We are pleased to offer this exceptional rosewood desk with chrome-plated steel legs, dating from the early 1970s. Although the designer and manufacturer remain unknown, the scale, weight and remarkable quality of construction suggest a piece made with considerable care and expense. The desk feels almost over-engineered in the best possible way, with an exceptional standard of cabinetmaking and construction throughout.

The design is firmly rooted in the modernist language of the period, combining richly figured rosewood with precisely formed chrome-plated steel. While we have been unable to identify the designer or manufacturer, the desk has a refined and highly individual character. One of its most distinctive features is the construction of the legs, where a central wooden element is set between two substantial slabs of chrome-plated steel, an unusual detail that is both structural and decorative.

The floating drawers are, in our opinion, one of the most successful elements of the design. Running the full depth of the desk and suspended within the frame, they create a striking sense of lightness despite the substantial scale and weight of the piece. The warmth of the rosewood contrasts beautifully with the crisp, industrial quality of the chrome, giving the desk a strong architectural presence.

The chrome-plated steel is of particularly good quality and is free from rust or pitting, with only minor marks and light scratches consistent with age and use.

The desk has been professionally repolished and is presented in very good vintage condition overall. The drawers operate smoothly, although they feel slightly stiff when fully extended; this does not affect their normal day-to-day use. At some point, the original drawer locks were removed, leaving two clean circular openings at the top centre of each drawer front. There is no indication that the locks were forcibly removed, and we feel these details have become part of the desk's history and character.

There is a small area on the desktop where the veneer appears slightly raised, possibly as a result of a natural imperfection beneath the surface. This is visible only under certain lighting conditions and from particular angles, and we have been unable to photograph it clearly. In the interest of complete transparency, we are happy to demonstrate this detail by video call for interested buyers. In our view, it does not detract significantly from the overall appearance of the piece, but it is important that it is noted.

Very rarely do we come across a piece we have not seen before, particularly one that genuinely surprises us. This desk is one of those pieces. Its unusual construction, exceptional quality, intelligent combination of materials and highly individual design give it a presence that is difficult to fully convey in photographs.

Viewing is warmly welcomed at our West London showroom.

High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports and video inspections are available upon request.

We offer local, national and international shipping.

Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.