A rare Italian neoclassical inlaid mahogany writing table and armchair circa 1840

the chair with solid arched top rail continuing to wooden armrests with lions' head terminals on scrolled leaf-carved supports, the drop-in seat concealing the rails fitted with secret compartments, raised on leaf-carved legs ending in paw feet; the desk with a rectangular top with breakfront sides, the center with a square flap rising from a concealed catch, the frieze with a drawer and a baize lined writing slide, flanked by a pair of convex and concave-fronted drawers and with narrow drawers concealed in the corners; the back with a pair of hinged panels flanking a mock central drawer, opening to reveal an architectural interior centered by a bust, and with concealed drawers, raised on massive trestle-shaped supports carved with acanthus leaves, lion's heads and ending in claw feet.

By repute from the collection of King Carlo Alberto of Savoy

Sold, Christie's, London, March 27, 1986, lot 174, to Carlton Hobbs

Acquired from the above, April 1986