Century Furniture Chin Hua Ming-Style Writing Desk by Raymond K. Sobota

A Century Furniture writing desk from the Chin Hua line designed by Raymond K. Sobota, the Hickory, North Carolina firm's celebrated 1980s interpretation of Ming scholar's furniture. The ebonized frame frames a richly figured burl olivewood top within a crisp black border, while fruitwood drawer fronts pick up the warm tones of the apron panels. Squared horse-hoof legs with subtly upturned feet anchor the silhouette, and Greek-key brass bail pulls reinforce the East-meets-West vocabulary that made Chin Hua a fixture of high-end interiors from Beverly Hills to the Upper East Side.

Branded "Century Furniture of Distinction" to the drawer interior. Three frieze drawers run the full width of the apron, and finished veneer panels to the reverse allow the desk to float in a room — equally at home as a writing desk, library table, sofa-back console, or laptop-era home office centerpiece for a collector who wants pedigree without the bulk of a partners desk.

CONDITION

Good overall with the burl top, ebonized frame, and brass hardware all presenting well. Light surface wear and minor handling marks consistent with use; a faint seam is visible across the top veneer. Drawers run smoothly.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Maker: Century Furniture, Hickory, NC (branded)
• Line: Chin Hua, designed by Raymond K. Sobota
• Three frieze drawers, finished veneer to reverse
• Solid wood and burl olivewood / fruitwood veneer construction
• Brass Greek-key bail pulls
• Ebonized frame, Ming-style horse-hoof legs
• 54½" W × 30" D × 30" H