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Chapmanpugh Modern Antiques
Tel07739628028Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 7739628028
Unusual Davenport Unfolding Writing Desk c.1830
In General
An especially neat and compact early 19th century late Georgian Davenport Writing Desk in
mahogany and flame mahogany circa 1830 in a most unusual format. It has the usual Davenport
four drawers to the right which are, in this instance, uncommonly, enclosed by a locking door. This
means that there do not need to be any dummy drawers on the other side and the whole effect is
pleasingly tidy and unfussy. There is a lockable opening top and folding front revealing a leather
covered desk with stationery rack above with two glass ink pots. The drawers are very attractively wood lined.
This Davenport is in extremely good condition and the flame mahogany markings are unusually vivid and bright. Both the door and desk keys are in place and the bone escutcheon for the desk key is an elegant diamond shape. The glass ink pots are in very clean condition. It stands on double bun feet.
Being only 57cm (22.5 in) wide, 35.5 cm (14 in) deep and 95 cm (37.5 in) high, it is of very slim
proportions having an especially shallow depth making it unusually suitable for smaller spaces and
very manoeuvrable. Also, as it has a polished back, it is suitable to be free standing in any part of a
room. Davenports are usually designed to be quite small and were often used by women. But this
one is very cleverly designed with its unfolding desk to be of a completely useable size within these
very compact dimensions. We have not seen another in this configuration.
So far as is known, the first Davenport was made by Gillows of Lancaster (an extremely prestigious
cabinet maker) pursuant to an order placed by a Captain Davenport in the 1790s. The Gillows order
book of that period reveals an entry: “Captain Davenport – a desk”. Not much is known about
Captain Davenport although it is thought that he may have been in the Navy and wanted the Desk to
be taken on board a ship where of necessity it would need to be of a relatively small size.
Alternatively, he may have ordered it as a gift for a lady. Davenports were a very popular style until
the end of the 19th Century although they grew in size and decoration to be much larger pieces of
furniture.
This example contains all the elements of an early Davenport with its relatively simple, elegant design and appearance not having the over-hanging desk which is a feature of some later
Davenports and which would of necessity make it bigger and of a heavier appearance. The flame
mahogany makes it an extremely eye catching and desirable piece of furniture.
Maker
None. Furniture of this type does not generally carry a maker’s mark.
Mark
There are no markings as to manufacture.
Year
Circa 1830
Material
Mahogany and Flame Mahogany and tooled leather writing desk.
Condition
The Davenport is very solid in construction with no loose joints, breakages or restoration and is suitable for a study, home office, sitting room, bedroom, multi room use - being deliberately small in dimension. It has a very pleasant antique patina showing some marks, light scratches and cracking of the mahogany veneer but they are entirely commensurate with its age - being nearly 200 years old.
Dimensions ( L x W x H )
57cm or 22.5 inches x 35.5 cm or 14 inches x 95 cm or 37.5 inches
Shipping
We use trusted couriers in the UK and across the World. Purchases are very carefully wrapped and packed using high quality packing materials. Shipments are fully insured and sent at the risk of Chapman Pugh Ltd.
Please be aware that there maybe customs and/or tax payments due on the parcels arrival in the buyers country. This varies from country to country. Any additional customs and/or tax payments are the responsibility of the buyer.
ALL SHIPPING COSTS ARE REFUNDED IF LESS THAN STATED BELOW:
Shipping Costs:
United Kingdom £95.00
Central Europe estimated £250.00
Eastern Europe estimated £250.00
United States estimated £650.00
All Other Zones estimated £750.00
SellerChapmanpugh Modern Antiques
View all stock from
Chapmanpugh Modern Antiques
By appointment only
304 Ben Johnson House
Barbican
London
EC2Y 8NQ
Tel : 07739628028
Non UK callers : +44 7739628028
Get directions to Chapmanpugh Modern Antiques
An especially neat and compact early 19th century late Georgian Davenport Writing Desk in
mahogany and flame mahogany circa 1830 in a most unusual format. It has the usual Davenport
four drawers to the right which are, in this instance, uncommonly, enclosed by a locking door. This
means that there do not need to be any dummy drawers on the other side and the whole effect is
pleasingly tidy and unfussy. There is a lockable opening top and folding front revealing a leather
covered desk with stationery rack above with two glass ink pots. The drawers are very attractively wood lined.
This Davenport is in extremely good condition and the flame mahogany markings are unusually vivid and bright. Both the door and desk keys are in place and the bone escutcheon for the desk key is an elegant diamond shape. The glass ink pots are in very clean condition. It stands on double bun feet.
Being only 57cm (22.5 in) wide, 35.5 cm (14 in) deep and 95 cm (37.5 in) high, it is of very slim
proportions having an especially shallow depth making it unusually suitable for smaller spaces and
very manoeuvrable. Also, as it has a polished back, it is suitable to be free standing in any part of a
room. Davenports are usually designed to be quite small and were often used by women. But this
one is very cleverly designed with its unfolding desk to be of a completely useable size within these
very compact dimensions. We have not seen another in this configuration.
So far as is known, the first Davenport was made by Gillows of Lancaster (an extremely prestigious
cabinet maker) pursuant to an order placed by a Captain Davenport in the 1790s. The Gillows order
book of that period reveals an entry: “Captain Davenport – a desk”. Not much is known about
Captain Davenport although it is thought that he may have been in the Navy and wanted the Desk to
be taken on board a ship where of necessity it would need to be of a relatively small size.
Alternatively, he may have ordered it as a gift for a lady. Davenports were a very popular style until
the end of the 19th Century although they grew in size and decoration to be much larger pieces of
furniture.
This example contains all the elements of an early Davenport with its relatively simple, elegant design and appearance not having the over-hanging desk which is a feature of some later
Davenports and which would of necessity make it bigger and of a heavier appearance. The flame
mahogany makes it an extremely eye catching and desirable piece of furniture.
Maker
None. Furniture of this type does not generally carry a maker’s mark.
Mark
There are no markings as to manufacture.
Year
Circa 1830
Material
Mahogany and Flame Mahogany and tooled leather writing desk.
Condition
The Davenport is very solid in construction with no loose joints, breakages or restoration and is suitable for a study, home office, sitting room, bedroom, multi room use - being deliberately small in dimension. It has a very pleasant antique patina showing some marks, light scratches and cracking of the mahogany veneer but they are entirely commensurate with its age - being nearly 200 years old.
Dimensions ( L x W x H )
57cm or 22.5 inches x 35.5 cm or 14 inches x 95 cm or 37.5 inches
Shipping
We use trusted couriers in the UK and across the World. Purchases are very carefully wrapped and packed using high quality packing materials. Shipments are fully insured and sent at the risk of Chapman Pugh Ltd.
Please be aware that there maybe customs and/or tax payments due on the parcels arrival in the buyers country. This varies from country to country. Any additional customs and/or tax payments are the responsibility of the buyer.
ALL SHIPPING COSTS ARE REFUNDED IF LESS THAN STATED BELOW:
Shipping Costs:
United Kingdom £95.00
Central Europe estimated £250.00
Eastern Europe estimated £250.00
United States estimated £650.00
All Other Zones estimated £750.00
Price
The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 4/DEC/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Or best offer
Category Antique Furniture
Date Georgian
Early 19th Century Antiques Origin English
Item code as1105a082 / Davenport
Status For Sale
£1850.00 
$2474.01
€2119.36
$2474.01
€2119.36
Conversion rates as of 4/DEC/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Or best offer
Shipping information
Once payment is made items are packed with great care and attention using high quality packaging materials to ensure safe delivery and thereafter dispatched.
For parcels we use trusted couriers in the UK, Europe and Worldwide. We tend to use Royal Mail Special Delivery tracked and signed for and Parcelforce 48 tracked in the UK and Royal Mail, Transglobal, DHL and Fedex tracked in Europe and the rest of the world.
The delivery time in the UK for parcels is generally between 24 and 48 hours on working days. The delivery time in Europe is generally between 2 - 5 working days. The delivery time to the United States is generally 4 - 6 working days. The delivery time for the rest of the world is generally between 6 - 8 working days.
Furniture and larger items are sent in the UK and Europe using trusted couriers by road and by sea freight to the United States and the rest of the world. The delivery time varies from country to country.
Please contact us through Antiques Atlas for a quick quote for a precise delivery cost and timing for Europe, the United States or the rest of the world. It maybe possible to obtain a cheaper quote with a precise address.
All items are comprehensively insured whilst in transit and sent at the risk of Chapman Pugh Ltd.
For parcels we use trusted couriers in the UK, Europe and Worldwide. We tend to use Royal Mail Special Delivery tracked and signed for and Parcelforce 48 tracked in the UK and Royal Mail, Transglobal, DHL and Fedex tracked in Europe and the rest of the world.
The delivery time in the UK for parcels is generally between 24 and 48 hours on working days. The delivery time in Europe is generally between 2 - 5 working days. The delivery time to the United States is generally 4 - 6 working days. The delivery time for the rest of the world is generally between 6 - 8 working days.
Furniture and larger items are sent in the UK and Europe using trusted couriers by road and by sea freight to the United States and the rest of the world. The delivery time varies from country to country.
Please contact us through Antiques Atlas for a quick quote for a precise delivery cost and timing for Europe, the United States or the rest of the world. It maybe possible to obtain a cheaper quote with a precise address.
All items are comprehensively insured whilst in transit and sent at the risk of Chapman Pugh Ltd.
View all stock from
Chapmanpugh Modern Antiques
By appointment only304 Ben Johnson House
Barbican
London
EC2Y 8NQ
Tel : 07739628028
Non UK callers : +44 7739628028
Get directions to Chapmanpugh Modern Antiques
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Small Victorian Mahogany Desk
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