Victorian Wright & Mansfield Coromandel Wood Writing Desk

A fine quality 19th Century (c.1875) Victorian antique coromandel wood writing desk by Wright & Mansfield, dating from circa 1875. The superstructure with two banks of two short drawers surmounted by three quarter brass galleries and flanking a boarded back panel above a leather-lined oblong top over a pair of frieze drawers on oblong end supports with out-splayed sabre legs terminating in brass caps and castors. The drawer is stamped “Wright & Mansfield 104 Bond St.” This is a fine Regency revival piece by this celebrated late Victorian manufacturer. In very good condition, the timber is of particularly good colour and figuring. Coromandel wood is a highly prized dense tropical hardwood used in the best quality furniture. It is one of the most valuable decorative hardwoods. Originating from Indonesia Coromandel wood picked up its misleading name by being transported in the days of the East India Company through the Coromandel Coast of South East India. Wright & Mansfield, the partnership of Alfred Wright, a cabinet maker and Thomas Mansfield, a decorator, were one of the finest makers of marquetry furniture in London, working from circa 1860 to 1886. They were established at 3 Great Portland Street, and subsequently moved to 104 New Bond Street, London, until they closed in 1886. Despite their comparatively short commercial career they were the leading exponents of Adam and Sheraton Revival furniture of their time, and produced some spectacular furniture. We had this item independently valued and it was given an insurance value of £5000. Wood/Construction:- Coromandel Wood /Coromandel Wood Veneer / Mahogany