An early Victorian carved walnut and carton-pierre pedestal desk by George Morant & Co. circa 1843

with a tooled leather inset top and three frieze drawers, one pedestal enclosing a single shelf and the other three drawers, raised on later castors

Commissioned by George William Bowyer Adderley (1787-1872) for the library at Fillongley

Gervase Jackson-Stops, Fillongley Hall, Warwickshire, Country Life, July 20^th 1989, illustrated in the Library, p. 69

Excellent restored condition. The burgundy leather top has old marks and scuffs and also a triangular patch. There are minor losses to the carving around the base. There are later castors which 'raise' the piece off the ground slightly.
"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."

The suite that was supplied featured 'Carton Pierre Ornaments' creating a uniformity through design in the very fashionable Elizabethan Revival style, exactly the kind of commission, in terms of quality, one would expect from a leading cabinet maker such as Morant.

The company was founded in 1790 and in the early years of the 19th century they carried out commissions for Queen Victoria from whom they were to get a Royal Appointment, the Marquess of Londonderry as well as the Dukes of Norfolk and Northumberland. Keen to promote 'modern' designs the company offered furniture in a variety of styles including Louis XIV and XV, Elizabethan, Gothic and Grecian.