Mid-Century Walnut Student's Desk

A mid-century walnut desk by Bassett Furniture, offered by Snowdrift Antiques.
 
This desk is from the Artisan line of Bassett Furniture. It was produced in the 1960s. The Artisan line was designed by Leo Jiranek (b.1900 d.1990). He was known as the ''Dean of Furniture Designers”, one of the industry’s first, and unrepentant freelancers, who enjoyed 67 years in the business, designing pieces for many furniture makers.
 
Throughout his career, Jiranek contributed to more furniture companies than any other known designer, among them Magnavox, Thomasville, Ethan Allen, Kroehler, Heywood Wakefield, The Lane Co., Bassett, Broyhill and Garrison. 
 
This desk is a singular showcase for the mid-century modern style Jiranek brought to many of the more traditional American furniture companies. This piece has the subtle, tapered lip across the back along with its tapered legs.  It has 2 drawers on the left and a single, wider drawer on the right side.  The corners are subtly rounded, not sharp. The back is beautifully finished, allowing it to sit attractively anywhere in a room. 
 
It measures 47 ½” wide by 20 ½ deep and 30 high.  The knee opening is 23 ½ inches.
 
This piece is in excellent vintage condition.  It has been oiled lightly to relieve it from the Colorado dryness.  The desk surface is a beautifully striated with excellent color.  There are no water rings.  On the back right corner there are a couple of small dark spots in the wood. See image 8.
 
This is a beautifully done desk with nice mid-century style from a renowned designer.