Peter J. Martin and Son Antiques

Description

A quite superb example of a Victorian Davenport desk in burr walnut. This model is often referred to as a ‘piano top’ Davenport due to the resemblance of the folding lid to that of a piano, or as a ‘pop-up’ or ‘jack-in-the-box’ Davenport owing to the rise-and-fall stationery compartment to the rear of the top, operated by a secret catch to the interior. This example has many features that mark it out as superior to others of the genre the rise-and-fall stationery compartment, for example, unusually has an intricately carved fret-work gallery and is veneered all-round in burr walnut to match the rest of the carcase. The sliding writing slope to the interior has its original maroc leather inset scriber and pen trays. Below this there is an arrangement of five mahogany lined graduated drawers to the right hand side and matching dummy drawers to the left. To the front are elegantly carved cabriole supports, which are generally held to be a more elegant solution than those examples with simple brackets or turned supports. One of the interior and also one of the exterior drawers bear the original paper labels of the eminent maker ‘Druce & Co.’.

Width 22" (56cm) Depth 24" (61cm) Height 39" (99cm)

About Druce & Co
Druce & Co were founded by Thomas Charles Druce around 1840, and traded from 68 Baker Street, Portman Square. The premises were also informally known as “the Baker Street Bazaar”, the site originally being the home of a horse bazaar which extended to carriages and other goods in the 1830s. Druce & Co. were both cabinet makers and retailers of second hand furniture in the Marylebone Trade Directory of 1853 they are described as '' Furnishers, Upholsterers and Upholders for Clients of Discernment.’
Following the death of T. C. Druce in 1864 the business was taken over and run by his son Herbert until 1913.
Condition and Details of Restoration
This item is in original structural condition and is completely sound. The polish has been re-finished, by our own craftsmen, by hand in the traditional manner. There are some extremely minor old marks underneath the polish and to the leather scriber, but overall it is in exceptional authentic condition.