216 - Sheraton-style bureau. England, early 19th century.

Sheraton-style bureau. England, early 19th century. Mahogany with fruitwood marquetry, leather, and bronze handles. In good overall condition, with signs of wear consistent with its age. Measurements (open): 106 x 119 x 90 cm (open) Provenance: Family bequest of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. An art and heritage collection originating from the legacy of the Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a key figure in 19th-century Catalan realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched over successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original estates of both artists, along with new acquisitions made by their descendants. They remained particularly dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the family legacy, acquiring works by the painters themselves as they came onto the market and gradually expanding the collection with paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other objects of artistic and historical interest. This early 19th-century English bureau reflects the neoclassical taste associated with the Sheraton style, recognizable in the simplicity of its structure and the use of delicate marquetry hallmarks on the mahogany. The folding front transforms into a writing surface, upholstered in green leather with a gold border, and reveals a well-organized interior divided into small drawers, compartments, and a central section. The interior decoration is the piece’s main ornamental feature: the central compartment features a radial motif in light wood and is framed by fluted pilasters, while fine fillets run along the small front panels. The lower section, with more restrained lines, is organized into three wide rows of drawers and features ring pulls, striking a balance between functionality and decorative elegance.