This Victorian mahogany pedestal desk from around 1860 - based on the drawer lockers, which were made in the period (1851-1855) - has Chippendale style drawer pulls. What puzzles me is that there are no keyholes! The only explanation I've been able to come up with is that the desk has had its veneer exchanged at some time and the then owner didn't need the locks. But exchanging the veneer must have cost more than the entire desk! Do you have a better explanation for the missing keyholes?
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There could be several explanations, the first of which was this did not start its life as a desk. It is possible it started out as a ladies vanity which would not have had locks and the mirror is long gone. This is a remote possibility as the piece does have a very masculine feel to it.
Can you tell if there are any places in the top that were refinished (meaning the holes for the mirror bolts were patched and filled)?
The other thing is that it is possible that the original drawers broke and were replaced. The hardware on the drawer pulls does not look original to me (at least not from the photos). I have very early 20th century desk and the pulls are a very dull brass. The ones you show look too shiny. Most of the desks of this era, at least those I have seen in PA and in the US, have pulls that are brass and you can see the age and patina in them to guesstimate if they are original or not.
The third is it truly did just come that way. I have seen very old desks with no keyholes/locks. Typically this was on the more feminine ladies writing desks, but it is possible that it just came that way.
It is a lovely piece and looks very sturdily made. Have you talked to an antique dealer in your town about it?
I find that many antique dealers where I am are very friendly and love to share information and help people understand what they have. It is always best to have someone look at it in person and give opinions vs. photos.
They may see something in person that I cannot see in photos and be able to give you an on the spot answer. Seeing pictures I can only speculate.
Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks pghgirl40 for your comments. Neither holes from a possible mirror nor from earlier pulls, so I guess the pulls are original. I bought the desk at an auction and the company only discribed it as 'English mahogany desk, 19th century'.
I love a good mystery piece!! If furniture could talk!! I bet it would tell some amazing stories!! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks coville123. My question is only about the mysteriously missing keyholes in my desk.
The desk is in excellent condition and it looks like you are right that maybe a person had it restored a long time back. I see a site here that offers parts to restore desks. www.hardwareofthepast.com/
Thanks poehere for your comment. Always nice to be confirmed in ones conjectures.
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