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ID #SA1002037
FOR SALE
£1,750
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A Superb Victorian Rosewood Pop Up Davenport
For sale by John Howkins Antiques
for sale €2,048     $2,223
£1,750

John Howkins Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2010
Browse dealers 476 items
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Id #SA1002037
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A Superb Victorian Rosewood Pop Up Davenport

19th century
Description

A good quality and attractive Victorian harlequin davenport made from beautifully figured rosewood. The hidden sprung stationary compartment has an interior with 3 small satinwood veneered drawers and 4 pigeon holes with a shaped gallery above. The piano shaped fall opens to reveal a 1 true and 1 false drawer interior and an adjustable pull out writing / reading slope which retains the original gold tooled leather writing surface. The false drawer pull is removed to allow the pen tray to be extended from the side with spaces for paper clips, ink pots and pens. The front supported on top quality carved cabriole leg supports resting on a shaped plinth with turned carved bun feet and hidden castors. The right hand side with 4 mahogany lined drawers all with turned rosewood knobs and escutcheons with patented working brass locks (with key). The left side with false drawers and matching turned knobs and escutcheons. The freestanding back with matching rosewood and the whole in very good condition with good patina. Davenports of this design are often referred to as Harlequin, Pop up, Piano top, or Jack in the box davenports. Dimensions:- Height (closed)..36.5’’/ 93cm. Height (open)..42.5’’/ 108cm. Width..22’’/ 56cm. Depth…22.5’’/ 57cm. Delivery to most of U.K. £60.

Date of Manufacture

John Howkins Antiques has dated this Victorian Rosewood Davenport Desk to the 1850s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
108cm (42.52")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
57cm (22.44")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1002037
Dealers Internal Reference
23420
Dealers Notes

ALL TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME.

Viewing by appointment.

Delivery.

We will gladly provide a quote for delivery to any U.K Mainland address and we offer a full 7 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with your purchase. (Less the delivery cost)

Payment.

We accept payment by cheque or bank transfer.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information on this item on 07770 311611.

Description
A good quality and attractive Victorian harlequin davenport made from beautifully figured rosewood.
“
The hidden sprung stationary compartment has an interior with 3 small satinwood veneered drawers and 4 pigeon holes with a shaped gallery above.
John Howkins Antiques

The piano shaped fall opens to reveal a 1 true and 1 false drawer interior and an adjustable pull out writing / reading slope which retains the original gold tooled leather writing surface. The false drawer pull is removed to allow the pen tray to be extended from the side with spaces for paper clips, ink pots and pens. The front supported on top quality carved cabriole leg supports resting on a shaped plinth with turned carved bun feet and hidden castors. The right hand side with 4 mahogany lined drawers all with turned rosewood knobs and escutcheons with patented working brass locks (with key). The left side with false drawers and matching turned knobs and escutcheons. The freestanding back with matching rosewood and the whole in very good condition with good patina. Davenports of this design are often referred to as Harlequin, Pop up, Piano top, or Jack in the box davenports. Dimensions:- Height (closed)..36.5’’/ 93cm. Height (open)..42.5’’/ 108cm. Width..22’’/ 56cm. Depth…22.5’’/ 57cm. Delivery to most of U.K. £60.

Date of Manufacture

John Howkins Antiques has dated this Victorian Rosewood Davenport Desk to the 1850s.

Height
108cm (42.52")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
57cm (22.44")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1002037
Dealers Internal Ref
23420
John Howkins Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2010
Dealer Profile

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

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A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs.
1 / 11
Archive I A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs.

A Superb Victorian Rosewood Pop Up Davenport

Archive II A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View II
Archive III A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View III
Archive IV A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View IV
Archive V A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View V
Archive VI A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View IX
Archive X A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View X
Archive XI A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs. View XI
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John Howkins Antiques
Telephone 01508 498335 or 07770 311 611
Location
The Grange
Hempnall Green
Norfolk
NR15 2NR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jhowkins
Verified Since Sep 2010
Items For Sale 476
Items Sold 3,841
John Howkins Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Grange, Hempnall Green, Norfolk, NR15 2NR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jhowkins
Verified
Sep 2010
For Sale
476
Sold
3,841
A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs.
A Superb Victorian Rosewood Pop Up Davenport
Ref: SA1002037
A Victorian rosewood davenport desk with an elevated pop-up stationery gallery, slanted piano top writing slope, side drawers, and carved cabriole support legs.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialRosewood, Birds Eye Maple, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsCabriole legs, Piano lid, Pop-up stationery compartment, Scroll feet
  • SizeH 108 cm (43 in) x W 56 cm (22 in) x D 57 cm (22 in)

This Victorian harlequin davenport desk dates from 1850 and is constructed from beautifully figured rosewood with warm brown tones. The upper section comprises an elevated pop-up stationery compartment featuring a shaped gallery, four pigeonholes, and three birds-eye maple veneered drawers with small round knobs. Below this sits a slanted piano-style lid enclosing an adjustable writing slope, which opens to reveal a bank of four graduated drawers down the right side fitted with turned rosewood pull knobs and keyhole escutcheons. The structure is supported at the front by elaborately carved cabriole legs that transition into scroll feet and rest upon a shaped plinth with turned bun feet. A hanging key dangles from the central locking mechanism on the roll top. Measuring 108 cm high, 56 cm wide, and 57 cm deep, this compact writing cabinet functions as a distinctive workstation for a home study, library, or traditional office setting.

FAQs

A davenport is a compact nineteenth-century writing desk featuring a slanted writing surface, side drawers, and a small footprint. Pop-up variants incorporate a spring-loaded or counterweighted rear mechanism that elevates a concealed stationery compartment when activated.

High-grade specimens were primarily constructed using solid rosewood, walnut, or mahogany veneers. Interior drawers and fitments frequently featured contrasting timber cutouts, such as birds eye maple or burr walnut, alongside brass locks and iron mechanical rises.

Authentic nineteenth-century davenports feature hand-cut dovetail drawer joints, original brass castors, period lock mechanisms, and operational side drawers (often with false drawers on the opposing side for symmetry). Carved cabriole front supports and original rise-and-fall upper galleries are key indicators of mid-to-late Victorian manufacture.

Due to its compact dimensions, a davenport serves as an ideal writing station in a hallway, bedroom corner, or dedicated study. Position the piece against a plain wall or near natural light to highlight the rich timber figure and hand-carved details.

Maintain the finish by dusting with a soft, dry microfibre cloth and applying high-grade beeswax polish along the grain annually. Keep the desk away from direct sunlight and central heating radiators to prevent veneer movement, and ensure the pop-up spring mechanism remains clean and lubricated.
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