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ID #SA1117036
FOR SALE
£1,450
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Antique Davenport Desk Walnut Victorian Secretaire 1880
For sale by Canonbury Antiques
for sale €1,697     $1,842
£1,450
Canonbury Antiques

Canonbury Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2021
Browse dealers 315 items
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Antique Davenport Desk Walnut Victorian Secretaire 1880

19th century
Description

You are viewing a gorgeous Victorian Davenport desk

Hand crafted from burr walnut with amazing patina

Lovingly restored and refinished brown tooled leather writing surface with gilt embossed edges

Circa 1880 on this gorgeous desk

Large side cabinet opens out to reveal more storage with drawers to side

Desk top opens up to reveal storage and cubby hole drawers

Bought from a private residence in London's Mayfair

Offered in great shape ready for home use right away

We ship to every corner of the planet - please get in touch for a shipping quote

Physical Dimensions
Height
84cm (33.07")
Width
53cm (20.87")
Depth
56cm (22.05")
Declaration

Canonbury Antiques has dated this Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1117036
Description
You are viewing a gorgeous Victorian Davenport desk

Hand crafted from burr walnut with amazing patina

Lovingly restored and refinished brown tooled leather writing surface with gilt embossed edges

Circa 1880 on this gorgeous desk

fig 1. A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports.
fig 1. Antique Davenport Desk Walnut Victorian Secretaire 1880

Large side cabinet opens out to reveal more storage with drawers to side

Desk top opens up to reveal storage and cubby hole drawers

Bought from a private residence in London's Mayfair

Offered in great shape ready for home use right away

We ship to every corner of the planet - please get in touch for a shipping quote

Height
84cm (33.07")
Width
53cm (20.87")
Depth
56cm (22.05")
Date of Manufacture

Canonbury Antiques has dated this Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1117036
Canonbury Antiques
Canonbury Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2021

London UK antiques & decorative arts - ships globally

Dealer Profile

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

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A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports.
1 / 11
Archive I A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports.

Antique Davenport Desk Walnut Victorian Secretaire 1880

Archive II A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View II
Archive III A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View III
Archive IV A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View IV
Archive V A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View V
Archive VI A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View IX
Archive X A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View X
Archive XI A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports. View XI
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Canonbury Antiques

Canonbury Antiques
Telephone 01707 644877
Location
Potters Bar
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/canonbury
Verified Since Apr 2021
Items For Sale 315
Items Sold 498
Canonbury Antiques
Canonbury Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Potters Bar , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/canonbury
Verified
Apr 2021
For Sale
315
Sold
498
A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports.
Antique Davenport Desk Walnut Victorian Secretaire 1880
Ref: SA1117036
A Victorian walnut Davenport desk featuring a sloping leather writing surface, a raised top compartment, and carved column supports.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialWalnut, Leather, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsSlanted writing surface, Barley twist supports, Raised stationery gallery, Keyhole escutcheon
  • SizeH 84 cm (33 in) x W 53 cm (21 in) x D 56 cm (22 in)

This Victorian Davenport desk from 1880 is formed from burr walnut with a warm brown timber finish and a brown tooled leather writing surface. The piece has a slanted writing surface, a raised stationery gallery, and dark barley twist supports with carved feet. It includes keyhole escutcheons on the front and top, delicate string inlay bordering the side cabinet door, and visible grain variations across the polished wood surfaces. The desk measures 84 cm high, 53 cm wide, and 56 cm deep. Suitable for use in a study, library, or home office, this compact writing desk provides a dedicated workspace while offering hidden storage beneath the top compartment and within the large side cabinet. The traditional form sits comfortably in a period interior or alongside classic furnishings, bringing practical writing space and enclosed storage to a modern home.

FAQs

A Davenport desk is a compact, slant-front writing desk originally commissioned in the late 18th century by a Captain Davenport. It features a sloping writing lid over a cabinet base, traditionally containing side-mounted drawers and top stationery compartments.

Victorian Davenport desks were predominantly constructed using solid woods and high-grade veneers such as walnut, burr walnut, mahogany, and rosewood. Writing surfaces were typically inlaid with embossed leather, while drawer linings were frequently made of oak or pine.

Authentic Victorian examples usually exhibit hand-dovetailed drawer joinery, period-correct brass castors, original lock mechanisms, and quality veneer work. The presence of carved column supports, concealed drawers, and hand-tooled leather inserts also indicates 19th-century manufacture.

A Davenport desk functions well as a focal point in a home office, hallway alcove, or living room corner due to its compact footprint. Pairing it with modern accent lighting and minimal desk accessories balances its traditional woodwork with contemporary decor.

Preserve the wood by applying high-grade beeswax polish along the grain and avoiding direct sunlight or radiator heat sources to prevent veneer cracking. The leather writing insert should be dusted with a dry soft cloth and occasionally treated with specialised leather conditioner.
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