The Enduring Popularity Of The Pedestal Desk

The Enduring Popularity Of The Pedestal Desk

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The pedestal desk is an imposing piece of antique furniture and started out its life in the grand libraries of the wealthy. From an example of this magnificent antique desk, the lord of the manor would carry out his business and domestic affairs.

Although mainly used by men, the desk had evolved from a feminine piece of furniture where it was used as a kneehole dressing table in the early part of the 18th century. At that time it was made of walnut rather than the mahogany most common in later examples and was decorative rather than functional. Indeed, the central division between the two sets of drawers was too narrow to place both legs comfortably.

The pedestal desk as it stands today was made larger during the middle of the 18th century and built from three separate units. These were the two large pedestals containing drawers either side, which were joined by the flat desk top. The fashion for these new larger desks to be made in mahogany rather than walnut coincided with severe shortages of walnut during the early to middle part of the century.

The popularity of this antique desk soared through its inclusion in Thomas Chippendales Gentlemen and Cabinet-Makers Director produced in 1754. Wealthy gentlemen were now able to visit Chippendales workshop and order the design they needed. Chippendales designs were extensively copied but as very few pieces of furniture made by him during the 18th century were actually signed Chippendale, most of these pieces are referred to as Chippendale anyway.

One exception to this rule were pieces made by Robert Gillow of Lancaster who made variations on Chippendales designs and proudly stamped his firms name on each piece of furniture he produced, so these well made pieces are easily attributed to him.

The pedestal desk like other pieces of antique furniture reflected the styles of the time. Chippendale-designed furniture tended to follow the flowing and ornate lines of the French Rococo. He also collaborated with architect decorators, such as Robert Adam and fine examples are still to be found in Adam-designed houses today. Much simpler designed pieces made of lighter woods became more popular as the Rococo period moved into the much finer lines of the neo-classical period; designers such as George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton also produced furniture guides as Chippendale had done.

The size and solidness of this particular design ensured its popularity with the size conscious Victorians and this antique desk really has never gone out of fashion, although has been sized down for modern town house and apartment living. These days, large period and revival examples of these antique desks tend to be used more in commercial settings or solicitors offices.

Fine examples of period and revival antique desks can be found through good UK antique furniture dealers in Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire and nationwide.

About the Author:
The author Christian Davies is a second generation antiques dealer and owner of Christian Davies Antiques, a family based antiques business based in Preston, Lancashire.

Christian has over 23 years experience in the antiques business and has a passion for genuine, high quality antiques furniture, particularly Arts & Crafts furniture, which he sources from the UK and Europe.

For further information, follow the link for antiques.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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