Our antique desk area covers the more popular English styles,
but much of this can easily be translated to the American
styles as well.
THE OAK AGE (1540-1660)
THE WALNUT AGE (1660-1730)
THE MAHOGANY AGE (1730- 1840)
VICTORIAN AGE (1830- 1901)
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 antique desks are 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 style antique desks are 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.