What is an antique writing desk called?
Escritoire
Escritoire. An escritoire is a type of case furniture, usually a low desk with a slant top. When open, this sloping lid forms a surface for writing or reading (the name derives from the French word “écrire”, meaning “to write”).
How do I date a vintage desk?
Antique furniture hardware can help you assign a date to a piece, and a secretary nearly always has hinges. Take a good look at these to learn about its age. Look for a manufacturer mark or label. Often, antique secretaries will have a label affixed to the back or underside of the desk.
What is a Davenport writing desk?
A Davenport desk is a writing table that features a hinged top and a number of drawers or compartments, allowing a significant amount of storage relative to the amount of space the piece occupies. It usually has elaborately carved legs and is often made from rich, dark woods like walnut or cherry.
What is a Larkin desk?
often is called a Larkin desk by collectors, but it is also called a side-by-side secretary or a bookcase desk. It was made circa 1910, but unfortunately the prices of most oak furniture have suffered a downturn in recent years and the insurance replacement value of this piece is currently $1,800 to $2,200.
What is a Governor Winthrop desk?
In some places the slant top desk is known as a “bureau” desk, and in others it goes under the name of slope-front desk. In the United States, the slant top desk is sometimes called a Governor Winthrop desk, in memory of John Winthrop, the 17th century governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
When was the first Davenport desk made?
1790
The antique davenport desk was first recorded in the George III period of 1790, in the records of the renowned cabinet maker Gillows of Lancaster and it states ‘Captain Davenport desk’.
What is Larkin furniture?
A–There were numerous pieces of Larkin furniture, ranging from Hoosier-type kitchen cabinets to wooden ice boxes to a variety of desks, chairs, tables and other pieces for every room in the house. At one time the furniture was given away as premiums with the purchase of Larkin soaps and food products.
What is a Victorian davenport?
It was built and commissioned for Captain Davenport and was the first example of this type of small Mahogany writing desk, called by the captain’s name. During the late Georgian and Victorian eras, the davenport was mainly used by the Lady and would have of a small chest of drawers with a desk on top.
What does a davenport look like?
The Davenport desk has a slanting top that can be lifted up on hinges. Beneath the desktop is a compartment for writing supplies, as well as drawers and pigeonholes. The desk features drawers and cupboards that open on the side, not the front.
Where was Larkin furniture made?
Larkin’s first factory was located at 196-198 Chicago Street in Buffalo’s Old First Ward area, and by 1877 the company had grown so rapidly that Larkin purchased property at 667 Seneca Street in the Hydraulics neighborhood in order to build a larger factory, adjacent to rail lines and the needed raw materials.
What happened to the Larkin Soap Company?
The company was sold in 1941, liquidated in 1942, and the new owners continued a mail-order business until 1962.