My mom's secretary desk | ||
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Posted 7 years ago
lrose
(1 item)
This is a piece I inherited and have no information on. Not sure the type of wood, time period, style, manufacturer, etc. It is really beautiful with inlay and is in perfect condition. Any info would be appreciated.
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This is just beautiful! It looks like tiger wood and I believe it's French provincial. With it being in such perfect condition, I would imagine there would be a little brass tab or an impression/stamp...something with a name on it. Look inside all the walls of the drawers. Does the piece as a whole slide out where the roll top comes down? Look on the back too if you do not find anything there. And if the little drawers on top only come out one by one, look inside each and underneath them as well. I hope you find something there. Welcome to CW by the way!
Thanks so much for the info! I looked everywhere - under the drawers, behind the back - and no brass tab or stamp. It is a true mystery! I did find some important documents like my dad's discharge papers from the marines in 1946 and my original birth certificate :)
Beautiful piece !
Beautiful
This may sound a little odd but my 2 cents. Did you look at the brass plate on the roll top that secures the top when closed? Many are marked in one fashion or another. While the lock won't tell who made the piece identifying the hardware often gives you a date range for age of a piece. In a few cases if you id the lock you may be able to learn what maker purchased them. Lock companies liked to brag about the fine companies that purchased from them. It was a good advertising tool. I gave my 2 cents, waiting for my change ;)
Gorgeous piece ! love it
Nothing on the hardware or brass plate. I'm starting to guess its a reproduction, but a very nice one. Thank you for your 2 cents (appreciation for change?)
I have the same desk! Funny that today I tried to research it because I had someone take it to refinish it. I am the original owner of the desk. It is made of rosewood. I bought it new from Macy's in Brooklyn, NY in 1974 for $495.00. Someone else saw it in a store in Asbury Park for $1000 a few months later. It is Swedish and has a stamp on it. I have not found any info on it except your article. It is costing me $950 to refinish it. For some reason, the lacquer had broken down and I tried to clean it with Murphy's oil soap and made a bigger problem. I love the desk and some day my children will inherit it.
I guess I'll chime back in here to say fhrjr2 has a great point there. I know on older drawer pulls, there's usually a number on them as well.
I also wanted to say to angie54, I have had the Murphy's oil soap damage a few pieces too. That could have been user error on my part but I don't know for sure.
So there you have it Irose! Mystery solved. I sure thought it looked older than the 70's. Maybe the designer took from earlier designers?
Oh I forgot to say, I'm glad you found that paperwork. Pretty nice things to have!
thanks angie54- for the clearing that up. it sure is a beautiful piece, antique or not. thanks shareurpassion - sometimes finding what's hidden inside mis just as beautiful as the furniture :)
this is a wonderful website!
1rose,
That is great that you found that paperwork. I find it really wild that I have never researched my desk until today and when I googled a description under images, I saw your desk in a picture. It took a while of moving here and there on the internet before I was able to see what you had written.
The furniture refinisher told me that it is usually antiques that will be damaged using a water based cleaner. He was baffled by why this desk did not do well with a water based cleaner. It is absolutely no older than 1973, since I bought it when I got married, which was January, 1974. It has to be a replica of an antique. I remember that Macy's also sold a matching tea cart, but I had no use for that.
If you ever find more info about the desk, let me know. Also, what do you clean it with?
Also, in about a month, I will get the desk back. I will look for the stamp, because I am pretty sure it has one.
Sorry to continue to post. The refinisher said the desk was ade in Sweden and I remembered I knew that when I purchased the desk. But don't be fooled, even though it is a replica, similar rosewood French provincial replicas go between $2,400 to $14,000.
wow that's incredible. I had a hard time estimating the worth since I know so little about it. I know my mom bought it in the early 1990's and not sure where, all I know is she loved this piece more than anything. I just dust it with pledge and it's stayed in good shape.
Does not look french provincial, but more a traditional style. Not really related to any one style, so therefore traditional is about the best label. Your roll top desk looks beautiful !
When I get my desk back in about a month, I will let you know where that stamp is. I know I had seen it and the refinisher saw it when he was loading it into the truck. That's when he said it was made in Sweden.
found this Louis IV authentic desk on EBay. It is selling for $2947.00 Similar, but is an antique
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bureau-inlaid-wood-antique-style-Louis-XV-secretaire-desk-furniture-dresser-900-/142394643854?hash=item212761d58e:g:hsMAAOSwIQdZJpPj