English Papier Maché Lady’s Writing Desk

No. RD10529

A rare English papier maché lady’s writing cabinet, decorated with mother of pearl, intricate painting & gilded.
The desk is in the manner of Jennens and Betridge, painted with Gothic castles and landscapes.

The scene on the very top is signed “Kenilworth Castle”, the two door paintings are signed “Netley Abbey” and “Melrose Abbey” and the large lid scene is signed, "Windsor Castle". 
We have matching photos and early paintings of these sites. 

The desk has a fitted interior with cobalt velvet and paper lining, lower drawers fitted for sewing.  The whole rests on scrolled trestle base.
The top lifts off to expose a fantastic mother-of-pearl and gilded chess board.  

We have all the reference books on papier maché and there are only a handful of case pieces, most papier mâché pieces are small (tea caddies, sewing boxes, a few chairs and candlestands).   We've always liked papier maché pieces but this is by far the best ever!

• Origin English
• Circa Mid 19th c.
• Height 47 in
• Width 24 3/4 in
• Depth 21 in

R. Jorgensen Antiques

It began with a dream. After selling their Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Montana in 1968, then working for two years in the Peace Corps in Ghana, Robert and Rebecca Jorgensen were searching for a new life venture.Family connections…

 

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