On Hold: Dutch Art Deco Desk, The Hague School, 1920s

A very elegant Dutch Art Deco desk from the 1920s, executed in oak and in the modernist design language of the The Hague School. The desk has a beautifully restrained architectural form: clean rectangular lines, a strong horizontal top, a practical bank of drawers, and a light open left side that keeps the whole piece from becoming too heavy. The solid oak has a striking natural figure, adding visual depth and a beautifully tactile warmth to the desk.

The detail that gives the desk its particular charm is the set of large spherical wooden drawer handles. These round pulls create a striking rhythm across the front and are very reminiscent of details found in desk designs by Frits Spanjaard and other designers working in the Dutch modernist Art Deco tradition. They soften the geometry without disturbing it, giving the desk that rare combination of discipline and warmth.

The oak has a rich, deep tone with a lively and very attractive grain. The surface has been refinished and touched up, bringing back the depth of the wood while preserving the character of the piece.

The proportions are particularly good. It is not an oversized executive desk, but also not a small occasional writing table. It has the right scale to be used as a proper working desk in a modern interior. It would combine beautifully with an Art Deco chair, but also with a more contemporary chair, allowing the desk’s 1920s geometry to sit naturally within a present-day room.

The drawers have been newly lined with red felt, giving the interior a smart and luxurious finish. The locks are working and come with 2 keys. The desk also has a clever little secret: the lock of the upper right-hand drawer controls 2 of the lower drawers beneath it. A small gesture of craftsmanship, but a delightful one.

The desk has been professionally restored, is completely stable, and is in very good condition.

A classy and highly usable Dutch Art Deco desk.