Regency desk-top writing cabinet

May 11, 2022

Lot 34

Regency desk-top writing cabinet

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000

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About this Lot

Description

A late-18th/early 19th-century red gilt-tooled leather desk-top writing cabinet [England: circa 1790-1815?]. The pagoda top with hinged lid above two doors opening to reveal three drawers designed as six book spines, the lower drawer with writing slope, the sides with applied gilt brass handles, raised on gilded scrolling feet.

11 3/8 in; 290mm high. 11 3/8 in; 290mm wide. 9 in; 230mm deep.

Condition: outer leather dry, faded and cracking with some loss, some loss to leather on the interior as well, metal fittings oxidized – examine all images carefully. Lacking one of the two ink bottles; most of the pull-rings on the drawers bent out of shape

Despite the faults this writing cabinet remains quite spectacular: essential shabby chic and the ideal library desk decoration. The three drawers each seem to have been designed to serve a separate function: one with a plain silvered interior, for note paper perhaps; a second with various compartments for seals, sealing wax, items to help with the preparation of nibs/pens, etc.; the third with ink bottles, a compartment for pens and a leather-tooled panel which might have been used as a basic writing slope?

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