Art Deco Desk Set

This stunning Art Deco desk set is a premier example of 20th-century industrial design. Based on its distinctive “Odeon” geometric styling and material characteristics, this set was produced by John Dickinson & Co. Ltd. (often branded as Carvacraft) in Hemel Hempstead, England.

History and Origin

• Where it was made: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England.
• Age: It dates to the mid-to-late 1930s or early 1940s. This era was the height of the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne movements, which emphasized the sleek, aerodynamic lines seen in the set’s rounded corners and parallel “stepped” banding.
• The Maker: Designed by Charles Boynton for Carvacraft, these sets were marketed as high-end executive desk accessories. While butterscotch-colored sets are more common, this dark marbled version is a highly sought-after variation.

Material: Is it Bakelite?

Technically, this set is made of a cast phenolic resin. While commonly called Bakelite in the United Kingdom, it is closer to what American collectors call Catalin.

• The Red Glow: The “flashlight test” – when a strong light is held behind dark mahogany or “oxblood” phenolic resin, it reveals a fiery, translucent red glow. This is a definitive characteristic of vintage phenolic plastics and distinguishes it from cheaper molded plastics or glass.
• The Marbling: The deep “mahogany” or “faux tortoiseshell” marbling was achieved by hand-swirling pigments into the liquid resin before it hardened, meaning no two sets are exactly alike.

Detailed Description

• The Base: A heavy, rectangular slab with one radially curved corner, a signature design element of the Carvacraft line.
• The Inkwell: A box-style double inkwell with a hinged lid. The lid is accented with two parallel orange marbled bands. Inside, it houses two circular ink reservoirs.
• The Pen Tray: A recessed tray featuring two longitudinal grooves for laying down pens. It is decorated with three contrasting orange bands at one end, mirroring the design of the inkwell lid.
• Pen Holders: Two polished brass trumpet-style holders on swivel mounts, designed to hold pens at the ready.
• Construction: The components are secured to the base using period-correct flat-head screws, as seen on the underside.