antique victorian inlaid writing table desk manner of edwards & roberts c.1880

This is a lovely late VicorianGonçalo Alvesand Marquetry writing table / desk, Circa 1880 in date and in the manner of Edwards & Roberts.

The rectangular top has a moulded edge and features satinwood banding with an inset gold tooled green leather writing surface over a central frieze drawer flanked by six small drawers, all superbly decorated with wonderful marquetry of swags and garlands.It is raised on four elegant square tapering legs that terminate in their original brass castors.Complete with working locks and keys, this elegant desk will make a wonderful addition to your home.Condition:In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned polished and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.Dimensions in cm:Height 75 x Width 122 x Depth 57Height 61 x Width 53-Kneehole dimensionsDimensions in inches:Height 2 foot, 5 inches x Width 4 foot x Depth 1 foot, 10 inchesHeight 2 foot x Width 1 foot, 9 inches-Kneehole dimensions
Our reference: A2005
Edwards & RobertsThe firm Edwards & Roberts was one of the best English antique furniture cabinet makers of the second half of the eighteenth century. The company was founded in 1845 and by 1854 was trading as ‘Edwards & Roberts', 21 Wardour Street, Antique and Modern Cabinet Makers and Importers of Ancient Furniture'. By 1892 they occupied more than a dozen buildings in Wardour Street, where they continued to trade until the end of the century.They became one of the leading London cabinet makers and retailers producing high quality furniture and working in a variety of styles, both modern and revivalist. Their business also involved retailing, adapting and restoring the finest antique furniture and there are many examples of their earlier furniture with later embellishments bearing their stamp.The quality of timber used was always the best quality with fine burr walnuts, finely figured mahogany and lighter toned satinwood as they specialised in marquetry, inlay and ormolu.Gonçalo Alves is a hardwood (from the Portuguese name, Gonçalo Alves). It is sometimes referred to as tigerwood — a name that underscore the wood's often dramatic, contrasting color scheme.While the sapwood is very light in color, the heartwood is a sombre brown, with dark streaks that give it a unique look. The wood's color deepens with exposure and age and even the plainer-looking wood has a natural luster.Two species are usually listed as sources for gonçalo alves: Astronium fraxinifolium and Astronium graveolens, although other species in the genus may yield similar wood; the amount of striping that is present may vary.In the high tropical forests of Central and South America, well-drained soils furnish nutrients for a variety of dense, durable hardwoods sought for maritime use, heavyconstruction, and furniture. The Spanish began harvesting in Latin American forests in the early 1500s to provide timber for boatbuilding and repair. By the early 1900s, however, steel ships had replaced wooden ones, and the interest in tropical forests by both Europeans and Americans shifted to appearance-grade woods for furniture.Although history fails to provide us with a shopping list of species from either harvest period, it's probable that the wood we know today as goncalo alves has always been sought. That's because goncalo alves, considered one of the most beautiful of tropical woods, has a tough reputation, too. Strong and durable, it's used for construction in its homeland and secondarily for fine furniture. Woodworkers elsewhere treasure the wood for decorative items and veneer accents.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: VX954WXA2

Width (cm):

122

Height (cm):

75

Depth (cm):

57

Here on antiques co uk we love antiques and specialise in selling antiques. Even though this item was for sale and is now sold or otherwise now unavailable we have many more items for sale including vintage antiques, silver, tables, watches, jewellery and much more for your interiors and home.

Search all the antiques currently for sale on www.antiques co uk. Or why not consider selling your antiques and making sales more easily with us!