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Narrow Minimalist Desk in two tone burl and walnut w/Nickel bronze tubular legs
Located in New York City, NY
French Art Deco slim and streamline unusual desk in two tone wood with side storage compartment
Category

Mid-20th Century French Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Nickel

19th Century Victorian Davenport Desk Burl Inlaid over Four-Side Drawers
Located in Plainview, NY
Victorian Davenport desk burl inlaid over four-side drawers. The desk features dummy drawers to one
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Leather

Late 19th Century Georgian Style Burl Walnut and Leather Top Desk
Located in Richmond, VA
Gorgeous wear and patina on this burl walnut and leather top Georgian style desk from late 19th
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English George I Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Amboyna Burl Kidney Desk with Gilt Bronze, attributed to Gillows, circa 1870
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in London, GB
warm, golden tones of the burl. The desk is dressed throughout with splendid gilt bronze mounts that
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Custom Made Minimal Desk or Console Table in Poplar Burl Veneer
Located in Jesteburg, DE
small workshop in northern Germany. Each leaf of poplar burl veneer is carefully selected and applied to
Category

2010s German Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Poplar

Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk This beautiful
Category

Antique Early 1900s Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Monumental Leon Rosen Pace Collection Burl Walnut Steel Desk Mid-Century Modern
By Leon Rosen, Pace Collection
Located in Pemberton, NJ
steel, the vintage desk oozes success in rich walnut burl. Three hidden drawers on one side and two pull
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique English Burl 4 Drawer Leather Top Davenport C1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
19 d This exquisite antique English Davenport desk, dating to circa 1880, features a stunning burl
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

French Elm Burl Brass Coated Fabric Desk Kidney Shape Louis XV Style c. 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Desk in the kidney style. This shape of tops on the furnitures is typical of the 18th century. It
Category

Vintage 1960s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Early Carl Malmsten Writing or Console Table
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Long Island City, NY
Carl Malmsten was one of the most talented and prolific Scandinavian designers of the 20th century. He rejected the dehumanizing elements of Functionalism in favor of a considered ap...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Elm, Oak, Burl

"Brenne" Bean-shaped Burl Wood Coffee Table by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
We are excited to introduce an extension of our ever-popular Brenne desk design. The Brenne coffee
Category

2010s Vietnamese French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Burl Top Ash Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
highly figured burl ash, having double thickness carved rope twist applied edge, the base with similar
Category

Antique 1830s European Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash

European Antique Davenport Desk
Located in Malibu, CA
of the desk has a hinged compartment for writing supplies.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bone, Leather, Burl

European Antique Davenport Desk
European Antique Davenport Desk
$1,518 Sale Price
60% Off
Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Italian Olive Burl Wood Cabriole Leg Bombay Drop Front Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine craftsmanship Italian made burl wood drop front secretary.
Category

20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Olive, Burl

Epifania Desk Cube by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Epifania desk & cube by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: Desk: W 70 x D 140 x H 75 cm. Cube: W
Category

2010s Cypriot Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Burl

Queen Anne Style Pedestal Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an absolutely gorgeous Queen Anne Style pedestal desk. Made of walnut, butterflied
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Louis XV Petite Mahogany and Kingwood Marquetry Kidney Writing Table, Paris 1870
Located in Germantown, MD
A Recently refinished French transitional kidney-shaped desk. 19th century French transitional
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Desk Table with Two faces and Two levels
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco Desk in Burl Walnut. Beautiful Desk with two faces. In one side you can use like a desk
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Burl

Leon Rosen for Pace Collection Mezzaluna Demilune Executive Desk
By Leon Rosen
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Leon Rosen "Mezzaluna" Pace Collection Demilune Executive Desk
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

1970s Milo Baughman Burlwood Chrome Curved Executive Desk
By Milo Baughman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
wood desk you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. Chrome hardware. The
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Burlwood Mid-Century Modern Floating Desk, Console, 1960s, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare Burl-wood minimalist desk with a solid wooden top and aluminium base. The top of the desk
Category

Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

19th-Century Pine Lap Desk Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Opole, PL
writing accessories is above the surface. The front wall, as well as the lid of the writing desk are
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Pine, Burl, Mother-of-Pearl

Prod. Italy, c. 1930 Deco desk with curvilinear forms
Located in London, GB
Made in Italy, probably c. 1930 Long Déco desk with curved shapes veneered and edged in wood and
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Desk Table with Two faces and Two levels
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco Desk in Burl Walnut. Beautiful Desk with two faces. In one side you can use like a desk
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Burl

Bleached Biedermeier Oval Burlwood Desk or Console Table circa 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bleached Biedermeier Oval Burlwood Desk or Console Table, probably Austrian, circa mid 19th Century
Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Burl

English Arts Crafts Aesthetic Movement Elm Wood Desk with Contrasting Inlay
Located in Queens, NY
English Arts & Crafts (Aesthetic Movement) double pedestal table elm and burl wood desk with a
Category

20th Century British Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl, Elm, Leather

Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Art Deco Desk in Walnut Briar
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Studio, executive desk, briar walnut, walnut, brass, Italy
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Queen Anne Burled Walnut Secretary Desk by National Mt. Airy, Circa 1960s
By National Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Queen Anne, Georgian, or Chippendale style slant front secretary desk By National Mount
Category

Vintage 1960s American Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Wonderful Arthur Umanoff Olivewood Chrome Desk Mid-Century Modern
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Arthur Umanoff olivewood and chrome desk. We love the great looking burled olivewood top
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

English Bench Made Reproduction Pedestal Partner s Desk, Burr Elm, Chipp. Style
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
partner's desks made today. From our own proprietary cabinetmakers in the south of England, these desks are
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Helikon Burled Top Desk Table on a Bronze Base
Located in Pasadena, TX
Mid century table or desk with a burled wood top and a bronze base. Pencil drawer. This piece
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fabulous English Bench Made Reprod. Burr Elm Leather Top Pedestal Partner s Desk
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
, traditional designs in desks, writing tables, corner cupboards, breakfronts, etc. In particular, this amazing
Category

2010s English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Elm, Burl

Very Rare Gillow Breakfront Library Desk Brass Gallery Burr Amboyna Wood
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
desk with brass gallery in Burr Amboyna timber, circa 1852-1857 An exceptionally rare example of a
Category

Antique 1850s English High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl, Mahogany

Organic Modern Armona Desk, Walnut, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
clearance, cover duties, and offer white-glove service as well upon request. Console, Writing Desk, Office
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writin...

Materials

Onyx, Quartz, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

Golden Burlwood Dining table or Desk Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1980s
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Italian top quality manufactured desk or dining table in beautiful golden Burlwood Most like
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Gorgeous Henredon Scene Two Burled Olive Wood Executive Desk Mid-Century Modern
By Henredon
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous Henredon scene two-burled olive wood executive desk. The body of the desk is veneered in
Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood, Burl

Desk and Dressing Table, with Mirror Style of Ulrich, circa 1936, Vanity Table
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Guglielmo Ulrich manner desk and dressing table; Desk in walnut, elm and elm burl. Feet in golden
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
clearance, cover duties, and offer white-glove service as well upon request. Console, Writing Desk, Office
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writin...

Materials

Onyx, Quartz, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel

Vintage Desk With Burlwood Top in the style of Pace Collection, USA 1970 s
By Pace Collection
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite Vintage Desk With Burlwood Top, inspired by the iconic Pace Collection
Category

Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Burl, Lacquer

French Louis XV Style 19th Century Burr Walnut and Leather Top Four-Drawer Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Southern French Louis XV style 19th century burr walnut four-drawer desk from Avignon with
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut, Burl

Fine C19th French Thuya wood Marquetry Bureau Plat
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine C19th French Thuya wood & Marquetry Bureau Plat Top with Green inset Leather writing surface
Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Italian Oyster Burl "Radius" Form Writing Desk
Located in Queens, NY
"Italian Mid-Century ""Radius"" writing desk with a rectangular top with rounded edges and two
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood, Burl

Rare Antique American Renaissance Extension Library Table, Signed
By Seng
Located in Forney, TX
console into a kitchen table / dining table. Having a bookmatched burl wood, oak and walnut banded
Category

Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut, Burl

Modern Mismatch Dining Table, Solid Oak, Brass Handmade by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Mismatch Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Mismatch seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Modern Mismatch Dining Table, Oak, Walnut Root, Brass, Handmade by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Mismatch Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Mismatch seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Brass

Italian Oyster Burl Three Drawer Sabre Leg Writing Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century rectangular writing desk with an oyster burl veneer and three drawers, resting
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood, Burl

Antique Burl Walnut with Brass Accents English Traveling Writing Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
more hidden storage. Its a compact writing desk with the gadgetry of a Davenport.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English American Classical Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Walnut Burl Louis XV Bombay Style Serpentine Writing Desk VGC
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Italian walnut burl with antiqued brass hardware. This desk has been in my collections for several years
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Louis XV Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Rho Custom Leather Embossed Burl Wood Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embossed Burl Wood Writing Desk. Perfect for American-style interiors, this desk features rich burl wood
Category

Late 20th Century American Desks

Materials

Metal

Vintage Regency Drexel Writing Desk
By Drexel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A masterpiece of classic design, this vintage writing desk by renowned maker Drexel embodies the
Category

Late 20th Century American French Provincial Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Burl Walnut Writing Slope
Located in Brussels, Brussels
19th-century burl walnut writing case. A beautiful, high-quality case featuring a burl walnut with
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Desks

Materials

Walnut

Italian Mid-Century Oyster Burl Cabriole Leg Writing Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century rectangular writing table with oyster burl veneer and three drawers with brass
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Burl Walnut Partner s Desk with Armchair
Located in Antwerp, BE
century burl walnut partners writing desk with armchair.This desk has functional curved drawers on both
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Queen Anne Desks

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

Antique 19th Century American Louis XV Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Antique Victorian Brass Bound Traveling Desk Walnut Wooden Writing Slope Box 19C
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Writing Slope of outstanding quality and compact proportions. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Century
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Inkwells

Materials

Brass

19th C. English Victorian Brass-Inlaid Burlwood Writing Desk with Inkwells
By James Allen
Located in Morristown, NJ
compartments for writing instruments, paper, and correspondence. The desk retains both original cut glass
Category

Antique 1860s English Victorian Desks

Materials

Brass

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Burl Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the burl writing desk you’re looking for. A burl writing desk — often made from wood, burl and metal — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a burl writing desk, we have 275 options in-stock, while there are 8 modern editions to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a burl writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right burl writing desk, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco and Modern styles are of considerable interest. Baker Furniture Company, Paul Evans and Henredon each produced at least one beautiful burl writing desk that is worth considering.

How Much is a Burl Writing Desk?

Prices for a burl writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $675 and can go as high as $35,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,800.

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 Burl 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 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 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 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.