An Anglo-Chinese huang hua li pedestal desk Third quarter 18th century

the top with a partial turned spindle gallery, the flap enclosing two drawers and pigeonholes, flanked by two drawers, with eight drawers below and a recessed kneehole cupboard with two doors, on low bracket feet, with large Paktong carrrying handles to the sides, and matching handles to the drawers 

This piece is in country house condition. The gallery has been broken and is incomplete and the two inner supports appear to have been cut, the moulding top right hand side beneath the gallery has been broken. The corresponding moulding on the left hand side is loose. The moulding around the base on the bottom of the left hand side has a section broken and missing. The moulding front top left hand side is cracked. The feet are all loose and incomplete. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Various design elements for the present desk have been drawn from Thomas Chippendale`s, `The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker`s Director, 3rd Edition, 1763, plate LXXIX.  A desk with many similar design characteristics is illustrated in Carl L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade, 1991, p.230, pl.82. 

The likelihood is that this piece, in such strong western taste, was a special commission for either the domestic use of an English residence or perhaps for public use, rather than specifically for the export market. The scale of the piece would have made it awkward and uneconomical  to ship for re-sale purposes especially when other easier and more valuable cargoes such as silks were readily available.