Stunning Late 19th Century Campaign Or Travelers Desk Attr. To Thomas Potter
Lisse, Netherlands
£9,380 per item
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Item details
Height
114.05 cm
Width
87.89 cm
Depth
43.95 cm
Wear conditions
Good
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
Unique quarter-sawn, two piece oak campaign desk.
This may very well be the most beautiful and interesting campaign desk you will ever be able to acquire. The architectural design, the quality of the materials AND of the make, the combination of the striking colors and its overall look and feel is, in one word, awesome. We cannot think of a single company in existence in the world today who would put such an effort into creating one single and unique piece of furniture. We could have posted 30 images (which is not possible) and you still would not have seen all the fine details and 'gadgets' that make this desk the interesting and marvelous piece that it is.
Especially when displayed in the way it is in image one, it will make everyone want to stop and look at this desk. It simply is difficult not to want to. Used by a high ranked officer, this top of the line desk would have cost a small fortune and it would have been taken from one campaign posting to the next. The chest on top can be fully closed and it has a perfect working lock and key (all original). The perfect brass handles on either side makes the chest easier to carry. Never easy though, because it has got some significant weight to it. Apart from minor bending of the desktop (best seen when closed. . .see image7), an incomplete leather inside in the lid (see image 15) and a cracked, but glued white tile (for which we do not know the purpose. . .image 3), this piece is of museum quality.
The solid, tiger oak bottom half too is as stabile as the day it was made and it is in amazing condition. It comes with a mint drawer (both inside and out) and it too has a perfect working lock with the original key. The extra tier with the gallery of hand turned pillars makes this fine design open and spacious and it too is of wonderful quality and condition.
Some of the finest details are on the inside of the stationary box-like chest. It is the quality in the design, the workmanship, the expensive materials, the attention to detail, the completeness, the execution and, finally, the timeless beauty, that makes us believe that this desk could only have been made by Thomas Potter. This top quality campaign desk would have had everything that a high ranked officer would need to execute his tasks. This, in a way, was the best and most complete 'laptop' in the 1880's.
In the many 'pockets' one could slide envelopes, maps of the area, code books and more. The small drawers 'hide' some of the officers' most important tools for communication in this era before telecommunication. On the far right the drawer reads INK and below that PENWIPER. And that is exactly what is still in the drawer (and they can ofcourse be taken out). The bone plaques on the two small drawers on the far left read LIGHTS and below that STAMPS. The drawer for the LIGHTS actually has an integrated, metal strip with tiny metal 'teeth' on which a match would have been struck. And in that same strip of metal there is a hole in which a small candle,LIGHT, would have been placed so that the officer could work at night also. The other bone plaques read LETTERS ANSWERED, LETTERS UNANSWERED, BILLS PAID and BILLS UNPAID.
It is the beauty, the quality, the social (and military) history, the style, the era, the look and feel, the uniqueness and the design that makes this piece shout at you. To us, it is shouting "don't let me go, you fools". To you it could be shouting, "where in the world can you buy anything remotely unique, stunning and interesting at this price.
Our price for this unique desk even includes perfect packing (in a custom made crate) and also worldwide delivery from our store to your door in just 4 workdays.
Maximum height x width x depth when closed: 44.9 x 34.6 x 17.3 inches.
Maximum height x width x depth when opened: 54.5 x 34.6 x 29.1 inches.
Height of the desktop: 30.7 inches.
We have a passion for the unique, for quality, for stylish yet practical and for craftsmanship of years gone by. Your purchases will be extremely well packaged and we look forward to serving you (again).
Condition report:
Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Apart from the mentioned imperfections this antique masterpiece is in excellent condition.
Cancellations
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Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Free collection available
Yes
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- Ships from Lisse, Netherlands
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 24th March 2025
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