19th Century Scholars Desk

This beautifully detailed item is made of oak with inlay mahogany. Item dates back to the 1850s and contains many drawers inside of fall-front.

An exceptional 19th century satinwood Carlton House desk attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, the curved superstructure with pierced brass gallery, fitted with two banks of three drawers to the centre, flanked by cupboard doors, the left & right with a document slot above, the reverse inlaid with oval panels, with a gilt tooled burgundy leather writing surface, above three frieze drawers on turned gadrooned and fluted tapering legs with brass caps. Circa 1880 Dimensions: H: 41 1/4 in / 104.8 cm W: 61 in / 154.9 cm D: 32 1/2 in / 82.5 cm Footnote: This particular design of desk owes its name to the one supplied to the Prince of Wales for Carlton House by the court cabinet maker John Kerr in 1790. Its design was later published by George Hepplewhite in 1792 and in 1793 by Thomas Shearer. The publication in Sheraton’s The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book of several plates illustrating the interiors of Prince George’s recently built palace raised the interest for its interior decoration. Three years later, the name Carlton House desk appears for the first time in the Estimate Sketch Book of Gillow of London and Lancaster. A Gillow’s sketch from 1798 differs slightly from Hepplewhite’s and it is closer in design to the present lot, most noticeably displaying the turned and fluted legs and the pierced brass gallery. The design of this desk similar to known Gillow’s stamped models, the type of construction and the typical square brass handles strengthen an attribution to this firm. Literature: ‘H. Roberts, 'The First Carlton House Table...

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period rattan over wood waterfall style desk from the 19th century, with three drawers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this waterfall side desk captures our attention with its sleek lines and rattan finish. Showcasing a top flowing seamlessly into the side supports, the desk presents three rattan drawers in the front. With its rustic presence and clean silhouette, this 19th century Chinese waterfall...

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 19th century with two drawers, horse hoof legs, carved spandrels and butterfly bronze hardware. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century, this wooden desk features a rectangular top with central board, sitting above two drawers fitted with bronze butterfly hardware. The desk is raised on four straight legs adorned with horse hoof extremities and linear carved spandrels present on all sides. We review all of our pieces and address issues we may find before they leave for your home; however, this is an antique piece, and as such it will keep its character and some imperfections, which is the quintessence of antique and vintage furniture...

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 19th century with two carved drawers and fretwork motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this exquisite wooden desk features a rectangular two-toned top with central board, overhanging two drawers carved with scrolls and traditional foliage patterns. They open thanks to a bail handle on a radiating brass plate. These drawers are flanked with delicate fretwork spandrels adorned with scrolling foliage echoed from the drawers. The desk is raised on four straight, slightly splaying legs connected to the drawers thanks to additional fretwork completing the ensemble beautifully. The sides are strengthened with stretchers while the back is carved with faux drawers in a manner similar to the front. The desk will therefore be able to float in a room! With its elegant lines and skillfully carved décor, this Chinese Qing Dynasty desk...

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 19th century, with burlwood inset top, five drawers and cracked ice base. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this wooden desk features a burlwood two-panel inset top sitting above five burl drawers fitted with teardrop pulls. Raised on four straight legs securing a cracked ice fretwork shelf...