Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

Ancient Italian Writing Desk with Upper Cabinet, Milan, Circa 1730

$82,906.03
£61,923.26
€70,000
CA$113,750.31
A$127,097.02
CHF 66,485.83
MX$1,558,616.79
NOK 849,562.72
SEK 805,610.50
DKK 532,896.50
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Writing desk with upper cabinet Milan, first half of the 18th century Carved walnut partially veneered in olive wood and walnut burl; traces of ebonizing. It measures 66.53 in x 48.42 in x 23.22 in (169 x 123 x 59 cm) State of conservation: very good The desk is composed of two elements, with the markedly architectural upper part representing its most distinct characteristic. The curving façade is broken up by vertical pilaster strips consisting of olive burl with horizontal grain in carved frames. The sophisticated apparatus is crowned with three unusual and highly elaborate elements designed as bases to allow objects such as vases to be set atop the desk. The angular lower part, with fold-down and slide out writing surfaces, constitutes the desk proper and is similar to many other exemplars dating to the 17th and early 18th centuries. However, its four high legs decorated with carved elements and frames around veneered parts represent a relative rarity. They are joined below by an atypical crosspiece that mimics the design of wrought metal, with two bands appearing to bind together the two main contoured members. Both the iron keys and the embossed paper lining are original. The exclusivity of the model and its excellent craftsmanship, far superior to the norm, lead us to suppose that a talented designer contributed to the execution of the work, and that it was crafted in the area of Milan, where the most refined and demanding patrons of the time were found.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 66.54 in (169 cm)Width: 48.43 in (123 cm)Depth: 23.23 in (59 cm)
  • Style:
    Baroque (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1730-1739
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1730
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Both the iron keys and the embossed paper lining are original.
  • Seller Location:
    Milano, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4352216278531

More From This Seller

View All
Rococo Italian Bureau-Cabinet, Milan, circa 1760
Located in Milano, IT
Bureau-cabinet with fold-down writing desk Lombardy, third quarter of the 18th century Walnut with carved decoration and walnut-burl veneer; applied ebonized wood trim and cornice ...
Category

Antique 1750s Italian Rococo Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Center Writing Table, Francesco and Giuseppe Cassina, Milan, January 26, 1796
By Francesco and Giuseppe Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
Center writing table Cassina Brothers (Francesco and Giuseppe) Milan, January 26, 1796 79.5 x 94 x 58.5 cm State of conservation: excellent The rectangular table features a minimall...
Category

Antique 1790s Italian Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Walnut

Rosewood and Oak French Convertible Music Stand by N. Grevenich, circa 1780
Located in Milano, IT
Nicolas Grevenich Convertible music stand France, last quarter 18th century. Bois de rose and oak Measures: H 26.77 in; when open H max 44.09 in Top: 16.14 in x 12.79 in; when open...
Category

Antique 1780s French Neoclassical Music Stands

Materials

Oak, Rosewood

Italian Carved Walnut Chairs with Leather Covers, Milan, circa 1750
Located in Milano, IT
Four carved walnut chairs with leather covers Milan, circa 1750 They measure: 39.37” high, 18.30” to the seat, 21.65” deep x 19.29” (100 cm high, 46.5 cm to the seat, 55 cm deep x 49 cm) State of conservation: - the leather covers are not original; - some signs of use, especially on leather covers; - the rocailles at the height of the backrests have lost part of the carved elements. The four walnut chairs have a mixtilinear structure adorned with rocaille relief carvings; the legs are shaped and end with a curl. The backs and seats are padded and covered with impressed leather with figures and cartouche decorations from later production. Around the mid-eighteenth century in Milan it was very popular to cover seats with impressed leather. Mutton or cowhide was used which, suitably tanned, was then worked with heated irons (hot decoration) or with carved wooden molds (cold decoration). These were impressed on the leather until obtaining a darker brown color. Our group of chairs...
Category

Antique 1750s Italian Rococo Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Ancient Italian Walnut Mirror, Venice, Circa 1750
Located in Milano, IT
Carved, sculpted walnut mirror Venice, about mid-18th century It measures 53.93 x 33.46 in (137 x 85 cm); weight 30.86 lb (14 kg) State of conservation: slight gluing The walnut mirror has an elongated rectangular shape, crowned with a decorative three-lobed sculpted and carved molding. The frame encircles the mirror with a series of rabbet grooves. A rocaille carved molding is attached above, showing off its curved decorative elements. These descend along the sides of the mirror frame and are further enhanced with the presence of volutes "pennaccette", small leafy elements and minute buds. The mercury mirror is original. As a decorative element, mirrors represent a refined expression of the Rococo style in Venice around the middle of the XVIII century. During this period, decorated mirrors, previously use...
Category

Antique 1750s Italian Rococo Wall Mirrors

Materials

Walnut

Seven Early 19th Century Neoclassical Italian Chairs, Milan circa 1820
Located in Milano, IT
Group of seven chairs Milan, first quarter of the 19th century Carved walnut wood, lacquered in gray green and cream and partially gilded They measure: height 36.61 in (18.11 in ...
Category

Antique 1810s Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Walnut

You May Also Like

Italian Console in Carved Wood Veneto 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian console in carved wood Veneto 18th century in carved wood with veneered and threaded top. Veneto. 18th century. Dimension 78x122x55 cm ca. Very good condition.
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Dressers

Materials

Wood

Majestic Italian Desk, circa 1820
Located in Budapest, HU
Piece of extreme beauty. It belonged to a famous scholar of Dante Alighieri. On one side desk, above the lectern, behind wardrobe with two pullers. Very fine inlays in almost all s...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Desks

Materials

Walnut

Baroque Cabinet with Secretaire, Germany, 1750-1760
Located in Belmont, MA
Outstanding baroque cabinet with fall top secretaire, South Germany, 1750-1760. Beautiful walnut veneer with exquisite figural and landscape marque...
Category

Antique 1750s German Baroque Cabinets

Materials

Elm, Walnut

Baroque Cabinet with Secretary Desk, Germany 1760-70
Located in Leimen, DE
Baroque cabinet with Secretary desk, coming from Southern Germany and dating back to end of the 18th century. In two parts, the top with hinged door opening to adjusting shelves wit...
Category

Antique 1770s German Baroque Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

MID-18th CENTURY WOODEN WRITING DESK LOUIS XV
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant writing desk veneered entirely in walnut root. Its structure is completely wavy both on the top and on the sides, with sabre legs ending in feral feet. On the front there are...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Desks

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Baroque Secretary or Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Exceptional Baroque secretary or writing desk, probably from southern Germany, around 1760. The softwood corpus à deux corps, ornamentally veneered in walnut, burl and other preciou...
Category

Antique 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood, Walnut, Pine