosewood, violet wood, amaranth, satinwood, or palisander). Furthermore, he created highly precise geometric or figurative marquetry and used high-quality chased and gilded bronze mounts. His furniture thus testifies to a perfect mastery of Parisian cabinetmaking in the second half of the 18th century. It also illustrates the evolution of forms toward a more rigorous and architectural aesthetic, characteristic of the taste of the time. neoclassical.
Furthermore, several works attributed to Schlichtig belonged to an aristocratic and royal clientele, notably Marie Antoinette. Their presence in public collections and on the art market thus confirms the importance of this craftsman. Finally, after his death in 1782, his wife maintained his workshop and continued his business until 1787.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- French Furniture of the 18th Century – Pierre Kjellberg – Les Editions de l'Amateur – 1989
- The workshops Parisian cabinetmakers and joiners in the 17th and 18th centuries – Guillaume Janneau – Serg Editions – 1975
- French Cabinetmakers from Louis XIV to the Revolution – Editions du Chêne – 1989 – Alexandre Pradere
State of affairs report
This piece of furniture was in relatively good condition. However, it had chips and peeling, with the veneer lifting in some places. In addition, the doors, drop-front, and drawer required adjustment and restoration to working order.
The Restoration
The work therefore began by replacing the missing veneer. To do this, I used pieces of new veneer, sawn, scraped, and sanded, cut to the correct thickness for the backing, and then glued in place with hot glue. Next, I rehydrated all the veneered surfaces to ensure the stability of the adhesives for the future. Finally, I lightened the finish with shellac, then reapplied it with a clear shellac. As for the bronze pieces, I cleaned them with gel.
