Mahogany Davenport Desk And Green Leather-wrapped Top, 19th Century

Lovely little English desk from the Victorian era, in mahogany with top covered in green leather gilded with small irons. This model opens with 4 drawers on each of the two sides (which is unusual since quite often only one side opens, the other being decorated with a front of false drawers). A storage space with a flap is located at the top of the secretary. The writing top also lifts up, releasing a storage compartment with 8 small drawers at the bottom. The front of the secretary rests on two scalloped feet decorated with sculpted flowers and stylized foliage. This small piece of furniture owes its name to Captain Davenport who was the first to request its design towards the end of the 18th century in order to serve as a desk that could be easily embarked on naval vessels. The shape of this secretary is quite characteristic: the top of the piece of furniture is similar to an old school desk, while the bottom is rather similar to part of a double pedestal desk.