Property of a European Private Collector

A George III mahogany pedestal desk, circa 1760

UK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Lot Closed

November 13, 01:59 PM GMT

Estimate

20,000 - 30,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property of a European Private Collector

A George III mahogany pedestal desk, circa 1760

the later leather inset top with a leaf carved moulding above three frieze drawers and three drawers in either pedestal, the reverse side with a dummy drawer in the centre, all drawers with carved rope pattern edges, with gilt-brass handles and escutcheons in the rococo manner, flanked by drawers either side and with cupboards in each pedestal, one pedestal cupboard enclosing the two remaining folio slides, on concealed wooden castors

80cm. high, 145cm. wide, 89cm. deep; 2ft. 7½in., 4ft. 9in., 2ft., 11in.

A smart desk in overall reasonable restored condition but would benefit from further attention. The later leather inset top in good order. Rubbing to carved detail notably to moulded edge of top. Some losses to beading of drawer fronts and evidence of some repairs and replacements. Similarly there are some losses and replacements to veneers notably to banding of top. Pedestals with age splits to interior and exterior sides. One cupboard door with age split and lower hinge of this door is detached from pedestal and there is a notable split to the timber near this site. One drawer with detached lock which will need to be reattached. Generally with typical minor old marks scuffs and scratches consistent with age and use.

Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.

The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.

Sotheby's London, Mallett at Bourdon House, 9 March 2007, lot 580 (£96,000).

The form and quality of cabinet work exhibited on the present desk are commensurate with the St Martin's Lane syndicate of cabinet makers whose output is epitomised by the leading 18th century furniture designer and manufacturer Thomas Chippendale. Furthermore its configuration, handles and dimensions are similar to those on a library table supplied to William, 5th Earl of Dumfries for Dumfries House, Ayrshire, Scotland, circa 1759 (see Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Works of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, 2 vols., vol. II, p. 236, figs. 431 and 432). Pierced gilt-brass rococo handles such as those on the offered lot are a variant of a rococo design frequently used by Chippendale and his contemporaries, although it is unclear whether these were typically sub contracted to outside suppliers such as William Bent who was based in St Martin's Lane, being one of many braziers in London who could have provided this service (see Gilbert op. cit., vol. I, p.45). Another instance of a closely related handle found on a documented Chippendale piece is on a commode recorded at Goldsborough Hall, illustrated ibid. vol. II, figs. 226 and 270.

Comparable desks with attributions to Chippendale which have recently appeared on the market include an example with related plinth carving, sold Sotheby's New York, 21 October 2004, lot 31 and another of more rectilinear form sold Christie's London, 3 July 1997, lot 50.