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Rosewood Roll top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452. All Original
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452 Rosewood Tambour Door Executive Desk in very good completely original condition. Two rolltops, one on each side and three drawers. Large work se...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Roll Black Desk
By Garbarino Collections
Located in Milan, IT
tempered glass and features a cylinder hutch with a roll-top lid of Ebony (also in Walnut Canaletto) that
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak, Glass, Ebony
$22,437
Rolltop desk Italy c1950
By Bernini
Located in London, GB
Beautifully restored mid century roll top desk. Italy c1960
Lovely warm patina to the wood
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Acrylic, Walnut
$12,059
19th Century English Rolltop Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful antique English mahogany petite roll top desk having all the bells and whistles including
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$1,575 Sale Price
81% Off
Wonderful and Extremely Rare Frattini Secretary for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
By pulling the drawer the tambour roll top opens automatic. Then you can double the size of the
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Ebonized Pearwood Two-Tier Tambour Top Writing Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco ebonized pearwood writing desk with a tambour roll top upper section concealing four Pairs
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather, Fruitwood
French Louis XVI Bureau a Cylindre, Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Houston, TX
19th century desk with a Cylindre roll top opening to a leather top that pulls out for ease
In use
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Sheraton Revival Satinwood Cylinder Bureau
Located in Cheshire, GB
galleried superstructure above a roll top with marquetry inlaid floral decoration, enclosing a fitted
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
$16,445 Sale Price
33% Off
George III Mahogany Tambour Desk
Located in Essex, MA
tambour roll top opening to expose a pull out writing surface with adjustable ratcheted cream colored fine
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks
Materials
Mahogany
No. 804 Rolltop Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
drawers behind the roll top and on the back there are shelves for books. Nice from every few it can be
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
$5,230 Sale Price
20% Off
Robert Propst For Herman Miller Action Office Stand-Up Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
roll top, ebonized side panels, wooden work surface, and pencil drawer. Design allows it to be set at
Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks
Materials
Metal
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Superb Rare Flame Mahogany Russian or Baltic Cylinder Desk Leather Surface
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
mahogany, this exquisite desk features a classic cylinder roll-top that gracefully conceals a fitted
Category
Antique 1870s European Baltic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Scandinavian Modern Rolltop Teak Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
desk features a cylindrical roll top that conceals the desk area when not in use. Pull out writing leaf
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Wood
Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller
By Robert Propst, George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
following day by opening up the roll-top.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Action Office Writing Desk by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
the roll-top.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
. The roll top opens to reveal the original pull out writing surface with its original fitted gold
Category
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Marquetry, Ormolu and Jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley
By Emmanuel-Alfred Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
central roll-top panel are finely cast ormolu figures of Apollo and Calliope, each supporting a twin-light
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany Lady’s Cylinder Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
band, and keyhole escutcheon. The roll top cylinder is flanked by additional reeded plaques and also
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman
s Desk
Located in Forney, TX
cylinder desk features a tambour roll top, opening to reveal an interior gallery fitted with small drawers
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Revival Cylinder Bureau 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An Empire Revival mahogany and parcel gilt cylinder bureau, Circa 1880 in date.
The panelled roll
Category
Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Monumental Inlaid French Bronze Mounted Louis XVI Cylinder Desk Circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
exquisite geometric inlay work across the roll-top surface and drawer fronts, showcasing meticulous artistry
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
$11,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Mauser B65 desk after Marcel Breuer, Bauhaus tubular steel tube, Germany
By Mauser Werke
Located in Berlin, DE
left-hand container with a functional tambour roll-top door is balanced by a floating drawer on the
Category
Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel, Chrome
18th Century Mahogany Cylinder Desk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very good quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany cylinder desk having well figured roll top
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Writing Desk Model 804 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1963
By Gian Franco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant roll-top writing desk, model 804, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in 1963
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
By Herman Miller, George Nelson, Robert Propst
Located in Renens, CH
the following day by opening up the roll-top.
Here available are the High desk and Perch stool
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Louis XV Style Writing Desk by François Linke
By François Linke
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superior craftsmanship and elegant bronze work characterize this tambour front roll top writing
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks
Materials
Bronze
Rosewood and Mahogany Receptionist Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This spectacular fully restored and sought-after model #452 'Roll Top' desk was designed by Edward
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood
$6,100 Sale Price
44% Off
Rosewood Regency Kneehole Bureau Cabinet Attributed to Seddon and Morel
By Morel
Seddon
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
exceptional quality, attributed to Seddon and Morel, the central roll-top opening to reveal a fitted
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
With Certificate Antique Shannon File Co Victorian Walnut Tambour Desk Must See
By The Shannon File Cabinet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
rotary tambour roll top desk, has been examined and authenticated by the British Antique Exporters
Category
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Desks
Materials
Walnut
Bronze Age Desk by Mark Zeff
By Mark Zeff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bronze Age desk by Mark Zeff, hot rolled steel with wood tanned top.
Bronze Age collection by
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$4,200 / item
Walnut Roll Top Desk
Located in Manchester, GB
A small and attractive walnut roll top desk with a stamp to the central drawer top - Gillows London
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$5,413
19th Century Roll Top Desk
Bookcase
Located in Naples, FL
This desk is sure to impress with its antique charm. The roll top and bookcase provide ample
Category
Antique 19th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
1820s Modern Design Biedermeier Roll Top Desk
Located in Long Island City, NY
drawer with fitted interior (two open niches, four drawers). Roll top with fall front for closing/opening
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Ebony, Maple, Pine
Midcentury Scandinavian Teak Roll Top Desk by Egon Ostergaard
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Chesham, GB
A Swedish teak cylinder roll top desk/bureau designed by Egon Ostergaard in the 1960s. Featuring a
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Early 1900s American Industrial Roll Top Desk/Table by Toledo
By Toledo Metal Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Early 1900s American Industrial roll top table by Toledo. Great as used as bar.
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Industrial Carts and Bar Carts
Materials
Metal
Hollywood Regency Design Mastercraft Roll Top Brass Bamboo Writing Desk
By Mastercraft
Located in Mount Penn, PA
Mastercraft Amboyna burl wood and etched brass roll top desk with brass bamboo legs. The piece has
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Edwardian Oak Roll Top Desk by Lebus Desk Co
By Harris Lebus
Located in Manchester, GB
An Edwardian oak roll top desk with the lockplate reading 'Lebus Desk Co'. Of above average quality
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Children
s Oak Roll Top Desk
Located in Alhambra, CA
" H
Desk top 19.5" H
Great antique condition. Minor stains to interior/ back desktop and drawer
Category
Vintage 1920s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Oak Roll Top Desk on Wheels
Located in New York, NY
Missing lock.
Carved handles.
8 drawers.
Full interior.
Excellent restored condition.
Category
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
An Eighteenth Century Mulberry Roll Top Desk
Located in London, GB
make this an exceptional piece. The cylinder top rolls back to reveal a fitted interior. The desk rests
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Austrian Desks and Writing Tables
Standing-Height Roll-Top Desk and Chair by George Nelson "Action Office"
By George Nelson
Located in Munster, DE
Large standing-height desk with matching chair by Herman Miller. Desk with lockable writing surface and storage compartment, four drawers at the front. The desk comes with optional p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk With Roll Top by Sligh-Lowry
By Sligh-Lowry Furniture Co.
Located in San Marcos, CA
's.
This refinished and exquisite desk features a vibrant wood grain, a large smooth rolling top
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Victorian Walnut Cylinder Roll Up Desk, Scotland 1870, H345
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian Walnut Cylinder Roll up Desk, Roll Top Desk, Scotland 1870, H345
Scotland 1870
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Small Dresser Marcel Breuer 1926 with Foldable Top
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Berlin, DE
Marcel Breuer used the roll-top in the early days for famous institutions in Berlin, among others
Category
Vintage 1980s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Bentwood
Vintage Hekman Mid Century Modern Desk with Cylinder Roll
By Hekman Furniture
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A unique vintage mid century modern roll top desk by the Hekman Furniture Company of Grand Rapids
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage Hekman Mid Century Modern Desk With Cylinder Roll
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A unique vintage mid century modern roll top desk by the Hekman Furniture Company of Grand Rapids
Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Late Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Cylinder Desk, circa 1890
Located in Altrincham, Cheshire
gilt gallery edge above an exquisite roll top front leading to a magnificently inlaid fold out platform
Category
Antique 1890s English Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Exemplary Biedermeier Knee-Hole Desk
Located in Long Island City, NY
over a pair of smaller drawers on either side. Block feet. Roll top, pull-out writing surface, fitted
Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Mahogany Veneer and Brass inlaid "Bureau a Cylindre"
Located in Charleston, SC
two short drawers. All glasses are beveled.
This roll top has a beautiful brass marquetry featuring
Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Military Writing Box with Calendar
Located in Southampton, NY
Military Writing Box with Calendar and Roll-up Top. Leather Writing Slope.Two Inkwells.Bottem
Category
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry
Biedermeier Rolled Top Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Extremely handsome rolled top desk with 3 sided gallery top, 6 drawers under rolled top and 2 large
Category
Antique 19th Century German Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage Swedish Roll Top Bureau
Located in London, GB
A wonderful vintage Swedish roll top bureau, dating from the 1960’s.
This is of superb quality, it
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Modernist Cylindrical Roll-Top Desk
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative teak roll top desk of cylindrical shape having a unique desk surface that emerges
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Roll Top Desk By Helman Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome roll-top desk by Herman Furniture.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks
Materials
Brass
Vintage Refinished Metal Roll Top Desk
Located in Oakville, CT
Vintage Refinished Metal Roll Top Desk with gun metal finish.
Category
20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Oak Pedestal Roll-Top Desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak double pedestal roll-top desk, the high back with fully fitted interior of pigeon holes and
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Victorian Desks and Writing...
Oak pedestal roll top desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak double pedestal roll top desk, the high back with fitted interior of pigeon holes and drawers
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
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Roll Top Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
There is a range of roll top desks for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and mahogany, all roll top desks available were constructed with great care. There are 434 antique and vintage roll top desks for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 2 modern editions to choose from as well. Roll top desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Roll top desks made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with Louis XVI — are very popular at 1stDibs. Many roll top desks are appealing in their simplicity, but George Nelson, Edward Wormley and Herman Miller produced popular roll top desks that are worth a look.
How Much are Roll Top Desks?
The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $4,408, while they’re typically $325 on the low end and $1,919,381 highest priced.
Finding the Right Desks And 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 Roll Top Desks
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A roll top desk kept small essentials and paperwork organized. The roll top design was ideal for business people to secure their desks at the end of the day without filing away their work. Browse a variety of roll top desks on 1stDibs.
- What is a roll top desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A roll top desk is a piece of furniture that has a wooden cover that can be pulled down when the desk is not in use. Shop a collection of roll top furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Roll-top desks are originally from the late 18th century in the Georgian era of England. By the middle of the Victorian era, they were found in most offices and produced on a large scale. Shop a range of antique roll-top desks on 1stDibs.
- What is a roll top desk called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sometimes, roll-top desks are called tambours, sliding roll desks or roll-up desks. However, roll-top is the most commonly used name. The style of desk became popular during the 19th century. You can find a range of roll-top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A roll top desk can be worth anywhere between $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the condition, materials used and time of manufacturing. Roll top desks are expensive, as they are very popular on the antique furniture market and are considered timeless collectibles. Shop a range of antique and vintage roll top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The leather top on a desk is usually just called a leather top. However, some people refer to it as a leather insert or leather writing surface. The thin pieces of leather that go into making leather-top desks are known as skivers. Shop a variety of desks from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
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