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ID #SA1229348
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£4,250
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E18thc English Walnut Escritoire ( Writing Desk(
Mike Melody Antiques
for sale €4,973     $5,398
£4,250
Mike Melody Antiques

Mike Melody Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2013
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    Combined 85 years of buying and selling quality antiques and still loving it.
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    Mike Melody Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 
Id #SA1229348
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E18thc English Walnut Escritoire ( Writing Desk(

18th century
Description

Acquired from a local residence an unusual and rare walnut escritoire ( writing desk) c1720.

In great original condition including handles and the elaborate " top hat"

It measures 180cms h 113cms w and 47cms d.

Over the years we have always bought these as not only are they magnificent country house pieces of furniture but also they give a glimpse into the yesteryear .

Originally found in holland but when william and mary came to the throne in the late 17thc a lot of their artisan woodworkers / cabinetmakers followed them and set up shop in london.

Escritoires were highly prized by the arostocrats of the time.

They were the " safes" of the period.

Many secret drawers etc. This is no exception.

This piece is in 2 parts for moving and is contructed using walnut and burr walnut veneers on oak and pine.

In original condition apart from replaced insert leather and the bracket feet which are georgian replacements . The hardware is also original.

A rare model and always difficult to find in this condition .

UK delivery included

All forms of payment including ccs etc

Lapada_cinoa members since1985

Established in1977 in chester

Declaration

Mike Melody Antiques has dated this Antique Walnut Escritoire Desk to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1229348
Dealers Notes

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Description
Acquired from a local residence an unusual and rare walnut escritoire ( writing desk) c1720.

In great original condition including handles and the elaborate " top hat"

It measures 180cms h 113cms w and 47cms d.

Over the years we have always bought these as not only are they magnificent country house pieces of furniture but also they give a glimpse into the yesteryear.
Mike Melody Antiques

.

fig 1. An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet.
fig 1. E18thc English Walnut Escritoire ( Writing Desk(

Originally found in holland but when william and mary came to the throne in the late 17thc a lot of their artisan woodworkers / cabinetmakers followed them and set up shop in london.

Escritoires were highly prized by the arostocrats of the time.

fig 2. An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet.
fig 2. E18thc English Walnut Escritoire ( Writing Desk(

They were the " safes" of the period.

Many secret drawers etc. This is no exception.

This piece is in 2 parts for moving and is contructed using walnut and burr walnut veneers on oak and pine.

In original condition apart from replaced insert leather and the bracket feet which are georgian replacements . The hardware is also original.

A rare model and always difficult to find in this condition .

UK delivery included

All forms of payment including ccs etc

Lapada_cinoa members since1985

Established in1977 in chester

Date of Manufacture

Mike Melody Antiques has dated this Antique Walnut Escritoire Desk to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1229348
Mike Melody Antiques
Mike Melody Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2013

Combined 85 years of buying and selling quality antiques and still loving it.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Mike Melody Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Mike Melody Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 

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An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet.
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Archive I An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet.

E18THC ENGLISH WALNUT ESCRITOIRE ( WRITING DESK(

Archive II An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet. View II
Archive III An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet. View III
Archive IV An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet. View IV
Archive V An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet. View V
Archive VI An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet. View VI
Archive VII An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07534 226563
Location
Chester
Cheshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Jan 2013
Items For Sale 161
Items Sold 695
Mike Melody Antiques
Mike Melody Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Chester, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Jan 2013
For Sale
161
Sold
695
An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet.
E18THC ENGLISH WALNUT ESCRITOIRE ( WRITING DESK(
Ref: SA1229348
An early eighteenth-century English burr walnut escritoire featuring a carved architectural crest, fall-front writing surface, brass drop handles, and a chest of drawers base resting on bracket feet.
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Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

An escritoire is a specialized form of writing cabinet featuring a fall-front panel that lowers to create a writing surface, concealing internal drawers and pigeonholes. This furniture form gained prominence in England during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, particularly throughout the William and Mary and Queen Anne periods.

Eighteenth-century English escritoires were constructed using solid hardwood carcasses, predominantly oak or pine, veneered with highly figured burr walnut. Construction characteristics include hand-cut dovetail joints, oak-lined drawer interiors, brass drop handles, engraved escutcheons, and moulded borders.

Authentic period pieces display evidence of hand manufacturing, such as hand-sawn markings on timber backs, uneven dovetail joints, and age-related veneer movement. Original brass hardware, hand-forged iron locks, and natural patination across the surfaces also indicate authenticity.

An escritoire functions as a focal statement piece in a study, living room, or hallway. Positioning the warm burr walnut tones against neutral wall finishes, contemporary lighting, and modern artwork creates a balanced contrast between historical craftsmanship and current design styles.

Keep the cabinet positioned away from direct heat sources and prolonged sunlight to prevent the timber veneer from drying, cracking, or lifting. Regular dusting with a soft cloth and occasional applications of natural beeswax polish will protect the surface and preserve the timber patina.
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