Small Naval Desk

A small mahogany Naval or Ship's Pedestal Desk.

The desk gives the appearance of having three top drawers but it is in fact only one drawer with the extra width good for storing charts and maps etc. All the drawers are plain to the interior but there is evidence that they were later lined probably with a paper which is now removed. The have flush bras campaign handles.

The desk has a replaced fiddle gallery which is removable on brass pins that fit to brass lined holes to the desk top. Although replaced it has been made to the correct design with the hinges allowing it to fold and fit in the top drawer. The top has a plain black leather skiver but originally it would have had a black oilcloth to imitate leather.

The desk can be dismantled by first removing the top drawer. This gives access to the brass twist catches that lock the two pedestals to the top and are typical of this form of desk. The replaced feet on this desk are fixed but originally would have been made to unscrew to reduce the dismantled size even further.

It is likely that a number of different manufacturers made this form of desk for the Royal Navy either side of 1900. Examples stamped for Arthur Foley of Salisbury are known but this desk is not marked. They were made in two sizes with a larger version also available.

The size is smaller than most domestic pedestal desks and is practical today. Circa 1900.

The height to the top of the fiddle gallery is given. The working height of the surface is 31 1/4 inches (79.5cm).