Antique Pedestal Desks
When antique pedestal desks was introduced into Britain it reflected the demand for large, freestanding desks, which were more comfortable to sit at than the antique kneehole desk. The first antique pedestal desk was made in walnut around 1730 and they soon became very popular and more were made in mahogany during the reign of George II . The late Georgian antique desks usually have three drawers in the frieze, the pedestals are fitted with either drawers or cupboards, and they stand on moulded plinths with hidden castors. Pine and oak antique desks were produced and are usually painted underneath with a reddish wash or blackened. From the early 1800s, some exotic timbers were used on desks which were rosewood, calamander, amboyna and ebony were used and some Regency antique pedestal desks had brass inlay.
The Victorian cabinet makers returned to natural woods such as oak and mahogany and made very usuable designs, they usually have plain wooden knob handles. More elaborate antique pedestal desks were produced in the late Victorian times like in satinwood with marquetry, or with painted decoration. One of the cabinet makers who produced some very nice examples were Edwards & Roberts.
