A Very Fine Early 19th Century William IV Davenport In the Manner of 'Strahan' of Dublin

Description: A very fine early 19th Century William IV well figured walnut davenport desk of exceptional quality and in the manner of 'Strahan of Dublin'.  This stunning piece is beautifully hand carved with rich patination and fine grain.  The moulded and hinged fall front top is of rectangular form and is surmounted with 3/4 pierced brass gallery grille above a gorgeous deep red gilt embossed tooled leather writing skiver surface which opens upwards to reveal a storage section and fitted interior with four drawers with turned pulls.  Raised over a simple frieze with brass key and escutcheon, a single fitted short drawer to the side and a stunningly hand carved foliate border edge.  The lower section with the knee hole below features gorgeous panelling detail with beautiful foliate motifs adorning the central reserve of each side and a pair of stunning elegantly simple c-scroll column supports with foliate motif detail to the fore.  To one side is fitted a single cupboard drawer with a brass key and escutcheon, which opens to reveal a storage section with four graduated drawers all fitted with well cast brass swan neck pulls.  Supported on shaped platform plinth base, terminating on bun foot with sphere motif detail and casters. Robert Strahan, Dublin, Ireland Founded in 1776 as a cabinet maker, Robert Strahan & Co. grew to become one of Ireland's premiere furniture designers, exhibiting at The Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853 in Dublin.  A walnut table, exhibited at the second London International Exhibition of 1862, showcased their talent for both design and manufacture.  Bringing together marquetry, scrolling foliage, masks, strap work and cartouches in a piece of some merit; A fine piece displaying the influence of Thomas Hope and Richard Bridgens, it was illustrated in the Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue for the London exhibition. Designing and manufacturing for the Office of Public Works, the firm gained the reputation for high quality furniture and were commissioned to design and manufacture for some of the great Irish country houses such as Doneraile Court, Co. Cork and Lisnavagh, Co. Carlow. The Firm started out trading from 10-11 Chancery Lane.  Moving forward 39 years to 1815 and the firm had expanded in to 24-25 Henry Street.  In 1845 it expanded further still into 5 Leister Street.  In 1870 the firm moved to Abbey Street trading under the family name until 1969. Dimensions: Gallery H: 32.25 in / 81.9 cm   W: 23 in / 58.4 cm   D: 24.5 in / 62.2 cm  Stock Reference No: A3630