19th Century Sea Captains Roll Top Lap Desk w/Lock & Key

Antiques : Accessories : Roll Top Lap Desk

 

Sweetpea Cottage has been quite lucky to obtain a wonderful lap desk with a roll top, or tambour, dating from the mid-19th Century. This type of desk was often used by sea captains because the roll top provided a necessary level of security beyond the regular lap desk. Their portable nature allowed them to be carried off the ship for working while in port. This one is 16 inches wide, 11 inches deep, and 8 1/8 inches to the highest point. When opened, it provides a writing surface that measures 15 1/8 inches by 12 1/4 inches. There are two drawers inside and one drawer that is accessible from outside. The outside drawer is fitted with a working lock and key. When this drawer is pulled open it retracts the tambour revealing the inner drawers, storage space, and a writing surface. The corners of the drawers are all hand cut dovetails. The insides are mahogany with the inner drawers faced with a much lighter colored wood, possibly satin wood. The outside is painted black. We can not say if it was originally painted, but the wear would indicate that some sort of surface was originally put over the wood. The present surface is probably an early surface placed over the original surface. It is old enough to be part of the history of the piece. There are three brass handles, two on the sides and one on the front drawer. They all show signs of wear and early cleaning. The writing surface is most definitely a modern replacement, badly done we must add. If we were to keep this item, we would have a better and more appropriate surface replace the present surface. There are indications that the bottom, covered in fabric, might have been removed at one time. It is possible that this was done in order to access the tambour in order to replace, or repair, the linen backing. The bottom is attached with square nails. The piece shows the normal wear and dings that are associated with an object of this age.

What you purchase in this piece is a marvelous, unusual piece of history. It works as it should and has the appropriate bells and whistles. It is clearly something that you could use every day, and also it would be a great piece of history to set out on a shelf or table and enjoy. There are a few better examples of this item available on the internet, but do you really want to pay $3000 when this one is so reasonably priced?

You can buy with confidence from Sweetpea Cottage. We stand behind everything that we sell. If you wish to return your purchase for any reason, simply notify us by email of your intentions within 3 days of receiving the item. We then ask that you return it to us in its original condition in a timely fashion. At that time we will refund the full purchase price minus any shipping charges. Shipping for this wonderful lap desk is $22.00 which includes insurance for the full value of the item.

Item ID: AntRLD-320