English Georgian Writing Table

An elegant English Georgian writing table in neoclassical style with nine lockable drawers. This writing table, that is designed to stand freely in an office, has square tapered legs that end in brass casters. The leather-clad top has a wide mahogany rim. The outer rim of the leather top is decorated with a stylized gilt vine.
The writing table has four drawers at the side of the proprietor and is cut out in the middle part for extra legroom. At the front the desk has five drawers. All drawers can be separately locked with a key. The locks with consecutive serial numbers – 6 421 to 6 429 – are marked R BARRON.
The sides of the writing table are decorated with faux drawers with gilt-bronze handles decorated with garlands draped over stylized flowerheads. The drawers at the front and back of the desk are fitted with the same handles.

Although a large part of English furniture from the Georgian period (1714-1801) is characterized as “to the French taste”, this late Georgian writing table shows a much more sober style with straightforward shapes and straight lines. This development, initiated by Robert Adam, returns to the simplicity and elegance of the Classical. This neoclassical style with its geometric shapes and ornaments in Roman and Greek style can easily be recognized in this elegant writing table.

Robert Barron developed a “double acting lever tumbler lock” in 1778, an invention that replaced the then customary warded locks and improved the safety of 18th century locks considerably.