Antique Louis XV/XIV French Gold Leaf Secretary Desk

Alrighty folks, after receiving some great information from fellow members I am putting this item up for sale! Fiancee is threatening to sand and paint this piece if I don't get it out of the house (I can hear your cringing!)

Consensus is that this looks like it is a 20th Century reproduction of a Louis XV/XIV desk. There are no markings as to maker or origin, but apparently this is pretty common.

The drawer cabinet that sits on top of the desk is missing the two top drawers, but the desk cabinet has all three drawers as pictured.

I inherited this desk from a relative a month ago and was given no information other than "this is an antique gold-leaf secretary desk" with a value listed at $4,000-- So I am deferring to the superior knowledge of the members here in my description.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer! I am not sure how to price this (or why the value is listed at $4,000) but I am willing to consider all offers! I have never shipped furniture before, so I am going to place that responsibility on the purchaser--pickup is fine, I live near Cleveland, OH.

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hmmm..do you think there were really two extra drawers up top? I'm not convinced

 

The top part probably never had drawers, those are just two small shelves. In one picture it looks as if the 'drawer' aperture tapers. The drawer fronts would have been an awkward shape to make as well. And who loses two drawers?

I'd take it to a local mid range auction hose and be done with it.

Dang, typed too slowly

 

With regard to the drawers, I was going off of a comment made in the thread I created to help identify age/origin. Happy to hear I may not be missing these!

As I am an antique newbie, can you offer any advice on how to find a decent mid range auction house in the Cleveland, OH area?
Thanks!

 

Wolfe's has a good reputation, long-standing, I think. They sell all kinds of stuff.

 

Thanks Gila, just received a response from the email I sent them earlier in the day!

 

My pleasure!
I have been on both ends (buyer and seller) with them, and found them to be fair and capable.
Good luck!

 

Update?