What Is a Tambour Cabinet?

French Writing Table

• During the reign of King Louis XV of France, women were appreciated for their intellectual abilities and salon discussions. This period, called the Enlightenment, was marked by influential women who helped popularize more intricate and decorative furniture pieces. One of the most famous examples of this era was the roll-top secretary that belonged to Madame de Pompadour. The tambour desk had secret compartments and hidden nooks and was intricately carved and decorated. Interesting lacquers and intricate hand-painting characterized furniture from the Enlightenment and can still be seen on furniture pieces from that era.

Treaty of Paris

• The Treaty of Paris was signed on a tambour desk at the White House in 1783. The treaty was an agreement between England and the United States to end the Revolutionary War. The desk, built in the Federal furniture style, is made of mahogany, and has a rich crotch mahogany veneer facing. The table piece features a raised leather platform embossed in 22 karat gold. The tambour door pulls up over the platform to hide the writing table. The treaty was signed by John Jay, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The desk can be seen in the John Quincy Adams room at the U.S. State Department.

Seymour Desk

• The Seymour brothers, fine furniture creators in Boston between 1794 and 1804, created tambour desks that are prized by contemporary fine art collectors. One of the desks belongs to the Bayou Bend collection at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. It is made of mahogany, inlay and brass and contains eastern white pine and red oak. The desk is modeled after the French period of Louis XVI, in the late 18th century. Decorative touches include a swag design on the sliding tambour doors in the front. These wood cabinets or desks are small writing tables that reflect the growing importance of women in the 19th century, as well as the influence of French style on American Furniture.

Buying Guide

• Early writing tables with tambour doors are rare and quite expensive. There are some desks that were made between 1917 and 1940 that are more reasonably priced, but even so it is important to make sure the sliding parts move easily. Since they are made with slats glued to heavy canvas, the cloth and glue often deteriorate leaving an expensive project to restore. Move the door up and down a number of times to make sure it’s in proper working condition. Plans for making tambour products are available on the Internet for woodworkers at relatively inexpensive costs.