Pamono Secretary from the Berlin Workshop of Adolph Friedrich Voigt, 1810s

Voigt’s design reflects his mastery, with the brass inlays on a black ground, unparalleled and typical of his workshop, and the variety of woods such as Karelian birch, burled maple (some of which are dyed), juniper, and walnut – all integrated into an overall concept in mahogany, which was particularly expensive at the time. The sculptural Empire style is broken down into two dimensions, but retains its stylistic integrity. The interior behind the writing surface is very unusual: reminiscent of Renaissance facade design, but also modern and strictly structured. The workshop of Adolph F. Voigt was one of the most renowned in Berlin and existed from 1797 to 1829.