Mahogany Davenport Desk

There is more to this exceptional Davenport desk than meets the eye. Crafted of luxurious mahogany, the 19th-century desk is compact yet offers ample storage space. The leather-upholstered slanted writing surface lifts to reveal space for keeping one’s documents. Additional drawers provide supplementary room for housing writing instruments and other treasures. The base of the desk is exquisitely carved with scrolling motifs and lion's paw feet. Blending function and form, this Davenport desk was likely used as flat furniture, meaning that it was created in a smaller scale for the London apartments of the British elite.

Originating in the 1790s, Davenports were first produced by the renowned Gillow of Lancaster and London cabinetmakers at the request of Captain Davenport and were produced in all stylistic varieties of the period.

Similar versions are featured in Victorian and Edwardian Furniture by John Andrews, and in The Antiques Directory of Furniture, edited by Judith and Martin Miller.

19th century

33 5/8" high x 20 3/4" wide x 21 5/8" deep