Edwards and Roberts Rosewood Ladies Desk

A late 19th century ladies writing desk in Rosewood with satinwood inlay, made by Edwards and Roberts of Wardour Street, London. The desk is of small and elegant proportions in the Bonheur du Jour style, with cupboards and mirror backed shelves on the top section, with a shaped pediment and turned wooden finials, with a fold out leather writing surface over three drawers.

An elegant little desk that is in completely original condition, other than replacement handles. The inside edge of the central drawer is stamped ‘Edwards and Roberts’ and there is an ivorine brand label inside the same drawer. We believe this desk to date from around 1890.

Edwards and Roberts were regarded as one of the finest English cabinet makers of the second half of the nineteenth century. Founded in 1845 trading as ‘Edwards and Roberts’ from 21 Wardour Street as ‘Antique and Modern Cabinet Makers and Importers of Ancient Furniture’. The company became one of the leading London cabinet makers and retailers producing high quality furniture, and good copies of 18th and 19th century English and French furniture, and expanded into several premises across the West End. Their workmanship was of the highest quality. Their furniture was made with the best quality timbers, with finely figured mahogany, rosewood, burr walnut and satinwood.

Condition: Structurally the desk is good and solid. It has had a few little repairs to the veneer over the years which I have tried to show in the photos - the most obvious of these is on the top, but there is also a repair to one drawer front. A few small sections of veneer and inlay are missing. The leather writing surface on the inside is worn, but attractively so. We have found a key that fits the tiny locks on the doors to help pull them open, but it doesn’t actually turn. The mirrored back to the shelf area is a little foxed and worn. The handles have been replaced and in places you can see where the original handles were fixed. General surface wear and patina in accordance with age and use.

The height of the desk/writing area (when closed) is 73.5cm.

Mainland UK delivery (excluding the Scottish highlands) is included in the price - if you would like a quote for delivery elsewhere, or if you would like to collect the item yourself, please get in touch. Delivery of furniture usually takes between 7 and 21 days from order, though can sometimes take longer. If you need an item by a certain date please speak to us prior to ordering and we’ll try to help.

Please note that delivery of all items is included for UK mainland deliveries only. If you are in the EU or the USA smaller/postable items will show a price including delivery. DELIVERY FOR ANY LARGER ITEMS, OR ITEMS OF FURNITURE, IS NOT INCLUDED OUTSIDE OF THE MAINLAND UK. Please get in touch for a quote for delivery, or if you have any queries.

This is an antique item and as such may have signs of wear in accordance with its age. Anything that we think is of note will have been mentioned above, but please study the photos carefully to satisfy yourself as to its condition as it is not possible to list every little mark or flaw. We are happy to provide high resolution photographs or videos if required, and answer any questions you may have - just get in touch! We accept returns for all items providing the item is returned in the same condition as when it was sent. The cost of any return postage or delivery is the responsibility of the buyer, unless the item has arrived damaged or has not been described accurately.