When Beauty and Functionality Combine – Victorian Antique Desks
There are as many antique desks as there are uses for them. Visit any shop or website specialising in antique desks and you will find examples of every shape, age and size. Delicate Georgian ladies’ writing desks; compact Davenport desks; Victorian tambours, Edwardian twin-pedestals and Dickens knows what else in between!
There are several things to consider when looking at antique desks. Are you buying as an investment, or as a useful piece of furniture? Do you want it for looks, for storage, for purpose or a little bit of all three? If you’re planning to use the desk in your home office, it’s important to have a measure-up first, as many antique desks – particularly the Dickens and kneehole pedestal desks of the 19th century, are massive.
With the best will in the world, few antique desks are ever kept purely for show – they’re too tempting to put things in! However, some are more useful than others. An antique desk, like an antique dining table, is purchased as a utilitarian piece of furniture, as well as an aesthetically pleasing statement in your home, so you need to find a desk that suits its function. For example, there are some stunning kidney-shaped Sheraton-style and Rococo antique desks, with delicately turned legs and inlaid marquetry. Basically hallway tables with drawers (generally two or three) they are more to admire than actually use. At the other end of the scale is the massive Resolute desk – a 19th century partner desk that sits in the Oval office of the Whitehouse. It is so named because it was made from the timbers of the HMS Resolute, after she was broken up in 1879.
Early desks were elegant and refined, designed mainly for domestic use. Home owners would use them for letter writing and storing household documents. The Industrial Revolution and emergence of the white collar worker led to considerable modifications in the design, with a demand for massive, robust office desks which reflected the importance of the industrialist, mill owner or councillor sitting behind them. Antique desks evolved to suit many types of user, from huge tiered Dickens desks suitable for storing the briefs of the solicitor or his clerk, to handsome twin- pedestal desks found in banks.
A very popular design, suitable for both home and office, is the roll-top desk, which was mass-produced in the 19th century. Among the more compact and affordable of antique desks, like the Davenport it is popular today. Basically an evolution of the pedestal desk, it features a rolling, lockable tambour which conceals a number of compartments, drawers and cubbyholes offering lots of storage for the user, as well as a small area to write. An older version is the cylinder desk, which sometimes features a pull-out section to extend the writing area. Another type has a slanted top, which folds down and secures, offering a writing space. Davenport antique desks are compact, variable and often ornate pieces of furniture with folding lids and side drawers.
Although Chippendale and Sheraton antique desks are very beautiful, they are also very expensive. However, Sheraton and Chippendale revival pieces of the late Victorian period are just as attractive, and can be widely found in antique dealers.
About the Author
The author, Christian Davies, is a second generation antiques dealer and owner of Christian Davies Antiques, a family based antiques business based in Preston, Lancashire. Christian has over 23 years experience in the antiques business and has a passion for genuine, high quality antiques furniture, such as antique desks, which he sources from the UK and Europe.
Antique American Victorian Rococo style gilt and pink painte
|
|
Miix 11.75 Ounce Bone China Mug by Loveramics The Miix Bone China Tea Collection features a classic sculpted vintage handle with a sleek geometric body – a perfect fusion of traditional and modern. An assortment of classic colors combined with varied contemporary techniques such as matte and unglazed surfaces brings a whole new perspective to high tea. This mug is 11.75 oz…. |
|
|
Miix 27 Ounce Bone China Teapot by Loveramics The Miix Bone China Tea Collection features a classic sculpted vintage handle with a sleek geometric body – a perfect fusion of traditional and modern. An assortment of classic colors combined with varied contemporary techniques such as matte and unglazed surfaces brings a whole new perspective to high tea. This 27 oz. teapot comes packaged in its very own Loveramics gift box…. |
|
|
Miix 8.25-Inch Bone China Dessert Plate by Loveramics The Miix Bone China Tea Collection features a classic sculpted vintage handle with a sleek geometric body – a perfect fusion of traditional and modern. An assortment of classic colors combined with varied contemporary techniques such as matte and unglazed surfaces brings a whole new perspective to high tea. Each dessert plate is 8.25″ and comes packaged in its own individual Loveramics gift box…. |
|
|
Dollhouse Miniature Victorian Rococo Wing Chair and Ottoman $74.99 This high quality chair designed by Bespaq will make the lady or gentleman of the manor feel like royalty! The polished walnut finished framing on the chair and ottoman compliment the soft faux sheepsking upholstery. Chair: 2 1/2″W x 3 3/4″H x 2 3/4″D Ottoman: 1 1/2″ square x 1″H… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Watteau fancy dress costume from Mary Evans $29.99 Photo Puzzle, Watteau fancy dress costume. Suggestion for a fancy dress costume from 1884 for a fanciful 18th century heroine from a rococo painting by Watteau. Reproducing the picturesque and charming beings from Watteaus work, a sacque dress in pretty pale pastels. She also wears a powdered wig and high heeled buckled shoes. Chosen by Mary Evans. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in bla… |
|
|
Gerard Manley Hopkins and the Victorian Visual World $43.50 Gerard Manley Hopkins initially planned to become a poet-artist. For five years he trained his eye, learned about contemporary art and architecture, and made friends in the Pre-Raphaelite circle. In her fascinating and beautifully illustrated book, Catherine Phillips, whose knowledge of Hopkins’s poems is second to none, uses letters, new archival material, and contemporary publications to reconst… |
|
|
Early Victorian Illustrated Books, Britain, France And Germany 1820-1860: Britian, France And Germany 1820-1860 $34.45 … |
|
|
Furniture 2 – Smithsonian Illustrated Library Of Antiques $14.95 Volume 2 of two-part series covering furniture from Neoclassic period to the present. Examines French Empire style, influence of Thomas Sheraton on this style resulting in the Regency style in England. These two styles led to the American Empire style represented by designs of Duncan Phyfe and Charles-Honore Lannuier. Industrialization and population explosion led to growth of modern furniture ind… |
|
|
Mahogany Sandy Tile Queen Elizabeth Sitting Room Chair (China) $521.99 A Victorian Rococo revival design with a hoop back and stylized wheat sheaf splat accent this elegant arm chair. This chair features twist patterned arms and lathe turned spindle legs alongside a carved feather stencil frame. |
