portable desk
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact29471
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.56.21
- Description
- Walnut chest, lap desk, portable writing cabinet and desk; sides are plain; sloping lid has brass cut-out designs at corners and centre, each with a marble set in the centre; centre design is large petal either side, smaller up and down, with four smallest between; stemmed flower inside larger petals, smallest have leaf; corner designs are one large petal and two half-petals, each with stemmed flower, small flower between petals; brass settings for inkwell, square, one either side of flat part of lid; between these is box with curved lid, plain sides and back, front has brass cut-out designs; at centre, with keyhole, is petal either side, stemmed flower inside; either side is flower in triangle, with marble; lid has similar brass and marble designs to desk lid, but smaller; writing surface of desk is purple fuzzy fabric with border and flourishes; leather-lined compartment under upper part of writing surface, extends under inkwell part with shelves; upper box has vertical compartments, two larger, three smaller, lined with white fabric; pen compartment either side of smaller ones with purple velvet lids and brass knobs; desk and upper box have locks; with key
- Object History
- The donor's family were early settlers to Burnaby, and he worked for the BCER as an electrician. Donor was the original owner of the property that the Burnaby Village Museum now occupies. The writing slope was used widely in the 1800s. It was mainly used in the late 1700s during colonial expeditions, and military travel. It became very popular in Victorian times for lay people and used in many homes. It provided a portable desk, complete with a soft writing surface (felt or leather), compartments for ink, pens, and paper. It was considered to be a personal item, rather than a household one.
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E
- Measurements
- height: 27 cm width: 36 cm depth: 26 cm