Export Davenport

A Chinese Export Davenport Desk.

This camphor wood Davenport is typical of many made in the eastern ports by Chinese cabinet makers for the Western market. However, it stands out for being much taller than most others, set at a height to stand at rather than sit. Its approximately 6 inches taller than most Davenports. The ornate shape of the flush campaign handles, the reeded moulding around the drawers and the lion's paw feet are all clues to its origin. The design follows that of an English Davenport but the hand is very much Chinese. The lock is marked Bramah and there is a key which works on one of the large side drawers.

It has a tray with a low gallery to each side, pulled out by a wooden knob. The drawers are to the front of the desk as opposed to the side, as they normally would be on an English example. Under the dark green, gilt tooled leather, sloped writing surface is a well with 3 rows of small drawers, the bottom row of which is a dummy. On the right hand side of the desk it has an ink drawer, which is fairly normal for most Davenports. It is released by pulling the brass knob handle to the bottom right internal drawer. The Davenport sits well on lion paw feet.

Given the galleries to the trays, this Davenport may originally have been used on board ship, sold to one of the many sea captains who passed through the Chinese ports in the 19th century. Davenports are very useful pieces of furniture, giving a both a small desk and useful storage. This one could be used with a bar stool or perhaps might work well in a restaurant or hotel. Mid 19th century.

The last photo shows a standard height Davenport for comparison.