Antique desks with secret compartments portable#

It traditionally rests on bun feet, often with castors to make it portable from room to room. The annoying thing is an antique machine can work without making noise whereas the museum its in has stupid creaky floors ruining the demonstration. Originally a simple chest of drawers with a swivel top, it grew increasingly ornate, with pilasters or cabriole legs in front. A few forms have had them with fair regularity such as spice chests, fall-front desks and blanket chests. English Antique Lap Desk Sloped Writing Box Campaign Style Compartments & Hidden Drawer 1900s (1.6k) 425.00. Solid wood is generally more durable and long-lasting than composite materials. Most furniture forms will accommodate a hidden compartment or secret drawer somewhere. Vintage Henkel Harris Solid Mahogany John Hancock Secretary Desk - Hidden Compartments for Cash, Gold, Documents Exquisite Craftsmanship (13) 2,249.00. Consider the materials used in the construction of the piece. However, the Davenport became popular on dry land in the 19th century, in homes throughout England and the United States. Look for antique furniture pieces with hidden compartments that can serve multiple purposes, such as a desk that also doubles as a bookshelf. They are sometimes referenced, in fact, as a ship captain's desk. Because of this military connection, and the desk's compact size and multiple compartments, furniture historians theorize the piece was originally intended to be used on a ship, or on military campaigns. The secret compartments served as secluded storage spaces for valuable items such as jewelry, precious metals, or important papers like wills and property deeds. For centuries, secret compartments have been built into boxes and cabinets to hide their owner’s most valuable possessions, gold coins or private documentation. Its name derives from the client it was made for, a Captain Davenport. The Davenport dates from the 1790s, developed by a British furniture-making firm named Gillows (also known as Gillow & Co.).

Many also have small front drawers, cubbyholes, hidden compartments released by a knob in one of the drawers, or pop-up galleries. Some have one side of working drawers and one side of faux drawers. The Davenport is a type of small case desk, with a slanted and/or pull-out top and a row of drawers down one or both sides.