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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA888776
FOR SALE
£12,500
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Important Antique French Kingwood Desk by Jean Werner
David Wolfenden Antiques
for sale €14,625     $15,875
£12,500
David Wolfenden Antiques

David Wolfenden Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2010
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Id #SA888776
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Important Antique French Kingwood Desk by Jean Werner

19th century
Description

Exhibition quality antique French ormolu mounted Kingwood desk stamped by the important Paris furniture maker J Werner

circa 1860 .

This “Second Empire” French desk has been expertly crafted with Kingwood and superb Rosewood cross banding and Kingwood inlaid decoration. The rectangular top is fitted with a gold tooled green leather inset writing surface over an arrangement of five oak lined drawers .

The super structure with four fitted drawers all fitted with decorative ormolu escutcheons complete with a beautiful detailed gallery The desk is raised on square tapering ormolu trimmed inlaid legs that terminate in striking circular Rosewood ormolu mounted toupie sabots

It is beautifully decorated with the most superb cast gilded ormolu mounts and escutcheons with most edges ormolu trimmed complete with the original working locks and exquisite original key.

(This particular desk is illustrated in “Christie’s Review Of The Season 1981” page 496)

Circa 1860.

131cm x 61cm x 103cm high.

Desk top 75cm high.

Knee height 62.5cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
103cm (40.55")
Width
131cm (51.57")
Depth
61cm (24.02")
Declaration

David Wolfenden Antiques has dated this French Kingwood Writing Desk to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA888776
Dealers Notes

Delivery and Insurance to most parts of UK and Ireland is included in price.

Description
Exhibition quality antique French ormolu mounted Kingwood desk stamped by the important Paris furniture maker J Werner

circa 1860 .

“
This “Second Empire” French desk has been expertly crafted with Kingwood and superb Rosewood cross banding and Kingwood inlaid decoration.
David Wolfenden Antiques

The rectangular top is fitted with a gold tooled green leather inset writing surface over an arrangement of five oak lined drawers .

fig 1. An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs.
fig 1. Important Antique French Kingwood Desk by Jean Werner

The super structure with four fitted drawers all fitted with decorative ormolu escutcheons complete with a beautiful detailed gallery The desk is raised on square tapering ormolu trimmed inlaid legs that terminate in striking circular Rosewood ormolu mounted toupie sabots

fig 2. An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs.
fig 2. Important Antique French Kingwood Desk by Jean Werner

It is beautifully decorated with the most superb cast gilded ormolu mounts and escutcheons with most edges ormolu trimmed complete with the original working locks and exquisite original key.

(This particular desk is illustrated in “Christie’s Review Of The Season 1981” page 496)

Circa 1860.

131cm x 61cm x 103cm high.

Desk top 75cm high.

Knee height 62.5cm

Height
103cm (40.55")
Width
131cm (51.57")
Depth
61cm (24.02")
Date of Manufacture

David Wolfenden Antiques has dated this French Kingwood Writing Desk to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA888776
David Wolfenden Antiques
David Wolfenden Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2010

The home of fine antiques.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the David Wolfenden Antiques Profile Page

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An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs.
1 / 15
Archive I An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs.

Important Antique French Kingwood Desk by Jean Werner

Archive II An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View II
Archive III An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs.
Archive V An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View V
Archive VI An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View VI
Archive VII An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View VII
Archive VIII An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View VIII
Archive IX An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View IX
Archive X An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View X
Archive XI An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View XI
Archive XII An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View XII
Archive XIII An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View XIII
Archive XIV An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View XIV
Archive XV An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs. View XV
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David Wolfenden Antiques

David Wolfenden Antiques
Telephone 028 94 429498 or 07768 128 800
Location
219b Lisnevenagh Road
Antrim
Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland
BT41 2JT
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/dw
Verified Since May 2010
Items For Sale 128
Items Sold 880
David Wolfenden Antiques
David Wolfenden Antiques
Verified Since May 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: 219b Lisnevenagh Road, Antrim, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT41 2JT, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/dw
Verified
May 2010
For Sale
128
Sold
880
An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs.
Important Antique French Kingwood Desk by Jean Werner
Ref: SA888776
An antique French kingwood writing desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers, gilded brass gallery rail, leather insert, and lower side tiers supported by turned legs.
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Scale Reference
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FAQs

A bonheur du jour or bureau a gradin is a type of French writing desk that emerged in the 18th century, characterised by a small raised cabinet or tier of drawers set against the back of the writing surface. These pieces were traditionally designed for writing correspondence and storing personal papers in private sitting rooms.

French Neoclassical desks typically feature wood veneers such as kingwood, tulipwood, and mahogany arranged in parquetry or marquetry patterns. Construction often includes gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts, chased brass galleries, and tooling on leather writing surfaces.

Authentic pieces display hand-cut dovetail joints, oak or walnut secondary drawer linings, and cast bronze mounts secured with early hand-cut screws. Stamped cabinetmaker signatures, or ebeniste marks, are often located on the underside or unvarnished rear panels of the frame.

A French desk works as a focal point in a home office or dedicated library space paired with contemporary lighting. The warm wood tones and gilded details contrast effectively against modern neutral walls and structured, minimal upholstery.

Keep the desk away from direct sunlight, central heating radiators, and damp conditions to prevent veneer lifting or wood movement. Dust gilt-bronze mounts gently with a dry, soft brush, avoiding chemical polishes that can strip original gilding or lacquer.
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