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ID #SA1242941
FOR SALE
£12,800
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18th Century George III Mahogany Marquetry Carlton House Desk, C1790
For sale by Anthony Short Antiques
for sale €14,976     $16,256
£12,800
Anthony Short Antiques

Anthony Short Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2020
Browse dealers 174 items
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Id #SA1242941
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18th Century George III Mahogany Marquetry Carlton House Desk, C1790

18th century
Description

Very Fine George III Sheraton Period Mahogany Carlton House Writing Table, circa 1790

A magnificent and historically important Carlton House writing table, made in England circa 1790. Of impressive scale and exceptional quality throughout, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most celebrated forms of Georgian cabinet making in superb original condition.

The curved, tiered superstructure is crowned with a pierced brass gallery and fitted with a cluster of small drawers and curved doors. Below, the writing surface is inset with golden brown tooled leather, and the frieze holds one long and two short drawers. In total the desk has eleven oak-lined drawers, each retaining its original carved brass swan neck handles. The locks all work, and the original key is present.

The whole piece is veneered in the finest figured mahogany, with satinwood crossbanding to the drawers. Even the reverse is finished to the highest standard, with magnificent fielded mahogany panels, so the table can be placed in the centre of a room as well as against a wall. It stands on elegant square tapering legs, terminating in brass caps with their original brass box castors.

The mahogany has a rich, warm colour and a deep, untouched patina that only two centuries of careful ownership can produce, set off beautifully by the leather top.

The form takes its name from Carlton House, the palatial London residence of the Prince Regent, later George IV. The Prince was famous for his taste for both French furniture and the finest English cabinet-making, and the desk became closely associated with his establishment. It remains one of the most elegant and desirable designs of the Georgian period.

An ideal piece for a study, library or any refined interior, and one that will be a talking point for generations to come.

Height 98cm (38.6in)

Width 150cm (59.1in)

Depth 84cm (33.1in)

Date of Manufacture

Anthony Short Antiques has dated this George III Carlton Desk to the 18th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
98cm (38.58")
Width
150cm (59.06")
Depth
84cm (33.07")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1242941
Dealers Internal Reference
1635
Description
Very Fine George III Sheraton Period Mahogany Carlton House Writing Table, circa 1790

A magnificent and historically important Carlton House writing table, made in England circa 1790.

“
Of impressive scale and exceptional quality throughout, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most celebrated forms of Georgian cabinet making in superb original condition.
Anthony Short Antiques
fig 1. An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors.
fig 1. 18th Century George III Mahogany Marquetry Carlton House Desk, C1790

The curved, tiered superstructure is crowned with a pierced brass gallery and fitted with a cluster of small drawers and curved doors. Below, the writing surface is inset with golden brown tooled leather, and the frieze holds one long and two short drawers. In total the desk has eleven oak-lined drawers, each retaining its original carved brass swan neck handles. The locks all work, and the original key is present.

fig 2. An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors.
fig 2. 18th Century George III Mahogany Marquetry Carlton House Desk, C1790

The whole piece is veneered in the finest figured mahogany, with satinwood crossbanding to the drawers. Even the reverse is finished to the highest standard, with magnificent fielded mahogany panels, so the table can be placed in the centre of a room as well as against a wall. It stands on elegant square tapering legs, terminating in brass caps with their original brass box castors.

fig 3. An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors.
fig 3. 18th Century George III Mahogany Marquetry Carlton House Desk, C1790

The mahogany has a rich, warm colour and a deep, untouched patina that only two centuries of careful ownership can produce, set off beautifully by the leather top.

The form takes its name from Carlton House, the palatial London residence of the Prince Regent, later George IV. The Prince was famous for his taste for both French furniture and the finest English cabinet-making, and the desk became closely associated with his establishment. It remains one of the most elegant and desirable designs of the Georgian period.

An ideal piece for a study, library or any refined interior, and one that will be a talking point for generations to come.

Height 98cm (38.6in)

Width 150cm (59.1in)

Depth 84cm (33.1in)

Date of Manufacture

Anthony Short Antiques has dated this George III Carlton Desk to the 18th Century.

Height
98cm (38.58")
Width
150cm (59.06")
Depth
84cm (33.07")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1242941
Dealers Internal Ref
1635
Anthony Short Antiques
Anthony Short Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2020
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Anthony Short Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors.
1 / 14
Archive I An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors.

18th Century George III Mahogany Marquetry Carlton House Desk, C1790

Archive II An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View II
Archive III An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View IX
Archive X An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View X
Archive XI An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View XI
Archive XII An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View XII
Archive XIII An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View XIII
Archive XIV An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Anthony Short Antiques

Anthony Short Antiques
Telephone 07595 60 33 48
Location
Market Square
Petworth
West Sussex
GU28 0AH
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/anthonyshort
Verified Since Jul 2020
Items For Sale 174
Items Sold 62
Anthony Short Antiques
Anthony Short Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Market Square, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AH, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/anthonyshort
Verified
Jul 2020
For Sale
174
Sold
62
An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors.
18TH CENTURY GEORGE III MAHOGANY MARQUETRY CARLTON HOUSE DESK, C1790
Ref: SA1242941
An 18th-century George III mahogany Carlton House desk with inlaid marquetry, a leather writing surface, small upper drawers, and tapered legs on brass castors.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks & Writing Tables
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorge III
  • MaterialMahogany, Satinwood, Brass, Leather
  • ColourRich Brown
  • MotifsHorseshoe superstructure, Brass gallery rail, Square tapered legs, Satinwood marquetry
  • SizeH 98 cm (39 in) x W 150 cm (59 in) x D 84 cm (33 in)

This George III Carlton House desk dates from the 18th century around 1790. Formed in rich brown mahogany with satinwood crossbanding, the piece incorporates an inlaid leather writing surface, an upper horseshoe superstructure crowned with a pierced brass gallery rail, and eleven oak-lined drawers fitted with original brass swan neck handles and matching locks. Delicate satinwood marquetry panels decorate the drawer fronts and central oval cupboard doors, while square tapered legs terminate in brass box castors. The desk measures 98 cm high, 150 cm wide, and 84 cm deep. Suitable for placement in a study, library, or gentleman's room, this writing table provides a functional writing platform alongside abundant small compartment storage. The finished reverse allows for freestanding placement in the centre of a room. The timber displays a warm polish across the fielded panels and tiered tiers, complemented by the castors and metal hardware.

FAQs

A Carlton House desk is an 18th-century English writing table design characterised by a U-shaped or D-shaped superstructure containing small drawers, cupbords, and stationery compartments surrounding a leather writing surface.

These pieces were typically constructed from mahogany or satinwood veneers, often featuring decorative marquetry, brass galleries, original castors, and leather-inset writing tops.

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-dovetailed drawer joints, period-correct brass hardware, hand-cut marquetry inlays, and structural timber showing natural age-related oxidisation on unpolished undersides.

Position the desk away from direct sunlight in a dedicated study or library, pairing it with modern understated lighting and simple seating to highlight the detailed marquetry and wood grain.

Dust the surface regularly with a soft dry cloth and apply a high-quality beeswax polish annually, avoiding commercial aerosol sprays, excess moisture, and exposure to direct heat sources.
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