How do you date antique furniture by foot?

Another way for how to date antique furniture by feet is comparing it to other pieces you already know the time period of. By evaluating the condition, or identifying the use of similar materials, shapes, patterns and production techniques, the trained eye can work out how to date antique furniture by the feet.

How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?

Check the desk for original locks stamped with a turn-of-the-century manufacturer’s name, such as Derby Desk Company, Schlicht Area Company, Shannon File Company or Cutler Desk Company. You might also find the name of the manufacturer underneath the desk, which could even include the date the piece was manufactured.

When was the first desk made?

Desks first appear in the late 17th century (the 1600’s) as bureaus, i.e. a sloping front desk in which the writing surface can be opened and closed. They were an adaptation of the chest of drawers onto which the writing slope was fitted.

Why is it called a secretary desk?

Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.

Where did desks come from?

The first desks were probably designed for ecclesiastical use. Early English desks derived from the church lectern were massive; after the development of printing, they gave way to smaller, portable chests with sloping lids—called writing boxes—some of which featured drawers and letter holes.

Why is furniture called a secretary?

The secretary (from secretarius, Latin for writer) evolved as a larger and more formal piece of furniture to store books and papers.

How can you tell a real Davenport desk?

There is generally a row of drawers down one side, with false drawers on the opposing side, and the top is surmounted by a brass or fretwork gallery. Made to be freestanding, davenports are finished and polished on all four sides.

What is a Wooton desk worth?

“The Wooton desk, for anybody collecting late 19th century furniture, this is one of the ultimate pieces you would have.” Melchert asked for $14,500 and ultimately got pretty close to that with a final accepted offer of $13,500.

What era are secretary desks from?

The secretary’s provenance is likely to have been French, appearing in the first half of the 1800s in France as an offshoot of the plainer escritoire, or writing desk. Traditionally made from wood and often ornate, a secretary may also feature various metals, such as gilded accents, and inlays.

What is a secretariat desk?

A secretary desk or escritoire is made of a base of wide drawers topped by a desk with a hinged desktop surface, which is in turn topped by a bookcase usually closed with a pair of doors, often made of glass. The whole is usually a single, tall and heavy piece of furniture.

How much is a spinet desk worth?

Such dual-purpose mahogany spinet desks with decoration, made during the first quarter of the 20th century, presently bring $225 to $350 when in excellent condition.

What is a small writing desk called?

A desk used for writing. secretaire. desk. escritoire. davenport.

What is a desk without drawers called?

Adjustable Height Desk (Sit-Stand Desk)

Like writing desks, adjustable height desks either don’t have any drawers or have only shallow pencil drawers. An adjustable or sit-stand desk is a great choice for those looking for a versatile or ergonomic workspace, as well as workspaces with multiple users.

What is a 6 letter word for writing desk?

The crossword clue Writing desk with 6 letters was last seen on the June 01, 2022. We think the likely answer to this clue is BUREAU.

What is a slanted desk called?

The slant top desk, also called secretary desk, or more properly, a bureau is a piece of writing furniture with a lid, when closed stays at an angle, and opens up as a writing surface. It can also be considered related, in form, of the desk on a frame, which was a form of portable desk in earlier eras.

What is a Winthrop desk?

A Like me, you must hail from New England where a piece of furniture like yours is often referred to as a Governor Winthrop desk. While the term is correct, most people outside our neck of the woods might call this a drop front or slant front desk, even a drop lid or slant top desk.

What is a desk with hidden compartments called?

The Queen Anne style, Escritoire, or Secretary Desks often had many hidden compartments built into them. Finding them as an owner of a genuine Chippendale whether you’ve newly acquired one or have had one in your family for years, maybe a challenge.