Vintage Hand Carved Executive Desk Leather Top Horses Sparta Olympics

Vintage Hand Carved Executive Desk Leather Top Horses Sparta Olympics Powerful Women! The history of this desk is largely unknown.

The age and maker are unknown. The Ink Maker's Mark in the picture is on a piece of wood that was in one of the drawers. No words Desk and Hungry are written in pencil on the same piece of wood. There is one arm of the corner figures that was restored and is in the photo gallery.

It was a different material from the wood of the desk. It looks like it will glue on easily. The following is what someone researched for me.

I'm no expert, but I think there is a good chance that this is a depiction of Cynisca, the first woman to ever win an Olympic event. She won the chariot race - although not as a charioteer, but as an owner (this was normal - the owners got all the credit). She trained the horses and the charioteer and entered the race.

Although women were not allowed to compete in the Olympics (this was because they were not allowed inside the stadiums and venues) she never entered the stadium. As an owner, she stayed outside and never saw the win or accepted the wreath, but got the credit. With this loophole she managed to be the first woman ever to win an Olympic event (she won it again in a later year). The reasons why I think this might be Cynisca are.

A non-warrior woman is driving a non-war chariot with four (un-armored) horses which is only seen in Olympic races and depictions of gods. The soldiers behind her wear Spartan helmets to show her heraldry (she was a Spartan princess). The woman on the right is presenting olives and the Olympic wreath is made out of olive leaves and sometimes the fruits themselves. Overall besides the pictures of the broken arm some scuffs and the cracked door on the right inside of the desk everything is solid and in good condition.

The item "Vintage Hand Carved Executive Desk Leather Top Horses Sparta Olympics" is in sale since Saturday, February 27, 2021. This item is in the category "Antiques\Furniture\Desks & Secretaries\Post-1950". The seller is "costellochris" and is located in Bishop, California. This item can't be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.

Type: Desk
Color: Brown
Original/Reproduction: Original
Material: Leather
Height: 30 inches
Time Period Manufactured: Post-1950
Region of Origin: Other European
Width: 65.75 inches
Depth: 34.25 inches