Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1079

 GRECIAN AND MODERN VILLA FURNITURE. 105/) is hinged at the side, and locks at the top ; the keyhole being covered by the patera, b, which slides over it in a dovetailed groove. By this means, all the boxes are secured by one lock, and they may be all opened instantly. There may be spaces left for labels in the front of each box if required, and the top may be made to rise up with a horse, like the desk, fig. 1 904, so as to serve for reading on. The top is lined with embossed leather, of the same colour as that of the eases. Castors may be concealed in the plinth. This is considered a very useful piece of furniture for keeping select papers. 2095. Library Tables. Fig. 1 904 is a pedestal library table, which may have drawers on both sides ; or doors and cupboards on one side, and drawers on the other. There is a rising flap on the top, which may be raised to any height, to write or read upon ; and, when not required, it can be let down flush with the top of the table. The ends are hinged at the bottom, and fold outwards ; remaining open in consequence of being sup- ported by a joint stay near the bottom. This forms a very convenient place for portfolios, or large drawings. The depth of the recess may be varied according to the width of the pilasters. The top is covered with embossed russia leather. For the private room of an Architect, such a table may have a drawer immediately under the top, of the same length and breadth as the table ; and of five or six inches in depth, for the purpose of holding large drawing-boards with drawings on them, T squares, &c. In this drawer, the drawing in pro- gress is kept com- ^ ^ -= ^"^^^ 1C04 pletely from the dust ; while the sightliness of the room is pre- served, at times when drawing is not going forward. A rising portable desk, with double horse and rack, may be placed on the table, and raised to any con- venient height for reading, writing, or drawing on, in a standing position, in- stead of the sinking fixed desk shown in the figure ; or a false bottom may be made to the drawer, on which the drawing-board and all the drawing materials may be placed, in such a manner as that, when the drawer is pulled out, and the false bottom is raised to the required height by a rack and horse, the artist may go to work without any previous preparation, or arrange- ment of his instruments or materials ; and he may leave oflT, lower down the false bottom and its contents, and shut up the drawer, in an instant. Fig. 1905 is a very handsome library table, on four carved legs, with four drawers and a carved moulded edge. The drawers pull out from under the rail, thus rendering knobs unnecessary, and main- taining an architectural character. 2096. Writmff- Tables, or Secretaries. Figs. 1906, 1907 represent a handsome writing-table, with numerous drawers and divisions for con- taining papers, money, &c, ; and having on the top a shelf for books. The mechanism is such, that, notwithstanding its apparent intricacy, it can be opened and its contents displayed, or shut up and locked, in an instant. 2097. A sloping Writing-Desk, such as fig. 1908, to a scale of one inch to a foot, fs frequently used for placing on a library table. A part of the top is made flat, with a small lid which turns up, and displays inside the inkbottles, pens, wafers, &c. When not in use, the flap turns down, to keep every thing clean. Tlie sloping part may b« covered with embossed leather.