catalog text
GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK AND BOOKCASE
England, circa last quarter of the 18th century
Item # 305PKI25A
An incredibly beautiful George III mahogany fall-front secretary desk and bookcase, it has remained in a private collection for nearly the last thirty years since its acquisition in 1995 at Sotheby's in New York.
The desk features a concave cornice with a delightful drop-bead molding over a fluted frieze. The diamond-paned doors feature thirteen individual cuts of glass each, these separated by delicate astragal moldings, the doors opening to reveal an adjustable shelved interior.
The fall front opens over brass hinges to rest on withdrawable lopers on either side, revealing a spacious writing surface and a single prospect door over a single tiny drawer, these flanked on either side by a single horizontal drawer over four pigeon-hole letter slots over two half-width horizontal drawers. The desk also features four graduated full width drawers below that allow for extensive storage and organization.
The entire piece is raised over simple bracket feet. Note the fine glowing patina throughout and the wonderful surface color. It has been beautifully preserved and remains in nearly pristine original condition notwithstanding the replaced hardware.
Provenance: Private Philadelphia collection, acquired at Sotheby's, New York, April 21-22 1995, lot 215 (estimate $ 8,000 - $ 12,000 USD); catalog from the sale included with the desk along with some other provenance paperwork
Measurements: 93" H x 21 1/2" D x 47 1/2" W; desk writing area is 22 3/8" D x 44 1/2" W and is situated 30 3/4" H over the floor
Condition Report:
Brasses and keyhole escutcheons are period replacements; patch behind fall-front brass lock; hinges probably replaced with thin hairline repaired crack at left hinge; some chatter and wear along the waist molding between desk and bookcase sections; triangular supports for back feet are replaced; some veneer patches to the sides; early but not original surface with some respectful refinishing at some point during the 20th century, the overall surface silky and with a beautifully preserved patina; natural surface wear, surface scarring and blemishes throughout as expected. A very fine presentation, fully functional and quite striking.