A RARE CHINESE EXPORT AMBOYNA AND EBONY CAMPAIGN KNEEHOLE DESK

Rare and outstanding example of an early 19th century Anglo-Chinese export amboyna and ebony campaign kneehole desk retaining the original patina with wonderful colour.

China circa 1830

One of the finest examples you will see, constructed using thick hand sawn cuts of amboyna and solid ebony with ivory stringing and countersunk brass pulls to the camphor wood lined drawers, having brass drop carrying handles to each side. The rectangular top with book matched amboyna veneers enclosed by a solid ebony boarder above a frieze drawer fitted with an adjustable inset velvet lined writing slope flanked by multiple sliding lidded compartments and pen rests.

Below is an arrangement of nine ivory strung drawers and a kneehole recess with foliate carved and pierced ankle brackets, the whole being raised on eight solid ebony turned feet.

This impressive colonial inspired desk is Chinese and would have been intended for the export market. Some years back this desk was often mistaken to have been Anglo-Indian due to the fact it shares many characteristics of Indian furniture, this was due to the fact that many Chinese immigrant crasftman where employed to make Indian furniture.

The finest materials have been used for this desk, amboyna figuring is generally profuse but on this desk it is exceptional. The condition is also quite remarkable having a superb original untouched colour and patina.

Please note this piece has been registered with the government as exempt from the ivory ban as contains less than 10% therefore legal to sell to any collection.

Mallets owned a davenport of similar construction which is illustrated in the Mallet Millennium book page 195 plate 249.

Width: 41 1/4 inches - 104.5cm
Height: 31 3/4 inches - 80.5cm
Depth: 19 inches - 48.5cm