English George III Mahogany & Leather Pedestal “Rent” Writing Desk ca. 1800

GEORGE III MAHOGANY & TOOLED LEATHER PEDESTAL DESK WITH "RENT" COMPARTMENTS
England, ca. 1800 | with numerous hidden compartments
Item # 311EFP30W

A rather special find, this positively gorgeous George III period writing desk features a wonderful series of alphabetized "rent" compartments in the upper drawer that make it a particularly interesting desk. This is accessed by withdrawing the upper drawer and pushing back the leather writing surface, which reveals generous storage in the center backed by tiny drawers with early labels on them noting "Insurance" and "Savings" in period script. On the right and left are the drawers, each with a large ovular satinwood plaque inlaid with ebony letters for organizing files and payments. The back compartments on the right and left feature a hidden drawer that is accessed by lifting out the compartment, then lifting out the divider and ultimately accessing a generous size hand-dovetailed drawer hidden away inside the recess. Additional hidden compartments are available beneath the inkwells on the right and left - these are accessed similarly, by lifting the divider between the inkwell and the first compartment to reveal a void beneath the inkwells.

A desk that was designed for active and practical use, it has become an object of beauty with a rich historical surface and brilliant patina throughout. The top is richly dressed with an olive-green gilt-tooled leather writing surface, the same being on the withdrawable top drawer though the hue differs since it has been largely protected from the sunlight.

Either pedestal is set with drawers, the right with full depth drawers and the left with half-depth drawers (to accomodate the shelves accessible from the back of the desk using the single door). The hardware is replaced with period correct stamped pulls, these appearing to have been placed on the desk well over a century ago.

This wonderfully worn desk is a treasure that shows its centuries of careful ownership throughout - it is a working piece that is at the same time exceedingly beautiful, meant to be actively utilized and enjoyed.


Measurements: 30 5/8" H x 27" D x 49 3/4" W; knee clearance is 24 1/2" H

Condition Report:
Extensive wear throughout, notably including shrinkage between the moldings and the desk that create some large gaps; the shrinkage has affected the right side door on te reverse which does not meet its lockplate any longer; shrinkage crack in the same door that has been filled with wax (a reversible touchup) and a loss at the top of the door also wax patched - a plate has been affixed to the reverse to tighten the crack; extensive finish loss and discoloration, including staining to the baseboard moldings; all hardware replaced, originally being wooden turned knobs that are replaced with period correct stamped brass pulls; no keys and all locks untested; the top drawer and the withdrawable leather writing surface operate "relatively" smoothly, though there is some order of operations in how it should be worked: after opening the drawer and after pushing back the leather writing surface to access the compartments below, the leather writing surface must be pulled back into place (covering the compartments) before pushing the entire drawer into the desk. If you push the leather writing surface in first, it can jam up the drawer and takes some effort to reorientate. Please review the detailed images for full condition - the desk has extensive surface history, but presents a beautiful aged aesthetic and remains fully functional - with some care, it will continue to serve for many lifetimes.