Antique mahogany kneehole desk

Mahogany leather top kneehole pedestal desk. From either 18th or 19th century, has Roman numerals on the spaces for the drawers as well as matching Roman numerals on the drawers themselves. 1 long top drawer with lock. Lock is stamped Eagel Lock Co Terryville Conn. Which was a major lock company from 1833-1975. Also there is a pull out drawer underneath the large too drawer as if a place to write. And another locking cabinet door under the desk in the center. Leather top as well is green and gold in color and intact in one piece very little tears. Appears to be all hand crafted, wood is held together by finger overlay or interlace no hardware. The rails of the drawers are also just wood.

 

Hi,
Really nice desk!!!! Would come back to life with a good cleaning and waxing.
greg

 

How do you suggest I clean it. I am affriad of using anything to harsh on it

 

Welcome Jessica, if you can go back and edit your post, and select “Full Image view” you will get more attention. Also perhapes @daveydempsey or @Bookahtoo can move this over to the Furniture area of the forum. I am sure you will get some good info once the furniture experts step in.

Take care.

 

You wouldnt happen to know anything about possibly when the year it was made would you? I inherrited this and love it but know littke about it

 

Thank you for the suggestions greatly appreciated

 

Hi,
I would wipe it down with mineral spirits. Just slosh it on and wipe it off. Then I would let it dry and a good paste wax. If some of the color is missing give it a good soak with Old English Scratch Cover ( the dark stuff) and wax it again. I forgot to say remove the brasses so the wax can cover the missing areas from the brasses. How you polish the brasses is up to you. Just remember to wax the brasses before you reinstall them. Front and back. I like shiny brass but that is me.
greg

 

Think you mean "either 19th or 20th century." The lock maker wasn't working in the 18th century.

Debora

 

We'd have to see more pics,like of the drawer joints,interior woods (bottom of drawer,inside woods etc) but my feeling its a later reproduction.Possibly 1940s.Its a nice piece.

 

Block front knee hole desk in chippendale style, not period. It could be late 19th century, can't see any construction but agree with @johnnycb09 , more likely 20th century.

 

Third vote for 20th C repro. Nice, though.

 

Welcome to Antiquers Jessica!

 

there are matching Roman numerals for the drawer placement

 

@James Conrad @johnnycb09 there are a few more photos. Thanks so much for the information talk have provided. I inherrited this from my grandmother and I was debating on selling it since I live in an apartment and I just dont have the space. Wasnt sure on the background or where to even start as for a price and I just didbt want to get ripped off. And since it was my grandmothers I wanted it to go to someone who could appreciate the piece.

 

20th century for sure but nicely made.

 

Yep, is. You don't see that many block fronts, difficult build even for a repro.

 

"Block Front" came onto the american furniture world during the queen anne period and flourished during the chippendale era (1765-1800). At first, it was just straight blocks as OP desk is but someone (we don't know who) at the goddard/townsend cabinet shop in Newport RI decided to add carved shells at the top of the "blocks" and, an American Masterpiece in furniture was born.

Signed by John Townsend 1765- at the MET


Attributed to John Townsend- at the MET

 

Hi James,
Thanks for the photo of the Townsend desk. I have lusted over it for years. The second one is okay but the first one still takes my breathe away.
greg

 

Yes, powerful piece, no doubt! The way the blocking goes all the way to the apron & feet is very impressive cabinet making.