1840s Davenport Desk
I have a 19th century davenport desk. Modest design but slightly ornamental wooden desk (uncertain wood, possibly oak, maple, perhaps rosewood or cherry). Hinged, sloping lid/ writing surface with a narrow flat shelf at the rear top. Rail at the back and sides of the top shelf. Desk looks good and is being carefully used. Probably made in 1840s. Lid hinges were broken for many years but were repaired 20 years ago. Was painted black a century or more ago, but 50 years ago it was stripped and stained. (Good job.) Two side drawers. (The third drawer at the very bottom is fake.) The cubby area in the back of the inside was fixed 20 yrs ago, too. I have searched for a maker's mark but am unable to find one. This desk was, according to family lore, used by my great-great-grandfather in his Concord, New Hampshire law practice in the mid-1840s. Historical note, perhaps of interest: When the partnership dissolved after only a few years, my g-g-grandfather went on to become a justice of the state supreme court of New Hampshire, and his partner went on to become president of the United States. I know of no way to guarantee that the future president ever used this desk, but my family has always liked to suppose that he might have.
kathiec
·1 year ago@mifow-9733
I'm not quite sure what input you're seeking by coming here, but here are a few observations.
1) You can Google each wood type and look at images to narrow down what wood it's made of. As @roccotacodad54 says, the woods you mention all have very distinct characteristics. The most likely wood for a mid-19th century desk is walnut. Rosewood would also be a possibility. It would be very unusual to see oak or maple used in a desk of that period.
2) While it certainly doesn't diminish the sentimental value of the piece, it has condition issues that will greatly affect monetary value. The fact that it was painted then stripped and refinished deprived it of 100+ years of patina.
Like everyone else, I'd love to see some pictures.
roccotacodad54
·1 year agoYour description "(uncertain wood, possibly oak, maple, perhaps rosewood or cherry)." is.............?
None of these woods look remotely similar to someone that may be interested and knows wood. Oak and maple are usually a light color but have distinctly different grain patterns. Cherry and rosewood usually have a red tone but ditto on the grain. Do a google search on each one and you will see what I mean.
If you are going to list it to sell it would behove you not to put that description in your listing. It would be better IMHO to say you don't know wood type if you can't discern.
A prospective buyer might think you are trying to represent it as something it's not and maybe lead to problems with that sale. Better for a prospective buyer to think you don't know than to think misrepresentation.
You could also do a search on makers in that era/location and perhaps get a better idea of probable wood species used and go from there. If you haven't, look underneath and see if the maker put a label under there. Many did. It also may have been made earlier. Too bad it was refinished, that could affect value whether well done or not. 50 years ago isn't long in antique years.
I am typing this on an old secretary desk that had smoke damage from a fire so bad they considered it a complete loss and gave it to me. I had to refinish it to even make it useable again it was so badly stained by the smoke. That ruined the collectors value but the wood is beautiful.
Luck to you with what sounds like a very nice desk...............
soh.maryl
·1 year agoIs this something you want to sell?
Or is it something you want help in evaluating?
Or did you just come here to share the history of something you own?
biggymoe
·1 year agoDo you have a question?
chevymontecarlo88
·1 year agoIt would be nice to see a few pictures of it.