Explore Collections
You are here:
CollectionsOnline
/
Knee-hole desk by Thomas Martyr & Company, 1816
Browse
Knee-hole desk, XF335 by Thomas Martyr & Company, 1816, oak, mahogany veneer, ivory and brass. ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photograph: Hugh Kelly.
Knee-hole desk by Thomas Martyr & Company, 1816
Oak, mahogany veneer, ivory and brass
Width: 159.8cm
Height: 73.5cm
Depth: 39.5cm
Height: 73.5cm
Depth: 39.5cm
Museum number: XF335
On display: Study
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
With four drawers either side with mahogany fronts on oak carcases; drawers numbered on inset ivory discs, to the left, in ascending order, 115-118, with ivory disc 115 missing; to the right, in descending order 120-123 with ivory disc 120 missing from the top drawer), the lower three drawers are deeper than the top one (which is only 2½ inches deep) and have larger ivory discs; all the drawers have a single brass knob but the two shallow top drawers which flank the knee-hole have smaller and more elegant knobs matching those on the table X181; all the key-holes in the desk are unlined; all the drawers have original brass locks stamped with a crown and GR PATENT; the desk is flanked by reeded open cupboards or pigeon holes (the lower left and right of these have a rebate which could have allowed them to have doors) which probably served as bookshelves.
Associated items
XF181, other part
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk