Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Antique drop front desk 18th century?

In Furniture > Desks > Show & Tell.
Desks527 of 640Crazy dresser.refinished desk
4
Love it
0
Like it

ho2cultchaho2cultcha loves this.
miKKoChristmas11miKKoChristmas11 loves this.
scottvezscottvez loves this.
officialfuelofficialfuel loves this.
See 2 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 12 years ago

    gforce1108
    (12 items)

    I found this antique desk listed within a link from a craigslist ad. The seller was planning a big sale at his house on the day I was heading out on vacation. He didn't want to miss a sale and was willing to sell it before the sale date. He didn't know much about it - he had picked it up for $100 and spent another $350 or so having it refinished. He was asking $150 and I was able to get it for $135. I found writing on the bottom of 3 of the drawers with a name and address Pierre DoRiot 260 south 11th st. A google search came up with someone else's search about an antiques repair shop that was in Philadelphia at that address in the early to mid 1800s. If this was an antique back then, I'm guessing mid-late 1700s?

    I have additional pictures here: http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm9/gforce1108/drop%20front%20desk/

    I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this piece - I love the column front legs.

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Desks
    See all
    Vintage Roll Top Writing Secretary Desk Two Drawer High-Quality Brown Oak Wood
    Vintage Roll Top Writing Secretary ...
    $150
    ANTIQUE 19c DOBSON LONDON FOLDING TRAVEL SALESMAN LAP SECRETARY WRITING DESK
    ANTIQUE 19c DOBSON LONDON FOLDING T...
    $400
    vintage antique secretary desk with hutch
    vintage antique secretary desk with...
    $185
    Vintage Solid Oak Roll-Top Secretary Desk
    Vintage Solid Oak Roll-Top Secretar...
    $240
    logo
    Vintage Roll Top Writing Secretary Desk Two Drawer High-Quality Brown Oak Wood
    Vintage Roll Top Writing Secretary ...
    $150
    See all

    Comments

    1. gforce1108, 12 years ago
      Been doing a ton of research.... appears to be an American Empire style desk from the early 1800s. I would lover to get the original style of drawer pulls back on it. Haven't pulled one of the replacements to see if it could be done without refinishing. I do know that they drilled one new single hole and left the two original holes in place.
    2. gforce1108, 12 years ago
      Yeah... the previous owner picked it up and had some repairs done. The work was done well, but definitely not period correct.
    3. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Your research was on target-- I would call it Empire and date it to the 2nd quarter, 19th century.

      The slant top is unusual for this era-- the bookcase top is much more typical.

      scott
    4. ho2cultcha ho2cultcha, 12 years ago
      this is a marriage of two different pieces w/ two different styles, isn't it?
    5. gforce1108, 12 years ago
      So far I've only found one similar http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10669409_american-empire-drop-front-desk-with-nice-paw-feet

      Whatever it is - we love it :)
    6. ho2cultcha ho2cultcha, 12 years ago
      my mistake - congratulations - nice piece!

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.