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Antique Secretary Desk- need info on this family heirloom

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Desks164 of 646Flip top deskE. H. Sheldon & Company Desk
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    Posted 7 years ago

    CMB
    (1 item)

    Drop down secretary desk with small upper cabinet and lower drawers each with key holes
    I love the unique wood carved details. Having trouble finding another like this online or who manufacturer may have been? No label.
    Squared feet
    Passed down through family. Belonged to great grandparents (prior to or around 1920's, possibly longer?), rough estimate as details are vague. Any help on this piece is appreciated!

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    Comments

    1. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      I would be very surprised if this was as old as you think. My overall impression is early 20th century.

      Some additional photos of drawer joints, interior and back may help to put an accurate date on it.

      scott
    2. CMB, 7 years ago
      Ok-Thanks Scott! I'll take more pics.
    3. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      The construction details show an early 20th century piece.

      scott
    4. CMB, 7 years ago
      Thanks so much for your help. Great to know! Do you have any thoughts on the style of the wood carvings? Unique to a certain manufacturer? American?
    5. scottvez scottvez, 7 years ago
      Not sure on origin.

      Are you sure the leaf/ branches are carved? The top pieces on the door have grain in a different direction than the door itself. I cannot see the details on the desk top.

      scott
    6. CMB, 7 years ago
      You're right. Never realized. They are added details. Thanks again for your time & all of the good info! So helpful:)
      CMB
    7. artfoot artfoot, 7 years ago
      I agree with Scott - this likely dates from the first quarter of the 20th Century. The construction looks to be mostly oak. Close-up of the grain and joinery would help identify the woods. The style looks European to me - where your grandparents may have purchased this might also be helpful.
    8. PhilDMorris PhilDMorris, 7 years ago
      I just seen a match to this in the sense that I believe same style. I almost bought one with wrought iron with it. These pieces usually come with wrought iron, or the ones that I have seen. The one similar was on an auction link a week or so ago. Will look for it. I thought that they were from late 1920's to 1940's or so style, but that is a preclusion. It is Spanish baroque or Spanish provincial, I am quite sure. A lot of them had a wrought iron joining bar at the bottom which is more decorative than needed and usually of a simple but nice iron form.
    9. fhrjr2 fhrjr2, 7 years ago
      I tend to agree with Scott but not at all sure if it is oak or ash from the pictures.
    10. CMB, 7 years ago
      Thank you all. I've been actively searching for more info based on your great input. I'll get a better pic of the wood grain. Wish I had more details as far as where it was purchased. Grandparents (and Great Grand) lived in Iowa at this time and were German. Looking at European desks, I did come across one with similar legs & squared feet. The Spanish info is intriguing & will look more into that. Thanks again! CMB

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