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19th Century Oak Baroque Library Table with Two Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
and lower "X" stretcher.
The original brick red painted finish of the base is worn and distressed
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Danish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Paint
Custom Build Swedish Style Dressing Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Custom build Swedish style five drawer dressing table / kneehole desk. Can be made to your chosen
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Sèvres Porcelain-Mounted Bureau Plat
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New Orleans, LA
writing desk, or bureau plat, is a stunning 19th century example of this treasured decorative art
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Walnut Orange MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
By Ale Preda, Miduny
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, graceful profile punctuated with painted surfaces that capture light. This modern and elegant design
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch, Oak, Plywood
$1,849 / item
Queen Anne Rent Table "in the Chinese Taste"
Located in Dallas, TX
an early 18th century Queen Anne rent table in the Chinese Taste (with Chinoiserie decoration) having one large single drawer (that goes all the way through) with twelve (12) compart...
Category
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint
Scandinavian Antique Table of Pine Wood with Green Patinated Frame, 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
frame of table is hand painted with matte green paint with great patina
and the paint on the top has
Category
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Viennese enamel bureau cabinet, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
drawers and a leather writing surface, the lower section fitted with a single long drawer, on turned
Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Enamel
"Moleskine" Portable Atelier Stool Designed by Philippe Nigro for Driade
By Driade, Philippe Negro
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stool adjustable in heigh. Black matt painted steel structure. Seat and components in massive oak
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Oak White MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
By Miduny, Ale Preda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, elegant profile punctuated with painted surfaces that capture light. This modern and graceful design
Category
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech, Oak, Plywood
$1,849 / item
Louise Art Deco Semainier Fine Hammered Antique Bronze by Paul Mathieu
By Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
experience the finish first hand.
Louise Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables Fine Hammered Antique Bronze by
Category
2010s American Other Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
A rare mid 18th Century Chinese export lacquer bureau on stand circa 1750
Located in Reepham, GB
A Chinese export lacquer bureau on stand with toilet glass, decorated with an unusual polychrome flower design. Made in China circa 1750, the decorative design of this exquisite l...
Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Round Black Pedestal Dining Table, Sweden 1920
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Swedish 20th Century Pedestal Dining Table in Black Paint.
This round table has beautiful
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
$2,900 Sale Price
25% Off
19th Century Chinoiserie Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
originally intended as a sewing table, but it is a versatile size and can be used as a small console, desk
Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Light Blue Large Secretaire with Storage Designed by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is designed by the famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Materials
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Sea Blue Large and Design Secretaire in Ash Wood by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is mounted in our French workshops and delivered fully assembled.
The
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Materials
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Chocolate Gray French large Secrétaire, Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is mounted in our French workshops and delivered fully assembled.
The
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Materials
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Yellow large French Secretaire, design Eric Gizard in Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is designed by the famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Materials
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Classical Faux Porphyry Library Table
Located in New York, NY
Classical faux porphyry library table
Northern European, 19th century
Measures: Height 31 1/4 in, width 47 1/4 in, depth 25 3/4 in.
2206.
Category
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Painted Writing Slope
Located in Nantucket, MA
Painted Writing Slope with green interior paint and drawers for storage.
Category
Antique 19th Century British Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$2,000
Swedish 19th century hand painted pine escritoire writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted pine escritoire writing desk circa 1870.
We are pleased to offer this
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Desks
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century English Paint Decorated Adam Style Satinwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century English Paint Decorated Adam Style Satinwood Writing Table Desk
Dimensions : 50" Wide
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Adam Style Desks
Materials
Satinwood
Early Paint Antique French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
the desk and so on. I have been tempted to strip the paint off to see what the finish is like
Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Desks
Materials
Brass
Vintage Boho Spanish Hand Carved Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Writing Desk. Hand-carved details across the drawers and apron showcase traditional craftsmanship, while
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Rustic Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Elegant Bonheur De Jour Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Southall, GB
A elegant French bonheur de jour ladies writing desk in kingswood and rosewood, with bronze gilt
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks
Materials
Bronze
Vintage MCM Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Writing Desk
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a distinguished vintage writing desk, a testament to the iconic design of T.H. Robsjohn
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 18th-century Swedish Gustavian writing desk, circa 1790, embodies the clean lines and
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Brass
Faux Bamboo Black Lacquered Writing Desk, James Mont Style
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mid-20th Century Faux Bamboo Black Lacquered Writing Desk in the style of James Mont, circa 1950's
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinoiserie Ladies Writing Desk c. Early 20th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
This striking Antique Chinoiserie Ladies Writing Desk, dating to the early 20th century, offers a
Category
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Materials
Wood
Geraldo de Barros writing desk Unilabor Brazil 1956
By Unilabor, Geraldo de Barros
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice minimalistic small writing desk designed by Geraldo de Barros and manufactured by
Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Porcelain Mounted Ladies Writing Desk
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
, each with hand-painted floral decoration. Raised on elegant cabriole legs, gilded ormolu mounts and
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Porcelain, Mahogany
$15,353 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Swedish Style Shopkeeper
s Slant Front Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Swedish Style Painted Shopkeeper's Slanted Front Writing Desk commonly used by
Category
Antique 19th Century American Gustavian Desks
Materials
Wood
19th C. Antique Writing Stand Desk office Inkwell Center Piece Faience Porcelain
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Antique Writing Stand Desk office Inkwell Center Piece Faience Porcelain . This beautiful
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Inkwells
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$3,840 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C. Antique Writing Stand Desk Office Inkwell Center Piece Chinese Porcelain
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Antique writing stand desk Office Inkwell Center Piece Chinese Porcelain . This beautiful
Category
Antique 19th Century French Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
$3,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Italian Writing Desk or Dressing Table
Located in London, Park Royal
A charming, hand-painted, Louis XV style, Italian writing desk or dressing table from the early
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
An Elegant French Louis XV Style Ebonized 3-Drawer Writing Desk with Leather Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
of pegged construction the serpentine top with hand-tooled maroon leather insert above a shaped apron fitted with 3 drawers adorned with rocaille brass escutcheons; all raised on gra...
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Rococo Revival Desks
Materials
Wood
$7,040 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Edwardian Walnut Double Inkwell Handled Footed Writing Desktop Caddy
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century Edwardian Era Ink Stand. Made from walnut with a rectangular form and centrally located handle flanked by two crystal cut inkwells. The beautiful caddy is double s...
Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian Inkwells
Materials
Crystal
$376 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Drop Front Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
19th Century Swedish Gustavian hand painted drop top desk. Writing top H 31”
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Wood
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 Gustavian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine, Paint
English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique circa 1930s Goddard chest / writing desk featuring a drop front door that opens to multiple
Category
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century
A rectangular top sitting above
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$2,618 Sale Price
30% Off
French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An original black painted portable desk from the end of the 18th century. With owner initials, the
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Artist
s Studio Paint Splattered Mahogany Writing Table Desk, 19th C.
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE TABLE
A good quality Victorian writing table/desk which has been used in an artist’s
Category
Antique 19th Century British Tables
Materials
Brass
18th Century Poudreuse Writing Desk, Console Table Painted Piemont Italien
Located in Epfach, DE
18th Century Poudreuse Writing Desk, Console Table Painted Piemont Italien
Small, Rare Poudreuse or
Category
Antique 1770s Italian Console Tables
Materials
Wood
Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
By James Mont, Edward Wormley
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene
Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Table Top Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare English table top fall front writing desk in burl walnut and blue eglomise painted oval panels
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
This beautiful and unique 19th century Swedish Gustavian writing desk is perfect for any room or
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
Modern Writing Desk Walnut Wood Handmade Executive Desk Contemporary French Desk
Located in København N, DK
Gorgeous old walnut roots. Authentic texture and character of the walnut vein. Hand leveled, cleaned and filled with a black opaque resin that blends perfectly with the nut roots. Ex...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Arts and Crafts Dining Room Tables
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Burl Wood Writing Desk Modern Executive Desks Contemporary French Office Desk
Located in København N, DK
Yellow Valley
It was a very unusual project for me. I was approached by a man from the UK to make a table for his little daughter. The girl was very fond of dragonflies and insects i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Arts and Crafts Dining Room Tables
Materials
Metal
19th Century Louis XV Chinoiserie Writing Desk
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This petite desk has the most charming decoration. It is done in chinoiserie.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Swedish Oak Ladies’ Writing Desk Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish oak ladies’ writing desk or secretary featuring a Bombay-curved lower chest with three
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Iron
Austrian Table/Writing Desk with Inset Stone Top and Painted Border, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
An unusual Austrian table with inset stone top, painted border, tapered splayed legs, and one (1
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Center Tables
Materials
Stone
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Empire Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
$382 Sale Price
49% Off
Samuel Alcock Writing Desk Set Coalbrookdale Porcelain Encrusted Flowers, ca1830
By Samuel Alcock
Co.
Located in London, GB
A complete writing desk set in the Coalbrookdale style with lavishly encrusted flowers, consisting
Category
Antique 1830s English Rococo Revival Vases
Materials
Porcelain
Early Baker Furniture Regency Rosewood Writing Desk or Console Table, 1930s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Regency style petite writing desk, sofa table, or entry console table
By Baker
Category
Vintage 1930s American Regency Console Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique English Jennens
Bettridge Paper Mache Ladies Writing Box or Lap Desk
By Jennens and Bettridge
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique writing box or lap desk was made by the highly renowned Jennens & Bettridge of England
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Paper
Gustavian, Swedish Secretaire Desk, White Paint, Pinewood, Sweden, 1900s
Located in Manhasset, NY
reveal a light green paint distressed writing desk. Below the writing desk is four drawers for added
Category
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Paint
1940s lacquered wood writing desk attributed to René Drouet French art deco
By René Drouet
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
with attractive floral decoration on the top door (original paint, gilding and lacquering). Mahogany
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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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 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 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 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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