Antique Desk Sets
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Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Magnifying Glass
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique bronze Zodiac magnifying glass
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 4.25"W x 8.88"D x 0.63"H.
Very g...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Art Deco Zodiac Pen Brush
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze pen brush or pen wipe featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 3"W x 3"D x 3"H.
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Pen Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to one side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 9.88"W x 3.13"D x 0.38"H
Good ori...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
French Bronze and Gilded Bronze Inkwell and Candlestand 19th Century
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A large and impressive early 19c French bronze and gilt bronze inkwell, the central chased handle with a pair of candle arms terminating in lion masks, 2 tray wells either side of a ...
Category
19th Century Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
$2,064 Sale Price
48% Off
French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
By Napoléon III
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
$928 Sale Price
38% Off
ICA Volta 125 Camera Folding Bed Camera For 9x12cm Plates With Ica Periskop
Located in Reading, Berkshire
ICA Volta 125 Camera Folding Bed Camera For 9x12cm Plates With Ica Periskop "Alpha" F11 Fixed Lens
Manufactured by Internationale Camera Actiengesellschaft (ICA) between 1920-1929
...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Late Victorian Chinoiserie decorated Letter rack
By Maple
Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Late Victorian Chinoiserie decorated Letter rack
Black Laquered Background with gold detail
Depicting Figures bedside river scenes
foliage & leaf decoration
urn with flowers,
Sitting...
Category
Late 19th Century English Rococo Revival Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Ormolu
$657 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Victorian Gilt Bronze Table Bell
By Gustav Bergmann
Located in Dereham, GB
Rare Victorian Gilt Bronze Table Bell.
In the Form of a Circular dining table.
The Etched Table cloth decorated with flowers,
And frill detail at the bottom of the table cloth.
App...
Category
19th Century Austrian Late Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
$1,966 Sale Price
20% Off
Ernemann ROLF II Folding 127 Rollfilm Camera With 75mm F12 Rapid Rectilinear
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Ernemann ROLF II Folding 127 Rollfilm Camera 75mm F12 Rapid Rectilinear Fixed Lens of Dresden, Germany
Manufactured by Ernemann between 1924-1926.
Folded dimensions: 67 mm x 125 mm...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Art Deco Rooster Book Squeezer by Edgar Brandt, France, Circa 1927
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of book presses with a rooster design, made of iron, made by Edgar Brandt (1880 - 1960). Signed E, BRANDT
Reproduced in the books, Joan Kahr, Edgar Brandt: Art Deco Ironwork, N...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Iron
$12,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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 (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.75"W x 3"D x 2"H.
Good...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Rocker Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 6"W x 3"D x 2"H.
Good o...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
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 3.25"D x 0.38"H
G...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
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: 10.25"W x 3.25"D x 0.38"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Brush
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze pen brush or pen wipe featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 3"W x 3"D x ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts 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 2.75"D x 2"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period 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....
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Bookends Hand Carved Figural
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand carved bookends with a marketplace and figures motif. Early 20th Century. Original painted finish.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
$195 Sale Price / set
48% Off
19th Century Rosewood
Inlay Stationary Writing Slope With Leather Interior
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Victorian Rosewood Decorative Inlaid Writing Slope With An Engraved Shield. Stationary Compartments and Storage Space.
The item has black ebonised decorative accents &a...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Rosewood
Elegant Victorian Flame Mahogany Writing Slope
Stationary Leather Interior
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Elegant 19th Century Antique Victorian Flame Mahogany Decorative Inlaid Writing Slope With Black Ebonised Accents
Fitted Stationary Compartments With A Tooled Leather Interi...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$2,198 Sale Price / set
30% Off
19th Century Enameled Pocket Watch Stand, Jewelry Stand, France, Circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful pocket watch stand, or jewelry stand, France, circa 1880.
Brass with enameled ornaments.
Category
Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
19th Century Enameled Pocket Watch Stand, France, Circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful pocket watch stand, or jewelry stand.
Brass with enameled ornaments.
Category
Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Asprey Art Deco Sterling Silver
Shagreen Magnifying Glass
By Asprey International Limited
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent magnifying glass by the creme de la creme of English retailer's, Asprey of Bond Street, London. The silver is fully hallmarked for London 1928 together with the maker'...
Category
1920s British Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tunbridge Ware Leather-Hinged Document Holder c1860
By Tunbridge Ware
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Tunbridge ware leather hinged antique document holder
Date : c1860
Period : Victoria
Origin : Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Decoration : Perspective cube design bordered by multi-c...
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Antique Ornate Gilt Bronze Pen Rest or Holder with Onyx Base
Floral Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
pillars are set on what we presume to be a polished onyx slab.
Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Unusual antique Victorian quality burr walnut writing box
Located in Ipswich, GB
Unusual antique Victorian quality burr walnut writing box having a quality burr walnut writing box with an unusual shaped box to the top opening to reveal a fitted interior above a b...
Category
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
$912 Sale Price
20% Off
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.63"W x 2.75"D x 2"H.
Good original ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Doré Pen Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period gilt bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10"W x 3.25"D x 0.5"H
Good origina...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Each measures: 12.25"W...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Gilded bronze and alabaster letter carrier in the Japanese style, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Gilded bronze and alabaster letter carrier in the Japanese style.
The bronze tree branch decorations are very delicate. The alabaster plates on the two main sides give a very luminou...
Category
Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Rare Nude Art Nouveau Ripped Celluloid Straight Razor by Ern. C. Friedr
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare nude Art Nouveau celluloid handle Straight Razor. This is a great antique straight razor with a detailed Art Nouveau Nude standing on the water lily leaf carved into the handle....
Category
1910s Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Steel
Rare Nude Art Nouveau Celluloid Straight Razor by Ern. C. Friedr
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare nude Art Nouveau celluloid handle Straight Razor. This is a great antique straight razor with a detailed Art Nouveau Nude standing in a greek setting leaf carved into the handle...
Category
1910s German Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Steel
A Good Old Oak Stationary or Letter Box, with pen Holder
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Good Old Oak Stationary or Letter Box, with pen Holder
This is a very useful piece, the box is made in oak, it has 6 graduated letter compartments inside and a pen or ruler holder...
Category
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Oak
RESTORED ANTiQUE ART NOUVEAU STATIONERY WRITING CABINET WITH CALENDAR
KEy
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable, Art Nouveau, fully restored stationary writing cabinet with date func...
Category
19th Century English Art Nouveau Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
C1920s Vintage Globe by Philips
By Frederick Philips
Located in London, GB
14 inch terrestrial Globe on a stylish onyx base
This Desktop Globe Dates C1920s to C1930s
Minor Signs of wear and Tear
Category
1920s British Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Onyx
$928 Sale Price
20% Off
PAIR OF 19th Century French CHENETS Louis XVI Style
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF 19th Century French CHENETS
Louis XVI style, in gilded metal.
Dim.: 29 x 13 x 5 cm
good conditions
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
William Hornby - Patented Silver Seal Stamp - Retailed by Asprey in 1902
By Asprey International Limited, WILLIAM HORNBY, LONDON (1898-1913)
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1902 by William Hornby, and retailed originally by Asprey of London, this handsome, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Seal Stamp, is a patented design where ...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
14-Karat Gold Pen Holder and Tray with Diamonds, Rubies and Sapphires
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Handmade tubular pen holder in fourteen karat yellow gold with a tripod design. It is set with four rose
Category
Early 20th Century Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Gold
$9,500 Sale Price / set
20% Off
A Very Good
Large Art Deco Sterling Silver Stamp Box, Hallmarked London 1913
By WILLIAM HORNBY, LONDON (1898-1913)
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome & substantial early 20th century Art Deco sterling silver stamp box. The case richly decorated overall with striking basket-weave & herringbone machined motifs, the t...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Rocker Blotter, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau period Louis XVI style gilt bronze rocker blotter
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, early 20th century
Measures: 5.38"W x 3"D x 2"H.
Good original vintage ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Louis XVI Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco period bronze blotter ends featuring Adam style or Neoclassical style swags
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, early 20th century
Each measures: 1...
Category
Early 20th Century American Adam Style Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Antique Brass Letter or Envelope Holder Paper Clip
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique brass letter or envelope holder with two snakes wrapped around a fountain, birdbath or column. Not sure the meaning of it, but it does make you think the symbol for medicine....
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
$236 Sale Price
20% Off
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Blotter Ends
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th century
Each measures: 1...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Paper Knife by Fabergè, Early 20th Century
By Fabergé
Located in Roma, IT
Paper knife with silver swan-shaped handle and precious stones by Fabergè.
Original velvet box. Realized in the early 20th century.
Length 29 cm.
Branding inside and out of...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Onyx, Silver
Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant Regency brass mounted Gonçalo Alves campaign writing slope, circa 1820 in date.
The beautifully polished goncalo alves case has a wonderful age-related patina and a key...
Category
1820s Regency Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Antique Correspondence Box, English, Leather, Writing Case, Victorian, C.1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique correspondence box. An English, leather bound writing case, dating to he late Victorian period, circa 1890.
Graced with a suite of features and appealing dark f...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Pair of Chinese Abacuses by Lotus Flower
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of Chinese abacuses dating from 1912 to 1949. A black lacquered frame secured with brass corners houses 13 bamboo rods, each with five and two black wooden beads. The original...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
$325 / set
Chinese Abacus by Lotus Flower
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinese abacus dating from 1912 to 1949 with The Abacus book by Jesse Dilson. A black lacquered frame secured with brass corners houses 13 bamboo rods, each with five and two black...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Antique Initial Stamp F.J, Art Nouveau, circa 1910
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful and authentically preserved stamp for sealing wax with the initials F.J
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Initial Stamp, Art Deco, 1920s
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful and authentically preserved stamp for sealing wax.
Category
1920s French Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
E.F. Caldwell Champlevé Enamel and Jeweled Folio Cover, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
E.F. Caldwell Champlevé Enamel and Jeweled Folio Cover, Early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century American Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Enamel
Antique Jewelry Tray, Art Nouveau, Gilded Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful jewelry tray, Art Nouveau.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Oval Pen Tray
Located in London, GB
An attractive early 19th century Regency period bronze and Ormolu oval Pen Tray, with thistle, fruit and flower handles, having cut-glass inkwells, quill holders, candleholder and ce...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Bronze Plate, Signed "D´Aubrée", France, Jewelry Tray, 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique bronze plate from France.
Signed by the artist "D'Aubrée" on the top.
Beautiful elaboration of the floral decoration.
Category
Early 20th Century French Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Match Box Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period bronze match box holder featuring symbols of the Zodiac
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 4.5"W x 4.5"D x 3.75"H.
Good ori...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Austrian Clock Holder, Granite and Steel with Picture St Stephans Dome
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful and exclusive clock stand made of steel and granite. Holding a picture of the Stephans-dome. The most famous church in Wienna, Austria.
High quality craftsmanship on all...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Granite, Steel
$2,321 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Victorian Gothic Revival Pressed Brass Letter Racks, 19th C
Located in valatie, NY
A pair of Victorian Gothic revival pressed brass letter Racks, 19th c. B. Days Patent, with the Royal Coat of Arms, both in the form of a Gothic multi-spired cathedral, each spire la...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Sets
Materials
Brass, Iron
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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 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.
- 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.
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