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  • silla | antiques & art
  • (717) 708-9017
  • 117 W Burd St. Shippensburg, PA 17257

About us

silla was born out of a passion for beautiful objects: special pieces with aesthetic and historical significance. In 2009, after years of collecting, Andrew Silla and his wife Grace began to work privately with clients from their residence in Southern Maryland. Quickly outgrowing the space, the business was moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2012 and after several warehouse location changes it was firmly settled in the present brick-and-mortar location in downtown Shippensburg.

The 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery is home to a large collection of works of art and estate jewelry. We specialize in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 with a particular emphasis on the Animaliers and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.

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French Louis XIV Walnut Barley-Twist Writing Table

silla

SKU:
109OJY22L

This item is sold. Please email sales@sillafineantiques.com to be notified when similar items become available. Our gallery is very active in hunting down unique pieces and we will almost certainly be able to find something special for your collection.

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catalog text

FRENCH LOUIS XIV WALNUT BARLEY-TWIST WRITING TABLE
Circa early 18th century with later restorations
Item # 109OJY22L 

A rich and wonderful writing table from the first half of the 18th-century, this absolute strikepoint piece is entirely executed in solid walnut primary woods and retains wonderful wrought iron hardware. The top is designed with planks of walnut with a pleasing grain set parallel to the front edge; it is framed and set in grooves that allow for shrinkage and expansion. Interestingly, the top was designed to be easily removed with swinging hooks from the underside that allow it to quickly be taken apart; the top locks in place onto the large tenons set in the frame of the table. A single broad drawer operates smoothly, the knobs removed at some point leaving the key as the only means of operating the drawer. All joints are thick tenon-mortised construction with double wooden pins, most of these slightly popped from years of shrinking and expanding. The barley twist legs absolutely define the table, these generous works of art with multiple levels of swirl; the same form makes up the stretcher and the result is an incredibly sturdy table. Throughout the table remains the rich and very old surface patina that is silky to the touch and covered with the various use indicators that tell stories of its many prior owners.


Measurements: 29 3/4" H x 26 1/2" D x 40 1/8" W

Condition Report: Old surface and old refinish throughout; staining to all surfaces, extensive ink staining to the top; old inactive pest damage throughout. Knobs removed (holes filled) at some point; only the working key remains to work as a knob to open the drawer; scratches to the right leg post (we can have these recolored upon request); large strip in the top added to heal shrinkage gap and back left edge spliced; top ring on both finials with restoration and overpainting; right finial with recarved base ring; two splices to the bottoms of the left central stretcher block; drawer bottom is rebuilt; the fore-aft braces of the table have spliced tops to replace the worn out area where rubbing occurs most; the horizontal blade beneath the drawer has a small spliced top edge; condition notes are not all encompassing, as it is a very old table with a long history of restorations - please contact us for a more exhaustive overview of the table or to discuss via video; table remains sturdy, strong and fully functional. The surface is even and presents beautifully.