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Cream-Painted and Decorated Louis XV Style Writing Table
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a decorative, yet practical, overall cream-painted Louis XV style writing table s enhanced
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Desks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Light-Blue Swedish Gustavian Bureau, Pinewood Writing Table, Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
beautiful brass and bronze decoration. The hand carved Scandinavian writing desk is in good condition
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Antique Hand Painted Writing Box, English, Cedar, Desktop Pen Case, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique handpainted writing box. An English, cedar desktop pen case, dating to the
Category
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Desk Sets
Materials
Cedar
Antique Louis XIV Style Gold Gilt Vernis Martin Ladies Writing Desk, circa 1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Louis XIV style decorated ladies writing desk features a gold gilt wood finish with Vernis
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A painted directoire writing desk.
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Desks
19th Century Satinwood Carlton House Writing Table in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
decoration, flanked by deeper drawers adorned with laurel wreathes; the sliding leather mounted writing
Category
Antique 19th Century English Neoclassical Desks
Materials
Paint, Satinwood, Leather
20th Century Venetian Lacquered and Painted Bureau
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
writing desk also painted of discreet size and utility. It has some small color drops, overall in good
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Desks
Materials
Wood
Gustavian painted Secretaire Writing Desk, 18th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
paint finish, circa 1790.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble
Mid 19th century Swedish painted table top writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850.
Good quality table top bureau
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine, Paint
Italian Venetian White Painted Ladies Writing Desk Table Vanity
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite hand painted ladies Venetian writing desk or dressing table with gold gilt carved
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Vanities
Materials
Wood
Antique White Painted Side Table Small Writing Desk from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
side table or small writing desk, at 3.5' wide this lovely table from the Swedish countryside will add
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Side Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Victorian Writing Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
Victorian mother of pearl inlaid japanned and parcel gilt papier mache writing desk with painted
Category
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Mother-of-Pearl
$3,850
Italian Painted Writing Table, Desk, Side Table, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pale green painted writing table, the top painted with ribbon tied Ivy vines above an apron
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Painted Grain Dragon Griffon Secretary Library Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early 20th Century Victorian style secretary writing desk featuring painted grain finish
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Signed Maison Jansen Paint Decorated Louis XVI Ladies Vanity Writing Desk
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful signed Maison Jansen ladies vanity or writing desk The vanity does have some
Category
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Vanities
Materials
Walnut
John Widdicomb Vintage French Writing Desk
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
Offering a beautiful painted French writing desk or vanity by John Widdicomb. The desk features
Category
Vintage 1960s French Provincial Vanities
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century English Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 18th C English painted oak bureau / writing desk. 1780.
Dimensions
37.5 inches (95 cms
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Desks
Materials
Oak
18th Century English Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 18th C painted English oak bureau / writing desk. Awaiting leather insert. 1780.
Reference
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Desks
Materials
Oak
Small Original Rustic Green Painted Pine Farmhouse Table or Writing Table Desk
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
1900s, this example would work equally well as a small table or a writing desk.
In very good solid
Category
Early 20th Century Welsh Rustic Farm Tables
Materials
Pine
Antique French Louis XVI Style Kidney Shaped Writing Desk Painted Vanity Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Louis XVI style kidney shaped writing desk or vanity table. Item features a unique
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Vanities
Materials
Walnut
20th Century Venetian Lacquered and Gilded Trumeau
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
also lacquered and painted with large writing desk, six drawers and a central opening, of excellent
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Desks
Materials
Wood
Small Maitland Smith Writing Bureau Desk Leather Writing Surface Faux Books
By Maitland Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this lovely small children’s sized Maitland Smith writing bureau desk with
Category
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Children s Furniture
Materials
Wood
Tall Writing Desk Secretary Swedish Black 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Tall writing desk secretary Swedish Black 19th Century Sweden. A writing desk made during the 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century European Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Gustavian Tall Black Writing Desk Secretaire, Sweden 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th century Gustavian tall black writing desk secretaire was made in Sweden around
Category
Antique 1820s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Vintage French Provincial Corner Cabinet Writing Desk Bookcase Hutch 80"
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing French Provincial Corner unit or writing desk, circa 1970s. Base features a central
Category
Vintage 1970s French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Chest of Drawers Writing Desk Top Black English 18th Century England
Located in New York, NY
Chest of drawers writing desk top black English 18th century England. A chest of drawers with the
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
19th Century French "Bonheur Du Jour" Lady
s Writing Desk with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Dallas, TX
lady's writing desk is delicate and decorative throughout. The secretaire is black lacquer with a mother
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Gustavian Two-Part Secretary, Sweden, circa 1800
Located in Culver City, CA
includes a fold out writing desk, a variety of storage compartments and brass detailing throughout. The
Category
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Nineteen Hundreds French Secretaire
Located in High Point, NC
A twentieth century French writing desk in painted wood. Painted in moody charcoal and inscribed
Category
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Curvy 19th Century Italian Table
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
desk. Original paint, with painted faux marble top. Naturally distressed paint finish. Italy 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Console Tables
Materials
Wood
Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Painted Writing Desk with Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian Style painted writing desk from the 19th century, with two drawers and tapered
Category
Antique 19th Century French Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Painted Writing Desk, France, circa 1850s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Charming and petite slant top writing desk with a secret little drawer hidden in the side. Lovely
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Romantic French Style Painted Writing Desk
By Habersham
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely Habersham La Maison desk having a painted wood antiqued soft greyish green finish, with
Category
Early 2000s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Swedish Bleached and Lime Washed Painted Writing Desk
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish writing desk from the 1920's that has been bleached and lime washed creating a beautiful
Category
Early 20th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Painted Writing Desk with Drawer or Vanity Console Table
Located in Wichita, KS
A 19th century Swedish writing desk in the Gustavian style with a soft, old white patina. There is
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Vintage French Provincial Style Painted Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition
Materials: Painted Wood
Category
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Desks
Materials
Wood
Exquisite William IV Period Green-Painted Writing Desk
Located in Montreal, QC
Important William IV period green-painted and parcel-gilt writing desk. The tooled green leather
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Painted Writing Desk
Located in London, Park Royal
18th century, French, Louis XVI writing desk/scriban decorated with hand carved, swathes of laurel
Category
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Charming Vintage French Provincial Style Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic French Provincial style hand painted writing desk having beautifully rendered swags of
Category
Vintage 1970s North American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Fabulous Marge Carson Greek Key Design Writing Desk
By Marge Carson
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Glamorous Hollywood Regency style carved and painted writing desk having handsome figural lion
Category
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
19th Century Swedish Off-White Painted Desk with Carved Reeded Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish off-white, light grey painted writing desk from the 19th century with three-quarter
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Writing Desk With Drawer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gustavian Style Painted Writing Desk With Drawer
Classic and simple Scandinavian style writing
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Black Painted Gustavian Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century Swedish black painted Gustavian style three-drawer writing desk.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Italian Writing Desk of Teak and Painted Metal
Located in Madrid, ES
Desk from the mid-1960s, made in Italy. Teak wood, brass, painted metal. Three drawers, key not
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Metal
Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Paint decorated. Gilt accents. 29 3/8" h x 60" w x 29 7/8" d.
Condition
Light surface scratches
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Neoclassical Style Painted Desk/Writing Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French neoclassical style painted desk/writing table. The desk stand on four fluted
Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinese Black and Painted Pastoral Scene Writing Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese black writing desk painted with pastoral and figurative scenes on the top surface, sides
Category
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Asian Red And Yellow Painted Folk Art Desk-Top Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Asian red and yellow painted folk art desk-top writing desk
The desk top is collapsable
Category
Vintage 1960s Southeast Asian Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Louis XV Style Painted Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Charmingly distressed French Louis XV Provincial style "table a ecrire" or writing table has a
Category
20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Writing Desk in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A period Rococo writing desk from the 18th century in original painted alder wood with period key
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Theodore Alexander French Regency Louis XVI Painted Walnut Writing Desk
By Theodore Alexander
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Regency Louis XVI style bureau plat desk or writing desk
By Theodore
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Rustic Painted Farm Table or Writing Desk with Drawer
Located in New York City, NY
Rustic french farm table or writing desk. Made of beautifully painted wood with an excellent patina
Category
Early 20th Century French Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Painted Writing Table Slant Top Desk, France, 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French slant top desk and writing table, 19th century.
Both authentic and ergonomic
Good antique
Category
Antique 1880s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Poplar
Swedish 1850s Gustavian Style Painted Wood Writing Desk with Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style writing desk from the mid-19th century, with two drawers and distressed
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th Century Antique Italian Sicilian Artistic Hand Painted Nuptial Writing Desk
Located in Encinitas, CA
Charming well-preserved Sicilian two-drawer writing desk featuring lovely honeymoon scenes hand
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Sicilian Romantic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Victorian-Style White Painted Wicker and Wood Writing Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century Victorian-style white painted wicker writing desk with a wooden rectangular with
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wicker, Wood
Gustavian White Painted Partner
s Desk Writing Table, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Gustavian white painted "partner's desk" with two drawers on each side of the table
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
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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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