Large Dutch Colonial Amboyna and Ebony Indonesian Writing Desk, 18th Century

A Dutch-colonial five-foot amboyna wood VOC chest with brass mounts Batavia (Jakarta) or Sri Lanka, 18th century H. 80.5 (including bun-feet) x W. 153 x D. 64.5 cm The many moves from post to post undertaken by VOC officials in the course of their careers made the chest an indispensable item of furniture in every household and for transport. But to avoid overloading sailing ships with chests of all sizes and forms the Heeren XVII adopted a great number of resolutions regulating the form and seizes of the chests and the number each VOC official was allowed to take. On his repatriation, the Governor General was allowed eighteen large chests, a member of the Council of India ten, a minister of religion two and a carpenter, boatswain, cook’s mate only one smaller chest, about three-quarter the size of the largest chest...

A charming satin and rosewood, ebony and teak collectors’ table-cabinet Sri Lanka, second half of the 18th century Measures: H. 86.5 x W. 62.5 x D. 34.7 cm In the top of the shaped cornice, there is a carving of a butterfly or moth. Under the cornice two panelled doors with scorched chequered motif, and under the doors one long drawer. When the doors are locked, so is the drawer. Behind the two doors, there are eight drawers, suitable to store small collectors’ items, such as a coin collection, or mineral specimens, small shells, collections of animal teeth, etc. The 17th and 18th centuries saw a wide-spread interest in exotic cultures and collecting of botanical, zoological and geological specimens...

Apart from being a highly decorative object and a status symbol, these miniature pieces of furniture also functioned as collector’s items. Just like the dollhouses were for rich wome...

A strongbox was a type of travelling chest and these types of boxes were more common in England than anywhere else where they were fabricated between 1660 and 1720. The earliest proo...

A captivating piece of history, the Dutch East Indian Captain's Writing Desk. This extraordinary early 18th-century Anglo-Indonesian table showcases the artistry of the time, carved...

English country portable writing desk with lifting writing surface, it has its original bronze ironworks, late 18th century.

18th Century Spanish walnut writing desk with door and drawers in the Interior.

Rare Indo-English writing desk features a flip-top document holder, is intricately carved with a rich bamboo and botanical motif in natural wood. Made in India, this desk provides a ...