What could an Antique Desk Tell Us?
When I see an antique desk, I wonder who sat at it and what they wrote. Did Royalty plan a ball at that Victorian antique desk? Was part of our constitution written here on this mahogany antique writing desk? Was it a treasured addition to the room when they brought home the walnut antique roll top desk? When it arrived at a new home, was it welcomed for the value it would bring? How many children learned their lessons at the antique school desks? Did any famous authors sit there at the antique school desks?
The antique secretary desk became popular in the Eighteenth Century. These were a chest of drawers. The top drawer was quite deep. It would pull out half way and the front would fold down to make a flat writing surface. Inside there was a wonderful assortment of small drawers, pigeon holes, and cupboards. This antique secretary desk was placed in a gentleman's room. This gave the gentleman a writing desk where he could store all the supplies and have privacy when he did his correspondence. Underneath the top drawer, he could store his personal belongings.
The American style of antique desk featured different materials at different times. Oak was popular from 1540 to 1660. Then walnut became the wood of choice from 1660 until 1730. The years from 1730 to 1840 were the mahogany time. The Victorian era ran from 1830 to 1901. During this time, the antique desk chair matched the antique desk with both wood and style. Usually, the chair was made from solid wood. Occasionally, caning was used in the center of the back of the chair for accent.
In Europe there were many, many different styles of the antique desk during the last 400 years. The antique Chippendale desks were made of mahogany and featured the Chinese motifs, scrolls and claws. William and Mary antiques had a distinctive style with woodcarvings with high relief made from maple, walnut or pine. Their period was relatively short, only from 1700 to 1730.
Over the centuries the different antique desk could be very ornate and inlaid with other woods to create decorations. Some had beautiful hand carved wooden designs, delicate legs, and a variety of woods, including Burr walnut.
Antique desks for sale draw interest from around the world. These are very popular with collectors and interior decorators who are looking for that special antique to finish a room. Many antique buffs compete to find a special mahogany roll top desk to put in the library or an antique desk chair to complete the study.
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Slope Desk Writing Desk Antique Wooden Desk US $1.04 |
ANTIQUE Kneehole WALNUT DESKABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS US $625.00 |
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Antique Desk 6 Draw Solid Quartered Oak File Cabinet NR US $127.50 |
Lebus Antique Oak Roll Top Desk US $51.00 |