Desk

Mid-century works by the French Modernist architects and interior designers Jacques Adnet (1900-84) and Jacques Quinet (1918-92) were in strong demand at Los Angeles Modern Auctions (31/25% buyer’s premium).

Among the London events coinciding with Frieze Masters is PAD London, the annual design fair that takes place in Berkeley Square.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

An 18th century acanthus carved mahogany tripod table with pie-crust tilt top was one of the sought-after pieces of furniture at Tennants (24/20% buyer’s premium).

Dealers across the country offer an array of British antique furniture. From vernacular to formal pieces, here is a selection of what can be found.

This exceptional George I walnut and feather-banded architect’s desk was hammered down at seven times its low estimate.

The chest of drawers and the kneehole desk are both classic forms of early Georgian walnut furniture. However, rarely are they seen on the same piece.

A recent sale at Mander Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Sudbury was topped by this textbook example of late 19th century American furniture: the Wooton secretaire desk.

Both categories are particularly notable as Mark and Marjorie Allen lots sell in Pennsylvania

The personal desk set of the artist/decorator Paul Dupré Lafon (1900-71) will feature in the sale of Decorative Arts to be held by Tajan on November 23.

Prices for good-quality writing desks continue to recover – as was evident when a George II example more than tripled top hopes.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

Although now known as Gainsborough chairs, generous walnut and upholstered armchairs were often referred to by contemporaries as ‘French’ chairs, as the most elaborate styles were based on French rococo.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859- 1930), author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, was so keen to work during his extensive travels that in 1925 he commissioned a case-maker to create a trunk that transformed into a writing desk.

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

In the 1950s French designer Raymond Cohen and his firm Cohray were producing a range of ultra-modern furniture that – although made for the machine age – were all put together by hand.

Just as fine English mahogany is selling below par, Chinese furniture, particularly in the desirable huanghuali hardwood, is booming.