I believe this is called a Captains Desk. It has metal rollers on the bottom. It appears to be made from Walnut. On the very top is a letter sorter with a flip top. The slot dividers can be removed, but must be replaced in the same location. The dividers could be made of rosewood or some other very soft wood.
The top has a hinged opening half way from the front and then a pullout desktop. When pulled out there is a green leather work space edged in gold. This work space has a tab on top to pull it up then an easel-type stand in back to keep it slanted. To the right is a pen holder that when pushed comes out to reveal a compartment beneath. Behind the pen holder are two insets, one with an empty ink bottle inside.
To the right side is a door when opens to a set of drawers with knobs. When complete removed the draws are beautifully dovetailed.
The only mechanical issue seems to be the missing hinges on the door. There was no key but the lock on the front can be engaged with a skeleton key I had from another piece of furniture.
The wood itself is worn but still in excellent condition.
Re: Captains Desk
I've searched the internet looking for information and while I find captain desks or davenports, I can't seem to find anything even remotely close to the one I have.
I would greatly appreciate any insight either on the piece itself or how or where I can get more information.
Thanks!
Re: Captains Desk
I don't collect furniture, but I did see a similar piece to this on a British antique 'game show' called "bargain hunt" last year. [I like the look, but don't have the space or budget for it.] In this case the piece was singled out by the host in the auction room, and was very similar to yours except the files storage area was in the back of the desk where the railing is. You pressed a hidden lever and the unit popped up reveling horizontal cubbies.
A couple points strike me from your photos.
1. I think the wheels on yours were a later (early 1900's?) add on. You might check the styles of them for that detail. I doubt that they were original or it is a later piece than what it initially looks like. If it was a captain's desk destined for sea, it is unlikely to have wheels. Imagine it in a heavy sea trundling around the cabin!
2. The effect of the side shelves is quite jarring in your photos. They may be indeed be very well made, but are likely replacements. The craftsman makers of this type of desk wouldn't take the trouble to make the back perfect - when it sits against a wall - but the sides that would be open to view (otherwise how do you use the drawers?) out of a totally different wood and coloring. Again this points to either a copied piece or one with significant restorations. (at least to my amateur eyes.)
The one in the show had matching drawer faces to the rest of the desk.
It sold, as I recall, for about 1200 pounds (approx. $2,000+) at that time. The piece was in perfect shape, had no wheels, but still didn't go high. It was a dark colored piece which does not sell well, according to the show's host. I remember it because I wished I was there to bid on it!
The general style looks to me to be from the Vermont area, late 1800's early 1900's time frame. The drawer pulls look to be early 1900's.
Have you looked at the underside of the desk area and the undersides of the drawers? Makers often leave marks and tags in those hidden areas. Check the back side of the drawers too. Even the scratch marks of the scribes used to mark the cuts and the joints and fasteners help place the piece.
Good luck with your quest on it, it appears to be a very nice piece.
I would start asking at an antique furniture collector's site to get more information as a next step.
Garry
Re: Captains Desk
Trying again...does anyone have ANY information they can share about this piece? I appreciate any response. Thanks!