The Parts of a desk, not parts for a desk!

[maggenpye]

I'm writing a novel for nanowrimo.

One of the characters is having a wonderful time discovering all the secret compartments in a mid 18th century rosewood desk. I'm working around the details at the moment, but it's making my brain itch with the need to know.

Can anyone please recommend a good website or book I can get from the library that will name the various parts of the desk. In fair detail too.

Like what's the alcove-y bit called that's under the cubbyholes? What's the official name for the cubbyholes. What are the divider bits between the drawers called?

That kind of stuff.


Thanks in advance.

[maggenpye]

Sorry Mods, please remove the double-up.

[Manduck]

The cubbyholes are called pigeonholes, if I'm not mistaken. The Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desks) doesn't have the info you're looking for, but it does include a bibliography that may be helpful. WARNING: this could involve going to a library.

[maggenpye]

The cubbyholes are called pigeonholes, if I'm not mistaken. The Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desks) doesn't have the info you're looking for, but it does include a bibliography that may be helpful. WARNING: this could involve going to a library.

Thanks, I tried Wiki first up and I've been googling like a googly thing, and all I get is retail hardware,

Parts for a desk. :smack:

Going through the Woodworking sites, I get long trails of links to *free* plans, that aren't free or aren't useful.

Hi Ho, off to the library I go... Know any good book titles?

[Triskadecamus]

Look up antiques.

Tris

[Triskadecamus]

Like this (http://www.desk.uk.com/history.asp)

[maggenpye]

Thanks, still doesn't have the detail I need. There's a lot of 'antique' retailers, isn't there?
Like an exploded diagram? Is that the right term, all the bits that make up a desk labeled with the technical names.

Not a column, but a pilaster.etc.
It's so the furniture restoring character doesn't sound inept. Doesn't call a pigeon hole a cubbyhole (see, I was paying attention!)

Thanks for the suggestions so far, please keep them coming.

[Myglaren]

I would suggest looking at books dedicated to cabinet making. There is a bit of an intro in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_making) but it doesn't go anywhere deep enough for your purposes.