The only daughter of H.M. King George V (d. 1936) and H.M. Queen Mary (d. 1953), H. R. H. The Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess Harewood was an impressive connoisseur and collector of both objets de luxe and furniture of the highest quality; already having accumulating a sizable collection of her own by the time she and her husband moved into Harewood House in 1929. The present pedestal desk was acquired by the Royal Princess directly from Her Majesty. Originally part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham palace, a letter from mother to daughter, dated June 1930 reads: 'So glad you like the satinwood table and you may have it with pleasure, will you give me £50 for it …Your sitting room is far more important than a bedroom here. Don't mention it to Papa as I don't think he has been in the room for years'. In a return letter to her mother, Princess Mary described how 'delighted [she was] with the satinwood writing table, it is so nice to write at and looks well in the room'. Indeed, the piece was selected by the Princess from a bedroom at Buckingham palace specifically to match the 18th century satinwood pieces displayed in her sitting room at Harewood, including the renowned Diana and Minerva by Thomas Chippendale.
We are grateful to Rebecca Burton, Curator & Archivist at Harewood House, for providing the above letter transcription and archival information.
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Good country house condition. With the inevitable marks, scratches and shrinkage consistent with age and use. The top with some marks and stains to the leather as to be expected, along with some gouges and tears to the top. Originally with long drawers throughout and adapted to current configuration with two long and two short drawers to frieze and two banks of four short drawers to pedestals with opposing cupboard doors. The reverse of the top originally with a dummy drawer frieze (where short drawers now located) and two long drawers. Extant long drawers to frieze and short drawers to pedestals apparently adapted, re-veneered and reduced in depth. Various minor losses to banding and stringing. The whole re-veneered over Victorian twin pedestal desk in satinwood with tulipwood bandings and stringing, the drawers originally each with two wooden knobs. Later metal work. The plinth re-shaped and adapted. The steel anti-friction castors later. Some shrinkage damage to veneers on side of pedestals with various minor losses to veneers and banding overall. Later shelves to pedestal and doors probably adapted. Remains of another label printed 'Bought by The Qu...(?)' to underside.
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Lot 42Sale 22697
FIRST QUARTER 20TH CENTURYA ROYAL GEORGE V SATINWOOD PEDESTAL DESKEstimate: GBP 5,000 - 8,000
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