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The invention of rolltop desks can be traced back to the 19th century, when there was a growing need for functional and compact workspaces, particularly in offices and homes. The design of rolltop desks was a response to this demand. Their unique rolltop cover served a dual purpose: it provided a secure way to conceal documents and it offered a convenient means to quickly access the workspace.
Abner Cutler of Buffalo, New York is credited with the first American made rolltop desks around 1850, with the US Patent Office issuing him a patent for the design in 1882 (although similar designs were created in Europe prior to this). Today Cutler rolltop desks are valuable antique pieces.
At Dutch Craft Furniture, our rolltop desks have a traditional base style. Most feature a double pedestal (a stack of drawers on either side of the kneehole) with a pencil drawer in the center. Construction is like our other Amish desks, with solid wood, full extension drawer slides, and dove tailed drawer boxes.
The unique feature is the tambour rolltop cover, constructed of individual slats glued to a flexible canvas, which allows it to move smoothly along the S-curve groove in the sides of the desk. The top typically has small drawers and open cubbies built in along the back of the desk. The result is a traditional design that allows for maximum functionality and organization in a relatively small footprint. As always, Amish furniture makers in Ohio offer many custom options to make each piece unique, although we restrict some desk sizes with rolltops to maintain the smooth functionality of the cover. For more information, please contact us at Dutch Craft Furniture today.