Regency Burr Elm Davenport Desk (England, circa 1810)
Regency Burr Elm Davenport Desk (England, circa 1810)
An Exceptional Quality And Extremely Rare Early 18th Century Regency Period Burr Elm Davenport Having Hinged Swivel Top With Inset Leather, Retaining Elegant Original Ormolu Gallery With Pierced Handle, Over Rare Mechanical Slide And Four Ash Lined Drawers With Bobbin Moulded Decoration, Raised On Original Turned Bun Feet.
The term Davenport is owed to Captain Davenport. the first person to commission an item of furniture in this form. He purchased it from the well known and hugely respected cabinet making firm, Gillows of Lancaster, towards the end of the 18th century.
As a general rule, as time progressed most davenports began to lose their elegance and simplicity, resulting in the majority of those made in the victorian era being overly fussy and often of questionable construction quality.
This particular davenport dates very much before that however, early 19th century in fact, and as a result is incredibly elegant, beautiful and well put together indeed. It is fabulous quality in all areas, from the figuring of the what would have been incredibly expensive to purchase as a raw material burr elm veneers, right through to the fine ormolu details on top and the secondary timbers which are mahogany and ash.
Another incredible feature, which we have not actually come across before is the mechanical action connected to the swivel top, resulting in a writing slide automatically popping out of the opposite side to that on which the top finishes up. We believe this feature may even be unique, and therefore quite possibly specially commissioned having not come across it before but are happy to be corrected if somebody knows differently.
As with all items which we offer for sale the regency davenport has received a natural wax polish and general tidy in our workshops, by our traditional antique furniture restorers before being placed on sale, ensuring that it is ready to be placed immediately.
Circa 1810.
Height 31in.
Width 18in.
Depth 23in.


Canada Delivery - £ 900 (Please allow 7 to 42 days)
Continental Europe - £ 500 (Please allow 7 to 42 days)
Mainland UK Delivery - £ 50 (Please allow 7 to 10 days)
Rest Of The World - Please Enquire
Please be aware that it is the customers responsibility to pay any customs duties or taxes levied by the destination country when items are delivered outside of the UK.

We have vans regularly on the road throughout mainland England and where practical and realistically possible are always pleased to offer prospective clients our approval service. Where possible we will not charge to bring the item/s out to you and place them in position in your home then take them away again should you choose not to purchase them. On some occasions there may be a nominal charge to cover the cost of our approval service, but this will always be discussed and explained to you in advance of our visit.
Please make it very clear when enquiring about an item, or items, if you intend to use the approval service as it must be agreed with us in advance of any further discussions re delivery timescales etc.


Canada Delivery - £ 900 (Please allow 7 to 42 days)
Continental Europe - £ 500 (Please allow 7 to 42 days)
Mainland UK Delivery - £ 50 (Please allow 7 to 10 days)
Rest Of The World - Please Enquire
Please be aware that it is the customers responsibility to pay any customs duties or taxes levied by the destination country when items are delivered outside of the UK.

We have vans regularly on the road throughout mainland England and where practical and realistically possible are always pleased to offer prospective clients our approval service. Where possible we will not charge to bring the item/s out to you and place them in position in your home then take them away again should you choose not to purchase them. On some occasions there may be a nominal charge to cover the cost of our approval service, but this will always be discussed and explained to you in advance of our visit.
Please make it very clear when enquiring about an item, or items, if you intend to use the approval service as it must be agreed with us in advance of any further discussions re delivery timescales etc.