A study in restraint and refinement, The Obsidian Atelier is a sculptural secretary desk that elevates utility into quiet luxury. Restored in a rich, modern black finish, its silhouette draws from early American Chippendale forms—with a broken pediment crown, astragal-glazed hutch doors, serpentine drawer fronts, and claw-and-ball feet that ground the piece in old-world gravitas.
At the top, glass-front cabinet doors open to reveal vertical plate dividers—rare in secretary forms—designed to showcase fine porcelain or archival documents. Below, a fall-front writing surface opens into a matrix of small drawers and hand-cut compartments, originally intended for correspondence and personal recordkeeping. The dual-purpose construction merges domestic display with intellectual utility—an atelier in form and spirit.
Discovered on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the piece was used to store china, silver, and letters. Restoration focused on enhancing its functionality and aesthetic clarity. The frame was reinforced, new hardware was added, missing components were replaced, and the entire piece was painted in a deep, satin black to give it a sleek, modern sensibility while honoring its historical design.
Every surface tells a story—from the curvature of the drawers to the luminous geometry of the glazed doors. Brass pulls accentuate the serpentine drawer fronts, while the base anchors the piece with sculptural confidence.
The Obsidian Atelier is both furniture and narrative—a refined centerpiece for studies, salons, or hallways where memory, function, and aesthetic converge. It is ideal for collectors and interior designers seeking heirloom-quality pieces that transcend time and trend.
A study in restraint and refinement, The Obsidian Atelier is a sculptural secretary desk that elevates utility into quiet luxury. Restored in a rich, modern black finish, its silhouette draws from early American Chippendale forms—with a broken pediment crown, astragal-glazed hutch doors, serpentine drawer fronts, and claw-and-ball feet that ground the piece in old-world gravitas.
At the top, glass-front cabinet doors open to reveal vertical plate dividers—rare in secretary forms—designed to showcase fine porcelain or archival documents. Below, a fall-front writing surface opens into a matrix of small drawers and hand-cut compartments, originally intended for correspondence and personal recordkeeping. The dual-purpose construction merges domestic display with intellectual utility—an atelier in form and spirit.
Discovered on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the piece was used to store china, silver, and letters. Restoration focused on enhancing its functionality and aesthetic clarity. The frame was reinforced, new hardware was added, missing components were replaced, and the entire piece was painted in a deep, satin black to give it a sleek, modern sensibility while honoring its historical design.
Every surface tells a story—from the curvature of the drawers to the luminous geometry of the glazed doors. Brass pulls accentuate the serpentine drawer fronts, while the base anchors the piece with sculptural confidence.
The Obsidian Atelier is both furniture and narrative—a refined centerpiece for studies, salons, or hallways where memory, function, and aesthetic converge. It is ideal for collectors and interior designers seeking heirloom-quality pieces that transcend time and trend.
34” W x 18” D x 83” H
