Louis XVI Desk?

I have been asked whether I would be interesting in buying a desk from some people I know, I am really interested in buying, but wanted to get some feedback. The owners don’t know much about it, other than it was described as a Louis XVI Cylinder Desk. They say that it is made out of Rosewood and has an Italian Marble top. It has a mechanical function in that when you open the main drawer, the roll top area opens and the drawers at the top are unlocked. The desk certainly shows age and has significantly darkened on the exterior. The interior wood is quite a bit lighter.

There are no markings on the desk to speak of, except for on the small drawers at the top of the desk. They are numbered 1 – 3 in what appears to be pencil. The dovetails look to be hand made, but I am not 100% sure of that. I have included several pictures below. Any details you can provide would be very much appreciated!

 

Nice desk. Does look like it could be rosewood or maybe mahogany. Dovetails are hand cut. I think this is probably 19th or early 20th century in origin but am not an expert in such furniture.

 

nice desk...classy.....nice marble....
the outside is stained ...so the inside always looks lighter...

how much they asking..?

 

It almost looks like a piano,doesnt it? I agree with Brad,I think this is a later piece.You dont see the wear and tear one would expect from an older piece.That being said,its quality for sure and quite lovely.Id buy it.

 

the upper roll top is sweet !

 

I was thinking 19teens-20s, European.
Nice piece.
You didn't say if you were buying for yourself or resale. Price depends on what it is worth to you and what you are comfortable with.

 

Thanks for all the comments! I really like the style of the desk, but I am not sure about the size. It is fairly small. They are asking $950, so I am not sure if I am going to go for it or not. I wanted to see what others thought first.

 

It's really nice....& at 30 , you'll have it for another 50 years...!
1. you can amortize the cost over that time..
2. you can bargain them down !
3. you can continue to search for similar sold items in the hope of establishing a proper value.
4. can can tell them , brown furniture is very depressed at the moment, and offer them $550.

It all depends on your needs, on your means, & kinda like who they are...& where you are !!!
Your avatar shows you in the middle Atlantic ......so if you bring it there....
it will indeed SINK !!!...

 

Here's a similar one with a marble top but has a gallery around the top marble. Scroll down a little:
https://www.rubylane.com/item/61838-541897x20GY1016/Antique-French-Desk-Cylinder-roll-Marquetry

--- Susan

 

All great information. I appreciate it! Thanks, everyone!

 

For today's market that seems a little high.
Take a chair and sit down at it, that is the only way to know how it will fit you.

I am guessing they bought this a while back when prices were higher. Probably paid somewhere close to that and are looking to make their money back plus a little.

It is an unusual piece, so paying the price they are asking is up to you and how much you like it. Don't buy it thinking you will double your money in 10 years, because that probably will not happen.

As komo said, you might mention that prices on antique furniture have dropped drastically.

If I really liked it and wanted it, I would offer $700 and hope they countered at $800.

You really cannot go into a furniture store and buy solid wood furniture. It is usually part particle board, stapled together, and a lot more expensive.