We recently bought an antique roll top desk. It has been painted, I think more than once. I am very familiar with restoring wood furniture, and we are just getting ready to begin the process. However, we are not sure of the age on this desk. I have not been able to find a makers mark yet, and was hoping that someone might be able to point in the direction of understand this desk more. There is newspaper which the previous owner used to bolster the tambor door which dates to 1937. Because of that, we believe that it muct be substantially earlier than that. (Why would they need to fortify the backing unless it had seen many years of use?)Is there any way to identify the age through the characteristics of the desk? And how would I know the actual value of a properly restored desk?

Hi, sookie!

Would it be possible for you to post some images of it here of both the outside and inside parts, please? How drawers have been put together can be a possible indicator of getting closer to figuring out the approximate age of an antique desk.

Also, do you know what kind of wood is on the outside of it?

Thanks!