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English Edwardian Paint Decorated Adams Leather Top Writing Table Desk C1930
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Edwardian 7-drawer paint decorated leather top desk with a brass gallery.
Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
STUNNING ANTiQUE SWEDISH PAINTED WRITING DRESSING TABLE DESK WITH TWIN DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
circa 1880 Swedish writing table, desk or dressing table with gallery back and two large drawers
Please
Category
Antique 1880s Swedish High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Writing Desk, 18th Century, Swedish
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish writing desk made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original greyish green paint and
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This antique Swedish writing desk, dating from circa 1880-1890, is a remarkable example of 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Distress Painted Louis XVI Style Carved Writing Desk or Console, circa 1920
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant French Distress Finished Writing Desk or Console table in the Louis XVI taste. Item
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Faux Painted Italian Writing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Writing table, having a molded rectangular desk top in faux mabre, on distressed painted base
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk. item features 7
Category
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Narrow Painted Italian Writing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Writing desk or console table, having a painted finish, showing natural wear, its molded
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Painted Writing Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Small 19th C French painted 2 drawer writing table. 1890.
Clearance is 24".
Reference: 7020
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Regency Painted Writing Table
Located in Kittery Point, ME
With a décor of flowers, the top lifting up to reveal a green painted work interior and brass
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th Century Small Gustavian Writing Desk
Located in Copenhagen, K
Lovely small Gustavian writing desk with one drawer.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Painted, Hand-Carved Louis XVI Style Writing Desk with Drawer
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century writing desk features intricate hand-carved Louis XVI motifs of rosettes and
Category
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
White Painted Gustavian Style Table Writing Desk With One Drawer, circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
that may also serve as a writing desk.
All old nicks, scratches, dings, cracks are a reflection of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
20th Century Lacquered, Gilded and Hand-Painted Wood Venetian Writing Desk, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian writing desk of the 20th century. Furniture in lacquered, gilded and hand-painted wood
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Primitive Painted Desk
Located in Culver City, CA
Two-drawer desk in worn period finish with remnants of the original paint.
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$4,800
English Painted Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good early 19th century English painted desk with reeded drawers legs. 1890
Knee-hole dimensions
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
$2,389
Diminutive Chinoiserie Ladies Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Black lacquer parcel-gilt ladies writing table with a galleried top and fronted by a single drawer
Category
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
French Neoclassical Painted Writing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted French neoclassical writing table with single drawer, marble top and cabriole legs.
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Louis XV Style Painted Writing Table
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is an upscale casual Louis XV style cream/pale blue painted writing table enhanced with green
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Edwardian Carlton House Writing Table or Desk
Located in Houston, TX
British Edwardian mahogany Carlton House desk, circa 1901-1910
Profusely decorated with painted
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
1940s Italian Paint Decorated Writing Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
In a lovely powder grey overall paint, with Garden style green foliage accents. Well-made and
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Painted Desk
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Late Gustavian desk manufactured, circa 1820. This piece has been repainted.
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$4,233
Italian Louis XV Style Painted Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Italian Louis XV style painted writing / vanity table, circa 1920s. A nice cheerful table to
Category
Vintage 1920s Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Black Gustavian Writing Desk With 3 Drawers, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish gustavian office writing desk in gustavian black paint with three drawers and the original
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Vintage Contemporary Leather Wrapped Writing Desk After Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Contemporary desk. A chic leather wrapped writing desk with solid brass accents
Category
Late 20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Black Gustavian Writing Desk with 5 Drawers, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish office writing desk in Gustavian black paint with five drawers, red leather embossed top
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Leather
19th Century Large Swedish Roll-Top Writing Desk
Located in Copenhagen, K
Amazing Swedish roll-top writing desk with a lot of drawers, storage, and secret places.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Louis Xvi Style Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat
Located in Southampton, NJ
A fine French writing table desk of Satinwood, in the Louis Xvi style featuring gold embossed
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Green Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
A vintage green chinoiserie style one drawer writing desk with painted monkeys on top. Legs have
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Wonderful 19th century French Napoleon III hand-painted five-drawer writing desk. Having bronze
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Ebonized Writing Desk with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French bureau writing desk (or table) of ebonized mahogany, in the Louis XVI style
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
1970s Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Black Writing Desk
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a stunning yet sleek, desk by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, circa the
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Boho Chic Vintage Handcrafted Bamboo Desk, Writing Desk with Drawer
Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Boho chic vintage handcrafted bamboo desk, writing desk with drawer & glass top.
Stunner done with
Category
Vintage 1970s Philippine Bohemian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Paint, Bamboo, Rattan
Directoire Style White-Painted Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular top over a central frieze drawer and shaped apron flanked by two short panelled drawers; raised on square tapering legs with attractive distressed white finish; drawe...
Category
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique French Regency Louis XV Ladies Writing Desk and Gold Gilt Desk Chair
By Vernis Martin
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique French Regency Louis XV style bureau de pente roll top ladies writing desk with
Category
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Original Painted Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pretty 19th century English original painted 2-drawer desk, 1860.
Dimensions:
48 inches (122
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Chinoiserie Multiple Compartments Asian Writing Table Desk Rounded Bach MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chinoiserie Multiple Compartments Asian Writing Table Desk Rounded Bach MINT
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
Painted Waterfall Desk, 1970-1980
Located in Austin, TX
Well scaled desk with two drawers and sculptural waterfall edges. Richly colored faux marble finish
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Black Painted Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A good quality 19th century, black painted mahogany writing table. The moulded rectangular top with
Category
Antique 19th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Paint
Confidence of a Cloud Writing Desk by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Confidence of a Cloud Writing Desk by Thomas Dariel
Dimensions: D 43 x W 120 x H 147 cm
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Aesthetic Movement Rattan Wicker Library Writing Table or Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous rattan and wicker library table or writing desk made in the English aesthetic movement
Category
20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Empire Black Writing Desk with Original Tooled Leather Top
Located in Wichita, KS
French 1940s ‘Louis XVI Style’ ebonized desk with original leather top and key.
Dimensions 27" x
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
French Louis XV Painted Desk
Located in Tarrytown, NY
A Louis XV painted desk with brass ormolu hardware and mounts. Writing sides at each end. Brown
Category
Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables
French Carved and Paint Decorated Writing Table or Console
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Louis XV style writing table or console with a shaped top. The whole in antiqued gray paint with
Category
Early 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Painted Gustavian Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
its original blue paint. Late 18th century, from Northern Sweden.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Edwardian Sheraton Revival Painted Satinwood Desk
Located in New York, NY
An Edwardian Shertan Revival painted side table, the vibrant satinwood top decorated with a ribbon
Category
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
Louis XVI French Country Style Painted Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
This painted rectangular shape Louis XVI style desk stands on four fluted tapered legs. The writing
Category
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Writing Desk with Three Reeded Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian Style painted wood writing desk from the 19th century with three reeded drawers
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Baroque Revival Painted Oak Desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century baroque revival painted oak desk circa 1880.
This table could function well as a
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Baroque Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Paint
Swedish Mid-20th Century Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish drop-leaf secretary from the mid-20th century. This Swedish slant-top writing desk, with
Category
20th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Swedish Painted Wood Desk, 18th-19th Century
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Swedish painted wood desk with feathered slate top, single drawer and original yellow paint.
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Slate
Vintage Writing Desk with Chrome x Base for John Stuart Inc
By John Stuart Inc.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
drawers for storage. Manufactured for John Stuart Inc, this unique vintage writing desk is perfect for
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Gustavian Grey Painted Desk from the 1780s
Located in Lejre, DK
Gustavian grey painted desk from the 1780s. The table is in great antique condition.
Measures: H
Category
Antique 1780s Danish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Gustavian Side Table or Small Writing Desk, Sweden, circa 1800s
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian style side table, may also be used as a small desk.
Traditional tapered legs
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Walnut Writing Desk, Vintage Office Table Silvio Cavatorta
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century modern writing desk made of hand crafted polished Walnut
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Faux Painted Writing Library Table with Green and Gilt Tapering Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Faux Painted Writing Library Table with Green and Gilt Tapering Legs
Offered for sale is a faux
Category
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
Don Ruseau NYC Paint Decorated
Brass Mounted Writing Table for Restoration
By Don Ruseau
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A paint decorated writing desk with tooled black leather top, brass trim around the perimeter and
Category
20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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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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