Portable Desk - Varguenos and Bible Boxes and Other Chests

Varguenos and Bible Boxes and Other Chests

There are two survivors of these medieval and renaissance forms: The rather large Bargueno desk or Vargueno, a chest desk from 16th-century Spain, and the relatively small Bible box, which probably had a later origin. These two forms are usually not employed as portable desks any more, but they are bought and sold as antiques or as reproductions and usually valued as much for their monetary worth or their esthetic appeal as for their practical use.

The lap desk appeared sometime in the 17th century and became a stylish accessory for traveling gentlemen. Like the Bible box, the lap desk was usually small enough to be carried on a horse or by a gentleman's butler or valet. From the 18th century onwards, however, it grew in size and became too heavy to be used comfortably on a lap. Several regional variations, such as the French Escritoire were developed.

At the other end of the scale, the 17th century saw the appearance of several other kinds of "chest" desks, such as those destined for use in ships or for getting paperwork done during a military campaign. These were usually known as the Campaign desk and the Field desk.