England

the top with a hinged lid enclosing a fitted stationary compartment, the leather inset fall opening to reveal a maple lined interior with two small drawers, one side with drawers opposing dummy drawers, on brass castors

This desk requires workshop attention. Active worm. Losses to pierced gallery - parts of which are still present but detached. Leather inset surface distressed and with loss. One interior handle missing with losses to some interior mouldings. One exterior handle missing. This piece appears to have had been dropped and this impact has effected condition as there are fractures to the carcase, visible through veneers at drawer points, a crack to the left side of the base with damage to one turned foot a this site. One dummy drawer with old split. There are old marks and scratches. A 'working' piece of furniture hat has sustained wear through heavy use. Additional photographs available on request.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These types of compact writing tables are usually called 'Davenports' their genesis being in the Regency period, with later documented examples illustrated in the Gillows sketch books from the 1840s. These small and easily portable objects became extremely popular as the 19th century wore on, reaching their zenith in the last quarter of the Victorian epoch. They were pretty pieces of domestic furniture often produced in highly figured timbers, such as rosewood or burr walnut as in the offered lot. It is often assumed that they were for the use of ladies, possibly as a result of their small proportions, and this is the case with the Davenport here, known affectionately in the Yeats family as 'Lily's Desk' whose desk this most likely was.