31cm x 25cm x 22cm
An English burled walnut veneered portable coromandel stationary holder / writing desk (a) with lead glass inkwells, one drawer, ebonized base, pen well and feet. The two lead glass crystal inkwells (b and c) sit on top of the desk. Both inkwells are missing their respective silver or pewter hinged lids. The drawer at the bottom pulls out and separates into two pieces the sides of the drawer and bottom (d and e). The drawer has "VIII//VIII" carved into each piece, most likely the carpenters / makers marks. The top opens by means of two hinges and is lined with blue and white fabric; a button still remains inside. The top has a metal keyhole in the middle.
Before the advent of personal computers and tablets, portable writing desks were all the rage. Easily transported and portable, these mini desks were used by business people and their secretaries when travelling on a train, boat and in meetings etc. Portable writing desks were produced by craftsmen in England from the 1860s to the 1920s and usually were veneered with exotic coverings applied over secondary and less desirable woods. Portable writing desks normally had common features such as a paper tray, carved pen trays, and heavy lead glass inkwells with hinged lids. Although the basic design was similar in most cases these desks varied in relationship to the quality and ornate fittings which made up a desk. The utilitarian version as seen with this piece was very standard and had no extra embellishments. Most likely the lead glass inkwells themselves were covered by pewter tops whereas the more elaborate and costly desks would have sterling silver or gold lids.
