Writing table
Encyclopedia
A writing table has a series of drawers directly under the surface of the table, to contain writing implements, so that it may serve as a desk
. Antique versions have the usual divisions for the inkwell, the blotter and the sand or powder tray in one of the drawers, and a surface covered with leather or some other material less hostile to the quill
or the fountain pen
than simple hard wood.
In form, a writing table is a pedestal desk
without the pedestals, having legs instead to hold it up. This is why such tables are sometimes called leg desks.
The writing table is often called a "bureau plat" when it is done in a French style such as Louis XVI, Art Nouveau
, etc. When a writing table is supported by two legs instead of four, it is usually called a trestle desk
.
The writing table is also sometimes called a library table, because it was often placed in a rich individual's library. This was the room in a house where a gentleman would keep literature and also do his business transactions. The library often housed, in addition, a round desk called a rent table and sometimes a drawing table. The term library table is sometimes applied indiscriminately to a wide variety of desk forms, in addition to being used for writing tables. Let the scholar or the buyer be wary.
Some writing tables have additional drawers built above the surface. In this case they are often called bureau à gradin
instead of writing table, unless they have a more specific form, such as that of a Carlton House desk
.
A reading and writing table with an easel or double easel for books that was adjustable on a ratchet
and a drawer fitted for writing implements was a mid-18th century English invention that lasted as long as the habit endured of reading while standing.
As with many other desk forms antique writing tables were sometimes built with what was, at the time, a complex mechanism of gears and levers to make sections slide out or pop up when certain panels were pulled. In this case, one sometimes called them a mechanical desk
.
Desk
A desk is a furniture form and a class of table often used in a work or office setting for reading or writing on or using a computer. Desks often have one or more drawers to store office supplies and papers. Unlike a regular table, usually only one side of a desk is suitable to sit on . Not all...
. Antique versions have the usual divisions for the inkwell, the blotter and the sand or powder tray in one of the drawers, and a surface covered with leather or some other material less hostile to the quill
Quill
A quill pen is a writing implement made from a flight feather of a large bird. Quills were used for writing with ink before the invention of the dip pen, metal-nibbed pens, the fountain pen, and, eventually, the ballpoint pen...
or the fountain pen
Fountain pen
A fountain pen is a nib pen that, unlike its predecessor the dip pen, contains an internal reservoir of water-based liquid ink. The pen draws ink from the reservoir through a feed to the nib and deposits it on paper via a combination of gravity and capillary action...
than simple hard wood.
Pedestal desk
A pedestal desk is usually a large free-standing desk made of a simple rectangular working surface resting on two pedestals or small cabinets of stacked drawers of one or two sizes, with plinths around the bases. Often, there is also a central large drawer above the legs and knees of the user...
without the pedestals, having legs instead to hold it up. This is why such tables are sometimes called leg desks.
The writing table is often called a "bureau plat" when it is done in a French style such as Louis XVI, Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
, etc. When a writing table is supported by two legs instead of four, it is usually called a trestle desk
Trestle desk
There are two kinds of trestle desks, the antique form and the modern improvisation.-Antique trestle desk:The antique trestle desk is usually very much like the writing table desk form, which offers a simple flat desktop surface with a few drawers underneath it...
.
The writing table is also sometimes called a library table, because it was often placed in a rich individual's library. This was the room in a house where a gentleman would keep literature and also do his business transactions. The library often housed, in addition, a round desk called a rent table and sometimes a drawing table. The term library table is sometimes applied indiscriminately to a wide variety of desk forms, in addition to being used for writing tables. Let the scholar or the buyer be wary.
Some writing tables have additional drawers built above the surface. In this case they are often called bureau à gradin
Bureau a gradin
A bureau à gradin is an antique desk form resembling a writing table with, in addition, one or several tiers of small drawers and pigeonholes built on part of the desktop surface. Usually the drawers and pigeonholes directly face the user, but they can also surround three sides of the desk, as is...
instead of writing table, unless they have a more specific form, such as that of a Carlton House desk
Carlton House desk
A Carlton House desk is a specific antique desk form within the more general bureau à gradin form. This specific form is supposed to have been designed in the 18th century for the Prince of Wales by George Hepplewhite. It is named after Carlton House, which was at the time the London residence...
.
A reading and writing table with an easel or double easel for books that was adjustable on a ratchet
Ratchet
Ratchet may refer to:* Ratchet , a mechanical device that allows movement in only one direction* Ratchet, a tool also known as a socket wrench* Ratchet , a music instrumentIn film and television:...
and a drawer fitted for writing implements was a mid-18th century English invention that lasted as long as the habit endured of reading while standing.
As with many other desk forms antique writing tables were sometimes built with what was, at the time, a complex mechanism of gears and levers to make sections slide out or pop up when certain panels were pulled. In this case, one sometimes called them a mechanical desk
Mechanical desk
A mechanical desk is usually an antique desk type which was produced during the 18th or the 19th century. At one extreme there are desks furnished with a multitude of panels that swing out while stacks of small drawers pop up when a user lowers or extracts the main writing surface or desktop from a...
.