Desks & Writing Tables

English Mahogany Kneehole Desk 

England. Circa 1830.

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An excellent example of its form, this English mahogany kneehole desk is proportioned nicely for use in a bedroom or small study. Designed as a work space and to hold pens and ink as well as various personal effects and documents (in the large central cupboard).

Walnut Chest of Drawers with Secretaire

Hungary. Circa 1840.

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The bold lines of this desk augment its outsized proportions with drawers flanking the center drop down writing tablet. Deeper than the two below, the top drawer is supported by finely turned columns that terminate in square plinths. Brass ring pulls with rosette back plates are a striking complement to the architectural lines displayed throughout.

Walnut Slant Front Desk 

United States. Circa 1810.

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This walnut slant front desk of generous proportions is most likely American. It has an attractive interior with block front and serpentine drawers beneath pigeon holes, flanking two columnar slides and a central cupboard space beneath two small drawers. Four graduated drawers with classic Chippendale style pulls with shaped backplates lead the eye down to curved ogee bracket feet.

Inlaid French Bureau Plat

France. Circa 1909.

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This early 20th Century bureau plat features an attractive inlaid kingwood harlequin pattern along the front, sides and back. The brass-mounted mahogany legs are each inlaid with a kingwood band on their two out-facing sides. In a cohesive style choice, the original leather is nicely matched to the mahogany legs and drawer bandings. The drawers are locked by a single central mechanism featuring a brass escutcheon with a bow and bell flower decoration..

Mahogany Student Desk 

England. 1840.

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This desk features a gallery surround that walls off the ink and pen wells at the back area above the sloped and leathered writing surface. Inside, two generously sized drawers offer additional storage for writing implements and erasers.

The working area is supported by turned legs which lead to an arched base on brass casters--a lighter alternative to the heavy bank of drawers commonly found supporting a desk of this sort.

Chippendale Mahogany Desk

England. Circa 1840.

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Antique, Chippendale style mahogany drop front bureau with deep relief work and appliques. Finely figured mahogany on the case and doors of this piece sets it apart from the crowd. The desk interior is veneered in a particularly rich satinwood and the writing surface is an attractive, aged green, tooled leather.

Austro-Hungarian Secretaire Abattant 

Hungary. Circa 1870.

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Wearing a layer of Austrian walnut root veneer, this secrétaire has a unique grain that one does not often see; it swirls and undulates across the surface, drawing the eye along the plane.  A geometric inlay frames the door and each drawer.  Inside is equally as impressive with its arrangement drawers and cupboards, and its use of contrasting veneer and inlays.  Seldom have we seen such impressive use of burled grain.

Partner's Mahogany Writing Table

England. Circa 1830.

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In an answer to a question that was never asked, this writing desk features a unique solution for the desire to have writing slopes for each partner.  The junior partner has a center mechanism that flanks the outside of the opposing drawer, which has a narrower body, but full drawer beneath the slope.  While the green leather is a recent replacement, the small wood knobs are original to the desk and the rest of it is in remarkably good condition.

Highly Carved Walnut Writing Table

Hungary. Circa 1890.

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In grand, Neo-Baroque style, this bold writing table/desk has a deeply carved edge that is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as the carving never really stops. It goes on from the frieze, down along the shaped pedestals and continues to what can only be described as paw and ball feet. Each end has a thick mask surrounded by a foliate motif. This desk means business and its business is carving. 

Pine Kneehole Desk 

England. Circa 1820.

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While it probably didn't have a leather top in its earliest iteration, this desk has been raised in both appearance and stature, as casters have been retrofitted to the bun feet (probably at the same time as when the leather was added). The kneehole desk is typically a formal affair, but the country elegance of this pine desk gives it a certain earnestness; it's ready for work and isn't afraid to get a little dirty in the process.