Posted 6 years ago
lordchang
(1 item)
We have no idea were this came from; it's been with us for decades. We think it might be special from the quality and the scalloped drawer pulls. Any experts out there know what we have? (First time here, I hope I posted correctly)
This type double pedestal desk was common in the 50's and 60's.
Okay, so it's vintage (not antique) and pretty common. Were they made for businesses or home (or both)?
They weren't for homes. Mostly seen as a school teachers desk or in a government office. Back then we used typewriters so one of the pull outs would have a typewriter on it the other was used for grading papers or homework in a school, in a town office or government building the second pullout was used so you could sign documents. I think your drawer pulls would be more commonly found in a government office type environment as opposed to a school. Might well have been in a lawyers office etc.
Thanks! (By the way, I used typewriters when I started working, so I'm a "we", too.) Oh, and we just moved and have no place for this desk. If I was to try to sell it, what would it be worth (and I'm going to ask much less than whatever you say, just so it will more likely move on to someone who wants it)...
Giving prices and values on this site isn't allowed. It is a common desk and most people give them away so they don't have to move them.
Oh, okay. Thanks. I was going to put it up for adoption, but the wife was curious.
I hope you understand that anyone can answer question here, and not all are experts in every field.. I have been dealing in antique furniture for almost 50 years and would disagree with the previous opinion of your desk. From my experience I would say your desk dates to around 1900 - 1910 commonly referred to as the Golden Oak Age.
Here is a comparable:
https://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=antique+oak+office+desk&s_it=img-ans&v_t=loki-keyword#id=9&iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bargainjohn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F05%2FF058DDesk9.jpg&action=click
Your Office Desk is also Quarter Sawn Oak, and while I cant't see the sides I am willing to guess they are paneled. Oak furniture was at a peak in the 1990's and has since fallen a bit out of favor, but is still popular. What it has going for it is that it is usually solid wood versus veneer, and is is easy to refinish.
I hope this in formation helps.
Rocker:
Thanks so much for replying. I can't see a way to post another photo, so YES, the sides are paneled. And every part I can see looks like solid oak, not veneer. Even the top, which I assumed was veneer but just inspected again and closer, appears to be one big slab of oak (is that even possible? What a tree that must have been!).
And it is VERY similar to the one you posted from that auction site. It just doesn't have the panel blocking off the underneath, so what is mine called? A pass-through? Tunnel?
To learn more about my desk, what would I search? Golden Oak Age?
Best,
Marcus
Try "antique golden oak office desk". I would inspect the back, inside the drawer stacks for screw holes where a back panel might have been. A lot of times they get separated from the desk.
Thanks!