Antique Writing Desk
18th Century Spanish Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century American Mission Antique Writing Desk
Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk
Brass
18th Century British George II Antique Writing Desk
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Belle Époque Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Early 1900s English Queen Anne Antique Writing Desk
Brass
Early 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Antique Writing Desk
Wood, Lacquer, Cherry
Late 19th Century French Rustic Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Belle Époque Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Writing Desk
Oak
19th Century Antique Writing Desk
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Antique Writing Desk
Maple
1890s British Antique Writing Desk
Mahogany
1840s Danish Gustavian Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Antique Writing Desk
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Mid-19th Century Campaign Antique Writing Desk
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Writing Desk
Oak
1910s German Art Deco Antique Writing Desk
Walnut
Late 18th Century Danish Neoclassical Antique Writing Desk
Oak, Walnut
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Antique Writing Desk
Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Writing Desk
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Writing Desk
Walnut
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Writing Desk
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Writing Desk
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
19th Century English George III Antique Writing Desk
Other
Late 19th Century French Antique Writing Desk
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Louis XV Antique Writing Desk
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Writing Desk
Brass
1910s British Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Writing Desk
Bronze
1850s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Writing Desk
Walnut, Fir
Early 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Writing Desk
Rosewood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Writing Desk
Satinwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Writing Desk
Wood, Maple, Lacquer, Spruce
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Writing Desk
Brass
Early 20th Century European Rococo Revival Antique Writing Desk
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Writing Desk
Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Writing Desk
Bronze
1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Writing Desk
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Writing Desk
Bronze, Brass
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk
Cherry
19th Century Antique Writing Desk
Pine
Late 19th Century American Classical Antique Writing Desk
Poplar
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Writing Desk
Bronze
1760s Italian Neoclassical Antique Writing Desk
Walnut, Pine
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Antique Writing Desk
Chrome
Early 20th Century Louis Philippe Antique Writing Desk
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Writing Desk
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Writing Desk
Copper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Writing Desk
Oak
Late 18th Century George III Antique Writing Desk
Brass
19th Century American Antique Writing Desk
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Writing Desk
Brass
1860s Antique Writing Desk
Bronze
Early 1800s Georgian Antique Writing Desk
Fruitwood
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Antique Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Writing Desk?
Finding the Right Desks-writing-tables for You
Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.
Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.
Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.
Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.
The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.
From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of desks.
- 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 ExpertMarch 3, 2023In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.
- 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.
- 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.
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