18th Century Neoclassical Italian Walnut Writing Desk

Description

Stunning writing desk hand-made in Italy in the mid 1700s using walnut. This really is the mother of all Italian … more Stunning writing desk hand-made in Italy in the mid 1700s using walnut. This really is the mother of all Italian scrivanie (writing desks): its lines, details and overall look make it a perfect piece for whoever is looking for a classical piece that can stand front and center in an office. This, honestly, is the type of writing desk that may actually make me sit down and start doing my taxes, or at least act like I am doing them!
The writing desk is simple and elegant with long tapered legs, inset drawers and a straight edge top. The top is made of two book-matched boards and decorated with a rectangular inlay of walnut and satinwood. On the front the desk features five drawers: a large central one and four smaller ones, two on each side. The drawers create a nook for a person to sit and work. On top of the central drawer a small writing surface slides out, if needed. The drawer fronts all all decorated with the same inlay found on the top (and on the sides), and all have wooden shield escutcheons as well as hand-made dovetail joints. The part that sets this writing desk away from the rest and truly shows that it was made by and for someone really attentive to details is the back. In fact, the back of the desk is decorated with faux drawers that look exactly like the ones in the front, making this a perfectly well-balanced piece of furniture that can potentially sit in the middle of a room. less