English Pedestal Desks
Antique English Pedestal Desks
mahogany library or writing table - mahogany pedestal desk - kidney-shaped writing table or desk - burr yew pedestal desk on paw feet - nineteenth century mahogany pedestal desk - kidney-shaped desk of Sheraton design
Pedestal desks for study, library and office use do not really stem from the same origin as the kneehole dressing table. They come from another branch of the furniture tree those grand library and writing tables of the mid-eighteenth century which the great cabinet makers, including Chippendale, made for wealthy clients. This has some bearing on style, for these grand tables did not have bracket feet, like kneeholes, but had a flat plinth base right around. Antique pedestal desks tend to follow this design, with a solid base, rather than bracket, splay or later forms of turned foot. As a broad rule ‘the higher the leg the lower the price’.
A fairly grand mahogany library or writing table, with a leather inlaid top, blind-fretted frieze and carved decoration on the angled corners and kneehole section.
A mahogany pedestal desk with leather top and a typical arrangement of cock-beaded drawers. A type illustrated by Hepplewhite.
1770-1800
The kidney-shaped writing table or desk was very popular in the nineteenth century but is originally an eighteenth century form, being illustrated by Sheraton in his design books (and in his early nineteenth century books on paw feet). This is a mahogany example with cross-banded drawers and leather top.
Made in Britain 1800-1820 (early 19th Century)
A burr yew pedestal desk on paw feet in the early nineteenth century manner. Being large and with drawers both sides, it is termed a partners’ desk. There is a possibility that this could be early eighteenth century, with later feet and top, in which case the price would be much greater.
Early 19th century
A nineteenth century mahogany pedestal desk of a type made throughout the century for office use. This has a bit of extra quality in the fluting on the front carcase edges and features a lip moulding to the drawers.
A burr walnut pedestal desk with ring handles which gives the piece an attractive appearance. 1840-1860
A typical nineteenth century standard quality pedestal desk. Made in mahogany, oak and pine throughout the period and understandably popular due to its utilitarian value.
Any small feature of interest adds to its value almost disproportionately.
Late 19th /early 20th century
An almost exhibition desk in the Talbert-Eastlake-SeddonBurges manner. All these mid-nineteenth century designers reverted to ‘medieval’ designs and revealed construction in some degree. This piece is made of oak and is considerably decorated with inlays. No longer underestimated.
A kidney-shaped desk of Sheraton design, made by Edwards and Roberts, a nineteenth century firm who specialised in reproductions of eighteenth century designs. This is a Sheraton design, made in plum-pudding mahogany with inlaid satinwood banding and with stringing.
More examples of antique pedestal desks -
Late 19th Century oak pedestal desk of nine drawers with turned wood handles.
A Victorian stripped pine inverted break-front kneehole desk with brass handles.
Victorian mahogany pedestal desk of nine drawers with turned wood knobs.
Late 19th century oak roll-top desk.
Late 19th century mahogany cilinder top pedestal desk.
A 19th century inlaid desk with brass loop handles and bracket feet.
19th century mahogany kneehole desk with pressed brass handles.
19th century secretaire kneehole desk in mahogany.
A George III mahogany inlaid pedestal writing table with one long drawer in the frieze.
glass lamp opaline 34185 mm
italian living room kitchen and bedroom furniture
an antique venetian gilt metal
3 in crystal glass baccarat
figure new bronze fireman firefighter
new pair of silver candelabra
2 beautiful bells of entry
coquetier silver start in xx
bookcase eclectic style beautiful walnut end 19th century
Tags: Cabinet, cabinet maker, Chippendale, Desks, dressing table, hepplewhite, inlaid, mahogany, mahogany pedestal, mid eighteenth century, paw feet, pedestal, pedestal desk, Pedestal Desks, Sheraton, writing table, writing tables