Item 9219

Renaissance Table or Desk

Dimensions

Width 43½, Height 30, Depth 27 (in inches)

Wood

Solid walnut

Country

France

Date

Circa 1880

Price

$5,995

Description

The table (or desk), made of a light-collored, solid French walnut (noyer blond), has two drawers.  The wood has the characteristic clarity and small grain of old growth walnut, along with a depth and richness benefiting from the ciré patiné technique.  The design of the desk involves classic Neo-Renaissance elements such as ionic columns supported by a square base of carved acanthus leaves, a trestle stretcher with colonettes supporting carved arches, corbels located on the frieze.  Hand-carved in France, most likely around the end of the 19^th century, the desk has its original hardware.  The virtuosic carving eloquently reflects the 19^th century passion for Renaissance stylistic elements dating back to Greco-Roman architecture.

Reference

Ader-Tajan, Collection Bruno Perrier Haute Epoque (Catalog for Sale at Auction on April 6, 1992 at the Hotel Drouot, Paris)

Uses

Owing to its solid walnut construction, the desk is suitable for virtually any room in a home or office and will blend well with other antique or contemporary furniture.