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19th-Century French Provençal Cherrywood Writing Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A charming 19th-century Provençal writing desk, exquisitely hand-carved from solid cherrywood. This
Category

19th Century French Country Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Wood, Cherry

Early 20th Century Writing Desk in Walnut with Inlay by Meroni Fossati
By Meroni Fossati
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian elegant early 20th century Directoire writing desk in walnut massive and veneered with
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Directoire Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

High Adjustable Architect s Desk, Writing Desk, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Antique height-adjustable desk, architect's table, around 1800 France Mahogany circa 1800
Category

Early 1800s French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century French Louis XVI Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Handsome late 18th Century French Louis XVI style writing desk with leather insert on top. Desk
Category

18th Century French Directoire Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Wood

English Mahogany Writing Desk, Bureau
Located in Schellebelle, BE
English Mahogany Writing Desk Bureau with nice old patina 9 drawers
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Wood

Vintage Boho 19th Century Carved Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Vintage Boho 19th Century Carved Bamboo Writing Desk epitomizes American style with its
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Wood

Dutch Art Deco Oak Writing Desk w/ Five Stacked Drawers, P.E.L Izeren Style
By P.E.L. Izeren 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Art Deco oak writing desk showcases the refined craftsmanship of P.E.L Izeren style furniture
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Oak

19th Century Paul Sormani French Miniature Cylinder Writing Desk
By Paul Sormani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French walnut miniature cylinder writing desk with brass mountings and velvet writing
Category

19th Century French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Rare Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Writing Desk, c. 1820
Located in Southampton, NY
Rare Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Writing Desk, c. 1820 A Rare Austrian Biedermeier Writing Desk
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Large Notary Writing Desk Louis XVI Style
Located in BARSAC, FR
Rare Louis XVI style notary writing desk made of mahogany frieze marquetry and light wood and
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XV Style Leather Top Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Louis XV style leather top with front drawer ladies writing desk with bronze mounted design details
Category

1820s French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

Leather Top Writing Desk with Ming Style Legs
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A Chippendale style writing desk with tooled brown leather top and two drawers, each with two
Category

Early 20th Century Chippendale Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather

Antique French Neo Classic Art Deco Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive French writing desk having a dramatic mixed wood top crafted with a burled walnut center
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

19th Century Chippendale Burl Walnut Partner s Writing Desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
A large and impressive 19th Century Chippendale walnut partners desk of exceptional quality, having
Category

1860s British Chippendale Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

Antique English Mahogany Writing Desk with Chippendale Fretwork, circa 1880
By Edwards Roberts
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany writing desk with Chippendale fretwork and Galleried top, circa 1880. Made
Category

19th Century English Chippendale Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze. The front of the
Category

1910s French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather, Wood

Fine 19th C. English Tunbridge Portable Writing Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine larger Antique Travel Desk with fine wood and Mother-of-Pearl inlay. The dark mahogany
Category

19th Century Edwardian Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Mother-of-Pearl

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Czech, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic writing desk from the 1930s is a remarkable example of Bauhaus design. Designed by
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Antique Burr Walnut Writing Desk by Howard Sons
By Howard Sons Ltd
Located in London, GB
A magnificent and very rare antique burr walnut desk by Howard & Sons. This desk is of the highest
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Style Mahogany and Burlwood Lady s Writing Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A French Louis XV Style Mahogany and Burlwood Lady's Writing Desk. Dimensions: 27.5" in width
Category

19th Century American Louis XV Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

French Marquetry Slant Top Ladies Writing Desk, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
French marquetry ladies slant top three-drawer writing desk with floral motif inlay, flanking step
Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Gold, Ormolu

Mid 19th Century Mahogany Roll Top Writing Desk
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Roll bureau or roll secretary. Mid 19th century. Solid mahogany and veneered on oak. Standing on 4 twisted turned table legs with 5 long frame drawers, a work surface that can be...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Antique French Bronze D Ore Mounted Escritoire Writing Desk, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French bronze D' Ore mounted Escritoire writing desk, Circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

Edwardian Inlaid Leather Top Office or Writing Desk by James Shoolbred of London
By Jas Shoolbred Co.
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous Edwardian well figured mahogany office or writing desk by James Shoolbred of London
Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Elegant Bonheur De Jour Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Southall, GB
A elegant French bonheur de jour ladies writing desk in kingswood and rosewood, with bronze gilt
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

19th Century English Brass Inkwell Writing Desk Set, c.1880
Located in Worcester, GB
19th Century English Brass Inkwell & Writing Desk Set, c.1880 A charming Victorian-era brass
Category

19th Century British Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

English George III Mahogany Leather Pedestal “Rent” Writing Desk ca. 1800
Located in Shippensburg, PA
period writing desk features a wonderful series of alphabetized "rent" compartments in the upper drawer
Category

19th Century English George III Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Maison Dominique Domin, Genevriére Art Deco Veneer Writing Desk or Vanity Table
By Andre Domin Marcel Genevriere for Maison Dominique
Located in Firenze, IT
Exceptionally rare executive corner writing desk or vanity table branded Dominique, Paris. This
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Metal

Antique Louis XIII Style Oak Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant, architectural, and rich with old-world charm — this Louis XIII style writing desk is a
Category

Early 20th Century Louis XIII Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Oak

Edwardian Campaign Writing Desk , Inlaid Stationary Desk, Traveling desk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This very campaign writing desk is a rarely seen Edwardian travelling writing desk .It is in the
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Wood

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic writing desk from the 1930s is a remarkable example of Bauhaus design. Designed by
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Steel, Chrome

19th Century Sheraton Revival Satinwood Writing Desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century Sheraton revival satinwood and inlaid writing desk / cabinet attributed to Edwards
Category

1880s British Sheraton Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Satinwood

Vintage Boho Spanish Hand Carved Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Writing Desk. Hand-carved details across the drawers and apron showcase traditional craftsmanship, while
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Rustic Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Wood, Paint

Edwardian Shapland Petter Mahogany Kidney Shaped Writing Desk c1900
By Shapland Petter
Located in High Peak, GB
ST057 Edwardian Shapland & Petter mahogany kidney shaped writing table/desk, with original black
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Italian, Tuscany, Neoclassic Walnut Metamorphic Writing Desk, ca. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
internal and secret, with a flip down front allowing ease of writing, raised on carved circular tapered
Category

1780s Italian Neoclassical Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian writing desk. Rare and precious solid walnut wood. Comfortable size for a
Category

1850s Italian Louis Philippe Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Mahogany Writing Desk with Folding Front Part
Located in Sofia, BG
French mahogany writing desk with folding front part and hidden drawers in the upper part. There
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Style Mahogany Writing Desk Book Detail / Pull-Out Writing Surface
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Louis XVI Style Mahogany Writing Desk Book Detail / Pull-Out Writing Surface Beautiful piece
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Marble

Lamb of Manchester, An Aesthetic Movement Walnut Writing Desk.
By Lamb of Manchester
Located in London, GB
Lamb of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement walnut and leather writing desk with a bank of four
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather, Walnut

George II Style Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A George II style mahogany writing desk with an inset leather top, circa 1920. The rich brown
Category

Early 20th Century George II Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Antique English Victorian Carved Walnut Writing Desk or Console Table
By Herter Brothers
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique English Victorian writing desk or console table In the manner of Herter
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

Antique Louis XVI Writing Desk, Cognac Leather, Bonze Brass
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze, fluted legs finished
Category

1910s French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather, Wood

Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found near Paris, France, we purchased this museum quality 18th century Empire style desk for its
Category

18th Century French Empire Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

Arts Crafts Flame Mahogany Knee Hole Writing Desk
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts & Crafts flame mahogany knee hole writing desk. This superb desk is in one piece it has
Category

Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk / Work Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk or Work Table. Features two drawers with
Category

19th Century American Federal Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Pagoda Walnut Brass Writing Desk Side Table Hugo Gorge, C.1925, Vienna
By Hugo Gorge
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco pagoda like a writing desks, side tables or home office desks attributed to Hugo Gorge
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Maple, Walnut, Spruce, Plywood

1930s French Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
, and suitable for daily use. Both practical and refined, the piece works equally well as a writing desk
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Metal

Antique English Inlaid Rosewood Child s or Ladies Diminutive Writing Desk
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare antique English inlaid rosewood child's or ladies writing desk with lift-up sloped lid with
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Rosewood

1930s French Art Deco Oak Writing Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
A stunning 1930s French Art Deco writing desk sourced directly from Provence, France. Expertly
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Oak

Baltic Neoclassical Mahogany, Brass Leather Writing Desk, late 19th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
cabinet) 30 5/8" H (top of desk) x 57 1/2" W x 29 5/8" D An attractive late 19th century Baltic bureau
Category

19th Century Empire Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

18th Century Italian Walnut Writing Desk / Side Table With Inlay
Located in Viterbo, VT
Neoclassical desk hand-made in Italy in the late 1700s using walnut and decorated with walnut
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut, Elm

Large Empire French Writing Desk with Embossed Brown Leather Top Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large Empire French writing desk or bureau plat with embossed brown leather top, bronze dore mounts
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Writing Desk

19th Century English Hand Carved Walnut Writing Desk and Cane Armchair
Located in Sofia, BG
19th Century hand carved set of walnut writing desk resting on lion's paws with three front drawers
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

Antique American Industrial Iron and Maple Childs School Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. Antique American Industrial Iron and Maple Childs School Writing Desk. Item features a lower cubby storage
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Industrial Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Iron

Antique Edwardian Satin wood Floral Painted Carlton House Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
known as a Carlton House writing table. The desk is like a normal writing table but the small drawers
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Satinwood

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze Brass
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top. The front of the piece has three dovetail
Category

1910s French Louis XVI Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique 19th Century Fine Quality Mahogany Writing Desk / Dressing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique 19th Century Fine Quality Mahogany Writing/Dressing Table – Also Ideal as a Desk or Side
Category

19th Century Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

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Antique Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the antique writing desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and metal, every antique writing desk was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without an antique writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique writing desk made by Victorian designers — as well as those associated with Louis XVI — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made antique writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Gillows of Lancaster London, François Linke and Maple Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique Writing Desk?

Prices for an antique writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $50 and can go as high as $1,740,240, while the average can fetch as much as $4,501.

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.

Questions About Antique Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs 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 19, 2021
    A 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 ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A 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 ExpertJune 15, 2023
    What 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    In 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An 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, 2022
    A 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    What 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 22, 2022
    To 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, 2022
    A 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, 2021
    An 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.