What Is a Kneehole Desk?

Origin

• Kneehole desks originated during the Queen Anne era, and were hugely popular throughout the Victorian era. They evolved from the need to sit more closely to the desk to work comfortably. The design enabled a person to slide his legs beneath the writing surface, and this improved posture and position.

Multipurposing

• In addition to serving as workstations, the kneehole desks also doubled as dressing tables, where a person, usually a woman, could sit and apply her perfume or powder or jewelry. The opening in the kneehole is usually very small, only about 16 inches wide, so is more adapted to this purpose in modern times. It may also double as a bureau, with multiple drawers for clothing items if desired, and may be equipped with a rod and curtain to cover the hole.

Larger Versions

• Also known as either library tables or partner's desks, larger versions of the kneehole desk allow for two people to work comfortably across from and facing each other at the same desktop.

Other Desks

• In addition to the kneehole desk, many other styles of desks were made at the time it became popular. The lady's desk was a small, squat table on four legs complete with lid, doors, drawers or tambors. The original desk was simply a portable “writing box” in which writing supplies could be carried from place to place. The flat or slanted top of this box was then used as a work surface on a tabletop or in one's lap. The very earliest of these were called Bible boxes and were used to store the family Bible and other essential documents.