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Writing desk: M.3-1993

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An image of Writing desk
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown

Entities

Categories

Description

Fall front writing desk of padouk, on softwood stand veneered with rosewood(?), the two drawers with replacement brass handles

The desk of padouk wood; the stand of softwood with rosewood(?) veneer. The brass handles are later replacements. The desk has a fall front with two drawers beneath, inside drawers (one replaced), and slots, with a central compartment pulling out to reveal four secret drawers. It stands on a (possibly later but purpose-built) stand with cabriole legs terminating in square 'paintbrush' feet. The secret drawers are inscribed in Chinese characters equivalent to 'upper left; lower left; upper right; lower right' but they no longer fit in the correct order.

Notes

History note: Beazor & Sons, Regent Street, Cambridge, c. 1978, from whom the donor purchased it.

Legal notes

Given by Dr Donald Kellaway.

Measurements and weight

Depth: 63.5 cm
Height: 99.5 cm
Width: 102.5 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1993) by Kellaway, Thomas Donald, Dr

Dating

18th Century, first half
Circa 1701 CE - Circa 1750 CE

School or Style

colonial

Components of the work

Stand composed of rosewood ( veneer, possibly)
Desk composed of padouk

Identification numbers

Accession number: M.3-1993
Primary reference Number: 77269

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 22 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Writing desk" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/77269 Accessed: 2025-12-05 07:13:33

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/77269 |title=Writing desk |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 07:13:33|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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