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

[@beiderbecke1927]

This piece really got my blood pumping, stimulating my "aesthetic emotions" to no end. Why? I'm not certain. Perhaps the DNA from the sea captains and merchants in my lineage responded to the splendid practicality of this piece. In any case, thanks so much for enlightening me, I now know what port furniture is, and will be learning more about it.

[@MyersMonroe]

There's a port on a western bay that serves 100 ships a day.... you said Brandy you're a fine girl, what a good wife you would be... but my life my lover my lady is the sea.

[@StijnvanLoock-gf3pz]

Beautiful and interesting piece. Hope it finds it way to the MAS museum in Antwerp or the Design Museum in Ghent…

[@MyersMonroe]

Thanks for commenting. Good idea - I will send some photos to the curators there.

[@davidwall951]

I totally love...”That damned thing”. Great as always!

[@MyersMonroe]

🙏 I’m fond of it as well - 😂 thank you for the kind comment and as usual for watching.

[@pebble247]

Another wonderful piece, thank for sharing!

[@MyersMonroe]

Thank you for watching ! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and please excuse the late response as my comment notifications were somehow turned off.

[@oscarchagoya5985]

Cole fabulous video and fabulous piece. Thank you. Post more videos like this one.

[@MyersMonroe]

Glad you liked this one Oscar - thanks for letting me know and commenting.

[@christophersparano2231]

Always look forward to your videos!!!! Love them! We'll done.😊

[@MyersMonroe]

Thank you! That's nice to hear - more on the way.

[@nycdsd]

A very beautiful piece. Many thanks for the detailed tour of this port secretary. The details you share help us to better understand our own collection and to deepen our love and understanding of the artistry.

[@MyersMonroe]

This is wonderful to read - I'm glad the coverage of such details here ends up more value adding than rambling.

[@lelandapartments9531]

Excellent presentation! Bravo!

[@MyersMonroe]

Thanks so much for commenting. Sorry for the late response as somehow my notifications were turned off.

[@kyriakosasteriou5617]

fantastic presentation as always!

[@MyersMonroe]

Thanks for this kind note ! Much appreciated

[@jamesharris9474]

Thank you very much: another incomparable presentation. No one makes better videos on these pieces than yourself. Please keep them coming.

[@MyersMonroe]

Much appreciated! Such an encouraging comment - 4 fairly improbable/spectacular things back in the states will be coming up.

[@attilathehun1107]

A very nice piece indeed, but I think its around 1730 and not much earlier. Looks like the secondary wood is oak, which is normal in this type and age,also the upper door panels has been replaced with glass presumably in the late 19th century as you've probably mentioned.

[@MyersMonroe]

Yes well said - I have had so many differing opinions on the date. The bottom being so Louis XIV is what made me choose closer to 1700 (assuming the ports would not have much stylistic lag behind "trend setting" cities). 1730 is where I first dated the piece to be safe, but was urged by various others to reconsider it as closer to 1700. Absolutely per the glass - one pane was broken but the other was slightly undulated and appeared to date from the late 19th century when such a customization would have been a la mode.

[@JR-nw4to]

Great piece and video! Love the finish. Can I ask for more information on it? How is the pumice rubbed into the wood to fill the pores? Is it mixed with some sort of binder? I have found beeswax to be on the softer side; do you find it gets fingerprints easily, or is some sort of resin mixed with the wax to increase its hardness? Is there anywhere I can find instructions on this technique? I love it, it looks really great!

[@MyersMonroe]

So the technique is similar to pad polish, but hard wax dissolved in turpentine replaces the shellac. A first layer of wax is applied with the pad, then the pumice powder is rubbed into the pores over that first layer which think holds its down. This finish is basically done for fine regional pieces in solid wood whereas pad polish / French polish is done for veneered "urban" pieces. All of this was explained to me by a finisher on the verge of retirement who has done several of my pieces! I have a few books at home in French but think your best bet now would be to French google search google.fr Rempli Ciré and translate the pages to English?

[@JR-nw4to]

Thank you so much! Very helpful answer. All the best:)

[@philliplayne102]

OMG It's gawjuss. An expert is like a Bigshot, the definition of which is, "A little shot away from home!"

[@MyersMonroe]

Haha thank you - glad you enjoyed this!