A GEORGE III GILT-BRASS MOUNTED MAHOGANY PEDESTAL DESK, CIRCA 1780 |

the green gilt-tooled leather inset top above an arrangement of eight drawers, one of which is a long drawer with opposing dummy drawer, on brass castors

Formerly in the collection of John Carter Brown III until sold Christie's New York, The British Interior, 23-24 January 2002, lot 507 ($96,200)

A handsome desk in overall good restored condition. Some handles lacking nuts and loose which would benefit from attention. Handles probably associated. Loses to cock beading to two drawers. Two drawers repolished due to scuffing around handle positioning. Locks replaced. Chips to mouldings and generally with old marks, dents and scratches consistent with age and use. Lower dummy drawer on one side has been screwed in, therefore does not open. With some further minor cosmetic restoration the table would be ready place.
"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 form of the distinctive 'French Style' rococo foliate handles on this desk, with their asymmetrical pierced and engraved back plates, relate to two handles from an anonymous brass founder’s catalogue preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York[1]. Further related designs in two unattributed pattern books dating to circa 1780 are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London[2]. An unusual bureau, with identical handles, was sold Sotheby’s, New York, Tom Devenish: The Collection, 24 April 2008, lot 66.

John Carter Brown III John Carter Brown III (1934 –2002) was director of the U.S. National Gallery of Art from 1969 to 1992 and a leading figure in American intellectual life. Under Brown's direction, the National Gallery became one of the leading art museums in the United States, if not the world.

[1] Crom, T. R., An Eighteenth Century English Brass Hardware Catalogue, Florida, 1994, p. 44, nos. 311 and 312.

[2] Illustrated Goodison, N., ‘The Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection of Metal-work Pattern Books’, Furniture History, Vol. XI, 1975, figs. 8 and 9.