Small English Birdseye Maple Pedestal Desk, 1840

Details

Description

This really is an exceptional quality 19th century pedestal desk, with considerably more attention to detail and refinement than one … Read more This really is an exceptional quality 19th century pedestal desk, with considerably more attention to detail and refinement than one would normally expect to find. Although we have been unable to identify a particular maker, the exceptional standard of construction, together with the quality and choice of timbers used throughout, would strongly suggest that it was almost certainly produced in one of the leading cabinetmaking workshops of the period.

The birdseye maple is particularly impressive, having been carefully selected for its superb figuring and used extensively across the drawer fronts, plinths and various other elements of the desk. This contrasts extremely well with the darker crossbanding and mouldings, whilst the attractive strung decoration to the sides is another indication that no expense was spared when the desk was originally commissioned.

Internally the quality continues, with the eleven drawers being particularly well constructed and having good quality solid mahogany linings throughout. The brass ring handles are replacements, as is the attractive gilt tooled leather writing surface, both of which sit extremely comfortably with the desk and do nothing to detract from its overall appearance.

One of the particularly appealing features of this desk is its relatively small proportions. Many pedestal desks of the 19th century are extremely large and imposing, whereas this example retains all the presence, storage and practicality of a full pedestal desk without requiring anything like the same amount of space.

The fact that the sides of both pedestals are also attractively finished with strung panelled decoration makes it particularly well suited to being positioned away from a wall. Naturally it would make a superb working desk in a study or home office, but equally it could be used in a large open-plan living space, including behind a settee, where its wonderful colour, figuring and quality can be appreciated from a number of different angles.

As with all items which we offer for sale, this desk has been attended to in our workshops where necessary, before being given a natural wax polish. It is now ready to be placed straight into the home.

Circa 1840.

Height 31.5in.
Width 45in.
Depth 24in.

Kneehole Dimensions 27.25in x 18in. See less