Lot 638
  • 638

A George III mahogany pedestal desk circa 1770, in the manner of Thomas Chippendale

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • mahogany and leather (Mahogany, Caribbean/West India)
  • 75cm. high, 125cm. wide, 79cm. deep; 2ft. 5in., 4ft. 1in., 2ft. 7in.
with a green leather inset top, above three frieze drawers, the centre fitted with a writing slide and flanked by cupboards enclosing drawers

Condition

Good overall condition, replaced leather to top. Replaced locks. Small fragment to one dummy door detached but present. General old marks and scratches. Handles old but probably replaced. Good colour and patina. Top becoming detached from a pedestal on one side.
"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."

Catalogue Note

The quality of the cabinet work exhibited on the present desk is consistent with the work of the St Martin's Lane syndicate of cabinet makers whose output is epitomised by the leading 18th century furniture designer and manufacturer Thomas Chippendale. In particular it relates to his design for `a bureau dressing table' published in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director,  pl. XLI and a library table supplied to William, 5th Earl of Dumfries for Dumfries House, Ayrshire, Scotland, circa 1759 which parallels the subtle use of dentilling beneath the moulded top  (see Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Works of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, 2 vols., vol. II, p. 236, figs. 431 and 432).  It is also worth noting the form of the bead-panelled doors here which feature disc paterae to the corners, as these have close affinities with those on a secretaire cabinet supplied by Chippendale to Ninian Home for Paxton House, Scotland circa 1775 (see Gilbert, op. cit, vol. II, p. 59, pl 91).

Comparable desks with attributions to Chippendale which have recently appeared on the market include an example with related plinth mouldings, sold Sotheby's New York, 21 October 2004, lot 31 and two further example of more rectilinear form sold Christie's London, 3 July 1997, lot 50 and Sotheby's 'Mallett at Bourdon House', 7 March 2007, lot 580.