ANTIQUE DESKS

Our antique desk area covers the more popular English styles, but much of this can easily be translated to the American styles as well.

American styles 
THE OAK AGE (1540-1660) 
THE WALNUT AGE (1660-1730) 
THE MAHOGANY AGE (1730- 1840) 
VICTORIAN AGE (1830- 1901) 

Pilgrim (1640-1690) 
Furniture of the Pilgrim era is generally characterized by proportions which give it a rather heavy appearance. Most of the joints are held together with wooden pegs. Main ornamentation is carved relief. Most pieces are made of oak or pine. Authentic seventeenth century American furniture is extremely rare. Buyers need to make sure the piece is neither newer or imported from Europe. Many Pilgrim style pieces have been heavily restored, particularly the legs and table leaves. Ornaments and rungs have often been replaced. 

William and Mary (1700-1730) 
The dovetail joint was widely used in the William and Mary era. Wood carving in high relief. The pieces of furniture are generously proportioned and contrasting surfaces. The use of lacquer, veneer, orate moldings, and bun feet are characteristic. The main types of wood used are walnut, maple, and pine.  

Queen Anne (1725-1755) 
Queen Anne furniture is characterized by refined scrolled form. The lacquered! furniture has cabriole legs and hooped seats. The most widely used types of wood were walnut, cherry, and mahogany. Most American Queen Anne is reproduction and it is quite common to find the bottom of a tall chest of drawers reworked to make a dressing table. Genuine Queen Anne chests are extremely rare and to be found only in museums. 

Chippendale (1755-1790) 
Chippendale style furniture is characterized by Chinese motifs, Gothic arches, 'C' and 'S' form scrolls, and claw and ban feet. The center part of chair backs are woven. Chippendale style furniture is almost exclusively mahogany and that from the southern states is often lore highly ornamented.