Relevant categories: Desks
To View Our Range Of Davenport Desk Please Click Here
( Above Photo: Victorian Davenport Desk Piano Top Pop Up Mechanism 1860 )
A Victorian davenport is a tiny writing desk created for ladies of the Victorian era. It had a sloped leather-covered top, drawers, slides, and a cupboard for paper and pens. One side of the davenport has a row of drawers, and the opposing side is a false drawer.
Victorian davenports have a fretwork or brass gallery at the top. They are created to be freestanding and finished with polish on all four sides. Despite their function as writing desks, they were also called piano-top davenports because of a lid that resembled the one of a rounded piano.
Having first appeared in 1790, in the George III era, the davenport received further refinement during its remaking in the Victorian period. Of course, captain Davenport built and commissioned the first desk of this kind.
Can you identify a Victorian davenport if you saw one? Here are some of the common features of Victorian davenports:
( Above Photo: Victorian Davenport Desk Walnut Inlay 1860 )
The most commonly used wood for Victorian davenports was mahogany, a red-brown material with straight wood grains. With time, furniture makers adopted rosewood and zebrawood, imported from the Caribbean and South America. Rosewood had a characteristic brown colour, which was enhanced by glossy polishing. They also had a leather top for writing.
Regardless of the Victorian davenport style, it had a sliding top that could be pulled out or pushed in, depending on how one intended to use it. Most davenports feature four drawers to the side. In some cases, a cupboard door conceals the drawers. On the opposite side, it has a faux drawer. The sliding top is covered with a leather surface for writing.
The decorations on Victorian davenports include turned or scrolled supports for increased recessed space and legroom. It also has wood turned knobs, fretwork carvings, decorative brass, inlays, and a leather top. As part of the decoration, the desks had a piano slopping top. Apart from their obvious functionality, these davenports are great decorative pieces. Besides, the desks have casters at the base to easily slide them from one room section to another.
The first Victorian davenports were meant for use by women as writing desks. The drawers and cupboard would keep books, paper, pens, ink, and other writing material. Nothing stops you from turning the davenport into a writing surface once you buy it from the antique store. You could also use it for storing your books, pens, phones, and laptops. If you work from home for some reason, a davenport is a great investment.
( Above Photo: Davenport Desk )
If you’re looking for a great way to decorate your home and improve functionality, a Victorian davenport is an item you need. It has the power of creating a focal point, thanks to the warm wood colour. Besides, you can turn it into a useful working desk. The drawers and cupboards are perfect for storing your phones, laptops, and other accessories.
Related Articles:
Victorian Davenport Desk Walnu...
Victorian Davenport Desk Piano...
French Empire furniture, a style that emerged during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte (1804-1815), is a prime example of the grandeur and opulence of the early 19th century.
English garden antiques are a delightful and elegant way to infuse history and character into your outdoor spaces.
Antique furniture has always held a special allure for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship, history, and aesthetics of bygone eras.