A GEORGE III MAHOGANY KNEEHOLE ARCHITECT'S DESK, ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE
A GEORGE III MAHOGANY KNEEHOLE ARCHITECT'S DESK ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, CIRCA 1780 The inset ratchet top with a section hinged to create a shelf when in the raised position, the frieze drawer with a sliding inset section above divisions, the kneehole door enclosing vertical divisions, the plinth base with concealed casters 83.5cm high, 115cm wide, 61cm deep The use of S-pattern keyholes, as displayed by this desk, is a detail is almost unique to items of furniture made in the workshop of Thomas Chippendale. In his 1768 account to Lady Shelburne, Chippendale mentioned that a commode table has 'very good spring and tumbler locks and S-bitted keys' (Gilbert, op. cit., vol. I, p. 253, and vol. II, p. 147, fig. 267). The intriguing asymmetry of the S-shaped brass escutcheon would have been Chippendale's primary objective, though the encumbrance would also have minimally increased the level of security of the lock. This keyhole pattern has very occasionally been recorded on furniture attributed to Chippendale's competitor John Cobb, for example on the commode sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 19 April 2001, lot 148. However, nearly all occurrences are on furniture attributed to Chippendale. Condition Report: Desk with the marks, knocks, scratches, abrasions and minor chips commensurate with age and use. Desk in generally good order overall. Leather surfaces with the expected wear, marks and creases. Key present for the cupboard door. No key present for drawers, all are open. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
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A GEORGE III MAHOGANY KNEEHOLE ARCHITECT'S DESK ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, CIRCA 1780 The inset ratchet top with a section hinged to create a shelf when in the raised position, the frieze drawer with a sliding inset section above divisions, the kneehole door enclosing vertical divisions, the plinth base with concealed casters 83.5cm high, 115cm wide, 61cm deep The use of S-pattern keyholes, as displayed by this desk, is a detail is almost unique to items of furniture made in the workshop of Thomas Chippendale. In his 1768 account to Lady Shelburne, Chippendale mentioned that a commode table has 'very good spring and tumbler locks and S-bitted keys' (Gilbert, op. cit., vol. I, p. 253, and vol. II, p. 147, fig. 267). The intriguing asymmetry of the S-shaped brass escutcheon would have been Chippendale's primary objective, though the encumbrance would also have minimally increased the level of security of the lock. This keyhole pattern has very occasionally been recorded on furniture attributed to Chippendale's competitor John Cobb, for example on the commode sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 19 April 2001, lot 148. However, nearly all occurrences are on furniture attributed to Chippendale. Condition Report: Desk with the marks, knocks, scratches, abrasions and minor chips commensurate with age and use. Desk in generally good order overall. Leather surfaces with the expected wear, marks and creases. Key present for the cupboard door. No key present for drawers, all are open. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
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