- 336
A rosewood, fruitwood and walnut kneehole writing desk possibly Liègois, early 18th century
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- rosewood, fruitwood, walnut
- 73.5cm. high, 88.5cm. wide, 30.5cm. deep; 2ft. 5in., 2ft. 10¾in., 1ft.
with a fold-over top on gateleg supports, inlaid thoughout with bandings and stringing, with restorations
Condition
Good overall condition. Minor old marks and scratches. The turned and faceted legs to the gateleg supports appear to be fairly recently replaced as do the feet. Refinished. Old marks and scratches throughout.
"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."
"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 present lot appears to have evolved from a simpler configuration of table first designed without an arrangement of drawers fitted beneath the top. Three such tables were supplied by the Royal cabinet-maker Gerrit Jensen in October 1690 for Queen Mary at Kensington Palace (see A. Bowet, English Furniture 1660-1714, 2002, p.213, n. 19).
Comparable writing desks include two Japanned examples, one with provenance from the Marquis of Cholmondeley, Houghton Hall, sold Christie's London, 8 December 1994, lot 114, the other sold in the same rooms, 10 April 2003, lot 130, a walnut desk in the Untermyer Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (see Y. Hackenbroch, English Furniture in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, 1958, pl. 278, fig. 320), and a seaweed marquetry table illustrated in Ralph Edwards and Percy Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, rev. ed., 3 vols, vol. III, p. 241, fig. 2.
The architectural outlines to the inlaid bandings on the doors have affinities with the inlay to the doors on a group of Liège cabinets, illustrated in Thibaut Wolvespurges, Belgian Furniture, 1550-1800, 2000, pp. 170-171, pls. 68-70.
Comparable writing desks include two Japanned examples, one with provenance from the Marquis of Cholmondeley, Houghton Hall, sold Christie's London, 8 December 1994, lot 114, the other sold in the same rooms, 10 April 2003, lot 130, a walnut desk in the Untermyer Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (see Y. Hackenbroch, English Furniture in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, 1958, pl. 278, fig. 320), and a seaweed marquetry table illustrated in Ralph Edwards and Percy Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, rev. ed., 3 vols, vol. III, p. 241, fig. 2.
The architectural outlines to the inlaid bandings on the doors have affinities with the inlay to the doors on a group of Liège cabinets, illustrated in Thibaut Wolvespurges, Belgian Furniture, 1550-1800, 2000, pp. 170-171, pls. 68-70.