Egon Ostergaard desk? Just sold one, and I'm not sure...  

If they are 'going for $1500+' then why did you post a link to a $600 desk? And that is jus the asking price. Never look to the asking price for value, but always to the sale price. The bias you have against veneer is misplaced.

Don't sweat it, jeffpoff. The desk was worth the 80 bucks to both you and the buyer at the time of the sale. That's exactly how commerce is supposed to work.

Second-guessing after the fact too often results in only regret. That's no way to go through life. Spend the proceeds on something you really need and be glad for the learning experience.

Thank you for the replies.

I added the link because it shows something that resembles the desk I sold and it's described not original. I don't have an issue with veneer at all. I was just wondering if the original desk, the one that is $1500+, would also be veneer. I wouldn't think so, especially if the desk is described as "teak" when there isn't an ounce of teak on the desk. I wouldn't think that an esteemed designer's heralded desk would be veneer and particle board. Don't get me wrong, the desk was really good looking and well put together. I have no issues with veneer.

Regarding the regret. There are very little things that I regret in life, but I have a feeling this one is going to haunt me for a few weeks.

Designers of much greater stature than Egon Ostergaard (who is a nobody) had their pieces executed in veneer. Probably 99% of the Danish Modern stuff that exists is veneer. Of the remaining 1% probably half is the ultra high end exhibition quality cabinetmaker stuff, some of which did get executed in solid wood (but probably more was executed in veneer), and the other half is much less famous stuff that happened to get executed in solid wood for one reason or another.

In other words: there is no correlation whatsoever between the use of solid wood, and the merit of the designer.

The idea that solid wood is a testament to quality is tiring. When did veneer work become so maligned?

There are other things to mention here. Is there any evidence that Egon Ostergaard designed any such desk? And who is Egon Ostergaard? And who was the maker of this desk? All I see are made in Sweden stamps and an unknown maker's logo. Not very promising....

Ostergaard is a Danish spelling, so the likelihood is that the person would be Danish. It is fairly unusually for Danes to have designed for Swedes, and when it did happen, they were somebodies. So, if Egon Ostergaard did design a desk like this, it bears the same likelihood that it was one made in Denmark, not Sweden.

especially if the desk is described as "teak" when there isn't an ounce of teak on the desk

Teak veneer is real teak wood, it's not something else made to look like teak---though you can certainly get veneered things that look like teak but aren't (some IKEA stuff comes to mind).

Also it's worth noting that veneer on Scandinavian furniture made in the 50s and 60s was generally thicker than what you see today.

Hi, not really sure if I understand the topic but I'm guessing you sold a desk & realized afterwards that it may have been an Egon Ostergaard inspired desk possibly worth quite a bit more than the sale price. Is this correct? If so I may have done the same. The label /makers mark on mine doesn't look like any label I've seen on others & I couldn't find a "made in" stamp. I tried to upload the pictures but file is too big.

@nolacurbgirl. A stab in the dark here, so apologies in advance if I am completely off the mark!! Link below to previous discussion about this desk and label; that is if we are talking about the same desk and/or label? 😏 🤔 

https://designaddict.com/community/identification/recognise-this-logo/#post-3576

Yes, the desk in your link are what I trying to identify. My desk was similar to it. Legs were square not tapered & the pattern on my rolltop didn't have insets or angles. I've found about 15 online and all pics of labels match your link. Mine however is different. Says SMI (exactly like this in a line) no circle no over laying of of the letters. It does have 528 under the letters & an Nr that is 6 digits but starts with a 2. Also 1 number is a little higher in alignment. All labels I've found online start with a 1 if it's a 6 digits #. I've been told this isn't a piece that would have been copied but possibly newer. Most I've found online seem to say 1960's. Any info or opinions are greatly appreciated. I'm working on trying to format so I can upload pics.

My label

My desk

I have one of these desks,  and from my previous research (mostly threads here on DA) they were made by Bröderna Gustafssons.  Most have tags with SMI logo, which I've read stands for  Sveriges Möbel Industriförbund, or Swedish Furniture Association.  They all have the number 528 under the logo, which apparently is Gustafsson's ID number within SMI. 

They were mass-produced and good examples are easy to find, at least in the US.  As you would expect with such production they sell for very reasonable prices.  I found mine at a thrift store for $50, but they don't go for a whole lot more at auctions.

Here's a photo of mine along with tag.  

Thanks so much for the reply. Starting to feel some relief. It was outside a home in my neighborhood with a free sign on it. It was it great condition hardly any scratches 2 lges needed to be secured. I sold it for $100. I still have not been able to find any label that looks like mine. Maybe they changed the smi label at some point. I'm trying to determine if it was a newer piece 80-90's. I am still trying to upload a pic of the desk but did upload my label which is different than others.