The Davenport desk owes its name to a Captain Davenport who was the first to commission this particular design from Gillows Furniture Makers of London near the end of the 18th century when he required a small portable desk to accompany him on his long sea journeys to distant lands... The desk was an ideal size for a ships cabin and was easily carried on land..Because of this many antique enthusiasts now consider these desks to be Campaign Desks although there are no records indicating if the Captain was in the British Army or the Royal Navy.

Most Davenport desks are small  with a sloping lifting desktop attached with hinges to the back of the body. Lifting the desktop gives access to a large compartment giving ample storage space for paper and other writing implements, and smaller spaces in the form of pigeonholes.  Davenports normally have drawers on one of its sides and are sometimes concealed by a panel. The other side can have cupboard space.. This stack of side drawers holds up the back of the desk and most of its weight. The front of the desk stands on thick legs or pillars which are usually carved in a given style. This form of desk was very popular during the 19th century especially with travellers..

This seldom seen example of an Australian Colonial Cedar Davenport was crafted circa 1890 and is in excellent condition with its original porcelain castors and all its original hardware still in place including the locks.. To one side we have three graduated drawers with locks while on the opposite side we have lockable cupboard space with a central shelf enclosed by a small door.. Under the desktop are eight pigeon holes and more storage space..The desktop has an inset tooled leather top which is in excellent condition.. The supporting columns have been expertly hand turned and complement the piece beautifully.. The davenport displays an excellent patina...