Important 18th Century Italian Walnut Desk

This handsome, large scale walnut kneehole desk is an important example of its kind. The decoration consists of book-matched walnut veneers to the top with a wide crossbanded border and panelled doors, also used inside the three sides of the kneehole section, a sign of excellent quality. The door on the back conceals a central cupboard section and there are further cupboards which can be accessed through doors on the sides. Clearly this was a desk that was designed to be placed in the middle of a room, possibly for use in a library. Behind the doors on the front are a series of drawers, also with panelled fronts. There are also concealed slim drawers in parts of the frieze and a pull out writing slide above the central kneehole. This is a desk of great quality and workmanship that needs to be seen in person to be properly appreciated. Highly unusual and sophisticated for its date, this is an exceptional example