Featured French Desk

Looking at this desk for sale nearby. Seller grew up in France and says he received it from his grandfather in the early 70's. I think this would be called Directoire style, correct? Are there any clues from these pictures as to how old this might be? And can any of the wood experts tell what it's made of? Looks like maybe cherry.

 

LOVE the little escutcheons!!!!!!!!

 

Yes, me too, and apparently all three drawers have working locks with keys.

 

Looks pretty new to me; center drawer in particular, both finish and how it is mounted. Certainly looks 20th century to me, guess about mid century, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask for drawer internals which could give much more info.

 

So I decided to buy it and here are some more photos showing drawer details, and underside with and without drawers. Looks and feels well made, and older than mid 20th century to me, but beyond that I have no idea. Let me know what y'all think and if any additional photos would be helpful.

 

Your NEXT to Last image....on clicking FULL SIZE, has the bottom drawer closest to us got a case of termites?????? (tiny holes??) ACTIVE???? If so, I'd do something about that, first thing!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like a little bit in mid section & that end framework as well!! Also shows up in last image....But I really like the desk!!

 

Thanks, I like it too, and I'll check out the termite situation. The seller turned out to be a woman (hard to tell with some French names) . I felt kind of bad buying the desk her grandfather gave her, but she was moving and decided to sell off all her furniture. She said her grandfather was born in 1903 but she had no idea when the desk was purchased or how old it was.

 

I think more likely woodworm than termites.

 

Me too.

 

often sold as Empire. many different variations. good stuff for average money.

 

Great desk, and very nice leather, escutcheons, feet. Drawer fronts seem like veneered oak, which wasn't done in the mid 20th century. Probably not 1820s either, but something in between. Make sure you neutralize that woodworm situation, though it looks old. The overall color looks all over the place, and will be much nicer to look at once cleaned. A couple of glueblocks are missing from the back, but I don't know what they might have held.