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A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London
Sold by Tinker & Toad
sold SA1156362
Sorry, but this item has been sold.

Tinker & Toad

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2020
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Id #SA1156362
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A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

19th century
Sold 18 September 2025 · Tinker & Toad
This “Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London” found a buyer.

It was listed by Tinker & Toad. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

A Fine Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

Beautifully crafted in walnut, mahogany, and satinwood. Stamped Wilkinson & Son.

The top features a tooled leather writing surface, enclosing a large storage compartment with two drawers and two dummy fronts. A flat, galleried area above is ideal for books, files, or placing a monitor.

The writing surface slides forward to provide a comfortable seating position.

The lower section is supported by finely carved sabre legs with elegant inset lattice fretwork. One side reveals a secret compartment housing four graduated drawers with attractive turned handles. Additional storage includes a clever slide-out drawer, perfect for pens, brushes, or stationery.

The desk stands on smart cup feet with inset castors.

Crafted using the finest timbers and veneers, these ingenious desks, once overlooked with the decline of letter writing, are once again gaining the admiration they deserve.

Compact yet practical, this beautifully made desk provides ample storage and can be used with a small PC, laptop, or tablet. It also offers the optimal angle for comfortable reading or writing.

Clearance to underside of desk: approx. 64cm.

Wilkinson & Son was a prestigious London cabinetmaking firm, founded by William Wilkinson in 1808 at 14 Ludgate Hill. From the outset, the firm specialised in high-quality, often patented furniture, catering to a discerning clientele.

In the 1820s–30s, the firm became known for finely stamped Regency-style furniture under William Wilkinson & Sons, later becoming William & Charles Wilkinson after William’s death in 1833. Their work included a major commission for the Court Rooms at Goldsmiths’ Hall (1833–34), featuring carved Grecian mahogany and Rococo painted pieces.

They exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, showcasing innovations like a carved walnut four-poster bed with spring mattress and veneered mahogany furniture.

By the 1880s, the firm was collaborating with leading Arts & Crafts designer A.H. Mackmurdo and the Century Guild, producing forward-thinking designs exhibited at the International Inventions Exhibition (1885) and displayed in their Old Bond Street showroom.

In 1892, the firm merged with Charles Albert and Edward Hindley to become Hindley & Wilkinson, and the remaining Wilkinson stock was auctioned off through 1894, marking the end of a celebrated chapter in British furniture-making.

Date of Manufacture

Tinker & Toad has dated this Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
64cm (25.20")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1156362
Description
A Fine Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

Beautifully crafted in walnut, mahogany, and satinwood. Stamped Wilkinson & Son.

“
The top features a tooled leather writing surface, enclosing a large storage compartment with two drawers and two dummy fronts.
Tinker & Toad

A flat, galleried area above is ideal for books, files, or placing a monitor.

fig 1. A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
fig 1. A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

The writing surface slides forward to provide a comfortable seating position.

The lower section is supported by finely carved sabre legs with elegant inset lattice fretwork. One side reveals a secret compartment housing four graduated drawers with attractive turned handles. Additional storage includes a clever slide-out drawer, perfect for pens, brushes, or stationery.

fig 2. A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
fig 2. A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

The desk stands on smart cup feet with inset castors.

Crafted using the finest timbers and veneers, these ingenious desks, once overlooked with the decline of letter writing, are once again gaining the admiration they deserve.

fig 3. A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
fig 3. A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

Compact yet practical, this beautifully made desk provides ample storage and can be used with a small PC, laptop, or tablet. It also offers the optimal angle for comfortable reading or writing.

Clearance to underside of desk: approx. 64cm.

fig 4. A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
fig 4. A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

Wilkinson & Son was a prestigious London cabinetmaking firm, founded by William Wilkinson in 1808 at 14 Ludgate Hill. From the outset, the firm specialised in high-quality, often patented furniture, catering to a discerning clientele.

fig 5. A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
fig 5. A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

In the 1820s–30s, the firm became known for finely stamped Regency-style furniture under William Wilkinson & Sons, later becoming William & Charles Wilkinson after William’s death in 1833. Their work included a major commission for the Court Rooms at Goldsmiths’ Hall (1833–34), featuring carved Grecian mahogany and Rococo painted pieces.

fig 6. A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
fig 6. A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

They exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, showcasing innovations like a carved walnut four-poster bed with spring mattress and veneered mahogany furniture.

By the 1880s, the firm was collaborating with leading Arts & Crafts designer A.H. Mackmurdo and the Century Guild, producing forward-thinking designs exhibited at the International Inventions Exhibition (1885) and displayed in their Old Bond Street showroom.

fig 7. A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
fig 7. A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

In 1892, the firm merged with Charles Albert and Edward Hindley to become Hindley & Wilkinson, and the remaining Wilkinson stock was auctioned off through 1894, marking the end of a celebrated chapter in British furniture-making.

Date of Manufacture

Tinker & Toad has dated this Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk to the Victorian era.

Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
64cm (25.20")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1156362
Tinker & Toad
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2020
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Tinker & Toad Profile Page

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A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk by Wilkinson & Son, London

Archive II A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View II
Archive III A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View III
Archive IV A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View IV
Archive V A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View V
Archive VI A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels. View IX
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Telephone 07771 682942
Location
54 The Mint
Rye
East Sussex
TN31 7EN
United Kingdom
Verified Since Aug 2020
Items For Sale 79
Items Sold 557
Tinker & Toad
Verified Since Aug 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: 54 The Mint, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7EN, United Kingdom
Verified
Aug 2020
For Sale
79
Sold
557
A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
A Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk By Wilkinson & Son, London
Ref: SA1156362
A Victorian walnut davenport desk featuring a leather-inset sloped top, intricate carved fretwork sides, and burl walnut panels.
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialWalnut, Burl Walnut, Leather
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsSloped writing lid, Carved fretwork supports, Burl wood veneers, Side-opening drawers
  • SizeH 83 cm (33 in) x W 57 cm (22 in) x D 64 cm (25 in)

A Davenport desk is a small, compact form of writing desk that originated in the late 18th century and remained popular through the Victorian era, traditionally featuring a sloping writing surface and drawers accessed from the side.

These desks were typically constructed from solid timbers such as walnut, mahogany, or oak, often finished with decorative burl veneers, leather writing inserts, and hand-carved wooden supports.

Authentic period pieces exhibit traditional joinery techniques, period-appropriate timber ageing, hand-cut dovetails in the drawer construction, and sometimes maker stamps or brass hardware consistent with the 19th century.

This piece works well as a functional writing surface or statement accent in a study or living area, paired with minimalist seating to highlight its historic craftsmanship without cluttering the space.

Maintain timber using natural beeswax polish applied sparingly, keep the piece away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent veneer cracking, and clean leather inserts with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
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