Antique Desks

How to Find a High-Quality Antique Desk

Desks have been a part of household furnishings since the 1600s, although an antique desk dating from around 1450 can be seen at the Lincoln Cathedral in England. It is this version that has adopted the term desk in today's language. This consisted of a desk with a rounded top, which when rotated, disappeared into the desk.

Chippendale, then the most famous furniture maker, produced some fine specimens of writing desks with plain cabriole legs and ogee feet. Well, firstly stand back and look at the desk. Desks of any great age will have shrunk and will not have the exact uniformity of modern furniture. Secondly look at the finish of the desk top.

Update Your Home With an Antique Desk

Here is some fast-track information to get on you on the path to understanding and appreciating these mementos: The ages of American antiques are Oak Age (1540-1660, Walnut Age (1660-1730), Mahogany Age (1730-1840) and Victorian Age (1830-1901).

Heavy appearance and wood pegs characterizes this Pilgrim era style of furnishings. If the desk is newer, it is probably restored.

The William and Mary period (1700-1730) relied heavily on pine, walnut and maple for its desks and other furniture. Remember the antiques dealer that offered to sell you an original American Queen Anne desk? Genuine period desks are housed in museums because of their rarity. If you are looking for a desk with an Oriental flair, consider the Chippendale era (1755-1790).

You could introduce your antique reproduction desk into a room as a computer desk or even to add to the decor. Sotheby's, a high end auction house that specializes in rare art and furniture, has catalogues of antique desks. Most desks of today were fashioned after the Kneehold desk that was produced in the 1700's in England.

Check my other Antique summary on Ceramic