Summary:
• Circa: 1890
• Period: Late Victorian
• Wood: Oak
• Provenance: England, UK
• Locksmith: Maple & Colt Ltd. (London & Paris)
• Width: 4ft 7⅛”
• Freestanding / centre room desk
• “S” shaped design
• Posting slots
• Solid fielded oak panels
• Brass drop interior handles
• 27 internal drawers
• 5 internal vertical compartments
• 2 pull out writing slide supports
• 8 graduated drawers to pedestals
• Central lockable drawer
• Large filing drawer
• Central modesty board
• Original working lock and keys
• Working locking mechanism
• Excellent original colour & patination
• Free 14 day UK returns policy
The desktop has been constructed from the best quality oak and the exterior of the desks features good quality pronounced fielded oak panels.
Constructed with an “S” shaped design to the top section, the desk was designed to be freestanding in the centre of a room. Either side of the “s” shaped sides are posting slots. These were designed to allow people to post letters through the slot addressed to the owner of the desk, whilst the desk was closed. The sliding tambour can be moved up and down to reveal a bank of internal drawers and compartments. The pigeonhole drawer linings are constructed of sycamore. The interior houses 27 internal drawers; the top row incorporates brass label holders, with all drawers featuring oak knobs.
Five large vertical pigeonholes, with twin horizontal pen trays to the centre of the desk, are incorporated into the bank of drawers, with twin letter racks on the inside of the tambour. These pigeonholes and vertical compartments are ideal for storing paperwork or letters in an upright position.
When the sliding tambour is pulled down and secured using the original lock and key, the secret locking mechanism is activated to lock the pedestal drawers, except the central drawer. When the sliding tambour is opened again, this deactivates the locking mechanism. The original tambour lock and key are in good working order. The central drawer also features the original working lock and key. It is worth noting that Maple & Colt Ltd. of London & Paris made the barrel lock; this is stamped on the carved brass escutcheon.
The desk stands on two large pedestals, which incorporate a bank of graduated drawers that are made of top quality sycamore with hand dovetail construction. Each drawer retains its original adjustable partition divider. The bottom right drawer features a large open filing drawer. The drawers retain their original, ornate oak cup handles. The drawer fronts feature a cushion front moulding. Sitting on top of each pedestal are two large pullout-writing slides, ideal for organising additional paper work around you, whilst you work. There is a solid oak fielded panel modesty board in between the two pedestals at the back of the desk. The desk sits on its original steel castors. The desk dismantles into three sections for easy storage or transportation.
Condition Report:
The desk is in good condition and is in complete working order. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, notably to the exterior of the pedestals and plinths, but nothing significant considering its age. There are no ink or water stains or scratches to the main work surface area (which are common on these desks). There are old use marks to the tops of the writing slide supports and inside the drawers. The tambour retains its original working barrel lock and key. There are no splits in the tambour (which again, is common in these types of desks). The desk also retains its original internal secret locking mechanism; when the roll-top is closed, it locks all the drawers except the central drawer. The central drawer retains separate original working lock and key. The desk boasts all its internal brass label holders; drawer handles/knobs and sits on its original castors. One of the dividers inside one of the drawers is missing a small piece to its corner, but it is still fully functional. Please note, the drawers were designed to have only one divider per drawer, the position of which (back to front) can be adjusted; the drawers are not missing multiple dividers. The desk retains its original polish, which is why it has a fantastic colour and patination. It is rare to see a roll top desk displaying such quality in such good condition. This item is well made, solid in joint and ready to use.
Dimensions:
External height = 127cm or 50” or 4ft 2”
External width = 140cm or 55⅛” or 4ft 7⅛”
External depth = 82cm or 32¼” or 2ft 8¼”
Writing height = 77cm or 30⅜” or 2ft 6⅜”
Writing width = 129.8cm or 51⅛” or 4ft 3⅛”
Writing depth = 71.5cm or 28⅛” or 2ft 4⅛”
Knee height = 62.7cm or 24⅝” or 2ft ⅝”
Knee width (pedestals) = 53cm or 20⅞” or 1ft 8⅞”
Knee width (at plinth) = 50.5cm or 19⅞” or 1ft 7⅞”
Terms & Conditions:
Before you purchase this item, please ensure you have read and are in agreement with our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If you have any questions regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale, please contact us to discuss them, before purchasing this item.
Ref. Roll Top Desk 27