A REGENCY MAHOGANY CARLTON HOUSE DESK

The 'Carlton House' desk is named after an example of this form reputedly commissioned by the Prince of Wales for his use at his London residence, Carlton House (sold anonymously, Sotheby's London, 25 April 1986, lot 73). The first published design of 'a Gentleman's writing-table' of this form is dated 1792 and appears in George Hepplewhite's The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices, 2nd edn., 1793, pl.21. Thomas Sheraton published a similar design that same year in his The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, pl.60.
This elegant example with sloped sides is similar to one sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 22 April 1999, lot 79 for $63,000. Another similar example was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 26 April 2007, lot 275 for £21,000.