Writing desk - Wood

Desks / bureau with a bowed front in mahogany and walnut burl – Georgian / Queen Anne Revival style, England, c. 1925–1940.

Object: slant-front desk / bureau
International designation: slant-front bureau or fall-front writing bureau
Origin: England
Era: first half of the 20th century
Dating: circa 1925–1940
Style: Georgian Revival / Queen Anne Revival
Materials: framework in mahogany-toned wood; fronts and lid panel veneered in walnut burl, with light inlays; brass fittings
Dimensions: 102 × 100 × 43 cm

Important English slant-front desk with serpentine front, made of mahogany and partially veneered with walnut burl, with fine light wood fillets and brass hardware.

The bottom features three full-width drawers with slightly bowed/serpentine fronts. Above these appear two smaller side-by-side drawers, totaling five exterior drawers.

The drawer fronts display rectangular walnut burl in strong natural figure, delineated by ultra-fine light fillets. The same decoration is repeated on the vertical supports of the case and, above all, on the large lid panel.

Each drawer retains two traditional articulated brass pulls, accompanied by lock escutcheons.

The base ends in a molded base with a serpentine profile, supported by bracket-foot shaped feet, another feature directly derived from English furniture of the early 18th century.

Top and writing surface:

The large slanted top presents a wide central walnut burl reserva, surrounded by a light fillet and a more homogeneous-toned wooden surround.

When opened, the top becomes a generous horizontal writing surface, supported by the very structure.

It is noteworthy that the interior of the lid appears to have been left without the usual leather or baize lining. There may originally have been a writing surface or similar, though this cannot be affirmed.

Interior:

The interior is quite complete and constitutes one of the most interesting aspects of the piece.

It presents a symmetrical arrangement of:
- five small open compartments for letters;
- vertical partitions with carved profiles;
- five small internal drawers;
- a small central cabinet with arched door and lock;
- a broad writing plane.

This layout deliberately reproduces the so-called fitted interior of English Georgian bureaux.

Style:

There is a deliberate mix of references.

The extensive use of walnut burl, the slant-front desk and the carved feet mostly recall the Queen Anne / George I tradition, while the serpentine front and certain proportions evolved later within the Georgian tradition.

Condition:

The piece shows signs of use compatible with roughly 90–100 years.

There are scratches and abrasions, small dents, wear to the moldings, occasional finish losses, marks on the writing plane, and small losses especially at the base and feet.

The walnut burl is overall well preserved and continues to present an excellent decorative impact.

The brass pulls show good uniformity.