Recent stock at Graham Smith Antiques includes a Victorian burr walnut piano-top davenport, c.1870.
This family of desks, popular in the 19th century, is named for a Lord Davenport, who commissioned the design from Gillows of Lancaster in the late 1700s. The piano-top type is named for the shape of its front lid.
The example in question, offered for £2500, is catalogued as being in very good condition with a spring mechanism ‘pop-up’ containing two drawers and four pigeonholes in satin birch with rosewood marquetry.
It is raised on concealed casters to stand 3ft 1in (95cm) high. Two drawers are above the typical writing board that slides forward and can be angled as a reading stand. Three keys corresponding to the locks are offered with the piece.
Graham Smith Antiques is a family-owned business based on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne. Furniture clocks, mirrors and much more are available on its website and there are also regular newsletters featuring different items of stock.
