Antiques 101

{ antiques101} Produced by BETSY SHACKELFORD

Photographs by LARRY MONTEITH

To the Letter: “Around Charleston, we tend to

Commode Secretaire

WRITING FURNITURE

find late 18th- to early 19th-century English writing tables and fall-front desks,” says Tucker Payne of Tucker Payne Antiques (the Lowcountry, of course, having a long association with British colonial culture). Here’s a sampling of table styles found in local shops and collections, all designed for early correspondence.

This painted, 19th-century French piece features a fall-front surface for writing and houses multiple compartments for supplies.

Lacquered Writing Case

Writing cases, like this circa-1860 fold-out desktop with Japanese detailing, were used for travel. They were first associated with religious figures and later with anyone of importance who needed to correspond while away from home.

Louis XIII Replica

This walnut writing table is identified as a Louis XIII reproduction and is at least 200 years old. The large, spiral legs and cross stretcher are typical of the period.

Ladies’ Work Table

With a mirror and storage compartments for sewing, this petite, circa-1820 desk features a leather-embossed drawer that doubles as a writing surface, with storage for ink and quills along the side. The flame mahogany is a distinguishing feature of the Restoration period.

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Fall-Front Desk

Imported from Germany, this painted, 18th-century fall-front desk boasts hand-painted landscape scenes and a bridge theme.

Bureaux Plat Writing Table

This French flat-top writing table is unusually wide for the time period (circa 1860) and has a finished back with recessed panels. The table is painted pine with tapered legs and drawers.

Waring Writing Desk

This traditional circa-1920 writing table with a hutch is made of satinwood and has the name “Waring” stamped inside.

The Waring name is associated with Robert Gillow, a wellknown cabinetmaker of the era in Lancaster, England.

Modernist Mahogany Desk

Designed in utilitarian style by Eugene Printz, this desk was made for Paris University in 1931. It features tapered legs, simple bronze hardware, and its original leather.

Chippendale Writing Table

The circa-1800 solid mahogany desk has a veneered skirt but no drawers. Gothic tracery near the corners identifies it as early Chippendale.

Desk Details What you need to know about antique writing tables and desks • Writing furniture can be divided into three categories: bureaus, secretaires, and writing desks.

• Bureaus and secretaires have built-in shelving and cabinets and were primarily used by women. Their more masculine counterparts, the flat-top desks, typically feature sleek tops with fitted drawers.

• Rich mahogany, walnut, and oak are high-quality, desirable woods for collectors.

• As with all antiques, rarity is a key factor in

Louis XIV Writing Table

In France, furniture styles were named after the reigning monarch at the time. This desk is solid walnut, and its X-shaped stretcher is indicative of its circa-1660 provenance.

determining value.

• Prices vary widely: an English turn-of-the-century oak piece stamped by the maker might be valued as low as $900, while an early 19th-century American Federalist mahogany desk can fetch up to $16,000.

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