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Antique Davenport Desk
The antique davenport desk was first recorded in the George III period of 1790, in the records of the renowned cabinet maker Gillows of Lancaster and it states ‘Captain Davenport desk’. It was built and commissioned for Captain Davenport and was the first example of this type of small Mahogany writing desk, called by the captain’s name. During the late Georgian and Victorian eras, the davenport was mainly used by the Lady and would have of a small chest of drawers with a desk on top. The antique davenport desk changed very little in design over the many years it was in production. Most antique davenports have four drawers that open at one side (Sometimes concealed by a cupboard door ) and has faux drawer fronts on the opposite side. These 19th Century desks are fitted with casters at the bottom so they can be moved around easily and the sloping lid will have a leather writing surface that lifts up on a hinge. The best examples have a ‘piano top’ whereby the top looks like the back of a piano, when pushed on, it opens up revealing lots of lovely compartments, usually built in a Burr Walnut. The Victorian davenport desk was more elaborately decorated with scrolled or turned supports that allow a recessed space for more leg room. Inlay, decorative brass, fretwork carvings and wood turned knobs was used. The antique davenport design was still in production in the Edwardian period and is a very popular piece to buy today. Please visit our antique desks section or have a look below at a few lovely examples we have available for sale.
Antique Davenport Desk for sale
Styles of Antique Davenport Desks
Here are a few examples that we have previously sold. This Sensational 19th century Victorian Burr Walnut Piano Top Antique Davenport Desk dates from ca. 1860. It has a brass gallery above a pop up back, having pigeon holes and small drawers with birch fronts. The hinged lid opens to reveal two drawers with satin birch fronts and small knobs along with a pull-out writing slide, pen and ink compartments and hinged tooled leather writing insert. Under one of the small drawers is a small button which releases the piano top. This fine antique desk has working drawers with turned handles down one side and faux on the opposite. The back is polished, with a moulded panel and it stands on turned bun feet.
This Stunning Victorian Antique Davenport Desk dates from ca. 1860 and is very rare being in Yew wood.
In the Gillows Design, this Rosewood William IV Antique Davenport is extremely unique due to the sliding top and dates from around 1835. It has a beautifully turned gallery with a writing slope and the early / original tooled leather writing insert. This splendid piece stands on unusual turned feet with castors and has been finished all the way round so may be placed in the centre of the room if so desired.
This stunning eaxmaple was made from a figured walnut but had a very unusual pull out interior. The decorative carved fretwork gallery was a nice addition and there was a small button to pop up the back.
33 responses
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How much is the rosewood davenport with candy twist legs?
PG
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Hi
Sorry this piece is now sold but we do get similar in stock, so keep an eye on our desk section of our website.
Kind regards
James
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I should like to know how much the first Davenport des costs? Thank you for the information
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I want to ask how much the first Davenport Desk costs? Thank you.
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Hi
This has recently sold for £695. please keep checking our antique desks page for similar Davenports
Kind regards
James
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i would like to know how you got the small drawer on the right side open
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Hi
Most will just open without any trouble but some have a secret button. Inside the fall front, there are usually two fake drawers. if you pull on one of the handles this can sometimes release the drawer, as it unlocks a spring.
I hope this helps
Kind regards
James
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Were any davenport desk made of pine. I recently purchased a desk similar in style but it is made from pine and only has three drawers with brass handles down either side. It also came with a secretary type hutch that sits on top. It is not attached. Was told it was a reproduction piece from the 1900’s
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Hi
I have seen quite a few examples in pine and most are from the late Victorian period
Kind regards
James
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Hi I have just purchase a davenport desk and was wondering if you be able to help me work out what era it would be and a price it is valued
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Hi
Thank you for your email, for advice and valuations of antiques
Please see
https://antiquesworld.co.uk/blog/valuing-antiques/
Kind regards
James
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Hi
Can you tell me how the pop up section stays in place once the catch inside the draw has been release
Kind regards
Jacqui
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Hi
It is usually on a spring so it holds itself in place once released
Thanks
James
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I would like to know what the Victorian oak antique Davenport / writing desk is worth as I have an identical one that I bought in Oxford in 1980/81.
Thanks
Vito-
Hi
These can range in value massively dependant on the quality and condition but they usually sell for between £800 – £1500
Thanks
James
-
-
How much is the rosewood davenport with candy twist legs?
PG
-
Hi
Sorry this piece is now sold but we do get similar in stock, so keep an eye on our desk section of our website.
Kind regards
James
-
-
I should like to know how much the first Davenport des costs? Thank you for the information
-
I want to ask how much the first Davenport Desk costs? Thank you.
-
Hi
This has recently sold for £695. please keep checking our antique desks page for similar Davenports
Kind regards
James
-
-
Hi
Can you tell me how the pop up section stays in place once the catch inside the draw has been release
Kind regards
Jacqui
-
Hi
It is usually on a spring so it holds itself in place once released
Thanks
James
-
-
Were any davenport desk made of pine. I recently purchased a desk similar in style but it is made from pine and only has three drawers with brass handles down either side. It also came with a secretary type hutch that sits on top. It is not attached. Was told it was a reproduction piece from the 1900’s
-
Hi
I have seen quite a few examples in pine and most are from the late Victorian period
Kind regards
James
-
-
i would like to know how you got the small drawer on the right side open
-
Hi
Most will just open without any trouble but some have a secret button. Inside the fall front, there are usually two fake drawers. if you pull on one of the handles this can sometimes release the drawer, as it unlocks a spring.
I hope this helps
Kind regards
James
-
-
Hi I have just purchase a davenport desk and was wondering if you be able to help me work out what era it would be and a price it is valued
-
Hi
Thank you for your email, for advice and valuations of antiques
Please see
https://antiquesworld.co.uk/blog/valuing-antiques/
Kind regards
James
-
-
I would like to know what the Victorian oak antique Davenport / writing desk is worth as I have an identical one that I bought in Oxford in 1980/81.
Thanks
Vito-
Hi
These can range in value massively dependant on the quality and condition but they usually sell for between £800 – £1500
Thanks
James
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HI I have a 1870 davenport in mahogony to sell in Australia – it is in good condition, a beautiful piece of furniture. Orginal casters, original leather … any help would be very welcomed. thank you.
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Hello
I inherited a desk a few years ago and I would like to know its value with a view to selling. It is made of walnut and is on casters. It has a piano top, the front of which lifts to reveal a writing pad with gold patterning around the edges. This can be propped up.It also has compartments for pens etc. Behind that is a concealed clasp that uses a spring to made the top section pop up revealing compartments for correspondence.-
Hi
Unfortunately we do not offer a valuation service but you can see our article here for tips on getting valuations
Many thanks
James
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