Centennial Chippendale Writing Desk

This beautifully custom made writing desk is referred to as a centennial piece of furniture.  As a result of our 100th anniversary as a nation, there was a renewed interest in the earlier furniture styles.  This mahogany desk exhibits the finest and most exuberant features found in Chippendale, 1770′s period furniture.  The top has a brass gallery with an ogee edge.  The slant lid has an exquisitely deeply carved shell encircled with carved vines and leaves.  It retains its original cast brass key escutcheon, working lock and key.  There are pull out slides, which support the lid and writing surface.  The beautifully designed interior has 5 small hand-dovetailed drawers and 4 open cubbies.  There are 2 tall, narrow, document drawers with delicately carved bellflowers on their fronts.  The central door has a shell carving on its front and its original working lock.  Notice a long block front shaped drawer having a lovely carved shell design in the center with acanthus leaves on either side of the cast brass pulls.  This drawer retains its original working lock.  Below are 2 small block front shaped drawers having their original cast brass pulls.  All the drawers are hand-dovetailed.  Check out the finely carved gadrooned trim below the bottom drawers.  The desk rests on tall elegantly shaped legs with acanthus carved knees and boldly carved ball and claw feet.  There is an older professional repair to the left, rear leg.  This is only noticeable from the back and by looking very carefully.  It does not affect the use or integrity of the piece.  The finish appears original and is in excellent condition having a deep, rich color and patina.