Victorian Davenport Wooden Secretaire, 1800s

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A solid wood Davenport secretary desk in the style of 19th-century Victorian Davenport desks likely from the second half of … Read more A solid wood Davenport secretary desk in the style of 19th-century Victorian Davenport desks likely from the second half of the 20th century. The compact, enclosed form, with its slanted writing surface and curved front supports, appears clearly structured and well-proportioned. Historical Context: The Davenport is a type of furniture that originated in England around 1800 and became established during the 19th century as a compact writing desk for private use. with its small footprint, slanted writing surface, and side-mounted drawers, it was designed for correspondence and writing in middle-class living rooms and drawing-rooms where there was no space for a large writing desk. In the 20th century, this type was frequently reproduced in solid wood in colonial-era workshops in South and Southeast Asia; these replicas adopt the construction and design language of the Victorian originals. Features: Hinged, slanted writing surface with a light-colored writing pad, behind which is an interior compartment with six small, curved drawers and a separate hinged upper compartment. Four side drawers with metal knobs; the front is supported by two carved, curved supports. Design: The design follows the classic Davenport scheme of the Victorian era: a closed body with a row of side drawers, above which is the projecting writing desk with a profiled, curved top. The carved, volute-like curved front supports and the curved fronts of the interior drawers reflect historicist design principles. The glossy, dark-tinted finish is typical of Indo-colonial replicas of this type of furniture. Function: Formerly: a compact writing desk for correspondence and private writing. Today: a space-saving writing and laptop workstation, a console in the hallway, or a standalone accent piece with storage. Dimensions: Height 83 cm (desk height 64 cm) × Width 53 cm × Depth 54 cm. Material and condition: Solid wood, dark stained and glossy finish; writing surface with light inlay. Very good condition. See less