Posted 12 years ago
bowerbird
(1 item)
This desk was sold to us by an antique dealer 25 years ago as a walnut desk. When the desk needed work we realised that the walnut was a faux finish...an expertly applied walnut finish. Once stripped of the faux finish and white paint under we found an ebony desk. Not ebonised. Ebony veneered (1.5mm-6mm thick) over mahogany with solid ebony mouldings and veneer fillets over 6mm thick. The drawers fronts are mahogany veneered with ebony and linings are cedar (lebanon). All drawers are divided by beech dustboards. Oak frame. The desk breaks down into 4 pieces, 5 if you include cupboard door with 4 false drawer fronts and desk has slides. It has 27 drawers in total. All locks are marked V.F. Paris with crossed keys. Dimensions of desk 755mm H x 1050mmW x 1560mm L - slides increase length by 430mm each end. The leather had been replaced before we bought the desk and although we have had it in pieces and replace leather again, we can find no estampile. We did find a word in chalk in a spot under the top that hasn't seen the light of day since it was made. It was cursive and looks like 'Barleies'. We think the desk is circa 1850. It has all the hallmarks of quality. I'd love to know more about V.F. Paris locks and anything more about the desk.
Very nice piece!
Thanks Filmnet