The Cylinder Desk: From Baroque to Biedermeier

There’s maybe no object extra elegant than an vintage cylinder desk. Additionally identified to as a roll-top desk, the cylinder desk is a writing desk, with a cylindrically-shaped frontispiece (or “cylinder prime”) that opens to disclose a writing floor and storage space. There are just a few variations to this desk, and the model in the end presents each sensible and aesthetic advantages.

In as we speak’s weblog, we’ll discover the historical past of those treasured objects and introduce you to their many types. By shopping the gathering on our web site, it’s possible you’ll simply come to know why this type of desk revolutionized the best way individuals adorned their properties, from London to Vienna and past.

Early Origins: The Roll High Desk

The cylinder desk was first named for its creator. Invented within the 18th century by Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz, who was the ambassador of the Habsburg Empire to the French court docket, the “Bureau Kaunitz” made a splash within the palatial world of European royals. There’s a little bit of historic debate over the legitimacy of Kaunitz’s function within the introduction of the cylinder desk however German, Swiss and Austrian cabinetmakers of the late 18th and early nineteenth century typically used the “bureau Kaunitz” themselves.

Regardless, France adopted the desk enthusiastically within the early 1700s. Lots of the vintage cylinder desks out there as we speak possible began within the most interesting properties of French the Aristocracy.

Cylinder Desks for the Rich

Whereas the cylinder desk model was widespread, it was not accessible to the typical client. Sources for this desk had been restricted in early years, as discovering the proper materials was troublesome. Creators must produce wood cylindrical sections (referred to as “tambours”) that might not warp considerably over time. This restricted the desks to the rich few who may afford top-quality wooden.

Certainly, the cylinder desk was nearly completely a wealthy man’s object at its conception and all through a lot of its early historical past. The properties of the wealthiest people in 18th-century France may have featured one thing like this Vintage Cylinder Desk from 1780 with different walnut or oak items.

The Neoclassical Success of the Cylinder Desk 

The reign of Louis XVI supported the recognition of the king’s choice for stricter varieties than his predecessor, Louis XV. Neoclassicism flourished, and the exuberant theatrical musings of the Baroque became extra restrictively elegant varieties.

The interval, starting within the later many years of the 18th century, proved to be the proper time to good the cylinder desk as a design. Lots of the most interesting examples of this type of desk hail from these very years.

This Louis XVI Roll High Desk, for example, has a chic mahogany veneer, highlighting the outside of the dear cylinder mechanism. Observe, too, the Neoclassical ornamentation on the drawers – right-angled and gold-dotted, typical for the Louis XVI model. This could be a stupendous addition to a contemporary residence, enriching any house with historical past.

This Vintage Louis XVI Desk has a walnut veneer and refined, refined touches. The floral and geometric gildings are made with satinwood and mahogany inlays. Equally pleasant is the inexperienced leather-based lining of the writing floor, solely revealed upon opening the desk. Past the hid storage and compartment, the small print on this piece are what make it particular.

This Cylinder Desk from South Germany is one other Louis XVI instance, however with distinct ending touches. There’s a related mirrored burred walnut veneer featured right here as nicely, however the construction of the desk permits for extra low storage. This design is a little more streamlined as nicely. No inlays, however easy featured drawer knobs and a small keyhole. Whereas these items are from almost the identical time, there’s countless flexibility for private style.

Biedermeier Desks: Popularizing a Royal Favourite

Although the Louis XVI interval noticed most of the most trendy examples of vintage cylinder desks, the design didn’t die out with the French Revolution. The practicality and magnificence of this piece had been revisited within the nineteenth century, and, whereas remaining a treasured object, the cylinder desk started to be seen in upper-middle-class properties as nicely.

Starting within the early 1800s, Biedermeier furnishings grew to become the model of the brand new creating industrial center class. Easier in focus, with a dedication to unembellished wooden designs, Biedermeier took one other important step away from the pompous decor of the 1700s, and in the direction of modernity. Be sure you try our in depth weblog protection of that favourite interval of ours.