This form of kneehole-desk with leather-lined top incorporating 'a rising flap, which may be raised to any height, to read or write upon'; and pedestals with 'hinged pilasters to secure the drawers', is illustrated in J.C.Loudon's, Encyclopedia, 1833 (numbers 2095 and 2094).
The type with its centred Bramah lock features in the Gillow sketch-books during the 1840's and early 1850's. Various sizes were available, all with Bramah locks and locking stiles. The carved kneehole angle brackets are characteristic and appear on almost all the variants in the sketch-books. The central reading-slope appears to be a very rarely used option. A closely comparable desk was supplied for retail by Messrs. Ferguson & Co. in July 1850 (ES.5724)