Dutch Louis XV Sécretaire en Pente, attributed to Matthijs Horrix

The writing desk rests on elegant doubly curved legs and has bulging sides and a bulged back. The front, the top that can be folded out, the sides and the drawers are decorated with marquetry. On the top of the desk there’s a cartouche with the initials ‘HGL’ surroundes by a ribbon and bow. The corner fittings and sabots are in Rococo style, the scutcheon with garland decoration is from a slightly more recent date.

The inside from the fold out writing table is lined with green leather and veneered with walnut. The interior has three drawers with handles and an open compartment. Under the drawers are two more hidden compartments.

Because of the obvious affinity with furniture that with great certainty is attributed to Matthijs Horrix, Baarsen believes this secrétaire also to be of his hand. To his estimation it is resemblance in marquetry that justifies this attribution. He especially refers to the uninhibited use of the ribbon and bow motives and the playfully entwined ribbons round the flowerbasket. These are also characteristic for a commode at Huis ten Bosch and three commodes that originate from the castle Rosendael that most probable are commisioned before 1768 by baron Torck and his wife.

Matthijs Horrix (Lobberich 1735-1809 the Hague), probably came to the Hague around 1761 and became a member of the cabinetmakers guild of that city in 1764. In January of that year he was registered as citizen, and he married Elisabeth de la Fosse later that same year. They lived at the Spuistraat, where also the workshop of Horrix was. From 1770 onwards, the undertaking developed in size and versatility. He could manufacture any kind of furniture needed to decorate an entire house. This was widely appreciated, especially by the Stadholders Court and its entourage, because he worked “to the most fashionable taste of Paris”.

Literature:
R.J. Baarsen, “ ‘In de commode van Parijs tot Den Haag’, Matthijs Horrix (1735-1809), een meubelmaker in Den Haag in de tweede helft van de achttiende eeuw”, in Oud Holland 107, nr. 1, 1993, pp. 161-256.
J.C. Bierens de Haan, Rosendael, Groen Hemeltjen op Aerd, Kasteel, tuinen en bewoners sedert 1579, Leiden/Zutphen 1994.

Origin and period

A. Aronson, 23e Oude Kunst en Antiekbeurs Delft 1971. Freifrau Spies von Büllesheim, Westphalen.