An antique solid mahogany Davenport desk, dating to circa 1820–1835, spanning the late Regency and early William IV periods, by Gillows of Lancaster, stamped “Gillows • Lancaster” to the top drawer.
 
The desk features a sliding leather-lined writing surface, which pulls forward smoothly on runners, bringing the writing area closer to the user and reducing the need to lean forward.
 
Above the writing surface, this example has sliding cupboard doors. When opened, these reveal a fitted arrangement of pigeon holes, providing organised storage for papers and documents.
 
The leather writing slope, finished with gold-embossed borders, lifts to reveal an internal storage compartment, with two small drawers positioned at the back.
 
The Davenport is fitted with four drawers to one side and dummy drawers to the opposite side, a typical feature of quality examples. The drawers are mahogany lined, reflecting the high standard of construction associated with Gillows. There are also pull-out writing (brush) slides to either side. To the top right is a small pull-out pen drawer, fitted with an inkwell.
 
Gillows of Lancaster
Gillows of Lancaster was one of Britain’s most important cabinetmaking firms, active from the mid-18th century and especially renowned during the Georgian and Regency periods. The firm is credited with creating the original Davenport desk, which was designed in the early 19th century for Captain Davenport, an officer who required a compact, practical writing desk suitable for limited space.