A GEORGE III MAHOGANY CARLTON HOUSE DESK, CIRCA 1790, ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS |

the superstructure with a three quarter pierced brass gallery and fitted with brass letter slot above an arrangement of eight drawers and two cupboard doors, with a later gilt tooled green leather writing surface above three frieze drawers, the reverse inlaid with oval panels, on square tapering legs terminating on brass cappings and castors

Property from the Estate of the Late Lady Joyce Heathcote Amory, sold Sotheby's London, Important English Furniture, 13th November 1998, lot 157;
Christie's, London, 22nd January 2009, lot 171.

In overall in reasonable conserved condition. Colour is generally good but uneven. Water damage to top left of superstructure. Stable age cracks, notably to curved surfaces/veneers, and generally with minor old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Some mouldings replaced and with minor chips to ebony/ebonized mouldings. With Arlington Conservation label to underside. A handsome desk that would benefit from further cosmetic attention.
"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."

One of the earliest references to desks of this type is found in an entry from the Prince of Wales' accounts in the Royal Archives which reveals an insight into a table of this form supplied by John Kerr, a favoured cabinet-maker of the Prince Regent[1]. ‘Feb 5 1790

To a Large Elegant Sattinwood Writing table containing 15 Drawers and two Cupboards Top covered with superfine Green Cloth to rise Occasionally the whole Varnish'd and Polish'd Compleat

£20’

The account verifies the existence of such a table in the late 18th century, supplied directly to the Prince for Carlton House prior to the general release of comparative designs such as those in George Hepplewhite's The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices[2] and Thomas Sheraton's  The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book[3]. In 1814 Rudolph Ackermann included a French fashioned writing table with rounded cartonnier section in his Repository of Arts naming it a ‘Carlton House table' and thereby implying its origins[4].

The offered desk was formerly in the collection of Sir John and Lady Heathcoat Amory, Knightshayes Court, Tiverton, Devon, a masterpiece of High Victorian architecture designed by William Burges in 1869.

[1] Roberts, H., `The First Carlton House Table?', Furniture History Journal, 1995, pp. 124-128.

[2] Hepplewhite, G., The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices, 2nd ed., 1793, pl. 21.

[3] Sheraton, T., The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, 1793, pl. 60.

[4] Agius, P., Ackermann’s Regency Furniture & Interiors, Holland, 1984, p. 81, pl. 63.