An Early 20thC Green Painted Pine Reception Shop Counter Desk For Harrods Department Store
SOLD
Origin: English
Period: Early 20thC
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1900-20
Height: 38.5”
Width: 31.75”
Depth: 25.5” (all at extremities)
The green painted pine shop counter or trade reception desk, being untouched from its heavy use throughout the decades, the carcass in two sections, dovetail jointed with an superb patina to the painted surface, the top section with sloped writing surface and Harrods logo opening to reveal a partitioned interior, the lower section with drop fall down door with black iron hinges, opening to reveal an upper shelf, the whole surviving from the famous department store in the early twentieth century.
She remains in a good untouched and original state and has been simply waxed to protect her idiosyncrasies. The original finish is worn in some areas, as photographed, at the areas of heaviest use and in all in the right places. The sloping lid is sturdy and the original knob handle is present though with some loss. The two parts are separate entities with the top simply resting on the carcass.
The carcass is certainly at least c.1900 in date, with the paintwork probably having been refreshed over the years as the brand changed and grew; the current logo to the top section was introduced in 1967, and with the amount of wear the paintwork has, we would think this piece must have been re-painted around that time. The colour is also synonymous with the brand, being Harrods Green Pantone 574C.
Harrods opened in Knightsbridge, London in 1849 and needs no introduction being the largest department store in Europe and laying claim to having its own unique postcode, SW1X 7XL.
On 16 November 1898, Harrods debuted England's first "moving staircase" (escalator) in their Brompton Road stores; the device was actually a woven leather conveyor belt-like unit with a mahogany and "silver plate-glass" balustrade. Nervous customers were offered brandy at the top to revive them after their 'ordeal'.
Encapsulating the essence of this iconic brands style, this unique piece of furniture could be used in a shop setting or as wonderfully original work station at home. You won’t find another.
Period: Early 20thC
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1900-20
Height: 38.5”
Width: 31.75”
Depth: 25.5” (all at extremities)
The green painted pine shop counter or trade reception desk, being untouched from its heavy use throughout the decades, the carcass in two sections, dovetail jointed with an superb patina to the painted surface, the top section with sloped writing surface and Harrods logo opening to reveal a partitioned interior, the lower section with drop fall down door with black iron hinges, opening to reveal an upper shelf, the whole surviving from the famous department store in the early twentieth century.
She remains in a good untouched and original state and has been simply waxed to protect her idiosyncrasies. The original finish is worn in some areas, as photographed, at the areas of heaviest use and in all in the right places. The sloping lid is sturdy and the original knob handle is present though with some loss. The two parts are separate entities with the top simply resting on the carcass.
The carcass is certainly at least c.1900 in date, with the paintwork probably having been refreshed over the years as the brand changed and grew; the current logo to the top section was introduced in 1967, and with the amount of wear the paintwork has, we would think this piece must have been re-painted around that time. The colour is also synonymous with the brand, being Harrods Green Pantone 574C.
Harrods opened in Knightsbridge, London in 1849 and needs no introduction being the largest department store in Europe and laying claim to having its own unique postcode, SW1X 7XL.
On 16 November 1898, Harrods debuted England's first "moving staircase" (escalator) in their Brompton Road stores; the device was actually a woven leather conveyor belt-like unit with a mahogany and "silver plate-glass" balustrade. Nervous customers were offered brandy at the top to revive them after their 'ordeal'.
Encapsulating the essence of this iconic brands style, this unique piece of furniture could be used in a shop setting or as wonderfully original work station at home. You won’t find another.