American, late 19th century, circa 1870s-1880s. An oak one-drawer desk decorated in the style of the American Aesthetic Era, comprising a burgundy embossed rectangular leather top with canted corners framed by incised foliate banding decoration, the sides of the top framed by bamboo turned trim, over the incised, partial gilt and bamboo turned frieze, the desk drawer with two pulls each comprising two wooden rondels joined by a bamboo turned handle, all over the legs each comprising two bamboo turned columns joined by bamboo turnings with incised corner blocks, joined by conforming bamboo turned stretches with block joints with carved flower heads, meeting the central lower shelf above an incised block support. Approximate height 30", width 42", depth 24.25".

Desk is in good condition and structurally sound. Top exhibits wear to leather in form of indentations and slight surface abrasions. Wood framing at left side with five surface scratches, not distracting. Right corner of top edge with two wood losses evident (bottom half of veneer missing). Scattered fading of finish seen at parts of bamboo turnings commensurate with age, not distracting. Bamboo rings at front with signs of wear from handling and use. Slight surface abrasion at back right leg, not distracting.