for sale €3,803 $4,128

£3,250

London City Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2020

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At london city antiques we specialise in fine english antiques

Id #SA1244951

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Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet

Name: Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1244951
Price: 3250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by London City Antiques

Description

A superb quality antique Victorian burr walnut Davenport desk with satinwood inlay and an exceptional rich colour throughout. This unusual example is beautifully figured and retains its original stationery cabinet to the top with pierced brass gallery, fitted interior pigeon holes and drawers.

The sloping writing surface opens to reveal a leather inset writing slope with further compartments beneath for stationery and ink bottles. The lower section is fitted with a cupboard and shelving providing useful storage. Raised on carved scroll supports with shaped platform feet this is a particularly decorative and practical Victorian desk.

Originally designed for Captain Davenport by the renowned cabinet makers Gillows, the Davenport desk became one of the most practical and elegant writing desks of the 19th century. Their compact proportions made them ideal for libraries, drawing rooms and bedrooms where a full sized desk would have taken up too much space.

A highly unusual and very decorative example with striking burr walnut veneers and fine inlaid detail throughout.

Condition

Very good antique condition with age related wear and marks in keeping with age and use. Nicely polished with a rich warm patina.

Dimensions

Height: 100.5 cm (39.57 inches)

Width: 56.5 cm (22.24 inches)

Depth: 52 cm (20.47 inches)

Height to surface: 71 cm (27.95 inches)

Height to writing slope: 68.5 cm (26.97 inches)

Date: 1860

Origin: English

Date of Manufacture

London City Antiques has dated this Burr Walnut Davenport Desk to the 1860s.

Independent Date Check ID 09714657

Dealer's Item Date1860s

Sellingantiques Date1860s

Sellingantiques agingItem 145-175 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1860s:

Solid pine backboards with natural shrinkage: nineteenth-century cabinet construction.

Finely matched burr walnut veneers: decorative work of the mid-Victorian period.

Pierced cast brass gallery to the top: hardware made around the 1860s.

Gilt-tooled leather writing slope: traditional nineteenth-century desk lining.

Ceramic castors under the plinth feet: Victorian domestic mobility fittings.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions

Height

100.5cm (39.57")

Width

56.5cm (22.24")

Depth

52cm (20.47")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1244951

Dealers Internal Reference

3132

Dealers Notes

Find our large selection at www.londoncityantiques.co.uk

Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions regarding this item. We are always happy to provide additional information, further photographs or videos.

At London City Antiques we specialise in fine antique furniture and decorative pieces and hold an extensive and constantly changing collection. With many years of experience in the antiques trade we take great care in accurately describing each item and ensuring it is presented and delivered to the highest standard.

We can arrange competitive UK and international shipping and work with trusted specialist couriers who regularly transport antiques worldwide. Please contact us for a shipping quotation.

All pieces shipped internationally are supplied with an official Antique Declaration for customs purposes. Antiques over 100 years old are exempt from import duty when entering the USA and generally attract a reduced rate of duty when imported from the UK into most European countries.

Buy with confidence — every piece is carefully inspected and professionally packed to ensure it arrives safely.

Description

A superb quality antique Victorian burr walnut Davenport desk with satinwood inlay and an exceptional rich colour throughout.

“

This unusual example is beautifully figured and retains its original stationery cabinet to the top with pierced brass gallery, fitted interior pigeon holes and drawers.

London City Antiques

fig 1. An antique Victorian burr walnut davenport desk featuring inlaid marquetry, an upper stationery cabinet with a brass gallery rail, and carved scroll feet. — fig 1. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet

The sloping writing surface opens to reveal a leather inset writing slope with further compartments beneath for stationery and ink bottles. The lower section is fitted with a cupboard and shelving providing useful storage. Raised on carved scroll supports with shaped platform feet this is a particularly decorative and practical Victorian desk.

fig 2. An antique Victorian burr walnut davenport desk featuring inlaid marquetry, an upper stationery cabinet with a brass gallery rail, and carved scroll feet. — fig 2. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet

Originally designed for Captain Davenport by the renowned cabinet makers Gillows, the Davenport desk became one of the most practical and elegant writing desks of the 19th century. Their compact proportions made them ideal for libraries, drawing rooms and bedrooms where a full sized desk would have taken up too much space.

fig 3. An antique Victorian burr walnut davenport desk featuring inlaid marquetry, an upper stationery cabinet with a brass gallery rail, and carved scroll feet. — fig 3. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet

A highly unusual and very decorative example with striking burr walnut veneers and fine inlaid detail throughout.

Condition

Very good antique condition with age related wear and marks in keeping with age and use. Nicely polished with a rich warm patina.

fig 4. An antique Victorian burr walnut davenport desk featuring inlaid marquetry, an upper stationery cabinet with a brass gallery rail, and carved scroll feet. — fig 4. Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet

Dimensions

Height: 100.5 cm (39.57 inches)

Width: 56.5 cm (22.24 inches)

Depth: 52 cm (20.47 inches)

Height to surface: 71 cm (27.95 inches)

Height to writing slope: 68.5 cm (26.97 inches)

Date: 1860

Origin: English

Date of Manufacture

London City Antiques has dated this Burr Walnut Davenport Desk to the 1860s.

Independent Date Report ID 09714657

Dealer's Item Date1860s

Sellingantiques dating1860s

Sellingantiques agingItem 145-175 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1860s:

Solid pine backboards with natural shrinkage: nineteenth-century cabinet construction.

Finely matched burr walnut veneers: decorative work of the mid-Victorian period.

Pierced cast brass gallery to the top: hardware made around the 1860s.

Gilt-tooled leather writing slope: traditional nineteenth-century desk lining.

Ceramic castors under the plinth feet: Victorian domestic mobility fittings.

Physical Dimensions

Height

100.5cm (39.57")

Width

56.5cm (22.24")

Depth

52cm (20.47")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1244951

Dealers Internal Ref

3132

About the Dealer

London City Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2020

At london city antiques we specialise in fine english antiques

Dealer Profile

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

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An antique Victorian burr walnut davenport desk featuring inlaid marquetry, an upper stationery cabinet with a brass gallery rail, and carved scroll feet.

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Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet

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The Davenport desk originated in the late 18th century when a Captain Davenport commissioned a compact, functional writing desk from the furniture maker Gillows of Lancaster. Characterised by its narrow footprint, writing surface, and integrated side drawers, the design became popular throughout the Victorian era for personal correspondence.

Victorian Davenport desks were typically constructed using solid hardwoods such as oak or mahogany for the internal frame, faced with decorative veneers like burr walnut or rosewood. Common construction features include hand-cut dovetail joints, brass galleries, turned supports, and inlaid marquetry or parquetry detailing.

Authentic period Davenport desks feature hand-cut dovetail joinery inside the drawers, original brass locks or castors, and genuine wood veneers showing natural age-related patination. Examining the undersides and internal drawer linings for period-appropriate wear and secondary timbers help verify authenticity.

Due to its compact dimensions, a Davenport desk functions well in smaller spaces such as a hallway alcove, bedroom corner, or home office nook. Styling it alongside contemporary desk accessories, minimalist artwork, or a modern side chair creates a balanced contrast between traditional craftsmanship and modern design.

To preserve burr walnut veneers, keep the piece away from direct sunlight, radiators, and moisture sources to prevent cracking or lifting. Dust regularly with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, and apply a high-quality beeswax polish sparingly along the wood grain once or twice a year.

London City Antiques

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Writing Table Stationery Cabinet

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