mid-to-late 18th century writing/“secretary desk?

Hi All, first-time user/poster here. I would love to try to find out a little bit more about this antique desk that has been in my family for several years. We know relatively little about it—and even less about its potential value, especially in light of its less-than pristine condition. In any case, here’s what I do know. . . .
>Item is an antique writing/“secretary”? desk with what appears to be rosewood inlaid on the surface and drawer fronts. Desk was purchased in the early 1980s in Brooklyn on Flatbush Ave. for roughly $2,500 (probably overpaid). Some restoration work *may* have been done (according to my mother), but I cannot now determine if/where. Age/era is as yet to be knowledgeably confirmed by us. (An acquaintance slightly more familiar with antiques mentioned possible dating of mid-to-late 18th century; however, I wonder if the woodwork/style of the legs suggests later.) The wood, of course, shows signs of age on surface and structure (i.e. the wood revealed above the large main drawer when it is pulled out). At some points over the course of time, my parents allowed it to sit in far too much direct sunlight; over the last ten years the piece has been kept out of such direct sunlight and since covered with doilies). But it was dinged a few times with some recent moves and, much to our horror, even a little water got to it through an open car window on one cross-country drive.
>Finally, there are some very, very faint markings on the top back (possibly from the maker or simply some previous antique/furniture dealer), but they are totally illegible and don’t even photograph. (I have yet to try blacklight or other methods.)
>As for the attached photos: unfortunately, the images shown have a bluish sheen due to the camera flash.
>Anyone knowledgeable with further info on the possible origins/history of this type of desk and/or possible monetary value range, please feel free to post your thoughts.
Thank you for any help!

 

Ooops! Photos are noshows.........don't know why..

But in any case - welcome! I am sure that there are some Furnnies (furniture people) that will be glad to tell you what they can when they can.............

 

that looks like two different styles placed together.....
t's lovely ...but weird to the eye.....
I like the top....I like the base.....just not together...!

IMO.....but let's wait for more expert info !!

 

It does look like a late 18th C top on a late 17th C base.

 

I don't really know quite what to think of this piece. I can tell you it looks like walnut and likely is not American. It has some legitimate age to it and could be late 18th or early 19th century in origin. I am getting a bit of mix of styles to this so think this could be early Victorian with some elements of a Jacobean revival style. This would put it to 19th century rather than the earlier date. I am also kind of getting somewhat of a British Colonial feel to this with some exaggeration of form and those quirky head pulls. I am really just throwing this out as a possibility since I really don't know. I don't think the other oval pull is original to the piece. The inlay does not look like rosewood to me. It is hard to tell but it looks more like some kind of fruit wood to me.

 

I considered that this might be a marriage but don't really think so after close examination. While the woods look a bit dissimilar, I think it is really a finish issue more than any real difference. It looks like the top of the table has been refinished at some point. You will also note that the inlay is fitted to the shape of the top organizer. Of course, the inlay could have been added at a later date but I really don't see the motivation for doing so.

 

IMO is a ménage à trois. The desktop is either not fastened to the base and thus has gotten crooked on it or was fastened in that crooked position. Does not match the drawers part nor the base. Furniture is just one more area where I'm fairly ignorant but that doesn't stop me!

 

Yup. I'm seeing a marriage of three separate features - the legs, the top and the drawers all look like they came from different pieces.

 

I can't help with the desk, but just wanted to say welcome to Antiquers, Maris!

 

The desktop has an old bolt hanging down from a rear corner with no present purpose.

 

>Thank you all so much for the helpful input!
>As for the apparent bolt hanging in back: actually that is just an illusion (that object being a handle on a cabinet close behind the desk) due to the angle of the photo.
>I will also keep searching for some more ideas about a possible range of the desk's monetary value, though surely that will depend on really nailing down its exact era or (in the case of an odd, older restoration, which I'm sensing from the suggestions here?) mishmash of eras.
Thanks again! (And any further thoughts/feedback would certainly still be welcome!)

 

The base portion is often called a "library table." There are two features that I think tell you it was not made to be part of a desk or secretary. The cross-member near the floor and the scrollwork piece hanging down in front would make it uncomfortable for sitting with legs under it. I'm guessing if it came up at an auction in the DC area (where I am) the hammer would fall somewhere $100-$600. But you can never tell for sure until it sells.