Styles of Antique Desks

America

• America's antique styles are limited, because of the country's relatively late colonization. While many American desks and furniture have international influences, they generally follow the English style, albeit with a few variations. American desks mirror the English styles of Pilgrim, William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, Empire and Victorian.

  According to American antiques reference site CILSS Antiques, Pilgrim-style desks are typically heavy and simple, with carved reliefs serving as the primary ornamentation. William-and-Mary period desks are more ornamental, often with lacquers and detailed moldings. Queen-Anne desks are even more refined and almost always have lacquer and scrollwork.

  Chippendale desks reflect Chinese themes and usually feature scrolls and claw feet. Federal design features desks with Greek and Roman motifs, clean edges, and carvings of items such as cornucopias, eagles, and shields. Empire desks are large and lavish, but functional. Victorian desks sport many moldings, turned legs, and heavy design.

English

• The English have a complex, long-running line of styles that reflect their changes in monarchy, religion, materials and social values. From the end of the Renaissance to Colonial periods, English antique styles include Tudor, Elizabethan, Jacobean, Commonwealth, Restoration, William and Mary, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, and Colonial.

  Tudor-style desks were made to be imposing and almost always made of solid oak. Elizabethan desks, by contrast, are heavily carved and ornamental. Jacobean-style desks feature more organized ornamentation and a decided lack of foreign influences. Commonwealth desks, however, due to Puritan influence, are stark and austere but nevertheless refined. Restoration-style desks are more decorative and feature the era's common bowed legs. Like their American counterparts, William-and-Mary and Queen Anne-style desks are lacquered and liberal with moldings and scrollwork. Georgian-style desks are similar, but even more extreme in heaviness and ornamentation. Regency-style desks, return to simpler lines and lighter weight, with exotic motifs such as the Sphinx.

  Victorian design, like its American counterpart, featured heavy desks, as well as a use of ironwork. Edwardian-style desks, have delicate lines and feminine structure, often with leaf motifs. Lastly, Colonial style-desks, corresponding with Federal desks in America, retain the clean lines but introduce more Grecian and Roman influences.

French

• France, known for its artistry, has had incredible variations in style. Their names, primarily based on monarchs, make it easy to place their time periods.
  Style names are Renaissance, Louis XIII, Baroque (also known as Louis XIV), Regence, Rococo (also known as Louis XV), Neoclassical, Directoire, Empire, Restoration, Louis Philippe, and Art Nouveau.

  The defining mark of Renaissance-style desks are sinuous craftsmanship and motifs that feature curves. Louis XIII-style desks are similar, and typically feature ebony wood. Baroque-style desks often have brass and tortoise shell inlay and ornate lines and size. Regence desks are noted for their asymmetrical scrollwork and carvings, as well as use of gilt. Rococo-style desks are detailed, with slender, cabriole legs and exquisite moldings.

  Neoclassical-style desks, known respectively as Federal and Colonial in America and England, shares the Roman and Grecian motifs as well as extensive carvings. Directoire desks are traditionally more restrained, but also feature Egyptian motifs. Empire-era desks feature extensive Roman themes and the letter N, which stands for Napoleon, according to online resource FurnitureStyles.net.

  Restoration period desks are smaller and simpler,with contrasting wood hues as the primary decoration. Louis Philippe desks are noted for their cathedral influences and darker woods. Lastly, Art Nouveau desks are delicate and more feminine.