Mid-20th Century MCM Alma Castilian Series Walnut Credenza & Executive Desk W/Leather Work Surface

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Description

Fabulous vintage MCM (a.k.a.) Mid-Century Modern “Castilian Series” executive desk & credenza by Alma Desk Company each composed of walnut … Read more Fabulous vintage MCM (a.k.a.) Mid-Century Modern “Castilian Series” executive desk & credenza by Alma Desk Company each composed of walnut frames, straight tapered cylindrical legs, & the desk has a black leather inset top work surface & black leather inset center on desk front. These pieces have been attributed based upon archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials however, they are not signed or marked in any way. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, the desk is missing the center pencil drawer. The top on both pieces has been refinished as well as the center back panel of the credenza. Also, due to the tones inherent to the wood, the natural wood colors vary among each piece. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century.

Now THIS is a DYNAMIC DUO!!!!! Quite the phenomenal pair INDEED!!!! These are STUNNING “Castilian Series” pieces including an executive desk & credenza by Alma Desk Company each composed of walnut frames. Let’s talk about the details of the executive desk first. It is composed of a wonderful walnut frame bearing straight tapered cylindrical legs & the top features a fabulous, patterned wood veneer top & a black leather inset work surface. I mean… GORGEOUS doesn’t even begin to define the magnificent wood grain & eye-catching decorative layout!!! The work side of the desk hosts two stacked drawers on the left and three stacked drawers on the right… all with horizontal carved wood pulls. The large lower drawer on the left is a file drawer ready for legal size hanging files & the others are open storage. You will notice that the center pencil drawer is missing… (sigh!) we obtained it this way, and you could replace it if you choose to do so or replace it with a pull-out computer keyboard drawer as the previous owner did, however, it doesn’t deter from its overall use & beauty. Each side has a “secret” pull out work surface that slides out & back in from under the desktop. Plus, you can comfortably push or roll your desk chair into the kneehole or chair recess which features a curved wood privacy panel! The other side of the desk (arguably the “front” or the “back” of the desk… but that’s an on-going… in-house argument for another day!!! LOL!) we’ll just call it the “other” side… is beautifully finished and exhibits a lovely black leather inset between the wood panels. WOW!!! And if that wasn’t enough MAGNIFICENCE for you… Let’s talk about this FANTASTIC credenza!! Also composed of a wonderful walnut frame with straight tapered cylindrical legs but unlike the desk, the top of the credenza bears a handsome horizontal one-way wood grain. We are going to refer to the side with the drawers on the credenza… the front. (Insert scared face!!) LOL… The front features two double bi-fold doors in the center with lovely vertical carved wood pulls and a single height adjustable wood shelf behind the doors. To the left of the doors are two stacked drawers, one narrow above & one larger below also ready for legal size hanging files and to the right of the doors are four narrow stacked drawers all bearing attractive horizontal carved wood pulls and adequate storage space. The back of the credenza AND the “other” side of the desk have an all-over exquisite finish, and both pieces would float FABULOUSLY in any room!! We also think they would be fantastically functional placed in an L shape floating in your home office, study, or den. They look incredible together but obviously you could separate them per your space or creative needs. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination!! They are bursting with a Scandinavian inspired Mid-Century Modern aesthetic with a timeless presence you are sure to love for years to come!

Alma Desk Company was founded by craftsman A.O. Redding in 1885. He named the company after his deceased daughter and initially the company produced household items like safes, wardrobes, & kitchen tables before the company was purchased by Charles E. Hayworth in 1921 & production focus shifted exclusively to wooden office desks. Charles passed away in 1929 and his wife Myrtle Hayworth Barthmaier took over as president and led the company through the Great Depression & World War II expanding its reach with showrooms in San Francisco, Chicago, & New York. Their son Charles Hayworth Jr. took over in 1955, and Alma became a powerhouse of mid-century design. In 1960-1970’s Alma produced iconic lines including “Castilian” and an Architectural series often collaborating with exclusive designers such as Ward Bennett & Charles Pollock. Unfortunately, in 1991 the company began facing financial instability and by 1993 liquidated bankruptcy in 1993. It was briefly revised in 2001 when it was acquired by National Office Furniture, but the Alma name was phased out. Today, Alma pieces are considered prized & highly sought after by enthusiasts for their “Kremlin Modern” aesthetic- imposing high quality, heavy, & exceptionally well-built furnishings.

Castilian Series pieces have been referred to as the “Cadillac of vintage Furnishings!” Exquisite, timeless, and CLASSIC!!!! This Castilian Series executive desk & credenza by Alma Desk Company bears ALL of that & more!! What are you waiting for? Put the “keys in that Caddy” … and make them YOURS!!!

Desk Size:
- Height: 29.25 Inches
- Width: 78 Inches
- Depth: 38 Inches
- Weight: 262.3 Pounds

Cabinet/Credenza Size:
- Height: 29 Inches
- Width: 78 Inches
- Depth: 21 Inches
- Weight: 226.8 Pounds

Crated Size:
- Length: 84 Inches
- Width: 66 Inches
- Height: 39 Inches
- Weight: 750 Pounds See less