Antique Desk Sets
to
224
1,120
885
1,156
1,156
903
340
152
133
125
87
69
52
50
44
38
35
35
31
18
16
13
9
7
6
5
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
480
24
23
14
13
Sort By
Antique Bronze Fox Stamp Roll Holder, Early 20th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful antique gilt bronze stamp roll holder featuring a leaping fox
USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 3.75"W x 2.38"D x 3.75"H.
Good original vintage condition.
Category
Early 20th Century American Country Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Quality antique Victorian oak stationary box
Located in Ipswich, GB
to reveal a fitted interior, bearing a presentation plaque to the inside of one of the doors, set
Category
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Oak
$763 Sale Price
25% Off
Antique Cow Horn Table Gong
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Cow Horn Table Gong. Lovely quality original brass circular gong flanked by a pair of cow horns with silver plated mounts standing on a quality circular oak base, complete wi...
Category
Early 20th Century Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Silver Plate
19th Century Wooden Letter Rack - Napoleon III
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique letter rack, made of Black ebonized wood, with brown patinated brass trims.
Made in the late Napoleon III period in France, around 1870-1880.
Bombay shaped fron...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Notepad Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Zodiac" pattern gilt bronze notepad holder
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 4.63"W x 7.5"D x 0.5"H.
Good original v...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Zodiac" pattern rocker ink blotter
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
SUITE OF FiVE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN BUISNESS PRESS / STAMPS FROM BEVAN FUNNELL
By Bevan Funnell Ltd.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
related pieces of stationary
These five are all as you can see, they made great decorative desk art and
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
Antique Draughtsman
s Railway Curves, English, Pearwood, Cartography, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of antique draughtsman's railway curves. An English, pearwood set of drawing
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Pearwood
Heintz Arts
Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Pen Tray
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze pen tray
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10"W x 3.13"D x 0.63"H
Good orig...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Doré Pen Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Graduate" pattern pen tray
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measure...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Heintz Arts
Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Bookends
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze bookends
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
USA, Early 20th Century
Each measures: 5.63"W x 4.63"D x 5....
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Heintz Arts
Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Ashtray
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze ashtray with cigar rest
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 6.75"W x 5.5"D x 1...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Pair of Antique Parallel Rulers, English, Coromandel, Draughtsman
s Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
treat for the desk top. Delivered waxed, polished and ready to enjoy.
Dimensions:
Max Width: 45.5cm
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Antique Tiffany
Co. Bronze Doré Medusa Vanity Hand Mirror, Circa 1910
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique gilt bronze Medusa vanity hand mirror or decorative mirror
By Tiffany & Co. (signed on the back)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Lovely antique Edwardian postal scales
weights
Located in Ipswich, GB
Lovely antique Edwardian postal scales & weights, having a lovely pair of antique Edwardian brass postal scales with brass weights mounted on a wooden shaped base.
D. 1900
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
$387 Sale Price
20% Off
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909
By Eastman Kodak
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Focusing: 3 set positions: 100, 20, 8 feet.
Shutter: Brownie Automatic, five-blade, speeds T, B, I
Category
Early 20th Century American American Classical Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Leather, Glass
Fancy Antique Swedish Telephone Early 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Fancy brass , black lacquer with gilded decoration. A work of art. Swedish Coat of arms on dial. . Circa 1910. Working condition. Made by L.M. Ericsson, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 20th Century Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
French Arts and Crafts Oak Stationary Box with Tambour
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
inside divided for stamps
The cabinet is in very attractive condition it will keep any desk tidy and
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Oak
Tiffany Studios Chinese Pattern Bronze Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Chinese" pattern bronze inkwell
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 6.25"W x 6.25"D x 4.5"H.
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Argentor Sugar bowl made of brass and glass. Design by Jutta Sika around 1910
By Jutta Sika, Argentor of Vienna
Located in Wien, AT
Sugar bowl made of brass and glass. Design by Jutta Sika. Around 1910. Stamped Argentor; Jutta Sika was a member of the Wiener Werkstätte and a founding member of the Austrian Werkb...
Category
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze "Grapevine" blotter corners
By
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Antique English George III Captains Military Writing Box by Hewlins
Located in Northampton, GB
century through the regency period although no exact dates have been recorded of when the business as set
Category
Late 18th Century British Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Pair French Silvered Bronze Lions Mask Plinths w/ Hand-Carved Rock Crystal Orbs
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Incredible French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Silvered Bronze Lions Mask Plinths with Hand-Carved and Hand-Polished Rock Crystal Orbs. Boasting sumptuous French Regency d...
Category
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Outstanding quality carved Black Forest jewellery box
Located in Ipswich, GB
Outstanding quality carved Black Forest jewellery box having a quality carved eagle to the top above carved leaves and berries standing on a shaped carved base, having a lift up lid ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Velvet, Wood
$691 Sale Price
25% Off
Vintage Art Deco Ceramic and Bakelite "Dog" Catch-All
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage art deco ceramic and bakelite "whimsical dog" catch-all, circa 1940s. The piece is in good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 12.5"W x 4.25"D x 7"H. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Ceramic, Bakelite
Art Deco centerpiece alpaca with original glass around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco centerpiece alpaca with original glass around 1920s
Alpaca polished
Original glass
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Onyx "Ormolu Cassolettes"
Located in London, GB
"Ormolu Cassolettes"
A highly attractive pair of late 19th Century gilt bronze and onyx cassolettes. The onyx cassolette pots raised on gilt bronze tripod decorated with raised face...
Category
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Pen Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & crafts period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone pen tray
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 8.75"W x 2.63"D x ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau or Art Deco period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone rocker ink blotter
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.75"W x 2.75"D x 1.75"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Jugendstil fruit knives with holder vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, AT
Jugendstil fruit knives with holder vienna around 1908
Steel and bone handle
Original condition
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Steel
Victorian Glossy Extending Black Leather Stationary Writing Slope With Key
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Victorian Glossy Black Leather Extending Correspondence Box / Writing Slope With Black Tooled Leather Interior
SLOPE 30
Inside the slope there is a leather bound blotting sheet, le...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass, Steel
$2,043 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Exquisite Victorian Walnut
Black Leather Campaign Writing Slope
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Exquisite Victorian Hand-Crafted Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Black Tooled Leather Interior With Secret Compartment
SLOPE 23
Brass front shield could be personalised with engravi...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Vintage Petrified Wood Catch-All Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice vintage petrified wood catch all / bowl, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition with wonderful brown and tan colors and measures 7"W x 6"D x 1"H. Cool piece! ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Mexican Mid-Century Modern Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Petrified Wood
Remington Standard Model 10 Typewriter Circa 1910
Located in Opole, PL
Remington Standard Model 10 Typewriter Circa 1910
The model, likely from 1910 with serial number RV63621, advertised with the slogan "To save time is to lengthen life." The machine ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
Swedish silver-plated Seal Stamp in Art Nouveau
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish silver-plated Seal Stamp in Art Nouveau. Made by GAB, Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden during the early 20th Century. The stamp with the initials T.R.
The silver plating with p...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
Pewter book stand Dated 1765
Located in Bakewell, GB
Dated 1765 a pewter book stand
size 20cms high
open 25cms x 30cms flat
Category
18th Century English Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Pewter
19C British Coromandel, Brass with Large Jasperware Medallions Book Slide
Located in Dallas, TX
is set into a roped border/setting.
The piece sits on a platform plinth and one side, slides
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10"W x 3.13"D x 0.5"H
Ve...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Three Blue and White Miniature Vases, C 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Era
Located in seoul, KR
During Yongzheng era, such miniatures were appreciated for their craftsmanship and aesthetic value. They were also often used in scholars' studios as part of the 'wenfang', or study ...
Category
1720s Vietnamese Qing Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Rare Tunbridge Ware Book Tray c1870
By Tunbridge Ware
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Tunbridge ware book tray
Date : c1870
Period : Victoria
Origin : Tunbridge Wells Kent.
Decoration : Central foliate mosaic within a foliate border with keylines. THere is i...
Category
1870s British Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Category
19th Century Japanese Napoleon III Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Pen Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern bronze pen tray
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 8.75"W x 2.75"D x 0.5"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Pen Brush Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" bronze pen brush holder
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 3"W x 3"D x 2.25"H.
Go...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
The early Victorian silver Rococo Revival inkstand of General Charles Nepean
By Robinson, Edkins,
Aston
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
The early Victorian silver Rococo Revival inkstand of General Charles Nepean, of rectangular form, with two silver mounted, cut glass inkwells, flanking a central wax holder, surmoun...
Category
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Silver
World War II Munition Trench Art Brass and Coin Ashtray
Located in San Diego, CA
A unique military munition trench art, solid brass with coin slots ashtray, circa 1930s. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 4.25"D x 3.75"H. The shell, which I bel...
Category
Early 20th Century American Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Antique Bronze Extinguishing Cradle, Signed Bronze Miniature Bust, Circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional extinguishing cradle made of heavy bronze.
The handle is designed as a man's bust.
The artist's initials "CH" can be found on the top.
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Eastman Kodak Jiffy Kodak Six-20 Strut Folding Camera Rochester NY 30
s
By Eastman Kodak
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Lovely Little Art Deco Kodak Eastman Jiffy Six-20 Folding Rollfilm Camera
Styled by Walter Dorwin Teague Made in Rochester NY, USA between 1933 & 1937
Takes 620 roll film
Classi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Chrome
Antique Draughtsman
s Rolling Ruler, English, Cartographer
s Instrument, Stanley
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
rolling ruler, pleasingly set within a nicely crafted carry case. Delivered waxed, polished and ready to
Category
Late 19th Century British Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.88"D x 2"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Notepad Holder, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style notepad holder
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 4.75"W x 7.5"D x ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Bronze Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze rocker ink blotter featuring the iconic Graduate pattern in verdigris green patina
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Centu...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Art Nouveau Brass Ink Extinguishing Cradle, France, Circa 1930
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique Ink Extinguishing Cradle, France, circa 1930.
Nicely chiseled depiction of a woman´s face in a typical Art Nouveau manner.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
World War II Munition Trench Art Brass "Catch All"
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique military munition trench art, solid brass "catch all", circa 1920s. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 4.25"D x 3"H. The shell, which I believe is a 75mm, h...
Category
Early 20th Century American Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Kodak No 2 Hawkette Marbled Bakelite 120 Roll Film Strut Folding Camera
By Eastman Kodak
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Art Deco Kodak No 2 Hawkette Marbled Bakelite 120 Roll Film Strut Folding Camera With Meniscus Lens & Rotary Shutter Made in the UK 1930's
Constructed from brown bakelite moulded co...
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Antique Card Holder, Brass, Parrot, France, Around 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Outstanding brass business card holder with fine ornamentation on the front
and a finely crafted parrot stretching its wings for flight.
It can hold several memos or business cards.
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H
Good vintage condition, ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
- 1
- ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Antique Desk Sets", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Antique Desk Sets For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of antique desk sets is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, bronze and wood, all antique desk sets available were constructed with great care. There are all kinds of antique desk sets available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique desk sets bearing Victorian or Art Nouveau hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Many antique desk sets are appealing in their simplicity, but Tiffany Studios, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Platerías Martínez produced popular antique desk sets that are worth a look.
How Much are Antique Desk Sets?
Antique desk sets can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $1,766, while the lowest priced sells for $95 and the highest can go for as much as $74,861.
Finding the Right Desk-accessories for You
Whether you’ve carved out a space for a nifty home office or you prefer the morning commute, why not dress up your desk with antique and vintage desk accessories? To best tiptoe the line between desk efficiency and desk enjoyment, we suggest adding a touch of the past to your modern-day space.
Desks are a funny thing. Their basic premise has remained the same for quite literally centuries: a flat surface, oftentimes a drawer, and potentially a shelf or two. However, the contents that lay upon the desk? Well, the evolution has been drastic to say the least.
Thank the Victorians for the initial popularity of the paperweight. The Industrial Revolution offered the novel concept of leisure-time to Europeans, giving them more time to take part in the then crucial activity of letter writing. Decorative glass paperweight designs were all the rage, and during the mid-19th-century some of the most popular makers included the French companies of Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy.
As paper was exceedingly expensive in the early to mid-19th-century, every effort was made to utilize a full sheet of it. Paper knives, which gave way to the modern letter opener, were helpful for cutting paper down to an appropriate size.
Books — those bound volumes of paper, you may recall — used to be common occurrences on desks of yore and where there were books there needed to be bookends. As a luxury item, bookend designs have run the gamut from incorporating ultra-luxurious materials (think marble and Murano glass) to being whimsical desk accompaniments (animal figurines were highly popular choices).
Though the inkwell’s extinction was ushered in by the advent of the ballpoint pen (itself quasi-obsolete at this point), there is still significant charm to be had from placing one of these bauble-like objets in a central spot on one’s desk. You may be surprised to discover the mood-boosting powers an antique — and purposefully empty — inkwell can provide.
The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass-production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier.
Find antique and vintage desk accessories today on 1stDibs.
Questions About Antique Desk Sets
- What is an antique Davenport desk?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Davenport desk is a type of small desk with a distinct inclined desktop. The desktop covers a large storage compartment meant for keeping paper and other writing materials. Popular in the 19th century, Davenport desks are still sought after today. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What are antique desks called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 5, 2024To identify an antique tea set, look closely to determine who the manufacturer is. Locate the hallmark on the bottom of a saucer, teapot or cup. A maker’s mark on one of these items is the best indicator of the set’s origin. If you snap a photo with your smartphone or tablet, you can conduct a reverse image search to jump-start your research. Professionals recommend consulting auction catalogs, books and trusted online resources such as museum exhibition materials. With some research, you may be able to match the marking to the manufacturer's name and, from there, identify the pattern and age.
In 17th-century England, Chinese tea began to arrive at ports in London. Mass production of porcelain tea sets took place in the 18th century, and during the early 1800s, tea became widely affordable, and the concept of teatime took shape all over England.
Reputable soft-paste porcelain makers include Sèvres, Capodimonte and Chelsea, while Meissen was the first European maker of hard-paste porcelain. Bone china manufactories of note include Spode, Minton and Derby, which was later called the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company.
Generally, a tea set is considered vintage if it’s at least 20 years old, while antiques are at least 100 years old. Although a maker’s mark is generally a helpful indicator of a given manufacturer, forgeries have occurred over the years. Look for other signifiers of a material, time period or style if you are uncertain of your piece’s origin. For help with identification, seek out a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer.
Find antique tea sets on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.
Read More
How a Craving for Color Revolutionized Glass
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
Kazuyo Sejima’s Flowering Tree Blooms Year-Round
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
He Wrote ‘Oedipus Rex,’ but Do You Know What He Looked Like?
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Cigar Culture Was Once the Peak of Masculinity. Now, It’s a Compelling Curiosity
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
African Travel Plans on Hold? This Ardmore Leopard Vase Brings the Beauty of the Savanna to You
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Zoë Powell’s Magnolia 05 Vessel Is Handmade from Clay She Unearthed Herself
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.
8 Ways to Breathe New Life into a Space with Plants
The pair behind the Instagram account @houseplantclub share their tips for making any room of the house gloriously green.
More Ways To Browse
Wedgwood Greek
African Ebony Bust
Bust Bronze Chinese
Gilt Bronze Fish
Porcelain Gardner
Bronze Kitten
Meissen Butterfly
Pond Lily Lamp Louis Comfort Tiffany
Cherub Casket
Church Desk
Floral Painted Desk
John Morley
Nina K
Antique Silver Stamp Holder
Ormolu Ink Well
Paul Beau Montreal
Antique Dip Pen
Bamboo Letter Holder