small writing desk having a circular floral pattern adorning the major surfaces (top, sides and front of door) with handles on either sides, hinges, top guard rail and front heart shaped lock plate of silver; ebony stand for cabinet said to be made in Portugese colony of Goa, India

Writing desk on stand, c. 1725-1750

Unknown artist, expand_more
Not on Viewexpand_more

This desk’s Indian makers used British pattern books as a guide. These forms suited their elite British market, including colonial officials.

It incorporates local materials that were plentiful to Indian craftsmen in the 18th-century, but today they are scarce. The ebony for the stand and the rosewood of the desk were once abundant in southern India, as was elephant ivory, in widespread use for architectural woodwork decoration in southern India. All three materials are now either endangered or threatened.

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Indian writing desk on a stand (#771)
Details
Title
Writing desk on stand
Role
Artist
Accession Number
95.57a-k
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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small writing desk having a circular floral pattern adorning the major surfaces (top, sides and front of door) with handles on either sides, hinges, top guard rail and front heart shaped lock plate of silver; ebony stand for cabinet said to be made in Portugese colony of Goa, India