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ID #SA1035941
FOR SALE
£2,950
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Stunning Large Antique French Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Desk
For sale by John Howkins Antiques
for sale €3,452     $3,747
£2,950

John Howkins Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2010
Browse dealers 479 items
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Id #SA1035941
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Stunning Large Antique French Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Desk

19th century
Description

A stunning 19th. Century French mahogany and ormolu mounted partners sized desk with concealed cupboards. The inset black leather writing surface having blind and gold tooling with solid mahogany moulded edging and hidden pull out slides above the end drawers. The front with a combination of 3 wide and 2 small drawers all with mounts and applied mouldings. The 4 rounded corners having very attractive and unusual ormolu mounts especially to the fielded panel pedestals. The doors open via working locks with keys to reveal multiple adjustable and removable shelves. The reverse of the desk has 3 wide false drawers and fielded panelled pedestals with smaller ormolu mounts. The pedestals sides all having fielded solid mahogany panels and a very unusual feature that the inside of the pedestals each have 2 concealed storage cupboards (see photos) with adjustable shelves. The desk is raised on solid mahogany rounded corner plinths with hidden casters below. Condition- Very good and ready for use in the home or office. Dimensions:- Height…31’’/ 79cm. Width…55’’/ 140cm. Depth…43.5’’/ 110.5cm. Kneehole Width…26’’/ 66cm. Kneehole Height…25.5’’/ 65cm. Delivery to most of U.K. mainland £100.

Date of Manufacture

John Howkins Antiques has dated this French Mahogany Executive Desk to the 1890s.

Independent Date Guide ID 08251587
Dealer's Item Date1890s
Sellingantiques Date1890s
Sellingantiques agingItem 120-150 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1890s:
Oak drawer linings with fine dovetails: late nineteenth-century cabinet construction.
Cast and chased gilt-brass mounts: high-quality French metalwork of the late nineteenth century.
Turned wooden locating dowels: traditional pedestal desk assembly before modern fixings.
Natural oxidisation and movement across secondary timbers: decades of gradual timber seasoning.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
79cm (31.10")
Width
140cm (55.12")
Depth
110.5cm (43.50")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1035941
Dealers Internal Reference
24416
Dealers Notes

ALL TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME.

Viewing by appointment.

Delivery.

We will gladly provide a quote for delivery to any U.K Mainland address and we offer a full 7 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with your purchase. (Less the delivery cost)

Payment.

We accept payment by cheque or bank transfer.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information on this item on 07770 311611.

Description
A stunning 19th. Century French mahogany and ormolu mounted partners sized desk with concealed cupboards.
“
The inset black leather writing surface having blind and gold tooling with solid mahogany moulded edging and hidden pull out slides above the end drawers.
John Howkins Antiques

The front with a combination of 3 wide and 2 small drawers all with mounts and applied mouldings. The 4 rounded corners having very attractive and unusual ormolu mounts especially to the fielded panel pedestals. The doors open via working locks with keys to reveal multiple adjustable and removable shelves. The reverse of the desk has 3 wide false drawers and fielded panelled pedestals with smaller ormolu mounts. The pedestals sides all having fielded solid mahogany panels and a very unusual feature that the inside of the pedestals each have 2 concealed storage cupboards (see photos) with adjustable shelves. The desk is raised on solid mahogany rounded corner plinths with hidden casters below. Condition- Very good and ready for use in the home or office. Dimensions:- Height…31’’/ 79cm. Width…55’’/ 140cm. Depth…43.5’’/ 110.5cm. Kneehole Width…26’’/ 66cm. Kneehole Height…25.5’’/ 65cm. Delivery to most of U.K. mainland £100.

Date of Manufacture

John Howkins Antiques has dated this French Mahogany Executive Desk to the 1890s.

Independent Date Report ID 08251587
Dealer's Item Date1890s
Sellingantiques dating1890s
Sellingantiques agingItem 120-150 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1890s:
Oak drawer linings with fine dovetails: late nineteenth-century cabinet construction.
Cast and chased gilt-brass mounts: high-quality French metalwork of the late nineteenth century.
Turned wooden locating dowels: traditional pedestal desk assembly before modern fixings.
Natural oxidisation and movement across secondary timbers: decades of gradual timber seasoning.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
79cm (31.10")
Width
140cm (55.12")
Depth
110.5cm (43.50")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1035941
Dealers Internal Ref
24416
John Howkins Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2010
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the John Howkins Antiques Profile Page

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A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings.
1 / 14
Archive I A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings.

Stunning Large Antique French Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Desk

Archive II A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View II
Archive III A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View III
Archive IV A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View IV
Archive V A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View V
Archive VI A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View VI
Archive VII A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View VII
Archive VIII A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View VIII
Archive IX A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View IX
Archive X A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View X
Archive XI A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View XI
Archive XII A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View XII
Archive XIII A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View XIII
Archive XIV A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings. View XIV
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John Howkins Antiques
Telephone 01508 498335 or 07770 311 611
Location
The Grange
Hempnall Green
Norfolk
NR15 2NR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jhowkins
Verified Since Sep 2010
Items For Sale 479
Items Sold 3,845
John Howkins Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Grange, Hempnall Green, Norfolk, NR15 2NR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jhowkins
Verified
Sep 2010
For Sale
479
Sold
3,845
A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings.
Stunning Large Antique French Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Desk
Ref: SA1035941
A large French mahogany pedestal desk featuring a dark leather writing surface, gilded bronze urn mounts on the pedestal doors, and brass fittings.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Empire
  • MaterialMahogany, Leather, Ormolu, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsOrmolu urn mounts, Gilt-tooled leather top, Pedestal cupboards, Escutcheon keyholes
  • SizeH 79 cm (31 in) x W 140 cm (55 in) x D 110.5 cm (44 in)

This large 1890 French Empire partners desk is made from mahogany with brass and ormolu mounts, a warm brown wood finish, and a black leather writing top with gold tooling. It measures 79 cm high, 140 cm wide, and 110.5 cm deep, offering ample workspace for a traditional home study, professional office, or gentleman's library. The design incorporates pedestal cupboards with fielded panels, decorative gilt-bronze urn mounts on the doors and corners, circular pull handles, escutcheon keyholes, and moulded drawer edges. The piece sits on solid mahogany rounded-corner plinths and includes working locks with hanging keys. The inset leather surface features blind tooling alongside the gilt borders, while the timber shows a polished grain across the top, drawers, and cabinet doors. This substantial freestanding desk provides functional surface area and enclosed shelving storage, suiting a central position in a large room where it can be accessed from both sides.

FAQs

French Empire style desks are characterised by mahogany timber, classical symmetry, heavy proportions, and elaborate gilt bronze ormolu mounts featuring neo-classical motifs.

These desks are constructed from solid mahogany or mahogany veneers, trimmed with cast gilt bronze ormolu mounts, and finished with gilt-tooled leather writing surfaces.

Authentic pieces display hand-cut dovetail joints, heavy mercury-gilded bronze mounts secured with period screws, and original lock mechanisms stamped by French makers.

Position the desk centrally in a home library or study alongside a neutral rug, contemporary task lighting, and dark leather seating to balance historic presence with functional design.

Dust the mahogany regularly with a soft microfibre cloth, apply natural beeswax sparingly to timber surfaces, and lightly dust bronze ormolu mounts without using liquid polishes or chemical cleaners.
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