What defines a traditional pedestal partners desk?

Originating in 18th-century England, a partners desk is designed with drawers or cupboards on both sides to accommodate two people working facing each other. Pedestal desks feature a central writing surface resting atop two free-standing drawer units.

Which materials were traditionally used in constructing Victorian and Edwardian pedestal desks?

High-grade hardwoods such as mahogany, oak, or walnut were standard for primary surfaces, often complemented by hand-tooled leather writing inserts. Internal drawer linings were frequently crafted from pine, ash, or oak using hand-cut dovetail joints.

How can authentic antique pedestal desks be identified?

Look for signs of hand-craftsmanship, including hand-cut dovetails on drawer construction, cast brass hardware, and maker stamps or plaques inside drawers. Natural wear, original lock mechanisms, and authentic patination on timber surfaces also indicate age.

How can an antique pedestal desk be styled in a contemporary interior?

Position the desk centrally within a home office or study to showcase its three-dimensional form and timber detailing. Combine it with a modern desk lamp, sleek leather seating, and minimalist desk accessories to create a balanced aesthetic.

How should an antique mahogany desk be maintained?

Dust regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth and apply high-quality beeswax twice yearly along the timber grain. Preserve the leather writing insert by wiping with a damp cloth and applying a specialist leather conditioner to prevent drying or cracking.

for sale €5,850 $6,350

£5,000

Royal House Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2021

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About Us

Royal house antiques is a privately-owned family ran company founded in wimbledon in 2012 by husband and wife james and iris thorpe

Id #SA820782

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Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Mahogany Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk

19th century

For Sale by Royal House Antiques

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceedingly rare Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall Victorian circa 1870 twin pedestal partner writing desk.

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price.

A very good looking well-made Mahogany desk with a leather top made by the highly coveted Hampton & Son’s.

As you can see pictured Hampton furniture is highly collectable and very expensive, online gallery’s has a pedestal desk and it is in the tens of thousands.

The top left and right drawers are fully stamped Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall, all other drawers have Hobbs & Co locks, the handles are all period correct and original.

The top has multiple patina marks and colour variations, the timber on the desk is in similar order, we have deep cleaned hand condition waxed and hand polished it.

Dimensions

Height:- 71.5cm

Width:- 137cm

Depth:- 80cm

Legroom

Height:- 56cm

Width:- 60cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask.

In 1830 William Hampton opened a shop for the sale of general household furniture in Cranbourn Street. He was subsequently joined by his two sons George and William Powell (the sons of George Hampton; Harold, Fred and Clarence also later entered the business). In 1869 the business expanded with new premises on the corner site comprising 8 Pall Mall East and 1-3 Dorset Place (now Whitcomb Street). Throughout its history the firm suffered a number of serious fires, the first of which occurred in 1890. As the firm continued to expand it took over control of a number of other firms, beginning with James Coulson and Co of Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1898, and in the early 1950's Goodall, Lamb and Highway of King Street, Manchester and Robson and Sons Ltd of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

In 1926 the firm opened a factory at Ingate Place, Battersea close to the firm's existing depository. Amongst the firm's noteable contracts were the Royal Yacht Britannia, the liners the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Duke of York Theatre, the Dorchester and the Mayfair Hotels and the palaces of two Indian princes, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharajah of Kashmir. On the night of 16th November 1940 an incendiary bomb hit the Pall Mall premises and the greater part of the building was destroyed. Temporary one-storeyed buildings were erected on the site but these were eventually demolished in 1957 following the sale of the site to the Canadian Government. In October 1940 the firm had acquired a controlling interest in the firm of Storey & Co Ltd of Kensington High Street and it was there that the firm established its new headquarters.

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Physical Dimensions

Height

71.5cm (28.15")

Width

137cm (53.94")

Depth

80cm (31.50")

Declaration

Royal House Antiques has dated this Mahogany Pedestal Writing Desk to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA820782

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceedingly rare Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall Victorian circa 1870 twin pedestal partner writing desk.

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price.

“

A very good looking well-made Mahogany desk with a leather top made by the highly coveted Hampton & Son’s.

Royal House Antiques

fig 1. A nineteenth-century mahogany twin pedestal writing desk featuring a inset leather top, brass swan-neck handles, and multiple drawers set on plinth bases. — fig 1. Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Mahogany Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk

As you can see pictured Hampton furniture is highly collectable and very expensive, online gallery’s has a pedestal desk and it is in the tens of thousands.

The top left and right drawers are fully stamped Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall, all other drawers have Hobbs & Co locks, the handles are all period correct and original.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century mahogany twin pedestal writing desk featuring a inset leather top, brass swan-neck handles, and multiple drawers set on plinth bases. — fig 2. Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Mahogany Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk

The top has multiple patina marks and colour variations, the timber on the desk is in similar order, we have deep cleaned hand condition waxed and hand polished it.

Dimensions

Height:- 71.5cm

Width:- 137cm

fig 3. A nineteenth-century mahogany twin pedestal writing desk featuring a inset leather top, brass swan-neck handles, and multiple drawers set on plinth bases. — fig 3. Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Mahogany Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk

Depth:- 80cm

Legroom

Height:- 56cm

Width:- 60cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask.

In 1830 William Hampton opened a shop for the sale of general household furniture in Cranbourn Street. He was subsequently joined by his two sons George and William Powell (the sons of George Hampton; Harold, Fred and Clarence also later entered the business). In 1869 the business expanded with new premises on the corner site comprising 8 Pall Mall East and 1-3 Dorset Place (now Whitcomb Street). Throughout its history the firm suffered a number of serious fires, the first of which occurred in 1890. As the firm continued to expand it took over control of a number of other firms, beginning with James Coulson and Co of Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1898, and in the early 1950's Goodall, Lamb and Highway of King Street, Manchester and Robson and Sons Ltd of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century mahogany twin pedestal writing desk featuring a inset leather top, brass swan-neck handles, and multiple drawers set on plinth bases. — fig 4. Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Mahogany Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk

In 1926 the firm opened a factory at Ingate Place, Battersea close to the firm's existing depository. Amongst the firm's noteable contracts were the Royal Yacht Britannia, the liners the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Duke of York Theatre, the Dorchester and the Mayfair Hotels and the palaces of two Indian princes, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharajah of Kashmir. On the night of 16th November 1940 an incendiary bomb hit the Pall Mall premises and the greater part of the building was destroyed. Temporary one-storeyed buildings were erected on the site but these were eventually demolished in 1957 following the sale of the site to the Canadian Government. In October 1940 the firm had acquired a controlling interest in the firm of Storey & Co Ltd of Kensington High Street and it was there that the firm established its new headquarters.

Any questions please feel free to ask.