Featured Can anyone tell me about this piece!

Hello all!
I got this piece from my grandmother. I know it had a cover but it is long gone at this point. I tried looking up secretary desks/hallway desks/typewriter desks. But I just couldn’t find anything that looked like this! There are no real markings I could find-just what you see below.
Much appreciating any help!! o_<

 

Thank you!! Haha resizing was quite a process-but it ended up pretty easy in the end. I hope as well-I am curious about this piece!

 

Hello Rachel, welcome.
It is a very nice Art Nouveau desk/vanity, but it looks like it is missing a drop-front (if that is the right term). I love the handles.
The furniture people will be able to tell you more.

 

Welcome to Antiquers RachelO!

 

Thank you! This place is amazing-I don't know how I didn't find it sooner haha. I agree! The handles are really beautiful!! I've never seen ones like them. They actually feel great to use as well.

 

!!Thank you very much!!

 

My pleasure!

 

Welcome to the forums. Nice item you have there.

 

Circa 1900 American golden oak period drop front secretary desk. Little more elaborate than most. These are often called Larkin desks since the Larkin Soap Co. offered many versions of these as premiums for using their soap products.

 

Interesting article about the Larkin Desk ….

http://www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/furniture_detective_larkin_desk/

 

JMHO.
someone's idea of "école de Nancy".
a bit Majorelle at the bottom, a bit Guimard a the top with the two small drawers.
best would be if you were near Nancy (not Sinatra !) to ask if there were cabinetmakers that have worked in cheaper materials.

 

Thank you for that -- you can see a wee bit of my mother's desk in this photo. I'm pretty sure it falls into the "Larkin Desk" category. And I did not know that before today!

 

I wasn't looking at the desk... you've fallen into a nest of cat people. I saw a gray fuzzy troublemaker and wasn't paying any attention to the desk!

 

Thank you very much! I hope to find out more about it so I can see what I'd like to do with it haha

 

Thank you for your insight! I read the article and it's really interesting-I had heard about Soap desks but didn't know all this! This is very cool!!

 

Hahah thank you! I looked up these styles and what you said and it really is a combo of them. I love that someone thought to make this. It's soo odd!

 

Cuuuuuuuute kitty!!