Advice on Choosing and Buying an Antique Desk
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If you would like to know more about the history of the desk and what to look for when choosing the right desk for you here is our brief guide. Also look at our blogg where Gavin has writen about this in more detail.
Q. Prices vary a great deal so what effects the value of an antique desk?
When buying an antique desk, age, originality, quality and size are the factors that determine price.
Most old desks have been restored at least once, particularly those from the early 19th century and Victorian periods. Look for sympathetic restoration undertaken in a traditional manner with a French polished or waxed finish.
Desks with original leather writing surface are hard to come by and is highly prized. We aim during restoration to retain where possible as much as we can from the original, but the main areas of wear, leather writing surface, knobs, handles and plinths are often beyond recovery. We replace missing wooden knobs by making new to the same pattern and from similar timber.
Look at the quality of the veneer, earlier in the 19th century quality timber was more readily available and veneers were cut more thickly and tend to have more attractive figuring.
A good indicator of quality are the drawer linings, those made in oak, mahogany and cedar are generally best.
Most are of dovetailed construction and are hand made. If the desk has the original locks those stamped with the manufacturers name are a good indicator of quality.
Q. What Are The Problem Areas?There are a few things which you should consider when viewing a desk:
- Firstly consider whether the desk has been made from some other piece of furniture?
- Because of their popularity many smaller desks and writing tables have been adapted from other items of furniture such as dressing tables or washstands. These are often fixed peices, as in the kneehole desk, rather than two pedestals and top, and are not often not polished at the back.
- Does the veneer, or timber of the top match that of the base?
- Does the desk or writing table look in proportion? Look at drawer linings, during the 19th century they were not usually made of plywood.
- There should be signs of use inside the drawers, ink stains and wear marks. All the surfaces of the desk should show signs of wear, knocks and bumps even if it has been recently restored. These are part of the character of the desk showing it has been well used over many many years. Most have been in constant use for over a century and if a desk looks brand new it is probably is reproduction.
This information is designed to act as a guide and is not totally comprehensive. Should you require further assistance please contact us.
We will be happy to answer queries of all types concerning desks and associated items.
Free Mainland UK Delivery on all Desks and Tables
We offer free delivery for our antique desks and antique writing tables to Mainland UK addresses and cost effective World Shipping to your door.
We also offer airfreight and sea feight quotes for world Wide Delivery door to door.
Please email your delivery address with Post Code or Zip Code and we will send you a quote for delivery within 48 hours.Delivery Quotes for Antique Desk Chairs and Library Chairs:
Please email your delivery address with Post Code or Zip Code and we will send you a quote for delivery within 48 hours.
Do you wish to sell an Antique Desk Chair or Library Chair?
About Burrells Antique Desks:
Do you have an antique desk, writing table or desk chair that you would like to sell? If so please send photos and details of size and condition to us and ask for a no obligation quote.
If its something we are looking for we will be happy to offer a fair price collect and pay you usually within 7 - 10 days. We look forward to hearing from you!We are a small family business with over 35 years experience in the antique furniture business. Our success is based on careful selection of good quality stock and ensuring it is traditionally and sympathetically restored to enhance its beauty and retain its value. We buy with the customer in mind and offer serviceable, good quality furniture that will look good, last well and retain its value.
We stock antique desks, writing tables, library tables and chairs in a variety of styles and sizes from English periods: Regency, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian; in Mahogany, Oak, Walnut, Burr Walnut and Rosewood. As a family run antique furniture business we pride ourselves in offering a professional and friendly service to all our customers.
Returns Policy for UK Customers:
We are confident that you will be happy with your antique furniture from us, but in the unlikely event you are not happy you can return it to us. Please contact us as soon as you have any concerns so that we can discuss it and decide how to resolve the matter with you.
If the reason for return is due to our description being at fault in any way we will off course accept the piece back when we have established the problem with you.
If the reason for return is because you have changed your mind for any reason we will accept the piece back within 7 days of you receiving the piece. In this instance the customer will be responsible for paying for the return of the item back to us.
Viewing by appointment only at Studio House, 143 Chester Road South, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1XB - Near Junction 5 of M5 and junction 1 of M42© Burrell's Antique Desks. All rights reserved
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