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Finely Carved English Desk
Located in Toronto, ON
Carved mahogany desk with leather writing surface with upper cabinet of small drawers and doors
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
English Desk on Casters
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Charming English desk, later painted pale grey on original brass casters with turned legs.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
$3,275
English Leather Top Desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
A small English Desk with tan leather insert and 2 drawers with brass hardware
Category
Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
$3,680
English Leather Top Desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
English leather top desk on tapered legs with brass casters. Nice banding detail on front and legs.
Category
Vintage 1940s British Desks and Writing Tables
$3,280
English Writing Table with Leather Insert Top
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Beautiful vintage 19th century writing desk adjustable top with leather insert.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
An English late 19th century writing table.
Located in Miami, FL
An English late 19th century mahogany writing table with original hand tooled leather writing
Category
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
19th Century English Painted Wood Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
19th century writing desk or end table, with long, thin, top drawer and two large side cabinet
Category
Antique 19th Century French Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
English Bamboo Lacquered Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
Aesthetic period Bamboo and lacquered chinoiserie decorated knee hole desk. One drawer apron with
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo
A Fine quality English antique writing table
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in Miami, FL
A Fine quality English antique writing table by Gillows of Lancaster, fitted with a hand tooled and
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Mahogany
An English George IV ladies writing table
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in Miami, FL
An English George IV ladies writing table in Pollard Oak. The piece is fitted with 2 working
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
English Antique Mahogany Writing Table, circa 1840
Located in Sheffield, MA
Early Victorian mahogany two-drawer writing table with black blind-tooled leather writing surface
Category
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Hotel Reception Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Bird's-eye maple commercial counter with drawers and copper panel.
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
English Regency Mahogany Partners
Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English Regency mahogany partners' desk with multiple drawers and cabinets below an embossed
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
An English Regency Mahogany Writing Table. 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An English Regency Mahogany Writing Table with Brass Caps and Castors. 19th Century
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English George III Mahogany Writing Table, circa 1780
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This is a really rather charming late 18th century English George III mahogany writing table with
Category
Antique 1780s English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
An English 19th century 6 drawer writing table.
Located in Miami, FL
An English 19th century 6 drawer writing table in mahogany.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
English Painted Desk, circa 1900
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
English painted desk with one small drawer, old paint, natural pine top.
Category
Early 20th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
19th c. English Table Desk.
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English table desk with one front drawer, a drawer on each end, oval carved applique
Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Mahogany Writing Stand in the Neoclassical Taste
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A fetching and petite writing stand of mahogany having a lift and hinged top revealing slotted
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing...
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Walnut Lap Desk
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
An English brass mounted burr walnut lap desk on later stand from the second half of the 19th
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
A superb English ladies writing table or sofa table.
By Edwards
Roberts
Located in Miami, FL
A superb English shaped ladies writing table or sofa table.The table is signed Edwards and Roberts
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Large English George III Mahogany Writing Table, circa 1760
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This is a very good, large English George III mahogany mid-18th century Chippendale period side or
Category
Antique 1760s English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Writing Table Serpentine Console Table Antique Vintage
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive petite serpentine writing table.
The carved backrail above the serpentine form top
Category
20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Flame Mahogany English Partners Desk
Located in London, GB
Generous sized flame mahogany English partners desk, circa 1890 in the neo classical style, with
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
An English Mahogany Gilt-Brass Mounted Writing Table circa 1825
Located in Woodbury, CT
An English George IV brass-mounted mahogany writing table. The rectangular top above a frieze
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
English Regency Period Satinwood Kidney Shaped Writing Table with Leather Inlay
Located in Wells, ME
English Regency period satinwood kidney shaped writing table with pedestal ends and saber legs
Category
Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Satinwood
English Neoclassical Style Leather Inset Mahogany Bureau Plat Writing Table
Located in Louisville, KY
Second half of the 19th century; rectangular inset top over a three drawer frieze; raised on square tapering legs ending with brass casters. Hardware of later date.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
English Regency Period Mahogany Pedestal Desk, circa 1820
Located in Louisville, KY
Featuring a rectangular cross-banded top above a central drawer flanked on the left with a drawer and a faux bank of drawers opening to shelves, on the right four graduating drawers;...
Category
Antique 1820s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Aesthetic Movement 19th Century Oregon Pine Desk
By Howard and Sons
Located in Pickering, North Yorkshire
A striking 19th century pine twin pedestal desk. Constructed of Oregon Pine (Douglas Fir) the wood
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing T...
Materials
Pine
English Oak and Chrome Desk by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed for Dunbar by Roger Sprunger, this modern, clean-lined desk places a top of now rare
Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Unusual English Leather Partners Desk for Reading or Drafting
Located in Santa Rosa, CA
Unusual writing and reading table with one side that can be raised to hold a book or for drawing
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Exotic 19th Century English Import Bamboo and Walnut Pedestal Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exotic 19th century English import bamboo and walnut pedestal desk, with unusual bamboo accents
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Walnut
English Victorian Ministerial mahogany desk 15 drawers, circa 1860, scrivania
Located in Milano, IT
Antique ministerial desk.
English mahogany office desk with 15 drawers, dating back to the mid
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
English mahogany writing table on casters, simple turned legs, nice color.
Category
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
$3,900
19th Century English Regency Burl Elmwood and Parcel-Gilt Partners Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 19th century English Regency burl elmwood and parcel-gilt partners desk, the later C. Mariani
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Fine English Mid-18th Century Pedestal Desk in Best Cuban Mahogany
Located in London, GB
Fine English mid-18th century pedestal desk in best Cuban mahogany.
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Desks and Writing Tables
English Colonial Regency Style Teak Wood Partners Desk, circa 1840
Located in Louisville, KY
Paneled top with a gadrooned edge over a frieze with three drawers on each side; raised on turned and tapering reeded legs ending with brass casters.
Category
Antique 19th Century Indian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Fine and Rare 18th Century English Inlaid Satinwood and Kingwood Oval Desk
Located in Millbrook, NY
Fine and rare English 18th century inlaid satinwood and kingwood desk or writing table. Oval desk
Category
Antique Early 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
English 18th Century George III Inlaid Mahogany Kneehole Desk/Dressing Table
Located in GB
This fine quality Georgian small kneehole desk was made with well figured mahogany veneers inlaid
Category
Antique 1770s British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Small English Mahogany Desk with Embossed Leather Top and Brass Gallery
Located in Houston, TX
Unusual bedroom-size mahogany desk with center drawer and to unusual
side cabinets made to look
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Style English Campaign Desk Campaign Table Formally Owned by Paul Smith
Located in Tetbury, GB
This very stylish Campaign style desk was manufactured to a high standard and was formally owned
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
English Mahogany Bureau
Located in London, GB
areas. This is a lovely desk for a home office and has the benefit of everything being neatly stored
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
$2,185
English oak lowboy
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
English oak lowboy original finish.
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Desks and Writing Tables
$2,800
Antique English Traveling Secretary
Located in Hudson, NY
19th century English traveling secretary in calamander wood with birch wood interior.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birch
English Library Table, 19th Century
Located in Cookeville, TN
Offering this unmatchable English library table. Having barley twist legs and stretchers this table
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
English Victorian Oak Partners Library Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Early Victorian oak library or writing table with boldly carved end supports resting on carved
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Leather
19th Century English Mahogany Side Table
Located in Millbrook, NY
Nice English late 19th century solid mahogany side table. Shaped top over a central drawer flanked
Category
Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Mahogany Architect
s Table
Located in Millbrook, NY
Nice English late 19th century mahogany adjustable architect's table. Solid mahogany and mahogany
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century English Mahogany Architect’s Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
front pulling out to form a sliding writing surface, enclosing fitted compartments and a lateral sliding
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Carved Walnut Library Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century English carved walnut library table with a carved frieze of intertwined leaves, all
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century English Two-Drawer Walnut Table
Located in New York, NY
19th century two-drawer walnut table with barley twist legs.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Important English George iv Brazilian Rosewood Library Table
By George Smith
Located in Banksmeadow, NSW
An important English George IV Brazilian Rosewood Library Table closely following a design by
Category
Antique 1820s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Rosewood, Giltwood
English 19th Century George IV Rosewood Library Table
By George Bullock
Located in London, GB
Two short drawers and one long drawer with a dummy on the opposite facing side. Joined by a turned stretcher and supported on scroll mounted feet with original brass castors. Rosewoo...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English George II Mahogany Reading/Architects Table, circa 1740
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
?This is a rather interesting English George II mahogany reading/architects table, standing on
Category
Antique 1740s English George II Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Exceptional English Regency Solid Satinwood Library Table, circa 1830
Located in Lake Forest, IL
Solid satinwood library table in the style of George Smith. Rectangular top with rounded corners and soft green leather inset top. Black-wood fielded rectangular panels enclosing two...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood, Leather
A pair of English black and polychrome-painted bureaux
Located in London, GB
Late 17th century style. Each decorated overall with flower sprays, with fold-over top lined with yellow baize enclosing a fitted interior, above two small and one long drawer, with ...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Desks and Writing Tables
Regency Period Faux Rosewood Sofa Table with Two Drawers. English, Circa 1800
Located in New York, NY
cap toes and castors. English, circa 1800
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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English Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the English writing desk you’re looking for. Each English writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and animal skin. There are 805 variations of the antique or vintage English writing desk you’re looking for, while we also have 19 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the English writing desk you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. An English writing desk made by Regency designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made English writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Maple
Co., Gillows of Lancaster
London and Heal's are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is an English Writing Desk?
An English writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,115, while the lowest priced sells for $304 and the highest can go for as much as $177,376.
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 English Writing Desk
- 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.
- 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.
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