Painted Writing Desk
to
100
1,031
419
1,378
81
22
139
70
65
39
37
33
27
27
26
24
22
18
18
13
12
9
7
2
131
544
700
103
181
286
98
23
8
25
29
41
84
51
45
12
7
1,248
366
310
206
203
1,059
322
291
256
209
1,480
1,416
1,432
7
7
7
7
7
Sort By
French Directoire Painted Writing Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Antique French Directoire style writing desk in painted walnut. A sturdy piece with two dovetailed
Category
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Painted Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century French Louis XVI style painted writing desk. This piece has a lovely patina
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Italian Hand Painted Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful Italian painted desk with original leather top and bronze hardware. Nicely aged patina
Category
Antique 1850s European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Carlton House Curved Hand-Painted Writing Desk
By Carlton House Fine Furniture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Carlton House desk, with Wellington label inside one drawer. Beautifully decorated in the Adams
Category
Vintage 1950s English Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany and Gray Painted Writing Desk Table
Located in West Hartford, CT
Completely refurbished mahogany writing table or console table, done in a gray painted color scheme
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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 Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Writing Desk
Located in Houston, US
Beautifully painted in a contemporary turquoise, this Swedish Gustavian style desk is handmade with
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Black Painted Writing Desk with 3 Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Gustavian ladies writing desk. Charming three drawer black painted desk with three drawers
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Black-Painted Writing Desk with Brass Fittings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant 19th-century Swedish writing desk in pine, finished in a rich black patina that highlights
Category
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
A Handsome French Louis XVI Style Celadon Painted Writing Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome French Louis XVI style celadon painted 2-drawer writing desk with taupe leather top; the
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Swedish Black-Painted Writing Desk with Brass Hardware, circa 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
A handsome antique Swedish writing desk, crafted in pine and painted in a deep black with a soft
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
French Louis XVIth Style Kidney Shape Painted Writing Desk or Table
Located in Round Top, TX
A charming French Louis XVIth style writing desk - table in painted wood. The table is beautifully
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
1940s White Painted Writing Desk/ Vanity by Widdicomb
By John Widdicomb
Located in Stamford, CT
1940s petite writing desk/vanity by Widdicomb. Newly repainted in an antique white finish with
Category
Vintage 1940s American Louis XV Desks
Materials
Brass
Antique Painted Directoire Style Writing Desk
Located in Austin, TX
French Directoire style antique painted writing desk in a “Trianon” gray color. A waxed Moroccan
Category
Vintage 1910s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century French Writing Desk
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 19th century five drawer painted writing desk with inset leather top and two pullout slides
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique late 18th Century carved elegant Swedish Gustavian painted writing desk with hand painted
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Painted Writing Desk Console with Gilded Details
Located in Troy, MI
French wood writing desk and/or console table with antique white painted finish and gilded details
Category
Early 20th Century French Console Tables
Materials
Brass
18th c. Dutch Louis XVI Black Painted Writing Desk with Original Brass Casters
Located in Wichita, KS
An exceptional Dutch writing desk from the Louis XVI period wearing aged black paint. Shaped top
Category
Antique 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Sophisticated Glossy White Campaign Style Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sophisticated white painted writing desk inspired by a Campaign design with recessed brass handles
Category
Vintage 1970s American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Chippy Paint Decorated French Country Louis XV Writing Desk, circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
painted writing desk in the French Country style The desk shows a chippy distressed painted finish and
Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Antique Painted French Writing Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Painted French antique writing desk topped with tan gilt embossed leather in the Louis XVI style
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Cherry
Antique Hand Painted Italian Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful antique hand painted Italian writing desk. Very nice patina, with swirling hand painted
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Painted Pine Writing Desk
Located in Culver City, CA
Ebonized table with worn finish all around and scrubbed top.
Two small drawers on one side with one larger drawer on the other side; simple drawer pulls on each of the three drawe...
Category
Antique 1890s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Painted Writing Table Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early-20th century Swedish painted three-drawer writing table or desk, the painted top with
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Vintage Regency Hand Painted Gladiator Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Regency writing desk. Beautiful hand painted detail with scenes of gladiators
Category
Late 20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint
Antique French Baroque Painted Writing Table/Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
If you're looking for a desk that doesn't have the typical visual weight, this antique painted
Category
Antique 1880s French Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Stylish Painted Louis XV Style Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stylish distressed hand painted Louis XV style writing desk having a purple undercoat with green
Category
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Lovely Nantucket Faux Painted Antique Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A lovely antique mahogany writing desk having a hand faux painted finish by well known Nantucket
Category
Antique 19th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Rococo Style Venetian Painted Folding Writing Desk
Located in Firenze, IT
This lovely petite Italian Louis XV style slant-top writing desk is entirely decorated with hand
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Small Gustavian Writing Desk With Original Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Swedish ladies desk with 2 large and 2 smaller drawers. Great original paint, wear and
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Black Painted Pine Writing Desk, Sweden 1900
s
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine Swedish writing table or desk on carved cabriolet legs with three drawers that compose
Category
20th Century Swedish French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Painted Pine and Iron Monastery Writing Desk, circa 1770
Located in Culver City, CA
Painted pine and iron monastery writing desk, circa 1770.
Combined seat and desk on original
Category
Antique 1770s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Large Swedish Gustavian Black Painted Faux Partners Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Swedish Gustavian black painted faux partners writing desk with three drawers
Desk has the
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Ladies
Writing Desk
Located in Baltimore, MD
A delightful ladies' writing desk featuring one long divided drawer and two short drawers flanking
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
$1,595
Antique Original Gray Painted Swedish Writing Table Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
The wonderful charm of this table or writing desk is in the simple details. The warm dark wood is
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
French Louis XVI Style Painted Desk Writing Table
Located in Manhasset, NY
A lovely French Louis XVI style distress-painted and parcel-gilt writing table, circa 1960s, the
Category
Vintage 1960s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique William
Mary Spanish Revival Walnut Painted Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
20th Century Jacobean / Spanish Revival secretary desk. Made from walnut with hand carved and
Category
Early 20th Century William and Mary Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Paint
Antique Jacobean Spanish Revival Walnut Hand Painted Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century Jacobean / Spanish Revival secretary desk. Made from walnut with hand carved and
Category
20th Century Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Paint
Baker Black Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Carlton House Writing Table Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Baker Furniture Co Asian inspired paint decorated Carlton House desk with multiple doors and
Category
Late 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Bureau, Writing Desk, Continental, Polychrome-Painted, Cylinder, circa 1900!!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Antique Bureau, Writing Desk, Continental, Polychrome-Painted, Cylinder, circa 1900, Early
Category
20th Century European Other Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Reverse Painted and Mirrored Vanity / Writing Desk by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite French Mid-Century Mirrored Console / Writing Table / Vanity with Dramatic Tapering Legs
Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
19th Century Louis XV Painted Table or Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful painted french table in a beautiful hue of blue green with white details and black
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Mid-Century Writing Desk
Located in North Miami, FL
A midcentury desk have clean simple lines with a hint of asian which was so popular in this period
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$3,875
Swedish Painted Writing Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C Swedish painted one drawer writing table. 1820.
Clearance is 24.5".
Ref: C
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Antique Edwardian Satinwood and Floral Painted Carlton House Writing Desk, 1900
Located in London, GB
This is a truly exceptional antique Edwardian hand painted and inlaid satinwood Carlton House desk
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
Painted Pine Writing Table
Located in Baltimore, MD
This attractive writing table has four nicely turned legs joined at the foot with a well-worn cross
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
English Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Charleston, SC
English Satinwood ladies writing desk with painted scene of lady and floral motif. Desk has fitted
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Desks and Writing Tables
$22,000
French Louis XV Style Turquoise Hand Painted Desk Writing Table
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant Louis XV style desk with unusual hand painted color. It has some age appropriate wear as
Category
Vintage 1970s Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique French Ladies Dressing Table or Small Writing Desk Old Paint Unrestored
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique French ladies dressing table or small desk in old putty grey paint with its original marble
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Paint Decorated Antique French Louis XV Ladies Writing Desk Table Manner Linke
By François Linke
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Regency style 1 drawer inlaid writing desk with a professionally hand-painted swan scene on a pond
Category
20th Century Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Painted Knee-Hole Writing Desk with 9 Drawers and Original Hardware
Located in Santa Monica, CA
English 19th century hand painted knee-hole writing desk with nine drawers and original hardware.
Category
Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
English Library Writing Table / Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 19th century English painted library table/ desk, 1890
Dimensions
90 inches (229 cms) wide
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Provincial Writing Desk 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century painted French Provincial style desk. The desk stands on four cabriole legs that
Category
Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Carved Italian Painted Writing Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved Italian Painted desk/writing table with center drawer.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pine Painted Writing Table
Located in Baltimore, MD
A charming bowfront lady's writing desk featuring a polished pine top with a single long drawer in
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Painted English Regency Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Painted pine English Regency or American writing table / desk, with old paint and bamboo style
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Painted Swiss Writing Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
painted Swiss writing table with leather top.
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather
- 1
- ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Painted Writing Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
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.
Read More
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
This Alain Delon–Designed Table Is Almost as Handsome as He Was
Fans of the French film star may be surprised to learn that he had a flair for furniture with sleek lines and disco-era flash.
Uchronia’s Plant Stand Gives Pots a Pretty Perch with All the Trimmings
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Inspired by the Cosmos, Sandra Nunnerley’s Nova Table Has a Futuristic Feel
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
In Guadalajara, These Luscious Side Tables Are Chiseled from Volcanic Rock
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.
More Ways To Browse
Shell Encrusted Table
1960s Bassett
1960s Bassett Furniture
Angelika Kauffmann
Baltimore Federal
Secretary Birds
Amy Howard Painted Furniture
Bassett Chinoiserie
Cane Secretary Desk
Caned Secretary
Floral Painted Desk
French Provincial Desk Chair
Ladies Desk Chair
Writing Desk With Casters
Amy Howard Collection
Mazarin Writing Desk
Old World Desks
Swedish Writing Desk With Reeded Drawers