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French Directoire Louis XVI Leather Top Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous smaller writing desk in the Directoire taste, circa 1940. The desk is made of
Category
Vintage 1940s American Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Rene Gabriel Style Desk
Located in Doylestown, PA
A nice small writing desk in cerused oak, circa 1940's, retaining its original brass hardware
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
$9,500
French 19th Century Oak Writing Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary oak desk could serve as an occasional table or a small writing desk. The writing
Category
Antique 19th Century French Other Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Italian Writing Desk Osvaldo Borsani Style, Italy, 1950
By Gio Ponti, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic shaped small writing desk in the manner of Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950. This
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
"Dattilo" desk, design Vittorio Dassi, Italy 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Napoli, IT
The small writing desk was called "Dattilo" by V. Dassi and it is possible to read this information
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Silvio Cavatorta Italian Mid Century Desk Late 50
s
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in bari, IT
Silvio Cavatorta, small writing desk in blond wood with drawer and structure in metal and brass
Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique French Louis XV Style End Table or Side Table or Ladies Writing Desk
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
could it be used as a small writing desk, it would make a spectacular end table, or go perfectly between
Category
Antique 1830s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
20th Century Inlaid Wood French Writing Desk, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
equipped with a drawer in the lower part. Interior of the drawer complete with small writing desk covered
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th c. Tuscan Dark Wood Carved Legs Center Hall/Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Tuscan table with beautifully carved legs / warm, worn patina / 2 drawers / small writing desk or
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Jacques Adnet Leather Covered Writing Desk, France, 1950
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Amazing and extraordinary small writing desk designed by Jacques Adnet and manufactured by Atalier
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Louis XV-Style Writing Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic mahogany desk that could serve as an occasional table or a small writing desk. This
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Ico Parisi Attributed Ladies Desk, Italy, 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic shaped small writing desk attributed to Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950. The shape of this desk
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
French wooden desk, made in the 1940s-50s.
Located in LYON, FR
decorative touch.
A compact and elegant piece, perfect as a small writing desk, entryway console, or work
Category
Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood
1900s French Bamboo Desk
Located in High Point, NC
small writing desk or an occasional table, this lightweight piece imparts an exotic playfulness.
Category
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
$1,595
Antique Georgian Writing / Side Table
Located in London, GB
use as a small writing desk, or as a side / entry way table. There are two drawers with nicely
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Georgian Writing / Side Table
Located in London, GB
use as a small writing desk, or as a side / entry way table. There are two drawers with nicely
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Art Deco desk in palisander and metal - Maurice Lafaille
By Maurice Lafaille
Located in New York City, NY
foot rest.
Can be used as a small writing desk , a vanity, console or even an end table.
Restored in
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage Country French Dressing Table and Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
perfect as a dressing or lamp table or small writing desk. Has a single drawer with brass pull. The ladder
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Raffia, Wood
$1,900 / set
1800
s Antique Renaissance Revival, Carved, Walnut, Musician Motif Table Desk
Located in Austin, TX
charm to their indoor space.
Renaissance Revival carved walnut side table/ small writing desk, late
Category
Antique 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Small Antique Victorian Walnut Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
Fine quality small antique solid walnut desk in excellent original condition dating from circa
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Small Midcentury Danish Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A super little unusual Danish rosewood desk with open 'V' shaped legs, three drawers on the left
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
20th Century Small French Inlaid Writing Desk
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Stylish French desk of the middle of the 20th century. Small table with flaps (maximum width 116 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Small Midcentury Italian Desk or Writing Table
Located in Troy, MI
Italian desk or writing table has wishbone style tapered ebonised legs and side supports and
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
1920s Birch and Rosewood Small Writing Table Desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small Art Deco inspired birch writing table, circa 1920.
Ideal for a room with limited space or
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch
Small Work or Writing Desk, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Small desk with two drawers and removable compartment with hinged lid and side handles. The desk
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Small Italian Writing Desk with Two Drawers, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The desk made of stained beech and ashwood has a beautiful back wall and can also be placed in the
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Beech
Small Victorian Inlaid Rosewood Twin Pedestal Desk Writing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality small Victorian inlaid rosewood desk, writing or dressing table, circa 1880
Category
Antique 1880s Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
19th Century Antique Oak Small Desk Writing Table Dated
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine Table/desk With Carved Date Of 1898 On One En And The Intials Ep
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table. Item features
Category
Antique 19th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Small Antique Kneehole Desk, English, Writing Table, Georgian Revival, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique kneehole desk. An English, mahogany writing table with Georgian revival
Category
Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Antique Correspondence Table, Scottish Oak, Writing Desk, Aesthetic Period
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique correspondence table. A Scottish, oak writing desk with skiver, dating to
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Paul McCobb Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sweet small-scale writing desk with plenty of drawers for storage.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$3,850
Small Mahogany Bronze Mounted Louis XVI Style Writing Desk C 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A small mahogany bronze mounted Louis XVI style writing desk C 1940. Desk has pull-out extension
Category
Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Small 20th Century Satin Birch Writing Desk by Heal
Son London
By Heal
s
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A beautiful Satin Birch writing desk by Heal & Son London.
This little desk will light up any room
Category
Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch, Satinwood
Small Antique Ladies Writing Desk, French, Oak, Bureau, Mirror, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique ladies writing desk. A French, oak bureau with mirror, dating to the
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Table or Small Desk
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique French petite writing table, or ladies desk, in the style of Louis XV with one drawer
Category
Antique 1830s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Rustic Elm
Pine Writing Desk – Small Kitchen Dining Table Dressing
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Rustic 18th / 19th Century Elm & Pine Writing Desk – Versatile Kitchen, Dining, or Dressing
Category
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm, Pine
Antique Victorian White Wicker Rattan Small Vanity Writing Desk Table 2 Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian white wicker rattan small vanity writing desk table 2 drawers. Item features nice
Category
Early 20th Century North American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wicker, Wood
Small 19th Century writing table
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
A beautiful, small, antique mahogany writing desk/wall table of exceptionally high quality. It
Category
Antique 1830s English Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Small Oak Victorian Writing Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful small oak writing table with 2 drawers and green leather top. The whole has a beautiful
Category
Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Small 19th Century Writing Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Small antique burr walnut writing table, entirely in original and perfect condition. Beautiful warm
Category
Antique 1830s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Original Victorian Knee Hole Desk, Lovely and Small with Leather Writing Surface
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian circa 1880 kneehole writing desk
A
Category
Antique 1860s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
EXQUISITE SMALL WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 HARDWOOD WRiTING TABLE DESK CARVED LEGS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, small
Category
Antique 1830s English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Small 19th Century writing table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful small antique mahogany writing table in perfect condition. The table has 2 drawers and
Category
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Small 19th Century writing table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique mahogany writing table with 2 drawers. Gold-edged Burgundy leather top. Table
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Italian 19th C. Smaller-Sized Desk with Leather Writing Pad Top
Single Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian smaller-sized desk, with leather writing pad top, from the 19th century. This antique
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather
Antique French Petite Ebonized Ladies Writing Table, or Small Side Table or Desk
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique French Directoire style ladies writing desk or side table. Our old plank restoration
Category
Antique 1880s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Small Desk, 1970.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small 1970s desk.
Small desk in light wood with chrome-plated metal legs.
h: 76cm, w: 60cm, d
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$2,612
Small Campaign Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Campaign style mahogany campaign desk, the circular crossbanded molded edge top hinged and
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$2,895 / item
Fine Quality Small Size Carved French Louis XVI Writing Table Desk circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful small desk perfect for smaller spaces that need class and a dose of good design
Category
Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19thc French Side Table / Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
19thc French Napoleon lll Small Side Table or Writing Desk
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1950s Small Desk
Located in Martínez, AR
Due to its size, this small desk can be useful for children.
It has three drawers on its sides
Category
Vintage 1950s Argentine Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$1,530
Small ebonized writing table / book display
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small ebonized writing table / book display. Leather writing surface.
Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather
19th Century Small Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Small antique mahogany writing table in perfect condition. Warm color and appearance. Entirely
Category
Antique 1860s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Louis XV Style Small Writing Table
Located in Hudson, NY
A fine small scale kingwood and bronze mounted writing table or small end table. The gilt and
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Kingwood
Small 19th Century Gillows Writing Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful small mahogany writing table and/or wall table. Top is provided with green leather. Table
Category
Antique 1830s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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Small Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are several options of small writing desks available for sale. Each of these unique small writing desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and hardwood. We have 725 antique and vintage small writing desks in-stock, while there are 39 modern editions to choose from as well. Small writing desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of small writing desks to choose from, but at 1stDibs, mid-century modern, Art Deco and Victorian small writing desks are of considerable interest. Vittorio Dassi, Matthias Demacker and Gio Ponti each produced beautiful small writing desks that are worth considering.
How Much are Small Writing Desks?
Small writing desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,512, while the lowest priced sells for $83 and the highest can go for as much as $495,000.
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 Small Writing Desks
- 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.
- 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 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.
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Queen Anne Writing Bureau
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1860s Writing Desks
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Used Classroom Desk