How to Identify an Original Wooton Desk
The Wooton Desk Company of Indianapolis produced its iconic “cabinet secretary” desks between 1870 and the late 1880s. Today, surviving originals are rare, highly collectible, and often fetch high prices at auctions or through antique dealers. For collectors and enthusiasts, here are some ways to determine if a Wooton Desk is genuine.
1) Maker’s Label or Plate
Most original Wooton desks carried a brass plate or printed paper label reading “Wooton Desk M’f’g Co., Indianapolis, Ind.” These identifiers were usually mounted inside the desk or on the writing surface. Absence of a label doesn’t guarantee it isn’t original, but a genuine plate or paper label is a strong indicator.
2) Construction Details
Original desks from the 1870s–1880s were crafted with:
- Solid hardwoods (often walnut, oak, or rosewood).
- Hand-cut dovetails and traditional joinery.
- Hand-carved ornamentation, sometimes with applied moldings.
- Iron or brass hardware with period-accurate finishes.
Reproductions from later eras may use machine joinery or modern screws that weren’t typical of the originals.
3) Design Grades
Wooton offered four grades: Ordinary, Standard, Extra, and Superior. The more ornate desks (Extra and Superior) included lavish carvings, brass fittings, and sometimes hundreds of compartments. Simpler, plainer desks were often the Ordinary or Standard. Knowing these categories helps in evaluating authenticity.
4) Signs of Age
Authentic 19th-century desks will show natural aging:
- Patina on wood from more than 140 years of use.
- Oxidation of brass or iron hardware.
- Minor warping, shrinkage, or uneven wear that comes with genuine antiques.
If a desk looks too perfect or has a uniformly modern finish, it may be a reproduction.
5) Provenance
Original Wooton desks often come with provenance — documented ownership histories, auction records, or appraisal papers. Because of their rarity, many originals have been cataloged by collectors, museums, or auction houses.
Important Note from Glenn Furniture
At Glenn Furniture, we celebrate the heritage of the Wooton Desk, but we do not sell original antiques. Instead, we specialize in producing faithful replicas and custom versions that honor the tradition while allowing clients to personalize size, design, finish, and features. If you are interested in acquiring an authentic antique Wooton Desk, we recommend working with established antique dealers or auction houses.
What we offer is the chance to own a piece inspired by history — crafted to heirloom standards and tailored to your vision.