Object Description
This is a beautiful large antique Victorian flame mahogany pedestal partners desk, circa 1870 in date.
The rectangular top is inset with a stunning gold-tooled green leather writing surface. This is a partner’s desk and as such it is free-standing and finished on each side. One side of the desk is fitted with nine drawers, three drawers in the frieze and three drawers in each pedestal. The other side of the desk has three drawers in the frieze with a cupboard to each pedestal. Each cupboard is fitted with a central shelf and all the drawers are fitted with their original turned mahogany handles.
The desk is complete with its original brass locks and keys and is raised on plinth bases inset with castors.
Instill the elegance of a bygone era to a special place in your home with this fabulous antique partners’ pedestal desk.
Condition:
In excellent condition, having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and re-leathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 77 cm x Width 183 cm x Depth 120 cm – Desk
Height 62 cm x Width 82 cm – Knee hole
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 6 foot x Depth 3 foot, 11 inches – Desk
Height 2 foot x Width 2 foot, 8 inches – Knee hole
Flame Mahogany
Thomas Sheraton – 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as “best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works up easily, has a beautiful figure and polishes so well that it is an ornament to any room in which it may be placed.” Matching his words to his work, Sheraton designed much mahogany furniture. The qualities that impressed Sheraton are particularly evident in a distinctive pattern of wood called “flame mahogany.”
The flame figure in the wood is revealed by slicing through the face of the branch at the point where it joins another element of the tree.
Partners desk
is an antique desk form, which is basically two pedestal desks constructed from the start as one large desk joined at the front, for two users working while facing each other.
This piece of furniture was first conceived in the United Kingdom to accommodate the work of banking partners. These gentlemen were usually senior bank officials who wished to work together while keeping the convenience and the prestige of a pedestal desk.
Our reference: A5077