Black Forest Walnut Study Suite by Albin May 1920 – Armoire, Desk & Chair

Manufacturer	Albin May (ZKWAMZ)
Origin	Zeulenroda (Thüringen) Germany
Age	Commenced 1920 – Completed 1921
Style	Black Forest
Material	Black Walnut
Construction	Campaign form; easily dismantled
Carving	Swiss. No apparent signature; each bowed door and carved plaque are one-piece solid timber.

Armoire

A three-door black forest, a black walnut combination of a side robe and a double shelved storage space. The two cabinet sides and the internal partition are demountable fitted with winch bolts that screw into the base. The two side doors are mounted using full-length brass piano hinges. The two side doors are solid bowed panels each with a joined hinge stile. The Hand-carved centre plaque of grapes and vine leaves represents the wine culture of Germany. The glazed centre door mounted with pin hinges has an applied carving representing the interlacing of the vines. The side partitions, back panels and doors are mounted on a three-drawer base unit itself mounted on solid walnut bun feet. The left-hand cupboard is fitted with shelving plug holes and was used as a Robe. The main cupboard has two original moveable shelves.
The whole is capped with an interlocking box pelmet unit spanning the length of the armoire, facilitated by winch screws at the top of the side and partition panels.
Each side door and the centre door and the three base drawers are furnished with original locks and handles. Key included.

Condition	Very Good – Light knocks and digs to rear panels which indicate dismantling history. panels are original. Bun feet grazed in places. Applied carving on Centre door was last removed for cleaning 1996.
Armoire Size	200cm H x 182cm W x 49cm D
Door Widths	54cm (Left) / 68cm (Middle) / 57cm (Right)
Drawers Width	49cm (Left) / 57cm (Middle) / 49cm (Right)
Drawers Depth	14cm (Internal) / 16cm (External)
Section Heights	15cm (Top) / 144cm (Centre) / 34cm (Base) / 7cm (Bun Feet)

Desk

Twin pedestal on bun feet; Centre frieze drawer, front with carved relief of vine branch. Demountable by removal of the top, interleaf doweled spacer and centre frieze drawer frame
The Left-hand pedestal equipped with 4 sliding tray drawers. The solid walnut door is vertically bowed externally (concave on the internal side)  with a raised centre plaque of grapes and vine leaves.  Piano style hinge facilitates easy movement of the solid heavy door.
The Right-hand pedestal contains one sliding mid-height shelf. The solid walnut door is vertically bowed externally (concave on the internal side) with raised centre plaque of grapes and vine leaves. The door is vertically concave on the internal side. Piano style hinge facilitates easy movement of the heavy door.
The pedestals are frame bridged together with a central drawer, the front having carved detail of trailing vine.
Each door and the centre drawer are furnished with original locks and handles. Key included.
The Desktop comprises a walnut veneered top with raised lip moulding. The inset writing pad is covered in deep cream aniline leather which was renewed in 1996.

The Campaign design style affordseasy  dismantling for packing and transportation.

Condition	Very Good
Desk	78cm (Height) x 159.5cm (Width) x 74cm – 79cm max x top thickness 4cm (Depth)
Pedestal	73.5cm (Height) x 45cm (Width) x 74cm (Depth)
Doors	Convex bowed style: 4cm thick including carving projection

Chair

A solid walnut open frame with light caving on the centre splat. The seat is upholstered in deep cream aniline leather, renewed in 1996.

Condition	Very Good
Chair Size	83.5cm (Height) x 64cm (Width) x 57cm (Depth)
Seat Height	48cm