Anyone who follows my listings with interest would be aware that I am deeply passionate about the pieces I present for sale. My personal rule is that I never buy and sell on any piece that I would not be happy to own myself. Wood for me is something special. No matter how long ago it was cut, and no matter how far away the tree it originally came from, for me it remains a living, vital thing, constantly growing in personality and character – something to be loved, appreciated and nurtured.
And so it is with this piece. Despite the fact that this is a very functional piece of great utility, its aesthetic qualities have always overshadowed more mundane uses for me. But it deserves to be used as well as appreciated for its decorative beauty, so it’s time to find it a new home, whether through Bid or Buy, as I’m trying with this listing, or another more immediate channel.
On offer in this listing, is a simply stunning piece of fine furniture; a massive & magnificent solid rosewood roll-top desk with intricate carving detail and metal leaf inlay. I say massive, partly as this piece is so solidly built that it weighs an absolute ton, and also because of the scale of its proportions. The only person other than myself, who can appreciate the dimensions of this piece, would be the BoB buyer who purchased the brass eagles seen in the picture on top of the display shelf. These eagles as he will attest, are substantial pieces of metalware in themselves.
Moving on to the specifics of the dimensions, this piece from floor to surface of the open display shelf measures 120cm, to which the wonderfully finished backboard pediment adds another 11cm. The desk is 92.5cm wide, and some 57cm deep.
Moving through the functional and decorative characteristics of the piece from top to bottom;
As can be seen, the piece is topped by a spacious, open display shelf and carved and contoured pediment.
The display shelf rests atop a rare feature – a row of 3 bow-fronted drawers. You don’t often see bow-fronted detail on modern furniture, as it is a labour intensive and expensive feature to craft, but obviously no expense has been spared in the crafting of this piece. It is also on these bow-fronts that the finely detailed decorative scrollwork carving begins, and continues all the way down the piece to the legs.
Immediately below the row of drawers, there is the roseate swell of the roll itself. When opened, the roll reveals a cavernous desk interior, which includes an ample and expandable writing top, which pulls out to create knee space, as well as 9 generously proportioned pigeon holes, 2 of which hold well finished drawers.
There are two drawer tiers beneath the roll; the upper tier has 2 drawers, and the lower 1.
Beneath the drawer tiers is the curved and skirted frame of the piece which descends to the floor via 4 strong Queen Anne Cabriole legs.
Legs, frame, drawers and roll all feature incredibly well executed decorative carving in a continuous floral, leaf and vine pattern, as well as two-tone metal leaf inlay detail.
All drawers are lined with green baize. Keys for the piece are available, and the lock works.
The drawers in the tiers below the roll sport Georgian style plain brass loop handles. All other drawers, the roll and the writing top, have plain, solid brass knobs.
On many pieces of furniture, a multitude of cabinet-maker sins are concealed on the sides and surfaces not seen. That is not the case with this piece. This piece has been exquisitely finished on all sides; front, back and beneath.
If you’re interested in bidding and would like to see more detailed photographs of the desk, please provide an email address, and I’ll send them though to you.
If this type of piece interests you, don’t forget to look over my other desk / study listings too. Already listed, are a mahogany davenport, and an imbuia fallfront desk. To be listed in the near future will be another fallfront, this time in dark oak, with truly remarkable interior detail, as well as another spectacular roll-top, this time in sable mahogany.
