Ancient Empire secretary in mahogany and walnut, Italy, 19th century

Empire secretary made in Milan in the early 19th century from walnut veneered with mahogany and mahogany burl; the front features three drawers in the lower part and, in the upper part, a drop-down section with a fine drawer beneath the top, framed by two pilasters with bronze feet at the base and a female protome at the capital; the door, with a counterweight mechanism that assists the movement, reveals an interior composed of open letter holders and six small drawers with finely chiselled and gilded lion-shaped handles, concealing numerous complex secret compartments. The lock entries are finely chiselled in gilded bronze. The quality of the bronzes can be attributed in Milan to the Manfredini brothers. Feet on a square plinth.