Antique English Cylinder and Tambour Desks
DESKS: CYLINDER AND TAMBOUR
About 1780 onwards
Both terms are used to describe any desk with a superstructure enclosed by a half- or quarter-round sliding lid which disappears into the structure when lifted. A cylinder top has a continuous smooth surface; a tambour is slatted. This type of desk originated in France a little earlier.
Early examples (about 1780-1830) mostly with a base as a lady’s writing-table (see BONHEURS DU )OURS, P. 108), but often larger and sometimes with extra lower drawer on each side. Frequently an upper cabinet or
bookcase above. Super-structure fitted with small drawers, pigeonholes. Sometimes the inner writing-surface pulls forward as top lifts. If quarter-round (most common type) the flat shelf at the top bordered by a brass gallery.
Pedestal versions (mostly tambour) about 1870 onwards. Similar interior fittings; inset leather (later ‘imitation’) writing-surface. Flat
George III satinwood tambour desk with pedimented bookcase above.
top above bordered by low wooden gallery. Tambour sometimes serpentine instead of quarter-round.
At all times lid on both types lifted by two (occasionally one) knob(s) or handle(s) fitted at its base.
Mahogany, occasionally satinwood in 18th/ early 19thC. Commonly mahogany or oak in Victorian, Edwardian and inter-war periods. Mahogany or pine for carcases when veneered, with mahogany or oak for drawer linings. Matching timber usually used for interior fittings, but popularly ’satin walnut’ from about 1870.
Standard methods employed.
Tambour: Constructed of large number of horizontal laths or narrow mouldings, laid close together, their flat sides glued to a piece of stiff fabric.
Note: These are often damaged especially if the fabric and glue have dried out and are difficult and expensive to repair. Do inspect the tambour carefully and open and close it several times to make sure it functions well.
Cylinder: Always veneered; on base composed of many long and narrow, angled or grooved, pieces of timber, planed on the outer edge to provide a smooth surface.
Both types slide in grooves cut in sides of superstructure.
Some restrained inlay on early writing- table types; more pronounced inlay, occasionally painted decoration, on Edwardian Sheraton revival versions. Seldom any decoration not even interesting figured woods on
pedestal.
Handles: Standard for dates. Brass bail or ring on table type; wooden knobs, joined by various metal handles around 1870, in 19thC. Horizontal wooden pulls after 1900.
Stain followed by polish. French polish from about 1820.
Victorian and later oak more often stained a light honey colour rather than the usual dark, treacly, brown.
Early-19thC mahogany tambour desk.
VALUES
Very large numbers of these desks were mass-produced for office use beween the wars (though some would date them pre-1914). Characteristic features are horizontal wooden pull handles on lower drawers,
rectangular metal label frames (either with integral pull or separate small turned knob) on inner drawers, panelled back to recess and simple curved apron at front. Plywood drawer linings will be an instant giveaway.
Early writing-tables rare and correspondingly expensive: even Edwardian reproductions fetch four-figure sums. Victorian pedestals relatively less; only the meanest half-pedestal or coarsely-made inter-war pieces found for three-figure sums.
Late-19MC mahogany tambour pedestal desk, much more common in oak with wooden pull handles.
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Tags: bookcase, Commonly, Edwardian, ENGLISH, FRENCH, George III, imitation, mahogany, REPRODUCTIONS, satinwood, superstructure, writing table