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ID #SA1015815
FOR SALE
£1,875
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19th Century Satin Birch Pedestal Desk
For sale by Culvertons
for sale €2,194     $2,381
£1,875
Culvertons

Culvertons

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2013
Browse dealers 49 items
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Id #SA1015815
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19th Century Satin Birch Pedestal Desk

19th century
For Sale by Culvertons
Description

As you can see from this fine pedestal desk (Circa 1860) satin birch is a particularly attractive timber. So, you may be surprised to learn, that it only found favour within the 19th Century for a relatively short period of time - possibly it was too light and airy for the Victorian's taste! However, it is perfect for 21st-century interiors. The desk drawers are very finely constructed from solid ash and they have their full complement of original locks (working & key supplied) plus nearly all (two had to be turned to match) of their original wooden knobs. The writing surface is at the correct height and there is plenty of legroom. Unusually there have never been any castors to the underside of this desk, so no need to worry about undue wear and tear to your floor or carpet.

Now, after sympathetic restoration, re-polishing and re-leathering of its writing surface, this antique satin birch pedestal desk is ready to be used and enjoyed for generations to come.

Measurements of knee hole - 49.5 cm wide x 62.5 cm high

Physical Dimensions
Height
77cm (30.31")
Width
122cm (48.03")
Depth
60cm (23.62")
Declaration

Culvertons has dated this Satin Birch Pedestal Desk to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1015815
Dealers Notes

Whenever possible Culvertons undertake the carriage of items within London and the home counties. Professional, competitive and trusted couriers and shipping companies are engaged for deliveries for the remainder of our customers. Smaller items, when instructed, will be carefully parcelled and securely sent by the carrier.

We strive to accurately describe and illustrate our stock on the 'Selling Antiques' website. However, we understand that it is not always possible to judge from photographs how an item will look in the home or garden. For this reason, if notified within seven days from the date of delivery we offer a full refund (less any agreed carriage costs) once the item has been returned in the same condition as it left our premises.

Description
As you can see from this fine pedestal desk (Circa 1860) satin birch is a particularly attractive timber. So, you may be surprised to learn, that it only found favour within the 19th Century for a relatively short period of time - possibly it was too light and airy for the Victorian's taste! However, it is perfect for 21st-century interiors. The desk drawers are very finely constructed from solid ash and they have their full complement of original locks (working & key supplied) plus nearly all (two had to be turned to match) of their original wooden knobs. The writing surface is at the correct height and there is plenty of legroom.
“
Unusually there have never been any castors to the underside of this desk, so no need to worry about undue wear and tear to your floor or carpet.
Culvertons
fig 1. A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles.
fig 1. 19th Century Satin Birch Pedestal Desk

Now, after sympathetic restoration, re-polishing and re-leathering of its writing surface, this antique satin birch pedestal desk is ready to be used and enjoyed for generations to come.

Measurements of knee hole - 49.5 cm wide x 62.5 cm high

Height
77cm (30.31")
Width
122cm (48.03")
Depth
60cm (23.62")
Date of Manufacture

Culvertons has dated this Satin Birch Pedestal Desk to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1015815
Culvertons
Culvertons
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2013
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Culvertons Profile Page

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A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles.
1 / 11
Archive I A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles.

19th Century Satin Birch Pedestal Desk

Archive II A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View II
Archive III A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles.
Archive V A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles. View XI
Enlarged Archival View
Culvertons

Culvertons
Telephone 0777 542 6867 or 01306 770212
Location
42 A West Street
Dorking
Surrey
RH4 1BU
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/culvertons
Verified Since Dec 2013
Items For Sale 49
Items Sold 316
Culvertons
Culvertons
Verified Since Dec 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: 42 A West Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1BU, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/culvertons
Verified
Dec 2013
For Sale
49
Sold
316
A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles.
19th Century satin birch pedestal desk
Ref: SA1015815
A 19th-century satin birch pedestal desk featuring a green leather writing surface and nine drawers with turned wooden handles.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks & Writing Tables
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialSatin Birch, Leather
  • ColourWarm Honey
  • MotifsKneehole aperture, Turned wooden knobs, Leather inset surface, Plinth base
  • SizeH 77 cm (30 in) x W 122 cm (48 in) x D 60 cm (24 in)

This Victorian pedestal desk originates from the 19th century around 1860. The piece is constructed from satin birch timber with a warm honey colour and has solid ash drawer interiors, a green leather writing surface inset into the top, and turned wooden knobs on each drawer. The setup includes nine drawers arranged in two pedestals flanking a central kneehole aperture, finished with a plinth base and moulding details around the edges. Practical dimensions measure 77 cm high, 122 cm wide, and 60 cm deep. Today, the desk serves well in a gentleman's library, study, or home office as a workspace for writing and administrative tasks. The kneehole aperture provides comfortable legroom while seated on an appropriate chair. The flat surface accommodates documents and stationery, and the configuration of drawers offers organised storage for paperwork and stationery.

FAQs

A pedestal desk consists of a rectangular writing surface supported by two vertical pedestals containing stacked drawers, forming a central kneehole aperture. Widely produced throughout the 19th century, these desks were constructed for functional executive work in private libraries and commercial offices.

Victorian pedestal desks were typically constructed from solid timbers and fine veneers, including mahogany, oak, walnut, and satin birch. The upper writing surfaces were traditionally inset with gilded or blind-tooled leather skivers, while drawers featured hand-cut dovetail joinery and turned timber or cast brass handles.

Authentic 19th-century examples display hand-cut dovetail drawer construction, pine or oak drawer linings, original locks, and natural age-related wear around the kneehole and plinth base. Additionally, true pedestal desks disassemble into three separate componentsthe top frieze and two pedestalsto allow easy transportation.

Positioning the desk freestanding in the centre of a home office allows the timber grain to be viewed from all angles. Combining the traditional woodwork with a modern task lamp and a minimalist desk chair creates a balanced scheme between historical craftsmanship and contemporary functionality.

Maintain the timber surfaces by dusting regularly with a dry cloth and applying beeswax polish sparingly once or twice a year in the direction of the grain. Protect the leather writing insert from direct sunlight and artificial heat sources, applying a specialised leather conditioner periodically to prevent cracking.
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