Mahogany writing table - Bean shape - Edwardian period - Circa: 1890-1900

Lovely old mahogany writing table, “bean” or so-called “kidney” shape, full edwardian period. This magnificent piece, entirely restored by our workshops, reveals five drawers on the front, a large central drawer, and on each side, two short drawers. The so-called “dropping” handles are in gilded bronze, finely chiseled and the locks signed (see photo) by alfred charles hobbs of the london company hobbs. It rests on eight tapered square feet magnified by eight bronze sabots. Its cognac leather writing surface is vintage. Period: late 19th century – edwardian period circa: 1890-1900 dimensions: height: 72cm X width: 77cm X length: 135.5cm thickness of top: 2.8cm signature on the locks: hobbs – london alfred charles hobbs (1812 - 1891 ) was born in boston, united states. In 1840 he became a salesman for one of america's leading lock manufacturers, jones & newell. He went to london for the great exhibition of 1851 and caused a sensation by managing to pick both a bramah lock and the famous chubb detector lock. With his newfound notoriety, he created a company in london, officially registered under the name hobbs & co. The company went through several incarnations, becoming hobbs, ashley & co in 1855, then hobbs, ashley & fortescue and finally hobbs, hart & co in 1860, based in cheapside, london. They achieved great success using advanced mechanical production methods. In 1860, alfred returned to america after the death of his partner ashley. He had never intended to remain in britain and was therefore happy to sell the thriving business to john mathias hart, whilst retaining a beneficial interest in it. He returned to england in 1872 to celebrate the company's 21st anniversary. Alfred hobbs died in 1891.

Ref. : DSR322AQ