Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Rare Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk

About the Item

Rare and outstanding example of an early 19th century Anglo-Chinese export amboyna and ebony campaign kneehole desk retaining the original patina with wonderful colour. China circa 1830 One of the finest examples you will see, constructed using thick hand sawn cuts of amboyna and solid ebony with ivory stringing and countersunk brass pulls to the camphor wood lined drawers, having brass drop carrying handles to each side. The rectangular top with book matched amboyna veneers enclosed by a solid ebony boarder above a frieze drawer fitted with an adjustable inset velvet lined writing slope flanked by multiple sliding lidded compartments and pen rests. Below is an arrangement of nine ivory strung drawers and a kneehole recess with foliate carved and pierced ankle brackets, the whole being raised on eight solid ebony turned feet. This impressive colonial inspired desk is Chinese and would have been intended for the export market. Some years back this desk was often mistaken to have been Anglo-Indian due to the fact it shares many characteristics of Indian furniture, this was due to the fact that many Chinese immigrant crasftman where employed to make Indian furniture. The finest materials have been used for this desk, amboyna figuring is generally profuse but on this desk it is exceptional. The condition is also quite remarkable having a superb original untouched colour and patina. Please note this piece has been registered with the government as exempt from the ivory ban as contains less than 10% therefore legal to sell to any collection. Mallets owned a davenport of similar construction which is illustrated in the Mallet Millennium book page 195 plate 249. Measures: Width: 41 1/4 inches - 104.5cm Height: 31 3/4 inches - 80.5cm Depth: 19 inches - 48.5cm.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.7 in (80.5 cm)Width: 41.15 in (104.5 cm)Depth: 19.1 in (48.5 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Amboyna,Ebony
  • Place of Origin:
    China
  • Period:
    1830-1839
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1830
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. The condition is also quite remarkable having a superb original untouched colour and patina.
  • Seller Location:
    Benington, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 28611stDibs: LU1183228707892
More From This SellerView All
  • Fine 19th Century French Neoclassical Style Amboyna and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writ
    Located in Benington, Herts
    An extremely fine and unusual French Amboyan and gilt bronze bureau plat - writing table inspired by the Neoclassical designs. French circa 1880-1900. A superb amboyna writing ...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Antique Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
    Located in Benington, Herts
    This attractive mahogany Edwardian Davenport / writing desk, circa 1900s has been constructed from quality solid mahogany having a raised back above a fall front moulded edge writing slope with a raised and fielded panelled cupboard door standing on bracket feet. The Davenport's top section has a brass hinged mahogany lift up lid to reveal an original lead lined storage...
    Category

    Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Desks

    Materials

    Mahogany

  • Fine Regency Amboyna And Ebony Inlaid Gilt Bronze Mounted Shaped Cabinet
    Located in Benington, Herts
    Of outstanding quality, an early 19th Century Regency ormolu mounted amboyna and ebony shaped side cabinet on tapering legs English circa 1810. Finely decorated with ebony bea...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century English Regency Cabinets

    Materials

    Ebony, Amboyna

  • Exceptional Quality and Rare Central European Nero Portoro Serpentine Marble
    Located in Benington, Herts
    An exceptional quality and rare Central European Nero Portoro serpentine marble topped gilt-wood console table of large proportions and fine original patina. Probably Austrian - c...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Console Tables

    Materials

    Marble

  • Fine 19th Century Gillows Parquetry and Gilt Bronze Kidney Shaped Table
    By Gillows of Lancaster & London
    Located in Benington, Herts
    An extremely fine gilt bronze mounted parquetry kidney shaped writing table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster. English Circa 1865 The rosewood lozenge trellis inlaid kidney shape...
    Category

    Antique 1860s English Desks

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Exceptional Early 17th Century Spanish Walnut Vargueno Desk on Stand
    Located in Benington, Herts
    An exceptionally fine example of an early 17th Century Spanish renaissance walnut vargueno / bargueno escritorio writing desk on trestle stand. Sp...
    Category

    Antique 17th Century Spanish Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

    Materials

    Walnut

You May Also Like
  • Italian 19th Century Ebony, Bone and Exotic Wood Center Table / Desk
    Located in West Palm Beach, FL
    A stunning Italian 19th century ebony, bone and exotic wood center table / desk. The table is raised by fine bun feet below unique and most decorative carved spiral legs. Each leg is...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Italian Desks

    Materials

    Bone, Ebony

  • Rare Paul Frankl Cork and Mahogany Kneehole Desk
    By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
    Located in Brooklyn, NY
    C. 1940s, American, the mahogany eight- drawer desk encased in cork veneer on four sides, with book storage-well on the reverse. Bakelite and brass pulls....
    Category

    Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

    Materials

    Mahogany, Cork

  • Exquisite Victorian Hardwood Military Campaign Writing Slope Desk & Later Stand
    Located in GB
    We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning original Antique Victorian Mahogany & Brass Military Campaign writing slope with later stand What a find, if you are in the market for this type of luxury antique militaria then look no further, this is the finest example I have personally seen. The timber patina is glorious, it’s a very old type of mahogany, most likely Cuban. The brass fixtures and fittings all operate perfectly and are flawlessly mounted The stand has been made at a later date to showcase and protect the piece, it is now the size of a normal side table. The writing slope itself has some interesting features, the top can be sat at a 45 degree angle for reading, there is a piece of beaded wood that slots into the two front holes, this holds and seats whatever literature you wish to rest there. The large side drawer is locked in place by a long metal rod, this rod also stops the drawer from coming all the way out. You have two internal document storage sections and various stationary cubby’s. The writing slope is baize lined and on the underside of the base you have a crosshatched silk ripped design which has been studded in place. This is exactly the same as antique LV steamer...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century English Campaign Tables

    Materials

    Hardwood

  • Mahogany Kneehole Desk
    Located in Folkestone, GB
    A good quality George III period mahogany kneehole desk with moulded edge top above a long drawer and arrangement of three graduated small drawe...
    Category

    Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Desks

    Materials

    Mahogany

  • George I Walnut Kneehole Desk
    Located in Essex, MA
    Nicely figured walnut, rectangular quarter veneer top over top over a drawer and kneehole with door and small drawer flanked by drawers raised on bracket feet.
    Category

    Antique Early 18th Century English George I Desks

    Materials

    Other

  • Chiat Day Desk by Gaetano Pesce, New York, 1994, Rare
    By Gaetano Pesce
    Located in Kansas City, MO
    Gaetano Pesce Chiat Day desk New York, New York, circa 1994. This desk was produced in a very limited quantity for the TBWA Chiat Day advertising offices in ...
    Category

    1990s American Post-Modern Desks

    Materials

    Steel

Recently Viewed

View All