'Give her this key, and tell her, in the desk that's cover'd o'er with Turkish tapestry, there is a purse of ducats'

The Comedy of Errors (Act IV, scene 1)

Like most gentry townhouses, Shakespeare’s home served as a place of business, work and administration. Desk boxes were movable objects that could be used at a table or on a lap. This desk box has a sloping lid and a scrolled book rest to facilitate reading and writing. The two hinges visible towards the top of the box allow the lid to be lifted, providing access inside. The lock visible near the bottom of the desk meant that the box’s contents (probably writing equipment) could be safely locked away. This oak item measures 41cm in length, 37cm in width and 25.5cm in height. Although heavy, it could be moved between surfaces and rooms. Desk boxes would be stored on a shelf or a cupboard when not in use.

Objects relating to reading and writing are often mentioned in probate inventories of houses like New Place. Desk boxes are usually listed in halls, parlours or great chambers. These spaces were most likely to be used for business or administrative tasks. These objects were therefore essential for the entrepreneurial gentleman. But they also reflect the adaptability of early modern townhouses and the various ways they might be used by people like Shakespeare.