Wooton Desk Company Antique Rotary Writing Desk, Patent No. 8, 19th Century

View Similar Items

19th Century Writing Desk

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co

19th Century Biedermeier Writing Desk

19th Century Swedish Writing Desk

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century

19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Antique Writing Desk

19th Century mahogany inlaid writing desk

Ancient Writing Desk, Italy, 19th Century

19th Century Writing Desk with Drawer

Antique French Bureau Plat Writing Table Desk 19th Century

Antique Georgian 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk Dressing Table

19th Century Salon Empire Writing Desk, 1890

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Wooton Desk Company Antique Rotary Writing Desk, Patent No. 8, 19th Century

About the Item

A rare and excellent office desk designed and manufactured by the Wooton Desk Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, published as No. 8 in their retail catalog. The Wooton’s Patent desk is a cherished brand that focused on functionality and efficiency above all else - they had great pride in the longevity and simplicity of their products, noting in their 1876 catalog that “Nearly all of the so-called improvements in office desks are merely an addition of complicated slides, levers, etc., liable to get out of order and finally cast aside as worthless: on the other hand, the Secretaries and rotary desks are simple and durable. Their operation is as simple as opening and closing of a door and there is nothing that can possible become impaired with anything like fair usage. (p. 17)”. The truth of these statements is self evident in the fine overall condition the desk has remained in for nearly 140 years. The rotary sides swing smoothly to allow access to 24 pigeon-hole slots on the left and seven flat slots on the right beside three vertical dividers. All drawers are beautifully hand dovetailed with crisp pins, each smoothly sliding in and out of the desk. Burl walnut veneers highlight the panels of every primary surface, this same burled walnut used to craft angular beveled pulls for the three drawers. An original brass plaque on the front of the desk reads “Wooton’s Rotary Desk Patented”. A black leather writing surface with gilt-tooling around the borders remains in excellent condition. The desk retains all original keyhole escutcheons and locks, though no keys. It is a very fine writing desk for anyone passionate about the complex and widely admired designs of the Wooton Desk Company. Literature: Illustrated Catalogue of Wooton’s Patent Cabinet Secretaries and Rotary Office Desks, 1876, p. 24 Measurements: 59 3/4” W x 32 5/8” D x 31” H. Condition report: No keys. Dividers for left drawer are missing. Minor scuffs and abrasions to the surface. Originality of the leather is unknown, though it remains in beautiful condition. Small loss to bottom of one tall vertical divider on right side rotary; short vertical divider on bottom flat slot of right side rotary missing.

Dimensions:
Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 59.75 in (151.77 cm)Depth: 32.63 in (82.89 cm)
Style:
Aesthetic Movement (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Leather,Walnut
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1870s-1880s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. See condition notes in description text.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: C103209 | Silla, ltd. 1stDibs: LU1059015156012

More From This Seller

View All

Louis XVI Kingwood Antique Writing Table a Rognon, France, 19th Century

Located in Shippensburg, PA

FRENCH LOUIS XVI KINGWOOD WRITING TABLE A ROGNON Circa 19th century Item # 803NCR07 A very fine 19th century French vide poche, the table remains in pristin...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Kingwood Antique Writing Table a Rognon, France, 19th Century

$2,200

Baker Egyptian Revival Antique Style Rosewood and Leather Writing Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Shippensburg, PA

EGYPTIAN REVIVAL STYLE ROSEWOOD AND LEATHER WRITING DESK Baker, United States with original silver plaque inside drawer late 20th/early 21st century Item # 407ENV09Q A lovely exam...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Egyptian Revival Desks and Writin...

Materials

Brass

Baker Egyptian Revival Antique Style Rosewood and Leather Writing Desk

$4,900

French Antique Art Deco Macassar Bureau Plat Writing Desk circa 1930

Located in Shippensburg, PA

ART DECO MACASSAR EBONY, PARCHMENT AND BRASS BUREAU PLAT Likely French, circa 1930 Item # 111PZN03Z A very fine Art Deco period bureau plat, it features...

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Antique Art Deco Macassar Bureau Plat Writing Desk circa 1930

$5,520 Sale Price

35% Off

English George III Mahogany & Leather Pedestal “Rent” Writing Desk ca. 1800

Located in Shippensburg, PA

GEORGE III MAHOGANY & TOOLED LEATHER PEDESTAL DESK WITH "RENT" COMPARTMENTS England, ca. 1800 with numerous hidden compartments Item # 311EFP30W A rather special find, this positiv...

Category

Antique 19th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

English George III Mahogany & Leather Pedestal “Rent” Writing Desk ca. 1800

$7,600 Sale Price

20% Off

18th Century French Provincial Black Painted “Mazarin” Pedestal Desk

Located in Shippensburg, PA

PROVINCIAL EIGHT-LEGGED "MAZARIN" PEDESTAL DESK IN BLACK PAINT France, circa last quarter of the 18th century Item # 403ZLJ18Q An absolutely stunning eight-legged "Mazarin" pedestal...

Category

Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century French Provincial Black Painted “Mazarin” Pedestal Desk

$9,600 Sale Price

20% Off

Circa 1780 English George III Patinated Oak Antique Writing Table

Located in Shippensburg, PA

GEORGE III PROVINCIAL PATINATED OAK THREE-DRAWER WRITING TABLE England, circa 1780 with scrolled cupid's bow apron Item # 312EKH07Q A beautifully patinated writing table from the George III period, this intelligently conceived and finely proportioned table features a rectilinear top with an integral coved-bead edge projecting over three drawers, these each hand-dovetailed with applied cockbead molding surrounding ovular bail pulls. The shaped apron features a cupid's bow in the center of all three sides and the table is raised over straight tapering legs. It is a positively glowing table...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Circa 1780 English George III Patinated Oak Antique Writing Table

$4,950

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Writing Desk

$22,711

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...

Category

Antique 19th Century American High Victorian Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co

$24,233

19th Century Biedermeier Writing Desk

Located in Darmstadt, DE

Very beautiful desk. The desk is from the Biedermeier period and was covered with cherry veneer with walnut & walnut root wood. The desk is very well suited to be placed in the middl...

Category

Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier Writing Desk

$8,674 Sale Price

22% Off

19th Century Swedish Writing Desk

Located in Atlanta, GA

This elegant 19th-century Swedish writing desk exemplifies the timeless charm of Gustavian design, combining functionality with understated beauty. Crafted from solid pine wood, the ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Writing Desk

$3,450

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century

Located in Toledo, OH

A late 19th century French two part writing desk. Oak construction with extensive hand carved detail, features a wall hanging upper section with scroll...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century

$4,200

19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Antique Writing Desk

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. The desk is made of solid walnut wood. Important turned and carved legs. Plenty of sp...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Antique Writing Desk

$3,968

More Ways To Browse

Antique Desk With 8 Drawers

Antique Burl Walnut Desk

Antique Walnut 8 Sided Table