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Neoclassical English Mahogany Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
Neoclassical English mahogany secretary, circa 1820-1840, with roll-top and ebonized inlay
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Mahogany Louis XVI Lady
s Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A remarkable roll top lady's desk, done in mahogany, from 19th century, France. The desk has a
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Marble, Brass
Louis XVI Cylinder Bureau, Attributed to Godefroy Dester
By Godefroy Dester
Located in Berlin, DE
An elegant freestanding mahogany roll top desk attributed to Godefroy Dester (maitre 1774).
The
Category
Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Drexel Oxford Square Campaign Desk
By Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large campaign style desk by Drexel with ebonized wood and brass hardware. Two roll top cabinets
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nelson for Herman Miller "Action Office" Desk, circa 1960, tambour roll top, oak, aluminum
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Large Midcentury Desk by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern writing desk by Lane Furniture in walnut. Roll top side compartment, two drawers
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Mahogany Tambour Writing Table
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dame, or cylinder desk. Features a roll top design with a flip top leather writing surface that
Category
20th Century Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Swedish Teak Miniature Rolltop Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful and uniquely sized roll top desk features plenty of space for organized storage, and
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Antique French 19th Century Louis XVI Walnut Ormolu Marble Cylinder Desk, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good quality antique French walnut ladies Louis XVI cylinder/ roll-top writing desk, circa 1880
Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Action Office Architect
s - Writing Desk
By George Nelson
Located in Oakville, CT
Mid-Century Modern action office roll top desk by George Nelson
Herman Miller. Desk top rolls
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
French Louis XVI Style Ladies Writing Bureau Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
roll top cylinder style case topped with a piece of Carrara marble. Made in the style of a "Bonheur de
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Danish Modern Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish Scandinavian Modern roll-top desk featuring teak wood grain, three spacious drawers with
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Seldom Seen George Nelson "HIGH
Action Office Architects Desk, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
oak tambour roll top, four resin and wood slide out pencil drawers, built in file storage (back side
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Antique Black Painted Secretary Rolltop Desk, Denmark circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely antique Danish secretary has been given a new black painted finish. The roll top desk
Category
Antique 19th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
George Nelson Walnut Action Office Tambour Desk Large, Herman Miller, 1964
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Utrecht, NL
walnut tambour roll top that slides away and reveals a large white laminate writing surface / work space
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Cabinet with Built-in Desk
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
compartments structure the front. On the upper part a roll top can be pulled back to reveal a desk compartment
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Excellent Curved Top Walnut Harvey Probber Executive Desk
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
been newly restored and displays a beautiful patterned wood grain on its top with rolled raised edges
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Dining Table or Tulip Desk by Maurice Burke in the style of Saarinen
By Maurice Burke
Located in Cincinnati, OH
perfect for that clean looking office or home office. Perfect for the lap top with an oval Formica topped
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Roll Top Desk from the collection of Thierry Despont
Located in New York, NY
While Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023) was best-known for his architectural practice—for his integral role in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, his re-imagining of the Ritz in P...
Category
20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Custom Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany and rosewood desk featuring three drawers and two tambor/roll-top doors concealing two
Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Inlaid Roll Top Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Bronze mounted inlaid roll top desk
Category
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
$2,250
French Roll top desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Mahogany French roll top desk with leather surface and gold tooling.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
$8,500
Steelcase Roll-Top Desk
Located in Treasure Island, CA
Expertly restored steel roll-top with brass hardware. New bookbinder's leather top. The actual roll
Category
Vintage 1930s American Desks
Materials
Steel, Brass
$6,500
Vintage Hekman Roll-top Desk
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This exquisite roll-top desk by Hekman features a leather inlaid writing surface, octagonal legs
Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Roll Top Desk
Located in Buckinghamshire, GB
Mahogany roll top desk having a single drawer flanked by a further four drawers and a slope. The
Category
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Jas Shoolbred Roll Top Desk
By Jas Shoolbred
Co.
Located in Redruth, GB
Jas Shoolbred roll top desk. Edwardian oak roll top desk by Jas Shoolbred cabinet makers. Central
Category
Antique Early 1900s Great Britain (UK) Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
1930
s Mahogany Roll Top Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
1930's Mahogany Roll Top Desk . Fine quality in laid mahogany roll top desk with marble interior
Category
Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables
1930s Oak Roll Top Desk
Located in Cimelice, Czech republic
Roll top desk on wheels made in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. Desk is made from solid oak and oak
Category
20th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$2,137
Danish Modern Teak Roll-Top Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Awesome desk in teak finish. Beautiful condition. Roll top works smoothly. One key.
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Wood
Napoleon III Ebonized Roll -Top Desk
Located in Vancouver, BC
Napoleon III ebony roll-top antique desk with brass, bone, and mother of pearl inlay. Fitted lemon
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Roll Top Secretary Desk, 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
vintage teak roll top secretary desk is the way to go. You can even pretend you're in a 1920s detective
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Regency Mahogany Roll Top Bureau
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
finely inlaid roll top which opens to reveal arrangement of pigeon holes, satinwood drawers and slide out
Category
Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
George III Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
George III style roll top mahogany desk with various compartments and metal hardware, circa 1920s
Category
Vintage 1920s George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Francois Linke Roll Top Desk
By François Linke
Located in London, GB
A 19th century Louis XVI style roll top desk by Francois Linke (1855-1946) with rich gold gilding
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold
Amazing Faux-Wood Steel Roll Top Desk
Located in Pasadena, CA
desk top with original faux- leather. Can be closed up and lock secures roll top and exterior
Category
Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Brass
Edwardian Roll Top Mahogany Desk/Writing Table
Located in Surbiton, GB
An Edwardian mahogany tambour roll top desk, with pull out slide having a leather surface and a
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Roll Top Secretary, 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
vintage teak roll top secretary desk is the way to go. You can even pretend you're in a 1920s detective
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Young Persons Roll Top Desk And Swivel Chair
Located in London, GB
Cute Little Elm roll top desk and swivel chair.
Desk: H: 82 cm W: 71 cm D: 44 cm
Chair: H: 75
Category
Mid-20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Louis XVI style bronze-mounted oak roll top desk
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XVI style bronze-mounted oak roll top desk, French 19th century
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Mid Century Danish Rosewood Roll-top Secretary Desk
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
This exquisite rosewood veneer roll-top secretary desk is a quintessential example of Danish mid
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Midcentury Roll Top Desk
By Herman Miller
Located in Miami, FL
Fantastic black laminate desk with natural channeled roll tops, side by side, and nickel over steel
Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Nickel
$4,400
Art Metal Co. Double Bank Roll Top Desk
Located in Treasure Island, CA
Steel roll top desks are rare and hard to find (no American company ever resumed production after
Category
Vintage 1930s American Desks
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Roll Top Desk by Hooker Furniture
By Hooker Furniture
Located in Alhambra, CA
Wonderful midcentury modern roll top desk from the "Mainline Collection" by Hooker Furniture. This
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Fretwork Ladies Roll Top Desk, Bookcase Top, Scotland 1910, B1871
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Fretwork Ladies Roll Top Desk, Bookcase Top, Scotland 1910, B1871
Scotland 1910
Solid
Category
Vintage 1910s Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rosewood Roll-Top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
This desk was designed in 1957 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. It features two rosewood roll-top
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Mahogany
French Roll Top Desk in Wood and Marble from 19th Century
Located in Florence, IT
French roll top desk in wood and marble from 19th century.
Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble
Gianfranco Frattini Mahogany Secretary Desk with Roll Top, Bernini, Italy, 1961
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Frankfurt / Dreieich, DE
Gianfranco Frattini Mahogany secretary with roll top, Bernini, Italy, 1961.
A total of 10
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Oak Roll Top Desk, Double Pedestal, American 1900, B2515
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique oak roll top desk, double pedestal, American 1900, B2515
American, 1900
Solid oak
Category
Antique Early 1900s North American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Large Oak Panelled Roll Top Desk, Scotland 1920, H1182
Located in Vancouver, BC
Large Oak Panelled Roll Top Desk, Scotland 1920, H1182
Scotland 1920
Solid oak
Original Finish
Category
Vintage 1920s Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique American Mahogany "S" Roll Top Desk, Double Pedestal, 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
.
- Dovetailed drawers.
- Roll top in good working order.
- Original lock and key.
- Original finish
Category
Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Rare, Special Order Roll Top Pedestal Desk by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
Very Rare and offered by Herman Miller for only two years and produced by special order, the Roll
Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Roll Top Writing Table Desk Oak Tambour Hairpin Legs Edwardian
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A magnificent antique Edwardian oak roll top desk circa 1903, with tambour slide, above fitted
Category
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Oak Roll Top Desk, Double Pedestal, American 1910, B2801
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique oak roll top desk, Double Pedestal, American 1910, B2801
American 1910
Solid oak
Category
Vintage 1910s North American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Rare, Iconic, Japanned, Copper Toledo, Roll-Top Typewriter Desk
By Toledo Metal Furniture Co.
Located in Portland, OR
.
This roll-top typewriter desk is one of their most iconic designs, and one of the most difficult to
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
American Antique Reproduction Roll Top Desk with Top Cupboard
Located in EDENSOR PARK, NSW
but looks like an antique, comes with keys to both roll top and below drawers, desk has 9 small
Category
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Action Office Roll Top Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Dorchester, MA
This Action Office desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller features a walnut roll-top over a
Category
American Desks
Materials
Aluminum
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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 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 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 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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