Desk Reproduction Valued at $1,400 By Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson
Scripps Howard News Service
Dear Helaine and Joe: I inherited this small desk from an older friend. There is no name or makers mark on it. The slanted top folds down to reveal three small drawers and a leather covered writing surface. Where is this desk from and how valuable is it? --R. C., Corpus Christi, Texas
 | The origin of this a particular "bureau en pente" is continental Europe (probably France, England or Austria) and despite the fact that this piece is an early 20th-century reproduction (circa 1920), it has a respectable value of between $1,400 and $1,600 for insurance replacement purposes. (Photo courtesy of Joe Rosson.) |
Dear R. C.: The telephone and the computer have driven a sharp pointy stake through the heart of the fine old art of letter writing. Children had rather go to the dentist than to pen a note to grandmother, and many adults think a "letter" is something Vanna turns over on "Wheel of Fortune."
In days gone by, however, letter writing was an everyday occurrence, and during the reign of France's King Louis XV, it became a popular obsession. Desks became an essential piece of furniture, and in fashionable homes they could be found in almost every room.
As a result, 18th-century French cabinetmakers known as "ebenists" (e.g. makers of veneered furniture) excelled in the crafting of small desks or writing tables. Dainty, table-like pieces with enclosed interiors were know as "bureau de dame" (chests for women) and they were commonly found in the boudoir, bedroom salon and drawing room.
Sometimes, these desks were also called "bureau en pente"--a term that indicates a piece of furniture used solely for writing. As a general rule, these were slant front desks on elegantly tapered curvilinear cabriole legs, which are composed of a graceful double curve (the upper portion is out-curving or convex, and the lower portion is in-curving or concave and together they make a very graceful 'S' shape).
The surface of R. C.'s particular "bureau en pente" is beautifully covered with a decorative layer of burl wood veneer. A burl, incidentally, is a knot or lump, usually dome shaped, found growing on the trunk of trees. These protuberances are caused by fungal disease or by insects attacking the tree.
The inside of one of these burls contains many tiny knot like "eyes," and when the burl is sliced into thin sheets, a beautiful grain pattern is revealed that is commonly used by furniture makers for inlay or veneering. Most often, burls are seen on walnut, ash, birch, yew or poplar trees but they can be found on other types of trees.
The burl veneering on R. C.'s desk has been accented with ebonized wood trim around the crest and apron and in a frame-like pattern on the slant front. The result is both a bit unusual and very lovely.
The origin of this a particular "bureau en pente" is continental Europe (probably France, England or Austria) and despite the fact that this piece is an early 20th century reproduction (circa 1920), it has a respectable value of between $1,400 and $1,600 for insurance replacement purposes.
(Helaine Fendelman is feature editor at Country Living magazine and Joe Rosson writes about antiques at The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee. Questions can be mailed to them at PO Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.)
