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Shabby Chic and Gold Leaf Distressed Antique Writing Table Desk Large Console
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique distressed finish writing hall centre table or small dining table with figural shape top
Category
20th Century American French Provincial Dining Room Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Paper Mache Ladies Writing Box or Lap Desk with Japanned Finish
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique writing box or lap desk is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Paper
Antique English Paper Mache Ladies Writing Box or Lap Desk with Japanned Finish
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique writing box or lap desk is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Paper
19th Black Painted Century French Armchair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century French writing desk armchair painted in black, in solid oak wood. This richly
Category
Antique 1880s French Gothic Revival Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Swedish 18th Century Black Painted Baroque Armchair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Mid 18th Century Swedish writing desk armchair painted in black, in solid oak wood. This
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Armchairs
Materials
Oak, Fabric, Wood
Le Corbusier LC16 Table de Travail For Cassina
By Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
anodized or painted.
This small wooden writing desk was designed for the children’s rooms of the Unité
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables
Materials
Aluminum
$13,967 / item
Biedermeier Mahogany Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Globe Form Work Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Biedermeier (19th Century) globe-form work desk with a mahogany structure that opens to reveal a
Category
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Writing Desk, Mid-19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Swedish Gustavian style painted writing desk with one drawer, mid-19th century simple top
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Wood
Louis XV Style Painted Writing Desk
Located in Livingston, NJ
Fabulous off-white Louis XV style writing desk. With a white leather top, this desk features 4 side
Category
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Desks
Materials
Brass
Antique Swedish Gustavian Bureau 19th Century Painted Writing Desk Serpentine
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
Large 19th century Swedish painted and carved bureau in the Gustavian manner.
The carved fall
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks
Materials
Paint
1920s Chinoiserie Writing Desk by Rockford Furniture
Located in Alhambra, CA
Carved wood and hand painted writing desk, c. 1920 by the historic Rockford Furniture company of
Category
Vintage 1920s North American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Writing desk with original paint and hoof feet
Located in New Orleans, LA
Charming writing desk with drawer. Original paint worn in some areas.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Painted Regence writing table
Located in New Orleans, LA
A 19th century Regence writing table with applied relief carvings and faux marble top. Apron molded
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Italian Gilded and Hand Painted Wood Writing Desk Secretary, 1950s
By Fornasetti
Located in Brussels, Ixelles
Rare midcentury Italian secretary set : hand decorated foldable writing desk with green lacquering
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Painted French writing table
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Painted French writing table with faux painted top, cabriole legs and single drawer
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Painted French writing table
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Painted French writing table with faux painted top, cabriole legs and a single drawer
Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Neoclassical Red Painted Writing Table
Located in Millerton, NY
A neoclassically inspired writing table with Regency brass bounded inlay to top, surrounded by
Category
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint
18th Century Italian Painted Louis XV Bureau Plat or Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Firenze, IT
A charming Italian Louis XV bureau plat or writing desk.
The desk in solid walnut wood features a
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Painted Italian Neoclassical Writing Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
A two drawer desk or writing table with a faux marble painted top over tall, square tapered legs.
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bold Geometric, contemporary, modern Library desk, writing
By Sara Hayat Design
Located in Greenwood Village, CO
Elevate Your Space with a Bold Style Statement: The Modern Aesthetic Desk
Indulge in the opulence
Category
2010s Pakistani Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Paint
A Painted Italian Writing Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
A rococo style writing table with a shaped top over a scalloped apron with a drawer, all on
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Pine
English Painted Desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
English painted desk with tapered legs, porcelain handles, later paint, circa 1930.
Category
Early 20th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
$2,590
Hans Gunther Reinstein Vienna Secession Ladies Writing Desk
By Hans Gunther Reinstein
Located in Berlin, DE
Vienna secession ladies writing table in softwood and corrugated cardboard. Black and white paint
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Softwood
Antique Swedish Rococo Style Writing Desk Early 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Swedish Rococo Style writing desk in Black distressed paint finish, cabriole legs, five
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Regency Yellow Painted Wooden and Faux Bamboo Writing Table
Located in Tarbert, Argyll and Bute
Regency yellow painted and decorated writing table with faux bamboo legs and two drawers.
Category
Antique 1820s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
MARGE CARSON Whitewashed Oak French Provincial Bureau Plat Writing Desk
By Marge Carson
Located in Charlotte, NC
A French Provincial style bureau plat writing desk by Marge Carson, of Pamona, California, USA
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American French Provincial Desks and Writi...
Materials
Oak, Paint
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
Desk Painted Black 80
s.
Located in Vulpellac (Costa Brava), ES
Desk in mahogany painted black. Spanish design of the 80s.
Category
20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
$5,500
Painted Desk/ Vanity, circa 1920
Located in Bedford, NY
Shaped carved front drawer. Table can be used as a writing table or
a vanity. Four inch high
Category
Early 20th Century American Hepplewhite Desks and Writing Tables
Arch Desk, Contemporary Painted Steel and Glass Desk
By Durodeco
Located in Sunnyside, NY
Minimal and modern, this desk shows that simple is beautiful. It is constructed of custom bent
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$4,915 / item
Antique French Painted Writing Table with Two Drawers, circa 1900
Located in Houston, TX
and see them first!
An antique French painted writing table circa 1900 with two drawers standing on
Category
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint
Desk Laquered Chameleon Paint Philippe Cramer
By Philippe Cramer
Located in Geneva, CH
Celine
Writing desk with push latch opening system drawer.
Laquered with chameleon paint from blue
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Chocolate Chinoiserie Hand-Painted Pedestal Desk
Located in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire
An imbuya burl veneered, gilt and chinoiserie painted pedestal desk, the rounded rectangular top
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Circa 1970
s Painted American Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
Painted desk with a drawer
Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Baroque Walnut Writing Desk with Gold Leaf Details by Modenese Gastone Interiors
By Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Complete your office with a high-end Italian baroque writing desk from the bespoke producer
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
19th Century Louis XVI Wood Painted Desk
Located in Lannebert, FR
19th century Louis XVI wood painted desk.
Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
William IV Kidney Shaped Writing Table with Carved Giltwood and White Painted
By George Morant
Located in London, GB
A rare William IV period kidney shaped writing table with carved giltwood decoration and white
Category
Antique 1830s English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Creme Color Painted Hungarian Art Deco Desk Designed by Lajos Kozma
By Lajos Kozma
Located in Budapest, Budapest
Unique Art Deco desk with crème color painted.
Designed by Hungarian architect/designer Lajos
Category
Vintage 1920s Hungarian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Stunning Antique Italian Pedestal Desk, Vintage, Original Paint, Rare
Located in Lingfield, West Sussex
Her we have a very rare and stunning Italian desk for the early 1900’s. Original paint and features
Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Sergio Rodrigues Brazilian Hardwood Desk with Reverse Painted Glass
Brass
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
tier of the desk features reverse painted white glass and the lower tier is clear glass over a shallow
Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass
Small Georgian Chinoiserie Writing Table
Located in Sydney, NSW
A small late Georgian Provincial writing table, Pine decorated in chinoiserie, standing upon its
Category
Antique 1820s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Massimo Scolari Italian Solid Dark Painted Beech Wood Desk with Ebony Top
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Massimo Scolari
Located in Mornico al Serio ( BG), Lombardia
and elegant desk.
Desk with frame in solid dark painted beechwood.
Base with footrest in anodised
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Venetian Desk
Located in Petworth, GB
AN ITALIAN POLYCHROME PAINTED KNEEHOLE DESK LATE 18TH CENTURY
A rare Venetian painted desk
Category
Antique 1790s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$32,215
Josef Hoffmann Desk, Painted in White with Grey Leather, Designed for the WW
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Outstanding desk designed by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstatte in 1914. Painted wood, grey
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Small Regency Ebonized Writing Table, circa 1815
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This is a beautiful small ebonized writing table, featuring three drawers, tooled leather top with
Category
Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
ORIGIN 00008 Desk
By POLCHA
Located in PARIS, FR
This desk is the first piece of our work, Polcha, we wanted to work the materials in trompe l'oeil
Category
Vintage 1960s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
$6,532
Clara Porset Desk
By Clara Porset
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Clara Porset desk.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$3,500
Green Slant Top Scribes Desk
Located in Boston, MA
Slant top green painted pine scribes desk. The desk opens to an adjustable height and has multiple
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint, Wood
1950 Form Libre Desk
By Jean Royère
Located in Couzon au Mont d
Or, FR
A nice interesting "form libre" desk in the manner of j.Royere , it 's a 1950 french piece (only
Category
Mid-20th Century French Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$3,325
Marquetry Desk/Game Table
Located in Summerland, CA
Circa 1880-1890
Found in a Michigan lodge. Geometric
inlay design. Wonderfully crackled surface.
Category
Antique 19th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
$12,500
Gispen President Desk PR 7772
By Gispen, W. Van Osselen
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Name: President desk PR 7772
designer: W. van Osselen
manufacturer: Gispen, Netherland
design year
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$1,930 / item
Arne Vodder Vintage Desk, Denmark 1960s
By Arne Vodder
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Danish freestanding desk by Arne Vodder.
Made in Denmark during 1960s.
Painted in black colour
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Painted Louis XV Style Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th century carved French hand-painted blue-grey Louis XV style table, with sculpted apron and
Category
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint, Wood
Criss Cross Desk by Alex Muradian
By Alex Muradian, Oyster Studio Furniture
Located in Westhampton Beach, NY
Introducing our exquisite nickel-plated criss-cross desk, meticulously handcrafted in our
Category
2010s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Small Modernist Desk Hansen Berlin, 1950
By Hansen
Located in Berlin, DE
From the Berlin top-manufacturer Hansen comes this practical, small desk. With the three on wheels
Category
Vintage 1950s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
French Style Black and Silver Desk
Located in Glendale, CA
French style, black and silver desk is timelessly chic. This desk features a dramatic black and
Category
Late 20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, 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 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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