Victorian Marquetry Inlaid Hardwood Kidney Library Desk

Details

Description

Exceptionally decorative Victorian kidney-shaped writing desk, beautifully constructed in mahogany and extensively embellished with fine contrasting marquetry and line inlay.

… Read more Exceptionally decorative Victorian kidney-shaped writing desk, beautifully constructed in mahogany and extensively embellished with fine contrasting marquetry and line inlay.

The desk has the wonderfully elegant sweeping kidney form associated with high-quality late Victorian writing furniture, with curved banks of drawers arranged around a generous central kneehole. The marquetry is particularly accomplished, incorporating scrolling foliage, flowers, classical urns, bellflower pendants and delicate neoclassical ornament across the drawer fronts, pilasters, side panels and rear of the desk. The desk is surmounted by a substantial thick mahogany top, beautifully outlined with contrasting walnut banding which follows the entire kidney-shaped profile. Below are numerous useful curved drawers retaining their brass handles and escutcheons, while the reverse is unusually elaborate and fully finished with large marquetry panels, making this a true centre-room desk designed to be admired from every angle. Elegant turned legs terminating in castors complete the design. The desk is presented in good antique condition with the expected age-related marks, minor losses, movement and signs of use visible in the photographs, all consistent with a genuine Victorian piece. The combination of its dramatic kidney form, exceptionally extensive marquetry, tooled leather writing surface and fully decorated reverse makes this a particularly impressive example of Victorian cabinetmaking and a superb statement desk for a library, study or drawing room.

Dimensions Height: 78cm Width: 140cm Depth: 67cm Kneehole space, 61cm height, 43cm width See less