In the manner of William Vile, the slightly breakfront crossbanded rectangular top inset with gilt-tooled brown leather and with outset angles, fitted with three frieze drawers above a paneled arched kneehole drawer, each side flanked by three drawers and scrolling volutes, the back similarly fitted and the sides mounted with brass carrying handles, the angles carved with foliate volutes headed by rosettes on a molded plinth base, mounted with fire-gilt brass scrolling foliate handles and escutcheons, raised in height
33¹⁄₂ in. (85 cm.) high, 68 in. (173 cm.) wide, 41¹⁄₂ in. (105.5 cm.) deep

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Lot Essay

The refined details of this impressive desk, with its richly carved acanthus volute angles and rococo pattern brass handles, indicates that it was supplied by one of the leading cabinet-makers of the time. A related desk of more elaborate form, but also featuring acanthus-carved angles and almost identical handles, reputedly formerly owned by the Duke of Wellington and subsequently in the celebrated collection of Judge Irwin Untermyer, was sold from the Metropolitan Museum, Christie’s, New York, 27 October 2015, lot 92 ($341,000) This desk was associated with the work of the London cabinet-maker William Gomm on the basis of a documented commode supplied by Gomm to Stonelight Abbey with similar angles (sold Christie’s, London, 5 July 1990, lot 149). Handles of this distinctive rococo pattern feature on a number of pieces attributed to Thomas Chippendale, for instance a library desk sold Christie’s, New York, 18 October 2017, lot 627A ($168,750). A further related kneehole desk was sold from the celebrated collection of English furniture formed by Walter Chrysler, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 29-30 April 1960, lot 235.