Marvellous Furniture

Description

Designed and made by Shapland & Petter of Barnstable, this solid oak desk has a leather top above an arrangement of seven drawers and two shelves. It has two retractable side shelves on either side of the top and the handles are of copper and brass. The middle drawer has a bow front and the distinctive legs are square-sectioned with a bulge in the middle. The drawer linings and bottoms are made of solid oak and the back is panelled.

It is stamped 'S & P B' to the lock of one drawer and also stamped with the design number R1550 to the back. This model desk was available with or without a three-quarter gallery and, although there is evidence of three small holes on the top of this desk, I believe that these were filled in the factory and that it was sold without the gallery. Prior to being refinished there was no sign that anything had ever sat upon the top of the desk.

It measures 122cm wide, 63cm deep and 77.5cm high. The kneehole is 46cm wide and 62cm high.

In very good refinished condition with a new three-piece leather on top. The two bottom drawers have required small repairs to their linings and all seven drawers are now solid and smooth-running. Four of the five locks appear to be replacements, though one is original and bears the 'S & P B' stamp.