Object Description
A Wonderful 18th Century George I Period Burr Walnut Kneehole Desk, The Extremely Well Figured Quarter Veneered Top Wth Crossbanded Decoration And Re-Entrant Corners, Over One Long Drawer and Six Short Drawers With Feather Banded Decoration And Brass Handles, Surrounding Extremely Rare Central Sliding Kneehole Cupboard Door, Flanked By Elegant Reeded Pilaster Columns, Enclosing Shaped Shelf To Storage Space, Raised On Original Shaped Bracket Feet.
Kneehole desks are generally regarded as a smaller, more compact version of the more typically found pedestal desk, with some form of an arrangement of drawers around a central set recessed cupboard being usual form. There are of course various different designs to be found along the same theme, but as a general rule that is what a georgian or earlier kneehole desk will look like.
This particular georgian kneehole desk has the extremely rare feature of the lovely kneehole cupboard actually sliding backwards and forwards, which presumably was designed to allow easy access to the cupboard as and when required, whilst allowing the cupboard to be pushed out of the way when the desk is being sat at. Its a fabulous original feature and something we really love about the piece.
Although originally designed for the use which the name suggests, as a desk in a spot around the home where perhaps space doesn’t suffice for a full size, formal desk, this could of course be utilised in a whole host of different ways now including perhaps in a bedroom, or dressing room, as a dressing table with a dressing table mirror placed atop of it. The recessed cupboard combined with the amount of storage available makes it absolutely perfect for this use.
Generally with kneehole desks, the earlier in date the better and those constructed from walnut are firmly regarded as much more desirable than those constructed from mahogany due to the far more decorative tendancies of walnut veneers.
This particular walnut desk has clearly been made in one of the top workshops of the time. It boasts very attractive and highly figured walnut veneers, which have aged most gracefully indeed and retain a lovely warm colour and patination. The drawers have replacement brass handles, but they are very much in the style it would have had in place originally and sit really well on the piece. It also has original bracket feet which is a nice feature.
As with all items we offer for sale this georgian walnut kneehole desk has been inspected and attended to in our workshops, by our highly skilled antique furniture restorers, where it has received a traditional, natural wax polish to ensure the condition is absolutely spot on before being offered for sale.
Ready to place immediately into the home there is such a huge variety of functions and spots in which this could be utilised.
Circa 1720.
Height 31in.
Width 31.5in.
Depth 20in.