Tsar Desk Replica by Theodore Alexander

Presenting an absolutely gorgeous 20th century Replica of 'The Tsar Desk' from the Gianni Versace Collection by Theodore Alexander of NY.
Firstly, in this industry there are 4 categories:- (1) Original period antiques, (2) "Fakes" which are made to deceive, (3) 'Reproductions' which are not intended to deceive but copies of original designs to make antiques more affordable and finally (4) 'Replicas' of famous antiques which are re-created by master craftsmen to pay 'homage' to one of a kind pieces from history.
This piece very firmly, falls into the latter category.
The extremely high-end manufacturer of Theodore Alexander would have made this replica, probably in the 1980s.
It is completely handmade and identical to the original in all respects (save age).

It has a brass plaque inside the center drawer that states: “Rep-li-ca, Important Furniture by Theordore Alexander”.

It has a second perspex covered plaque underneath which states: ” Rep-li-ca Important Furniture by Hand. A Fine neoclassical ormolu-mounted pollard burl free standing writing desk, with delicately cast mounts on all four sides of Chimera and anthemion, with Medusa head handles, the frieze with central drawer flanked by two drawers to each side on lyre shaped open end supports, the platform bases raised on brass disk feet. The original Russian Empire, circa 1820 from the Gianni Versace Collection. Theodore Alexander, Designers & Makers of Fine Furniture, Eclectic Objects and Accessories”.

The original was acquired by the late Gianni Versace and formed part of his personal collection.

The Chimera (/k?'m??r?/ or /ka?'m??r?/, also Chimaera (Chimæra); Greek: ??µa??a, Chímaira “she-goat”) was, according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of more than one animal. It is usually depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat arising from its back, and a tail that might end with a snake‘s head,[1] and was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra.

The term “chimera” has come to describe any mythical or fictional animal with parts taken from various animals, or to describe anything composed of very disparate parts, or perceived as wildly imaginative, implausible, or dazzling.

The sight of a Chimera was an omen for disaster.
The palmette is a motif in decorative art which, in its most characteristic expression, resembles the fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree. It has a far-reaching history, originating in ancient Egypt with a subsequent development through the art of most of Eurasia, often in forms that bear relatively little resemblance to the original. In ancient Greek and ancient Roman uses it is also known as the anthemion (from the Greeka???µ???, a flower). It is found in most artistic media, but especially as an architectural ornament, whether carved or painted, and painted on ceramics. It is very often a component of the design of a frieze or border. The complex evolution of the palmette was first traced by Alois Riegl in his Stilfragen of 1893. The half-palmette, bisected vertically, is also a very common motif, found in many mutated and vestigial forms, and especially important in the development of plant-based scroll ornament.

Gorgeous colors, beautiful patina, excllent quality and condition.