Victorian Flame Mahogany Leather Top Ladies Writing Desk

A small mid 19th century flame mahogany writing desk of absolutely superb quality, with the original tooled leather top, hidden pen tray and ink well, concealed frieze drawer, and beautifully turned legs and stretchers standing on Cope and Collinson brass castors. This is one of the nicest tables/desks we’ve ever had the pleasure to own. The quality is absolutely faultless - there is no makers mark or badge, but I think it must have been built by a very competent cabinetmaker. The turned legs and stretcher are my favourite element - absolutely beautifully done. The desk top has a green tooled leather surface which as far as we can tell is original. At the rear of the desk is a little compartment with a lift up lid, containing a storage area for pens and space for an ink pot - this is of dovetailed construction, even though you can only see the dovetails if you take the drawer out and look under the top. The freize drawer has a hidden finger pull recess underneath, and is made from mahogany throughout with very delicate little dovetails. The drawer is shaped to fit around the pen/ink storage area. The Cope and Collinson patent castors run freely, but are badly tarnished and the name stamp is barely legible. The desk is of quite compact proportions so I assume would have been intended as a ‘ladies desk’. The back is finished so it can stand in the centre of the room, or in front of a window, if desired. It would be a pleasure to use as desk, but would also make a lovely dressing table, hall table or side table. It dates from c1850 - 1860.