The Antique roll top desk or also known as the Tambour front desk was first designed in the Late Victorian period usually in Walnut or Mahogany. During the Edwardian period these became extremely popular and good English Oak was used in their construction. This design was built throughout the early 20th Century with companies like Waring and Gillows, Lebus, Inglesants (who also made good quality stacking bookcases) and Angus of London. The antique roll top desk always had a single or twin pedestal, each having graduating drawers with a pull out writing slide and the tambour slatted fronts were in a D or S shape. The interior would usually have interesting compartments, like pigeon holes, letter racks, small drawers and often they would have a locking mechanism. The top rolls down and automatically locks all the drawers when the tambour front was closed and locked with the original key. The sides and backs are are panelled providing the option of placing it in the centre of the room if one desired and these antique desks split into several sections, making transportation and positioning that bit more simple. If you are interested in buying a roll topped desk please visit our desk category as we do get some wonderful examples in stock and if we do not currently have any available, please email us to be added to our wanted list. We also have a few examples for sale below along with previously sold designs.