Desk Mystery
by John
(New Rochelle NY)
Veneer removed
> A few years ago I purchased a drop front desk at an auction
> for $500. It looked English as the rear boards were
> filled with beetle holes. It had mahogony veneer but
> they were in rough shape. Original escutheons, etc.
> etc.
> Long story short I recently brought the desk front to a
> restorationist to repair the veneer. He removed some
> of it on the front panel of the drop front and uncovered the attached carvings... don't know what
> you make of it as he had never seen anything like it.
Further, it looked like they had sanded them down and filled
> it in with plaster of paris to put the veneers on. He
> thinks the veneers at least date to 1830-1850. I feel the piece is a bit older. Either way, wondering if these are original to the piece?
