Queen Anne Burled Walnut Slant Front Desk

About the Item

This very fine and fully restored Queen Anne slant front desk was crafted in burled walnut on an oak carcass. This secondary wood choice was a typical selection in England as it was a local indigenous hardwood. Created as a lockable (with key) slant or fall front desk the piece has a reading slide to hold a book. When open it reveals a writing surface with numerous pigeon holes for papers and four small drawers. The writing surface lifts to house an interior compartment corresponding to the false drawer beneath for security. The chest contains three further drawers beneath the false drawer. Raised on bracket feet the desk presents a solid and substantial formal front with much usable space. During the reign of William & Mary, many Dutch cabinet makers and furniture designers came to England much improving local craftsmen's knowledge and technical skill. Design ideas were based on a number of stylistic influences from Europe and included Dutch, French and Baroque Italian patterns. At this time many kinds of wood other then oak became fashionable including walnut, kingwood and even mahogany began to be introduced. The emphasis was on decoration and display. This piece of furniture, its woods, construction methods and overall aspect are direct descendants of this influence. At the end of the period in 1702 with the ascension to the throne of Anne's tastes where beginning to change again back to a more English frontal reasonableness. The Baroque held much less appeal and a certain blocky formality come into play. This desk comes from this design ideal. Walnut was the wood of choice in this period and while some aspects of this desk resonate with the early part of the period certain aspects indicate a later date of circa 1715-1720. A block foot is possible in this period but these have most likely been altered or replaced and the brasses are replaced but both changes appear to be late 19th century. Of interest is the extensive use of walnut veneers book-matched at the sides and on the drawer front as well as the separate bandings on the sides and drawers. The desk has a clean and in almost perfect shape old French polish with nice mellow color and patina to the wood. Purchased from George Subkoff by the last owner this piece is an excellent example of the fine craftsmanship and design associated with good antique furniture. Condition Disclosure: While we do our best to carefully inspect and give a full report on the condition of any item we sell, pointing out any repairs or alterations that may have been done to the best of our knowledge, as is the case with any antique and vintage item, there is a possibility that at some point in the life of the piece that there may have been damaged which has been professionally repaired and as such a repair undetectable, it is therefore impossible for us to disclose... we recommend that you also read and agree to the 1st dibs user agreement, particularly sections 9,13,15,18,19 and 27

Dimensions:

Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 38.25 in (97.16 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)

Style:

Queen Anne (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Brass,Oak,Walnut

Place of Origin:

United Kingdom

Period:

1720-1729

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1720

Condition:

Repaired: see below. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Some replaced or reworked areas to the feet and replace old brasses,three small veneer patches.

Seller Location:

Hudson, NY

Reference Number:

1stDibs: 14090581131173

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