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ID #SA1241295
FOR SALE
£1,100
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Provincial French Hotel/reception Desk. Circa 1850–1890.
For sale by Earl and Rymer
for sale €1,287     $1,397
£1,100
Earl and Rymer

Earl and Rymer

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2026
Browse dealers 125 items
  • About Us
    Earl & rymer specialise in beautiful, interesting and unusual decorative antiques and art.
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Id #SA1241295
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Provincial French Hotel/reception Desk. Circa 1850–1890.

19th century
For Sale by Earl and Rymer
Description

A charming mid-to-late 19th century French hotel desk (Circa 1850–1890). Originally utilised in a commercial or administrative setting in central France. The desk has a charming hidden compartment under one of the drawers, perfect for stashing away valuables. Now a wonderful piece to be repurposed as a dressing table, vanity, or desk.

Tucked in a drawer was an original 19th/early 20th-century municipal market tax receipt (droit de place et de rue) issued by the town of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, serving as a charming tangible link to its working past in provincial France.

Condition: Good well used antique condition, the original paint has worn as you would expect from a utilitarian piece of furniture of this age.

Physical Dimensions
Height
114cm (44.88")
Width
83cm (32.68")
Depth
64cm (25.20")
Declaration

Earl and Rymer has dated this French Provincial Clerk Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1241295
Dealers Internal Reference
1417
Description
A charming mid-to-late 19th century French hotel desk (Circa 1850–1890). Originally utilised in a commercial or administrative setting in central France.
“
The desk has a charming hidden compartment under one of the drawers, perfect for stashing away valuables.
Earl and Rymer

Now a wonderful piece to be repurposed as a dressing table, vanity, or desk.

fig 1. A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs.
fig 1. Provincial French Hotel/reception Desk. Circa 1850–1890.

Tucked in a drawer was an original 19th/early 20th-century municipal market tax receipt (droit de place et de rue) issued by the town of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, serving as a charming tangible link to its working past in provincial France.

Condition: Good well used antique condition, the original paint has worn as you would expect from a utilitarian piece of furniture of this age.

Height
114cm (44.88")
Width
83cm (32.68")
Depth
64cm (25.20")
Date of Manufacture

Earl and Rymer has dated this French Provincial Clerk Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1241295
Dealers Internal Ref
1417
Earl and Rymer
Earl and Rymer
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2026

Earl & rymer specialise in beautiful, interesting and unusual decorative antiques and art.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Earl and Rymer Profile Page

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A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs.
1 / 13
Archive I A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs.

Provincial French Hotel/reception Desk. Circa 1850–1890.

Archive II A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View II
Archive III A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View III
Archive IV A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View IV
Archive V A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View V
Archive VI A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View VI
Archive VII A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View VII
Archive VIII A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View VIII
Archive IX A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View IX
Archive X A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View X
Archive XI A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View XI
Archive XII A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View XII
Archive XIII A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Earl and Rymer

Earl and Rymer
Telephone 07879 460591
Location
York
Yorkshire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/earlandrymer
Verified Since Feb 2026
Items For Sale 125
Items Sold 31
Earl and Rymer
Earl and Rymer
Verified Since Feb 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/earlandrymer
Verified
Feb 2026
For Sale
125
Sold
31
A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs.
Provincial French Hotel/Reception Desk. Circa 1850–1890.
Ref: SA1241295
A dark brown antique French provincial clerk desk featuring a scalloped gallery back, pigeonholes, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Provincial
  • MaterialOak, Pine
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsScalloped gallery back, Pigeonhole compartments, Tapered legs, Single frieze drawer
  • SizeH 114 cm (45 in) x W 83 cm (33 in) x D 64 cm (25 in)

This 19th-century French provincial hotel desk from the period between 1850 and 1890 is made of oak and pine with a dark brown finish. Originally utilised in a commercial or administrative setting in central France, the utilitarian piece of furniture displays good well-used antique condition with worn original paint, a scalloped gallery back, pigeonhole compartments, small interior drawers, and square tapered legs, along with a single frieze drawer containing a keyhole and a hidden compartment underneath. Measuring 114 cm high, 83 cm wide and 64 cm deep, it provides a practical workspace. In a contemporary home, the desk serves well when repurposed as a dressing table, vanity, or everyday writing desk in a bedroom, study, or hallway. Its rustic farmhouse design brings historical character to an interior, accompanied by an original municipal market tax receipt issued by Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule that was found tucked inside a drawer during use in provincial France.

FAQs

A French provincial clerk desk is a utilitarian piece of 19th-century country furniture, originally designed for administrative work in provincial hotels, shops, or regional estates. It typically features an elevated gallery with pigeonholes and small drawers above a main writing surface.

Craftsmen in regional France used locally sourced hardwoods and softwoods, including oak, pine, walnut, and fruitwoods. Iron or brass hardware was often added for simple functional drawer pulls and locks.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-cut joinery such as mortise and tenon joints, irregular timber grain, and genuine surface wear on touchpoints. Look for original structural construction techniques and natural patina rather than artificial distressing.

Position the piece as a focal point in an entryway, study, or living space to contrast against contemporary minimalist architecture. Complement the dark timber tone with neutral wall shades and understated ceramic accessories.

Maintain the finish by dusting regularly with a dry microfibre cloth and applying a high-quality beeswax polish once or twice a year. Keep the furniture away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent uneven fading or timber shrinkage.
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