Dreweatts 1759
Lot 711
A George III mahogany and bronze mounted tambour top writing desk, attributed to John Cobb, circa 1790, the domed tambour top released with a concealed catch, to reveal a tooled leather inset writing surface and four pigeon holes, above an arrangement of five frieze drawers around a central kneehole, with an opposing arrangement of false drawer fronts, on rectangular tapering legs, terminating in brass caps and castors, 91cm high, 118cm wide, 69cm deep Provenance: A deceased estate, OxfordshireBy family repute purchased from a London retailer during the 1960'sFor a very closely related example see Christie's, London, The English Collector, 19th May 2016, Lot 55 (£30,000). The Christie's example was part of a collection formed by R.W. Symonds for Mr & Mrs Jack Steinberg. A design for a closely related 'cylinder fall desk, with legs' is featured in Thomas Shearer's Cabinet-makers' London Book of Prices, plate 13, 1788. A related design for a 'Tambour Writing Table', 'a very convenient piece of furniture', was included in the third edition of Hepplewhite's The Cabinet-maker and Upholsterer's guide, 1794, pl. 61; an example of the latter was in the collection of Norman Adams (C. Claxton Stevens, S. Whittington, 18th Century English Furniture: the Norman Adams Collection, Woodbridge, 1983, p. 115).Condition Report: Marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Some minor old splits and chips consistent with age. Handles, escutcheons and locks appear original. The key is present to to operate the central drawer lock only. very minor fragment of metal from one lock lacking adjacent to lever/locking element. The drawer linings are solid mahogany throughout. The drawers all run very well. The tambour sections runs well, locks well into position when closed and when closed is released by the original catch located above the lock of the central drawer. Attractive original surface, colour and patina. Some additional old marks and discoloration as expected to leather surface. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
