Circa 1700 museum quality Secretary: Mahogany Port Furniture (Flanders?)

Port furniture designates a special genre of artistic furniture made in ports during the 17th to the early 19th centuries. This genre is famous for being in solid exotic hardwoods which were available in relative abundance in port cities. Port furniture is also prized for the merit of its design and execution. The makers and the patrons in these bustling centers of trade had access to new ideas and travel, and perhaps this shows through in the uncanny quality and outstanding nature of the furniture left behind.

The work featured in this video is a most unusual, publication or museum quality example of rather early port furniture dating to circa 1700. This desk and bookcase is especially thorough in design, representing the finest furniture from probably Antwerp or Flanders (an unusual place). It is perfectly outstanding and niche while also emblematic of port furniture in general. With few elements of comparison in this realm of quality and dating, any comments as to the port of origin are most appreciated.

This video is part of a series on port furniture which seeks to spread awareness and help others to appreciate this genre which is some of the most interesting and finest furniture ever made. I hope, as usual, that this video will contribute to the discussion of pre-industrial (generally pre 1840) art quality furniture.

Many thanks to all viewers and subscribers,

Myers & Monroe, LLC