16C Spanish Oak Writing Cabinet - Important

Presenting an absolutely stunning 16th century carved Spanish oak writing desk and cabinet, with amazing provenance and historical and literary significance.

This desk/cabinet was purchased by a wealthy Dallas family from a French antique auction held at the club room in the Stoneleigh court (hotel), Dallas on Wednesday the 2nd April 1930. (Now the Meridian Hotel). The auction was titled: “works of art and furnishings of the chateau de turique (Nancy) and the Conde-Rougemont home (Touraine). The cover of the catalog also has a seal of a coat of arms. The second page gives a brief description of the auction contents and states that " this exhibition will be presented by M. Fernand M. Adda of Paris France". The desk/cabinet was lot no: 565 and was described in the auction catalog as:
"Carved Spanish writing desk and cabinet...... 16th century period....Upper section a cabinet with two doors which are paneled and display a fine carving. The interior is fitted with eight engraved drawers, and a writing tablet is disclosed in the lower portion. Sustained and central arcade of columns. From Fontana Rosa collection. Supported on four turned legs with bulbous feet."

Fontana Rosa is a historic garden situated on the avenue Blasco Ibáñez in Menton, Alpes-Maritimes, on the French Riviera. The Spanish writer Vicente Blasco Ibanez (1869-1928) began to build it from 1922 on, and he set up home here with his second wife, Elena, and died there in 1928. Vicente Blasco Ibanez was a journalist, politician and best-selling Spanish novelist in various genres whose most widespread and lasting fame in the English-speaking world is from Hollywood films adapted from his works. The provenance is impeccable, it belonged to Ibanez and was part of his collection at Fontana Rosa when he died in 1928.

The auction in which it was first sold in Dallas was in 1930, which makes perfect sense from a 'timeline' point of view. Ibanez is a very important literary figure. Having regard to the fact that this is a writing desk means that in all probability, Ibanez would have 'penned' some of his famous works at this very desk.

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. The cabinet has undergone some significant restoration since it was acquired at Auction in 1930. If one compares the Catalog photograph with the current desk one can clearly see that the base is original, as are the 2 doors and Writing Slope.