A GEORGE II MAHOGANY PARTNERS' PEDESTAL DESK

MID-18TH CENTURY

Details

The rectangular cross-banded top inset with a gilt-tooled leather-lined writing surface, above a long frieze drawer and rosette-centred guilloche moulding, the kneehole arch of architectural form on volute pilaster supports and centred by a fluted keystone, the spandrels with beaded foliate clasps, flanked by two pedestals each with three short graduated drawers, the reverse with conforming arrangment and simulated frieze drawer, the sides with carrying handles, on a moulded square plinth, on castors, the handles replaced
31 in. (78 cm.) high; 48 in. (122 cm.) wide; 32 in. (81 cm.) deep
Provenance

John Smiley, Esq.; sold Christie's, 23 July 1936, lot 119.
B. Jenks, Astbury House, Bridgeworth Salop.
Acquried from Frank Partridge & Sons Ltd, July 1960 (£2,250).
Lot Essay

This pedestal desk is unusual in having a 'triumphal arch' kneehole on the front and reverse, unlike most architectural desks of this form which have a recessed cupboard in the kneehole. There is a related kneehole desk with similar columnar angles and spandrel clasps in the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is inscribed 'David Wright Lancaster 1751' (A. Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, 1968, fig. 20). There is another related kneehole desk with fluted pilasters on the kneehole in The Mansion House, London (ibid., fig. 19).
A related partner's pedestal desk, again with arched kneehole and the arch crowned with a keystone, was sold by the late D.K.F. Heathcote, Esq., Badlingham Manor, Suffolk, Vosts auctioneers, 16 September 1999, lot 133.