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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA971750
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Pair of 19th Century French Vernis Martin Cylinder Top Desks
FB Antiques
sold SA971750
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
FB Antiques

FB Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2014
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Id #SA971750
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Pair of 19th Century French Vernis Martin Cylinder Top Desks

19th century
Description

For sale is a good quality rare pair of 19th century French Vernis Martin cylinder top desks, each having marble tops with brass gallery, above a hand painted cupboard, flanked by mirrors and columns, over an arrangement of five drawers with a cylinder front below, opening to reveal a fully fitted interior with a leather writing surface decorated with gold tooling. Each desk stands on tapered fluted legs and remains ion very good condition showing minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use.

Width: 81cm Depth: 51cm Height: 153cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
153cm (60.24")
Width
81cm (31.89")
Depth
51cm (20.08")
Declaration

FB Antiques has dated this Vernis Martin Cylinder Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA971750
Dealers Internal Reference
S27-897
Description
For sale is a good quality rare pair of 19th century French Vernis Martin cylinder top desks, each having marble tops with brass gallery, above a hand painted cupboard, flanked by mirrors and columns, over an arrangement of five drawers with a cylinder front below, opening to reveal a fully fitted interior with a leather writing surface decorated with gold tooling.
“
Each desk stands on tapered fluted legs and remains ion very good condition showing minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use.
FB Antiques

Width: 81cm Depth: 51cm Height: 153cm

Height
153cm (60.24")
Width
81cm (31.89")
Depth
51cm (20.08")
Date of Manufacture

FB Antiques has dated this Vernis Martin Cylinder Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA971750
Dealers Internal Ref
S27-897
FB Antiques
FB Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2014
Dealer Profile

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

Relevant Links
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A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs.
1 / 18
Archive I A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs.

Pair of 19th Century French Vernis Martin Cylinder Top Desks

Archive II A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View II
Archive III A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View III
Archive IV A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View IV
Archive V A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View V
Archive VI A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View VI
Archive VII A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View IX
Archive X A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View X
Archive XI A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XI
Archive XII A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XIV
Archive XV A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XV
Archive XVI A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XVI
Archive XVII A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XVII
Archive XVIII A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs. View XVIII
Enlarged Archival View
FB Antiques

FB Antiques
Telephone 01245 401 210
Location
Rawlings Farm Buildings
Unit 7 Main Road
Rettendon Common
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 8DY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/fbantiques
Verified Since Jul 2014
Items For Sale 302
Items Sold 1,308
FB Antiques
FB Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: Rawlings Farm Buildings, Unit 7 Main Road, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford , Essex, CM3 8DY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/fbantiques
Verified
Jul 2014
For Sale
302
Sold
1,308
A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs.
Pair of 19th Century French Vernis Martin Cylinder Top Desks
Ref: SA971750
A pair of matching 19th-century French mahogany cylinder top writing desks featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, upper mirrored cupboards, and turned fluted legs.
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FAQs

Vernis Martin refers to a specialised lacquering technique developed in 18th-century France by the Martin brothers, which was later revived in the 19th century to decorate furniture such as cylinder top writing desks. A cylinder desk features a curved, retractable wooden section that rolls back to reveal inner drawers and writing surfaces.

These pieces were typically constructed from dense hardwoods such as mahogany or kingwood, embellished with painted lacquer panels, mirrored glass, and gilt-bronze or brass mounts. The internal mechanisms feature precision joinery to allow the rolling cylinder mechanism to operate smoothly.

Authentic 19th-century pieces display hand-painted pastoral or romantic scenes with subtle craquelure in the varnish layer alongside cast-bronze or brass mounts. Construction indicators include hand-cut dovetail joints on drawers, original locking mechanisms, and timber oxidisation consistent with age.

Position the desk as a focal architectural feature against a neutral wall, allowing its painted panels and metal details to stand out. Complement the warm mahogany tones with minimalist modern lighting or place it near tailored upholstered seating to balance decorative historical elements.

Dust the surface regularly using a dry microfibre cloth and avoid placing the item in direct sunlight or near heat sources to prevent lacquer cracking or wood warping. Avoid using abrasive chemical cleaners or water on painted lacquer panels and gilded mounts.
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