Lot Essay
An almost identical English writing desk is illustrated in Christopher Payne, Nineteenth Century European Furniture, Antique Collectors' Club, 1981, plate 965
.jpg?w=1)
THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
Details
An English ormolu and Sevres-style turquoise-ground porcelain-mounted kingwood and tulipwood bonheur du jour
Third quarter 19th Century
The stepped superstructure with pierced three-quarter gallery, with spring-release secret top compartment, above a door centred by a ribbon-tied plaque depicting a courting couple, the interior fitted with seven pigeon holes, two rounded doors and a mirrored back door, opening to reveal a further two pigeon holes, flanked to each side by a standing female musician and a further three drawers, each inset with plaques painted with flowers and birds, the lower section with hinged lift-up top and drop front centred by an oval plaque depicting a courting couple within a musical trophy surround, the plaque numbered to the reverse 218, flanked to each side by a further plaque decorated with floral bouquets, opening to reveal a pull-out blue leather writing surface, four drawers and three pigeon holes, on cabriole legs each headed by an espagnolette and terminating in acanthus-cast sabots and castors
55 in. (140 cm.) high; 50¾ in. (129 cm.) wide; 27 in. (69 cm.) deep
Third quarter 19th Century
The stepped superstructure with pierced three-quarter gallery, with spring-release secret top compartment, above a door centred by a ribbon-tied plaque depicting a courting couple, the interior fitted with seven pigeon holes, two rounded doors and a mirrored back door, opening to reveal a further two pigeon holes, flanked to each side by a standing female musician and a further three drawers, each inset with plaques painted with flowers and birds, the lower section with hinged lift-up top and drop front centred by an oval plaque depicting a courting couple within a musical trophy surround, the plaque numbered to the reverse 218, flanked to each side by a further plaque decorated with floral bouquets, opening to reveal a pull-out blue leather writing surface, four drawers and three pigeon holes, on cabriole legs each headed by an espagnolette and terminating in acanthus-cast sabots and castors
55 in. (140 cm.) high; 50¾ in. (129 cm.) wide; 27 in. (69 cm.) deep
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.