Object Description
This monumental early William IV antique partners library / writing table is crafted from beautiful mahogany and dates from Circa 1840.
The rectangular top features a moulded edge with a striking green leather top that has beautiful hand tooled impressed gilt decoration, over three drawers on either side of the frieze. It is raised on four turned and tapering carved legs and they terminate in brass castors.
It is finished on all sides so that it can stand freely in the middle of a room, making it extremely suitable for a large home or office.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 79 x Width 183 x Depth 105
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 7 inches x Width 6 foot x Depth 3 foot, 5 inches
William IV – the brief reign of William IV (1830 – 1837) marked a period of transition between the Regency period (which had been an age of innovation based on revivalist styles such as ancient Egypt, and the Grecian designs) and the Victorian era.
William IV furniture is similar in style to Regency furniture with many of the designs from the Regency period being copied but often executed in a much heavier manner with chairs, tables and other items being coarser and clumsier in appearance when compared with those made during the Regency period.
Popular pieces produced during this period include tilt top dining tables and pillared extendable tables. Sofa tables and drum tables were also favoured at the time as were sideboards and card tables. Heavy brass fittings were a prominent feature such as lion’s paw feet on tables. Chairs frequently sported sabre legs to the back with stumpy bulbous turned legs to the front. The rope twist carved back was also much in favour.
This period also saw the introduction of the more exotic timbers such as rosewood and zebra wood. With the Industrial Revolution getting under way furniture making saw the increased use of mechanisation a trend set to accelerate during the Victorian period.
This short, but important transitional period eventually gave way to the romanticism of the Victorians but the furniture it produced was usually of good quality and it remains sought after and desirable today.
Our reference: A2297