Relevant categories: Desks
( Above Photo: French Knee Hole Desk Empire Inlay )
The antique knee hole desk is a sought-after furniture piece that can revamp your home’s interior décor and serve many functions. Since the early 18th century, the desk has adopted many forms and exists in many sizes.
But, regardless of its form, shape, and size, the desk retains its distinctive knee hole. Typically, antique knee hole desks have existed not later than the 1920s. They transcend various production periods, including the Georgian, Regency, Edwardian, Victorian, and Arts and Crafts.
Due to the differences in the design and manufacturing periods, the desks could have distinct elements only used during a certain period. This article describes the kneehole desk based on its period of production.
( Above Photo: Georgian Knee Hole Desk Walnut )
This is a form of the antique kneehole desk produced during the Georgian period. It resulted from a period when famous furniture makers like Thomas Sheraton, George Hepplewhite, James & Robert Adam, and Thomas Chippendale were on the scene.
It is mainly made from walnut and mahogany and features decorations of scrolls, oriental designs, acanthus leaves, and animal heads. The desk mainly stands on bracket feet.
( Above Photo: French Desks = Antique Empire Knee Hole Bureau Desk 1890 )
The Regency kneehole desk was made in the first two decades of the 18th century. Its main material was mahogany, even though some desks made from walnut exist.
Like its Georgian counterpart, it had one deep drawer under the top and four drawers on each pedestal. It stood on bracket feet and had brass drawer handles. This kind of antique knee hole desk is worth buying.
The Victorian knee hole desk was different from the Georgian and Regency versions. The only difference is that the use of machines was first introduced during the Victorian period.
Furnituremakers during the Victorian period preferred mahogany over other woods because of its distinctive dark color. Apart from a central and side drawer, the two pedestals had three graduated drawers each.
( Above Photo: Antique Knee Hole Desk - Georgian Mahogany 18th Century )
During the Edwardian period, the knee hole desk took on a new form with intricate marquetry inlays. The desktop had a tooled leather finish, making it great for writing and other office functions.
Unlike the Georgian, Regency, and Victorian desks, which have nine drawers, this piece had seven frontal drawers. One central drawer and three drawers were on each of the two pedestals. Furnituremakers preferred mahogany over other types of wood.
The Arts & Crafts movement arose in the late 19th century during the transition from the Victorian to the Edwardian period. as they refined their art, furnituremakers created exquisite pieces.
An example is the antique knee hole desk from this era. Instead of the typical knee hole, the desk had a slight depression with a cupboard between the two pedestals. The popular material for designers at that time was mahogany.
The Bottom Line
With an antique knee hole desk, you can decorate your home and get a surface to complete most of your office tasks. With a wide range of kneehole desks ranging from the Georgian to the Arts & Crafts era, you should be able to find one that meets your needs.
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