Antique Victorian late 19th Century small ebonized Davenport desk

Antique Victorian late 19th century century small ( may be for a child ) ebonized davenport desk. This stunning, small desk, has lots of compartments, drawers etc ( one side has false drawers), a lovely leather writing slope, although there is some age related wear, scuffs, marks etc. The lock is missing but there are 3 keys. I have seen restored or original ones make £2000 plus !! So I have priced this accordingly. Personally I think it adds to the look and appeal of the item ( could be touched in repaired etc ).

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80 cm tall

47 cm width

53 cm wide

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The Davenport desk originated in the late 18th century, likely named after a Captain Davenport who commissioned the design from the English furniture maker Gillows of Lancaster. It was originally designed to be a compact, portable writing desk suitable for a ship's cabin but became popular in households. Its design features a sloping lid that opens to a storage compartment, a compact base with drawers, and a narrow footprint.

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Key historical points

Origin: The term "davenport desk" first appears in Gillows' cost books in the 1790s, associated with a commission for a Captain Davenport. The captain requested a small writing desk with a sloping lid to fit on a ship.

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Designer/Manufacturer: Gillows of Lancaster was the firm that designed and produced the first davenports. The company's extensive records contain the earliest known drawing of the desk, dated 1816.

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Evolution of design: The original design was functional, but Gillows refined it over time, creating versions with elaborate inlays, turned legs, and fine veneers. As the desk's popularity grew through the 19th century, it became a fashionable piece of furniture for domestic settings, not just a campaign piece.

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Features:

Sloping lid that lifts to access a storage compartment.

A compact base with drawers on one side and false drawers on the other.

Often equipped with a built-in inkwell.

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Made traditionally from mahogany, but also rosewood, cherry, and walnut.

Some Victorian models featured ornate decorations and were built with features like a "piano top" that popped up to reveal compartments.

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Legacy: The davenport's innovative blend of functionality and elegance made it a testament to Gillows' ingenuity. Surviving examples today are highly valued by collectors for their craftsmanship.