Research
Of cocuswood with boxwood inlay and gilt-brass handles. The Greek key inlaid top with incurved front and lobed corners rests upon a frieze set with a central drawer mounted with pierced gilt brass “pagoda” drop handles. The incurved flanks set with a bank of three drawers each mounted with gilt brass Rococo swan neck handles. The whole raised on six inlaid faceted tapering legs each terminating in a bulb foot resting on small brass castors.
Provenance:
Private collection, Highlands, North Carolina
The writing table is a charming reinvention of a form created by Thomas Chippendale as seen in his iconic publication The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director, 3rd edition Plate LXXIV. It is certain that Chippendale would have used mahogany when creating this model in his workshop and indeed an example of a related desk was formerly in the collection of Philip Cass of Norfolk (1712-92) and was sold by Carlton Hobbs in 1987. It is believed that this writing table was gifted to Cass by 3rd Viscount Townshend of Raynham, for whom Chippendale did much work. However, although clearly inspired by Chippendale’s Plate LXXIV, the designer here has opted for a rare and decorative choice of veneer.
Full research report available on request.