Featured Governor Winthrop Style Desk - Price Point

This hasn't been priced yet, but will probably go out on the floor today. It is a secretary in the style of a Governor Winthrop. The shop believes it is from the 1920s. At what price point should I turn away in your estimation. I see them selling for $500- $600, but that could be before the bottom fell out of the market. Since it's not ready for sale I could only get a few pictures. I didn't see a marker's mark.

 

It's a serpentine slant lid or fall front desk. In the chippendale style.
Boy, I dunno, $500 sounds high to me plus desks in general are a very tough sell these days, even 18th-century ones are going for a song at auction. They have lost their function & have yet to find a new niche in today's world.

 

James. Thanks so much for this. I get taken up when I see any furniture that evokes a time in the past. I was attracted by the curved bits, but I have a built in secretary in my house, so essentially this would be a huge paperweight.

 

Yeah, THAT'S the problem with desks these days, lost their function and are basically dust collectors, hence the bottom has fallen out of that market.
If you do get it, I'd get rid of that dark finish, looks like mahogany which has been covered up with that black finish.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I would have to strip off that hard outer layer to see the mahogany underneath. I need a new project like I need a hole in my head, so it would sit around for a long time before I got to it. I'll check back and see what she wants. Sometimes the prices are not reasonable.

 

Wait for Brad & Ghopper on price but I'd guess $500. is way too high.

 

Thank you. Since there were others who were interested in it and it might be sold quickly, I'll ask them directly. @verybrad and @Ghopper1924 - could you please give me a comment about price?

 

There ya go!
A quick LiveAuctioneers has this one
A "real" Chippendale 18th-century C. 1770 slant lid in highly figured solid walnut. With ogee bracket feet and fluted quarter columns, probably Pennsylvania.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/93557248_walnut-chippendale-slant-front-desk-18th-c

Has 1 bid, $300.

 

Wow. To think something that gorgeous and period could be had under 5 figures is astonishing to me. Okay. No paperweight for me.

 

20 years ago, that walnut desk above would be worth 5k at least! Today hard to give away, you can't buy the walnut on that desk for $300. A little insane but that's the market now on desks, DEAD!

 

Completely a shame, I agree. I have to keep in mind, there are actual things that I need to replace with real antiques and not spend my money on non essentials.

 

I had a desk much like Kiko's, which I inherited from a relative. It was from the 1940s. 10 years ago I ended up donating it to a friend for stock for her antique store. Before that I couldn't give it away. I wouldn't pay more than $100 for it, and then only if you love it.

I'd spend $300 and get that REAL Chippendale.

 

Perfect. That's what I wanted to know. Thanks so much for weighing in.

 

She priced it at $395. Thanks for all your comments. It won't be coming home with me at that price.

 

Yeah agrees, it's not worth that I don't think, not in today's market. I bet it's still there a month from now.

 

She will use it to showcase other items until she gets a new big piece. That's when she might start dropping the price.

 

No comparison in the 2 desks. The first is a paperweight while the second is a work of art.

 

Gorgeous isn’t it. If only I needed either.

 

True!
You see the same sort of thing with early 19th century Federal sideboards with few exceptions (southern huntboards come immediately to mind), absolutely gorgeous sideboards that are all hand made going for a song at auction.
Again, lost their function and nobody wants them.

 

Think even $395.00 too high. It would need to be under $150.00 and spruced up to sell here.