Rare Early Antique French Provincial Château Estate Managers Oak & Walnut Counter/Desk/Console Circa 1700
A beautiful early provincial antique French Château Estate Managers counter/desk circa 1700. Fabulous patina from years of use. A very early provincial piece of French furniture to be seen from all angles/sides. This rare piece of furniture originates from the housekeeping area of the Château where the weeks “Le Salaire” would of been distributed to the servants/housekeepers of the Château. We can date this exceptional survivor specifically to 1700 from the hand forged iron lock plates which have miraculously survived with working key. Hand written ledgers will have been kept securely under lock and key, and the oak/walnut timbers on this beautiful piece of history are very thick/dense/rough hewn cut to add safety to the valuables that would of been housed in the counter.
To the front of the unit has central drawer flanked by two lower cupboards to left and right with chamfered hand carved front panels and shelf liners. Original hand forged iron lock plate/hinges to front and back of cupboards. Upper thick hand carved walnut counter top with raised plinth with decorative end panels. Side panels with chamfered detailing and three back panels with rough hewn chamfered oak panels. Original peg and tenon joints, some historical fixes in place to upper plinth (none detract from look or use). Altogether a very fine example and a rare piece of furniture.
This is a complete one of a kind and to be used as intended as a counter/desk or preparation table/kitchen console island. Perfect for a commercial shop environment as main counter. This piece looks good from all angles with deep mellow graining to all sides. Given it’s age there are historical woodworm holes and knocks and sings associated with age. We have given the piece heavy woodworm treatment all over extensively, internally and externally, followed by a deep wax to lift the colour.
These statement pieces of furniture are getting near impossible to source and are great investments for the future to be used and admired for years to come.
Full Height 98cm (to top plinth) Full Height to counter top 78cm x Full Width 153cm x Full Depth 60cm x Kneehole Height 57cm x Width 40cm x Depth 54 x Height inner top plinth 16cm x Depth 18cm to top x 30cm yo base x Inner shelves bottom Height 29cm x top shelf 33cm x depth 51cm x width 42cm
As a genuine antique/vintage item there is wear and use commensurate with age. Some wooden products may have signs of historic woodworm. As a precaution we apply a clear triple action woodworm treatment that also kills wet rot, dry rot and woodworm. Please look at all the images carefully and ask any questions pre purchase as we do not unfortunately offer refunds due to the size and shipping costs of our antiques/items. All our items are available on line at Search & Rescued and other online stores.