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Antique French Desk/Bureau Plat with Black Paint/Polished Finish
Located in Round Top, TX
given a black painted/polished finish, which complimented by the bronze details creates a stunning
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Chippendale Style Painted White Desk with Blue Leather Top
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Stamford, CT
1930s Chinese Chippendale style writing desk. Newly painted in an antique white faux finish
Category
Vintage 1930s American Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Slant Front Painted Desk with Drop Front
Located in Houston, US
Lovely painted drop leaf or slant front desk made more charming with painted blue interior
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Polychrome Painted Knee Hole Desk by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Polychrome Painted Knee Hole Desk by James Mont. Circa 1947
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
French Louis XVI Style Painted Desk by Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
A Fine French Louis XVI style writing table, circa 1960s, overall white painted and parcel-gilt
Category
Vintage 1940s Argentine Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Carved Antique Library Table Desk with White Paint
Located in Round Top, TX
compliments the Danish styling of this late 19th century desk. The warm dark wood is exposed where the paint
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Stamped Jansen French Distressed Painted/Gilt Partners Desk
Located in Manhasset, NY
Beautiful French Louis XV Style distressed, white painted with gold hi-lights desk. Drawers on both
Category
Vintage 1930s French Desks and Writing Tables
Swedish Style Painted Drop Leaf Secretary or Desk
Located in New York, NY
Antique painted, drop leaf petite secretary or desk with just the perfect patina. Cabriole legs
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
20th Century Louis XV Style White Painted Desk
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Beautiful antique Louis XV style painted desk with three drawers. The color is oyster white with
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
An Austrian Painted Wood Desk / Table With Antiqued Mirror Top
By Anton Pospischil
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Exquisite Austrian Early 20th Century Painted Wood Desk / Table with Antiqued Mirror Top, Two
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Painted and Carved Desk, Denmark circa 1920
s
Located in Round Top, TX
antique desk from Denmark. Please examine the carved details that encompass the "skirt," making it a free
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Paint
Swedish 19th Century Painted Wood Desk with Uniquely Carved Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish 19th century painted wood desk. This 4 foot long antique table from Sweden features an
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Spanish 19th Century Desk or Side Table in Painted Wood
Located in Round Top, TX
A lovely 19th century painted console or desk from the Catalan region of Spain. The table is
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Painted Desk with 3 Drawers , Denmark circa 1900
Located in Round Top, TX
This handsome free standing desk has 4 turned column details and paneled sides which create a grand
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish 1910s Neoclassical Style Painted Wood Desk with Doors and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish neoclassical style painted wood writing desk from the early 20th century, with two doors
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinese Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk. Featuring intricate hand-painted scenes on a rich black lacquer finish
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Gorgeous Custom Bennetts Desk with Antiqued Painted Finish and Walnut Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning custom Discoveries writing desk by Bennetts Furniture having an off-white antiqued painted
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Wood, Walnut
French Directoire Style Painted Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in Manhasset, NY
A creme peinte bureau plat in the style of French Directoire, circa 1960s, the wood top in natural finish over a frieze fitted with three drawers and decorated with parcel-gilt bandi...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
French Directoire Style Painted Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in Manhasset, NY
A crème peinte bureau plat in the style of French Directoire, circa 1960s, the wood top in natural finish over a frieze fitted with three drawers and decorated with parcel-gilt bandi...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Gray Painted Desk in the Style of Gustavian from the 1930s
Located in Lejre, DK
Exquisite Gray Painted Desk, Reflecting Gustavian Elegance from the 1930s: A timeless piece that
Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
English Green Nautical Ship Painted Plymouth College Double School Desk Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid wood and metal English painted double school desk or child's writing table with depictions of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European British Colonial Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Painted Desk by J.B. Van Sciver Co.
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage 1950’s desk with silver textured paint and gold striping by J.B. Van Sciver Co. Desk
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Louis XVI Hand Painted Oak and Leather Top Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Beautiful French Louis XVI style hand painted solid oak desk with tan leather top, brass trim and
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Venetian Hand Painted Bombay Vanity Dressing Table Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Venetian Hand Painted Bombay Vanity Dressing Table Desk.
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Partners Desk Hand Painted Leather Top
By John Widdicomb
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare oil painted Chinoiserie partners desk made by John Widdicomb. Features drawers and cabinets on
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
French Louis Xv Style Painted And Silver Gilt Desk
Located in Houston, TX
UNUSUAL FRENCH LOUIS XV STYLE PAINTED AND SILVER GILT DESK WITH SINGLE DRAWER
Category
Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Jansen Style Writing Table
Located in North Miami, FL
A writing table in the classic style of Jansen. Piece has a newly lacquered ebony finish which is
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style Late 19th Century Painted Desk With Two Drawers
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A Swedish Gustavian style desk from circa 1890 painted finish, two drawers, Classic legs tapering
Category
Antique 1890s Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Marble topped French 1920
s painted wood desk
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A truly spectacularly colorful piece of marble tops this wonderfully carved and painted French desk
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Leather Top Painted Desk with Bronze Mounts by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
A paint decorated leather top knee hole desk by Jansen. The finely bronze-mounted desk having
Category
Vintage 1920s French Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Early 19thc Pennsylvania Original Grey Painted Slant Top Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic early 19thc original blue/grey slant top primitive desk.This desk has the best old worn
Category
Antique 19th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
French Painted Desk with Leather Top, Three Drawers and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French painted wood desk. This French three-drawer desk from the 20th century features a green
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Writing Table by Modernage
Located in North Miami, FL
A black lacquered desk with a white marble top by Modernage. This desk is beautifully designed in
Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Metal
Large Vintage Javanese Dutch Colonial Teak Desk with Carved Painted Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
, carved and painted drawers. Created in Java during the mid-century period, this large Dutch Colonial desk
Category
Mid-20th Century Javanese Dutch Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Teak
19th Century Swedish Painted Pedestal Desk with Reeded Panel Doors, Sides
Back
Located in London, England
An absolutely stunning freestanding circa 19th century painted Swedish desk. The desk features
Category
Antique 1820s Swedish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Romantic Distressed Carved and Painted Wood Desk with Rich Cherry Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A large romantic French style desk having a warm cherrywood top that contrasts beautifully with the
Category
1990s American Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Wood
Vintage Desk with Stool Painted Wood Italy 1960s-1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk and stool; lacquered curved wood. In good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
French Louis XVI Style 1890s Cream Painted Desk with Scrollwork Carved Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style writing desk from circa 1890 with scrollwork carved apron, painted finish
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Modernist Danish Desk with Hand-Painted Pattern, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This Danish teak desk was produced during the 1960s. Uniform shape, modernist form and symmetry
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gray Cream Painted Desk with Five Carved Reeded Drawers, 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish five drawer desk from the 20th century with gray beige painted finish, carved reeded
Category
20th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Swedish 19th Century Painted Wood Desk with Two Drawers and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish painted wood desk from the 19th century, with two drawers, tapered legs and distressed
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Large 19th Century French Carved Louis XVI Painted Desk with Faux Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
. This writing desk is in excellent condition with hand-painted finish. Original brass hardware.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint, Wood
Gustavian Style Light Gray Painted Desk with Carved Reeded Drawer, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style writing table from circa 1900 with light gray painted finish, single
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Style 1870s Swedish Gray Painted Desk, Fluted Drawers and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style gray blue painted desk from circa 1870 with five fluted drawers and
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Unique Red Leather Gold Embossed Kidney Shaped Chinoiserie Painted Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very unique desk. The desk is paint decorated in chinoiserie Chinese painted figures in
Category
Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Swedish Gustavian Style 1890s Painted Wood Lady
s Desk with Faux Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood lady's desk from the late 19th century, with faux marble top
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
English Adams Painted Decorated Satinwood Carlton House Desk, circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful hand painted satinwood early 1900s era desk. The desk is in good vintage
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
Vintage Chinoiserie Decorated Writing Table
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Vintage decorated writing table in green painted finish with curved front and legs and chinoiserie
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted and Painted Desk
Located in Tarzana, CA
French Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted and painted desk.
Category
Vintage 1940s Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
A Neoclassical Gilt and Black Painted Desk by Maison Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A Neoclassical Gilt and Black Painted Desk with Inset Leather Top and Pullout Trays above Panelled
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather
Best Venetian Paint Decorated Antique Rococo Secretary Desk Circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very sophisticated and beautifully painted secretary desk. The painted scenery shows
Category
Antique 1890s Italian Rococo Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
Italian Rattan Black Painted Wood Brass Handles Executive Desk 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful Italian rattan executive desk from the 1970s. The mix of rattan, black painted
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Red Chinoiserie Decorated Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Red chinoiserie decorated writing table, 19th century. This writing table has nice raised
Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Charles X Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Hand-Carved Library Table Desk from Denmark Painted Black
Located in Round Top, TX
The black distressed chalk paint finish creates a texture that accentuates the style of this late
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage Midcentury Scandinavian Modern Teak Desk with Hand Painted Pattern
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
desk has six drawers, three on each side. The top is decorated with a hand-painted black and white
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Teak
Georgian Style Chinoiserie Painted Narrow Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
piece painted bookcase or secretary desk. The piece dates to teh 1920s era and is in good condition with
Category
Vintage 1920s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Hand Painted Ceramic Tile Console or Desk on Metal Frame by Belarti
By Juliette Belarti
Located in London, GB
Modernist desk or console table with hand painted tiled top in abstract design with splashes of
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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Painted Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic painted writing desk available at 1stDibs. A painted writing desk — often made from wood, metal and paint — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a painted writing desk, we have 622 options in-stock, while there are 23 modern editions to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer painted writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A painted writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Louis XVI and Louis XV styles are sought with frequency. A well-made painted writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Ale Preda, Miduny and John Widdicomb are consistently popular.
How Much is a Painted Writing Desk?
A painted writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,262, while the lowest priced sells for $325 and the highest can go for as much as $78,500.
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 Painted 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.
- Can I paint a leather desk top?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021Yes, you can paint a leather desk top. You can transform an old leather desk top and add visual appeal with easy-to-use leather paint. If you don’t feel confident in trying this by yourself, get in touch with a furniture restorer or related professional for help. Find a variety of leather desk tops on 1stDibs.
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