Antique Desks & Secretaries
In the beginning, desks and secretaries were some of the most complicated pieces of furniture you could buy. There were no computers to store important information, so these desks and secretaries came with all kinds of secret drawers, tills, roll down covers and other mechanisms. Most were made with beautiful designs and built to last generations.
What styles are available?Styles include:
- Vintage: Unlike antiques, these items of furniture come from any era that is not contemporary. Pieces made in the earlier part of the 20th century retain elements of earlier styles, such as cabriolet legs, scalloped aprons, and marquetry. Some of the wood desks have drop down lids or roll tops that hide the desk’s writing surface and compartments.
- Laptop: Before there was the laptop computer, there was the portable laptop desk. Because they are small, these wood desks could be made and outfitted with sumptuous materials like solid exotic woods and gold trim.
- Antiques: To be considered antique, furniture must be over 100 years old. Among them are kidney shaped desks, which have been used since at least the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Art Deco: Inspired by French design, Art Deco furniture has a smooth and slightly curved finish.
- School desks: These were used by school children and may have attached seats.
If you're looking for a truly striking office desk or computer desk, these elegant desks can be made from a variety of materials including:
- Metal: Desks made entirely of metal such as steel are often seen in offices. This type of model can have brass or chrome feet and pulls or knobs. Antique pieces sometimes have gilding. These items may even include cabinets for storage in your home office.
- Walnut: This is a light brown wood that is found in most temperate parts of the world. Burled walnut is especially prized for furniture making.
- Mahogany: Mahogany is an extremely popular wood that has been used for furniture since the 18th century. It has beautiful color and grain, takes a high polish, is easy to work with, and is insect resistant.
- Quarter sawn oak: Quarter sawing oak means that the log is cut at 90 degrees to the growth rings. This gives the wood a beautiful striped figure.
- Tiger maple: This type of maple has a beautiful, tiger-striped appearance. It is also called flamed maple.
- Pine: Pine is a softwood and there are different types, with yellow pine being harder than most. Pine is usually painted as opposed to stained.