18th Century Italian Walnut Pedestal Desk

This lovely pedestal desk is in the classical style that was introduced to Europe by the great French designers. However this desk was probably made in the north of Italy. The maker has chosen beautifully figured burr walnut. Consisting of two pedestals containing cupboards and a central drawer linking the two, used as the canvas for beautiful patterns created using various different cuts of walnut, ranging from relatively straight grained timber used inside the kneehole section to the bookmatched figured burr pieces used on the top which has attained a glorious colour as well. The top is also complemented by a wide crossbanding of straighter grained wood and some simple stringing, which is also on the drawer and cupboard door fronts. The drawer handles are cast paterae and beaded designs. The door handles on the cupboards show a female figure in billowing robes crowning the bust of a gentleman on a pedestal. The piece stands on short, tapering square sectioned legs with toupie feet. The interior of the piece has been lined in paper.