Portable Desk
Daten. d.
MediumRosewood and mother-of-pearl
Dimensions3 7/8 × 15 × 10 inches (9.8 × 38.1 × 25.4 cm)
Credit LineAttributed to the bequest of Mary Telfair.
Object number1875.36
CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextThe lap desk came into being in the 17th century as a stylish accessory for travelling. It served as a writing surface, and a container for the quill, the blotter, and the sand tray. By the mid-19th century, the invention of cheaper and more efficient writing implements, and the mass production of furniture made most portable desks outmoded.
