Watch our Video: 19th Century Antique Escritoire by Haentges Freres

Discover the intricate craftsmanship of a French antique escritoire desk by Haentges Freres. Watch our video and admire as we dissect this beautiful 19th century masterpiece and explain what makes it so very good.

Watch our Video: 19th Century Antique Escritoire by Haentges Freres

A wonderful quality escritoire with multiple uses, including as a writing table and cabinet for storage and as a beautiful feature in a room, here Wallrocks step through what makes this antique escritoire so very special. Featured in the recent Downton Abbey series by Julian Fellowes, they act as both decoration in a room and utilitarian purpose.

antique-escritoire

What Makes the Craftsmanship of this Antique Escritoire so Good?

Discover the intricate craftsmanship of this French antique escritoire desk by Haentges Freres. From the book matched flame mahogany front to the pierced ormolu mounts, every detail has been meticulously crafted to ensure exceptional quality both inside and out. Notice the beautiful wave inlay on the top of the escritoire drawer, complemented by a fine quality flame mahogany fall that unveils a luxurious leather writing surface with small inlaid drawers and storage compartments.

Below the fall sit three graduated, moulded drawers with book-matched kingwood to the face, embellished with gilded drop handles in the form of oak leaves all supported on four solid mahogany cabriole legs embellished with the most exquisite quality gilded bronze.

Finally, the cabinetmakers has finished the antique escritoire with a beautiful piece of hand cut and moulded brecher marble – our personal favourite.

Who were the makers?

Haengtes Freres was a renonwned cabintemaking firm in the late 19th century in Paris. Denise Ledoux-Lebard lists the celebrated company Haentges Frères as being located at 9, Immeubles Industriels from 1883 and later at 6, rue Titon in Paris.

Click here to enquire about this French escritoire or scroll through the images below or click here to view other antique secretaries in the collection.