Is it a desk or table?

[kdavey1]

Hello, I was given what was described to me as a desk but now I am not sure.  I don't have pictures but it is pretty easy to explain why I wonder....  It is old and oak, looks like just a big plain desk (but bottom of legs screw off and they are ornate) with 3 drawers across the top.  The middle drawer is larger with 2 smaller drawers on each side.  What confuses me is that although it is missing, there is a spot above the large middle drawer, and as wide as it, where there was a pull out tray.  It is a fairly large piece, about 3 ft X 5 ft so I don't understand why, if it really was a desk, it would need more space provided by the tray.  I have looked on-line under both tables and desks and don't see anything quite like it.  If someone isn't sure what I am talking about I can post pictures but would need to put it back together first.

Thanks for any information!

[Oceans64]

Hi kdavey - Welcome to the forum....

Is it a tray for a keyboard? Maybe one of the first computer desks? Seems unlikely given the size.

I'm guessing we'll need pics to determine age and therefore function.  Kind of a pain I know but there are some pretty smart furniture folks here that could probably help if they can determine style/age/etc....

[KC]

Please post a pic!

[mart]

Sounds like you have the bottom half of an oak secretary !! Post pics as it is if you wish !!

[kdavey1]

OK, I got pictures, not great but you can see what I am talking about.  They hole above the center drawer......  I also have one of the legs that I was talking about that come apart. 

Any helo would be appreciated.

[kdavey1]

One more thing, I don't think it's the bottom to anything although I could be wrong.
The finish appears to be original and there are no areas of dis-coloration which would indicate
something sat on top.

[mart]

OK It isn`t a secretary but it is a desk !!  Instead of a tray or writing surface I think this had a very shallow drawer for pens, pencils,paper ect !! I have seen one or two similar to yours !!  Back then we used typewriters and many things necessary could be kept ion those shallow drawers !! I had a metal one once that had a triangle shaped drop down  that looked like a drawer and was the same width but it just sort of rolled out and in !! Your desk had castors at one time didn`t it ?? The screw on legs came about in the 40`s I think for shipping purposes !! But not sure about the reasons !!

[kdavey1]

Interesting, I didn't think of a drawer.  It really would have to have been very
shallow though as the space provided is only about 1 - 1 1/4 inches high.
Does that sound right?

[mart]

It does sound about right !! I can`t think of anything that would have been over 1 in. tall !!  Paper, pens, pencils, white-out, and typewriter tape !!  The ones I have seen were divided into small interior sections so each item had its own place !! !!

[cogar]

there is a spot above the large middle drawer, and as wide as it, where there was a pull out tray.

kdavy1, me thinks that slot is made for a "pull-out" writing surface, similar to what is pictured below.

[kdavey1]

A pull out writing surface was my first thought but it is in the center and large. If it was above one of the smaller side drawers then it would have made sense it me.

[hosman321]

I also think it was for a pull out writing surface. Trust me, I've seen weirder things. My mom just gave me a bedroom dresser she got at a yard sale for $5. It's from the late 40s or early 50s. The top drawer is a pull out writing surface, on a dresser for clothing! It's very uncomfortable and totally not practical.

[mart]

Could have been either one !! Drawer or writing surface but since it is located in the center it would have been very inconvenient for a secretary to have to slide her chair out to write.  Most I have seen were located on the side so she could just turn to write !! Not to say that it couldn`t have been a writing surface as some mfrs. have done dumb things !!

[cogar]

They make desks with a “pull-out” writing surface on the right side because many right-handed people prefer it being on the right side.

They make desks with a “pull-out” writing surface on the left side because many left-handed people prefer it being on the left side.

Some manufacturers make desks with a “pull-out” writing surface on both the right and left side so as to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed people.

Some manufacturers make desks with a large “pull-out” writing surface above the center drawer so as to accommodate either a right-handed or left-handed person, beside the fact that it is less expensive to make it that way.

A couple years ago the wife drug me off to a “discount” furniture store to see a small, brand new “repo” roll-top desk she wanted to buy for me to use as a “computer desk”.  I said “no”, I don’t want it. She said “why not”, it is really purty, and really cheap and would look really nice in place of that one you have. And I says “yeah”, and the “pull-out” writing surface is on the left side and thus totally unusable by me, ……. and that’s the reason it is priced so cheap.

Cheers