Featured Gold leaf paint secretary desk--unknown age/origin/manufacturer

Hello all!

Received this piece from a relative and don't know a thing about it other than that it is an 'antique gold-leaf secretary desk'.

None of my internet scouring has been productive regarding manufacturer/age/origin. Hoping someone here can assist, it seems like a fairly unique piece!

Special thanks to KingOfThings for the helpful posting tips!

(Pardon my wife in her robe, these were taken prior to coffee!)

~

 

You're quite welcome and thank you for saying so!
Very easy to see and read all.

 

It appears to be a 20th C reproduction of a Louis XV French desk.

Although somewhat over the top the style still has some followers.

Fairly unique is a solecism, unique cannot take a comparative. Unusual, certainly.

 

Just for fun, I'll say that it looks to me to be French in inspiration, Louis XV/XIV - style? That said, I have no idea if it came from IKEA or old France... happily, furniture brainiacs will be along to tell us!

EDIT
There's one now! *pointing upwards to AF*
I really must refresh my screen more often!

 

Thanks for the responses! I definitely see what you are talking about with Louis XV/XIV style--just wish it had some sort of marking so I could know for sure.

 

Antiques and most notably furniture are not generally dated by markings but by style and construction, which are usually enough.

Think of it like telling a 1920s car from a 1950s example, or a 1980s one. See enough stuff and you learn its timeline.

 

Is there some lady in blue robe at some picture?

 

That's his wife!
Clearly a saint, to allow photography before coffee (see above!)...

 

Indeed there is, that's the wifey! We unwrapped the piece early this morning and clearly were not completely concious

 

Its so exaggerated I cant help but think later interpretation of a French style . Maybe 70s ? That being said , its so over the top I would gladly use it in my house !

 

Johnny, that makes sense to me, as a novice. I was just studying the French and Louis styles related, and this one really does seem to use almost every flourish, bell and whistle, and option... as you said, really over the top! I like it, too!

 

Happy to hear it has a few fans out there! First thing out of my fiancees mouth when she saw it was "...eww...".

 

Well, you photo'd her before coffee!!!!! Take your penance, Mr. Man!

 

A valid and astute observation! Noted

 

*nodding sagely*
Mmmmm-hmmmm.

 

Put me in the ewwwww crowd. Very over the top French style desk. I would think this is 50s or later. Possibly made in Italy.

 

It funny sometimes see pictures on eBay and see "people are visible" in some items.... and not every time they are dressed properly..... better say: they are not dressed.... (It is not about your wife. )

 

Ahhh .... Reflectoporn!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/reflectoporn-hits-auction-site-693817

 

But the worst when sellers put some items on the very dirty floor for taking pictures and in same time they take pictures with their "terrible! dirty! ugly! feet!!!!!!".
And what interesting: buyers from ebay BUY these items ANYWAY! OMG! They can see "where that item was" and "who keep that item in her / his hands", but buy it anyway!

 

SCANDALOUS!!!!
*searching eBay for teapots, toasters and shinies*
What??? RESEARCH!