A FINE QUEEN ANNE FIGURED WALNUT DESK AND CABINET CIRCA 1710

in three parts, the upper section with broken pediment centered by a later urn-form finial above a pair of arched mirrored doors opening to an interior fitted with valenced pigeonholes above a pair of concave-fronted prospect doors opening to a recess and drawers, flanked by document slots and small and long drawers, all over candle slides, the middle section with a fall front opening to a leather-lined writing surface and a pair of concave-fronted prospect doors opening to a later small drawer above a recess and drawers, flanked by secret document drawers fronted with stop-fluted pilasters, further flanked by valenced pigeonholes and drawers above concave-fronted drawers, also fitted with a sliding panel opening to a secret well, the frieze fitted with two short drawers, the bottom section with molded waist and two short over two long graduated drawers, the shaped apron raised on later bun feet; appearing to retain its original brass mounts and handles. Restored.

Partridge Fine Arts, London

Overall good restored condition with beautiful faded color to the walnut; later finial and mirror plates, shrinkage to veneers of pediment and with accompanying spaces between, moldings to mirror plates also with shrinkage and accompanying spaces between, interior with drawers to upper section with some tearing of veneers along lines of construction, lock replaced, mirror backs possibly replaced, middle section with age cracks and tearing to veneers of both exterior and interior, sliding panel slightly warped right document drawer does not lock in place, bottom section with later feet; minor losses, shrinkage and tearing to veneers and with inpainting, age cracks and shims to sides of lower section.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This fine cabinet is notable not only for the use of the finely figured walnut veneers, but also for the elaborate fitted interiors with its complete arrangement found both in the upper part and within the fall, with small document drawers, pigeon holes and folio slides. Possibly the first mention of this type of 'desk-and-bookcase' appears in the accounts of the Royal cabinet-maker Gerrit Jensen (fl. 1680-d.1715) who supplied several to the Royal Household from 1710 (See: Adam Bowett, English Furniture 1660-1714, From Charles II to Queen Anne, Antique Collectors' Club, Woodbridge, 2002), another, which was supplied to the 5th Earl of Salisbury, Hatfield House, being described as 'a walnut writing desk, the top for books and patons [sic] and glass in the doors asked'. The London cabinet maker John Gumley (1691-1727) advertised in Richard Steele's The Lover of April 24, 1714, that he 'hath taken for a Ware-house, and furnished all the upper part of the New Exchange in the Strand' continuing with an extensive list of his stock which included 'Desks and Bookcases'. In 1714 one of these in walnut was supplied by him to James, 1st Duke of Montrose for the sum of £11.   A similar desk and cabinet at Erddig, Denbighshire, is illustrated, Macquoid and Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, vol. I, p. 135, fig. 24.