GEORGE II MAHOGANY DOUBLE SIDED KNEEHOLE DESK

A George II mahogany double sided kneehole desk, the drawers with ebonised cockbeading, retaining the original brasses and locks, the top with re-entrant corners, the underside of the kneehole branded CLAREMONT.
Restorations to bracket feet.

Attributed to the St Martins Lane circle of cabinet makers.
It is likely that the branded stamp is an inventory, or possibly delivery mark for the Duke of Newcastle at Claremont, Surrey.

The original Mansion House at Claremont Surrey was formed by Sir John Vanbrugh for the 1st Duke of Newcastle, in a landscape designed by Sir William Kent, in the early 18th Century. The estate was sold to Lord Clive in 1768, the house demolished and rebuilt on higher ground to the designs of Capability Brown and Henry Holland.

Whilst deceptively plain in appearance, this kneehole pedestal desk displays the unusual feature of inlaid brass handles, both real and dummied to the reverse. This characteristic links this piece to the group of more elaborate brass inlaid mahogany and padouk furniture produced in the second quarter of the 18th Century.

This grouping centered on the workshops of John Channon in St Martins Lane, remains shadowy and under researched. It evidently included foreign born craftsmen such as Frederick Hintz, of particular interest in this case is the maker J.Gravely whose brand is found on a very fine bureau bookcase with similarly inset brass handles and extensive brass inlays, sold at Christies in 1963.
It is quite possible that a member of this circle supplied furniture to the first Duke of Newcastle, ranging from high status brass marquetry pieces to less expensive but good quality everyday items such as this desk.

Stock Number: 19079/win11
SOLD

Height: 30 in / 76.2 cm
Width: 37.25 in / 94.62 cm
Depth: 25 in / 63.5 cm