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19th Century French Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pretty French Louis XV style writing desk or ‘bonheur du jour’, the serpentine case veneered in
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Louis XVI writing desk in walnut. 18th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Louis XVI period writing desk from the 18th century, crafted in warm walnut with
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Small Wooden Italian Writing Desk with Brass Details
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-century modern writing desk of walnut wood with a rich, dark finish. Made in Italy, circa 1960s
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique English Victorian Marquetry Writing Desk by Donald Ross
By Edwards Roberts, Donald Ross
Located in London, GB
Antique English Victorian marquetry writing desk by Donald Ross English, c. 1890 Measures: Height
Category

Antique 1890s English Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Bertil Fridhagen, Swedish Modern, Writing Desk or Vanity, Teak, Sweden, 1960s
By Bertil Fridhagen, Bodafors
Located in Manhasset, NY
Bertil Fridhagen, Bodafors, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Writing Desk or Vanity, Teak, Sweden, 1960s
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Guillerme et Chambron, Desk Table, Oak Writing Desk, Height Adjustable
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron, desk table, oak writing desk, height adjustable. "Edition Votre Maison" This
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Italian Mid-Century Oyster Burl Radius Form Writing Desk
Located in Queens, NY
"Italian Mid-Century ""Radius"" writing desk with a rectangular top with rounded edges and two
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

19th Century tall pine lecture writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century tall pine lecture writing desk circa 1870. Unusual standing desk which would have
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Mastercraft Brass Writing Desk and Chair Circa 1960s
By Mastercraft
Located in Peabody, MA
An extremely rare solid brass writing desk and chair with a stylized neoclassical motif of crossed
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Handsome English Vintage Fruitwood Writing Desk with Leather Blotter
Located in Hopewell, NJ
English style beautiful fruitwood writing desk having black leather blotter on top. Distressed
Category

Vintage 1980s British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

Modernist Reconstruction Design Writing Desk, France 1950 s
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Modernist Reconstruction Period Design Writing Desk. Made in France
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Small Wooden Writing Desk with Metal Structure, Italy, 1960s
Located in Madrid, ES
Small writing desk of wood and metal, Formica table top. Front of the two drawers painted in black
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Vintage Baker Red Lacquered Chinoiserie Writing Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the allure of this Vintage Baker Red Lacquered Chinoiserie Writing Desk, a stunning piece
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Lacquer

17th Century Spanish Writing Desk with Drawer and Original Iron Lock
Located in Marbella, ES
17th Century Spanish writing desk with drawer and original iron lock.
Category

Antique 18th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Beautifully proportioned and beautifully crafted
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany Solid mahogany, partially
Category

20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Mission Oak Craftsmen Library Table With Pullout Writing Desk Ink Well
Located in Monrovia, CA
Antique Mission Oak Craftsmen Library Table With Pullout Writing Desk & Ink Well. Beautiful Quarter
Category

Early 20th Century American Mission Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Refined antique French Louis XVI style writing desk crafted in exotic tulipwood veneer with
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

A George II Walnut veneered writing desk with replaced leather top
Located in Buchanan, MI
A George II walnut veneered writing desk with replaced leather top. Great color and patination.
Category

Antique 18th Century British George II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Liberty Outstanding Writing Desk Attributed to V. Ducrot 1930
By Vittorio Ducrot
Located in Rome, IT
Extraordinary Liberty centered thuja briar writing desk with five drawers. The center drawer is
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Restored German Biedermeier Cherry-Tree Writing Desk, Table, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier writing desk Completely restored. Shellac polish. Material: Cherry tree Period
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Cherry

Baker Furniture Lyre Motife Birdseye Maple Drop-Leaf Writing Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Startlingly beautiful bird’s-eye maple drop-leaf writing desk having gorgeous satinwood and ebony
Category

Vintage 1980s American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Queen Anne, Mahogany, Brass, Writing Desk, England, 1900s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Queen Anne, Mahogany, Brass, Writing Table or Desk, England, 1900s A Queen Anne style mahogany and
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Rustic Writing Desk, Art Populaire, Solid Wood, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Populaire; Folk Art; Monoxylite; Wabi Sabi; Writing Desk; Rustic; Travail Populaire; Antique
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Rustic Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Liberty Outstanding Writing Desk Attributed to V. Ducrot 1930
By Vittorio Ducrot
Located in Rome, IT
Extraordinary Liberty centered thuja briar writing desk with five drawers. The center drawer is
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century
Located in Toledo, OH
A late 19th century French two part writing desk. Oak construction with extensive hand carved
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

c.1800 Antique Georgian Mahogany Writing Desk – Fine Quality, Dressing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
c.1800 Antique Georgian Mahogany Writing Desk – Fine Quality, Versatile as Dressing or Side Table
Category

Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Inlaid Teak Writing Desk from India
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful writing desk, handcrafted in India out of aged teak wood and responsibly sourced animal
Category

1990s Indian Anglo-Indian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bone, Teak

Inlaid Teak Writing Desk from India
Inlaid Teak Writing Desk from India
$2,520 Sale Price
28% Off
Antique Stickley Brothers American Colonial Maple Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
By Stickley Brothers
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique American Colonial style maple writing desk By Stickley Brothers USA
Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Grey painted writing desk in the style Gustavian from the 1840s. The desk is freestanding and
Category

Antique 1840s Danish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century mahogany inlaid writing desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality 19th Century mahogany inlaid writing desk, the super structure comprising of three
Category

Antique 1890s British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Rococo Revival Writing Desk, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Italian Rococo Revival Writing Desk, Late 19th Century This charming Italian Rococo Style painted
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Writing Desk in the Louis XVI Style, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Writing desk in the Louis XVI style, early 20th century. A Louis XVI style writing case in
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Original Otto Wagner for Thonet 1905 Writing Desk Postal Saving Bank Vienna
By Otto Wagner, Woka Lamps, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Otto Wagner writing desk from the Postal Saving Bank in Vienna. Made by Thonet, Vienna. Otto Wagner
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Ercol Writing Desk in Solid Elm
By Ercol
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and extremely well made vintage Ercol writing desk in solid elm. This was made in
Category

Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Antique English Victorian Mahogany Folding Military Campaign Writing Desks
Located in Dayton, OH
2 Civil War era British campaign writing desks. Made of mahogany featuring a folding form that
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Limbert Antique Mission Oak Arts Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1910
By Charles Limbert
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period writing desk or postcard desk By Charles P
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Late 1900 s Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Late 1900's Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk! Late 1900's
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Art Deco or Art Nouveau Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very nice big writing desk from the period around 1915, transition from Art Nouveau to the Art Deco
Category

Vintage 1910s German Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Danish 18th Century Writing Desk By Royal Architect C. F. Harsdorff
By Caspar Frederik Harsdorff
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th Century writing desk with five drawers. The desk is designed by the Danish royal neoclassical
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Danish Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

French Provincial Louis XV Cream Lacquered Maple Top Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk USA, Late 20th Century Cream lacquered
Category

Late 20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Provincial Louis XV Cream Lacquered Maple Top Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk USA, Late 20th Century Cream lacquered
Category

Late 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mobilier AVEA Writing Desk in Solid Oak Belgium 1930s
Located in Meer, VAN
Mobilier AVEA Writing Desk in Solid Oak Belgium 1930s A smaller scale modernist writing desk in
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood Italian Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian writing desk from the mid-20th century. Baroque-style furniture, finished for the center
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk by Poteau
Located in London, GB
Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted writing desk by Poteau French, late 19th century Size: Height
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Writing Desk Made of Walnut
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A 19th century Italian writing desk in renaissance revival style made of solid walnut. The table
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1900 s Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint-Decorated, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Charming 1900's Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint Decorated, Writing Desk! Desk, Writing, Adam
Category

20th Century Unknown Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

1900 s Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint Decorated, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Charming 1900's Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint Decorated, Writing Desk! Desk, Writing, Adam
Category

Mid-20th Century European Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite mahogany and leather-top writing desk from France, circa 1840, ready to inspire you daily
Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted, leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Category

Vintage 1940s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Biedermeier Ash Writing desk, Austria - Vienna, Shellac
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Biedermeier writing desk comes from Austria (Vienna) from the 19th century. It is made
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Unusual Antique George III Quality Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual Antique George III quality mahogany writing desk having a quality mahogany lift up writing
Category

Antique 19th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

Antonio Citterio Elios" Writing Desk Console for B&B Italia, 1990s
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Skokie, IL
Antonio Citterio 'Elios" writing desk console for B&B Italia, 1990 Additional information
Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Arthur Umanoff 50s Mid-century Writing Desk in Wrought Iron, Wood for Elton
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Miami, FL
Arthur Umanoff 50s Mid-century Writing Desk in Wrought Iron, Wood for Elton Offered form sale is
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Jørgen Berg. Danish Writing Desk In Rosewood, 1960-1970
By Jørgen Berg
Located in Kastrup, DK
Jørgen Berg. Danish writing desk in Rio rosewood. Fall-front fitted with a writing slope with brown
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Art Deco French Black Lacquer Writing Desk, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
An impactful back color refinished Art Deco writing desk with walnut and chromed cast iron detailed
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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Used Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of used writing desks for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct used writing desks — often made from wood, metal and hardwood — can elevate any home. There are all kinds of used writing desks available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of used writing desks to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Victorian used writing desks are of considerable interest. Paul McCobb, Herman Miller and George Nelson each produced beautiful used writing desks that are worth considering.

How Much are Used Writing Desks?

Used writing desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $4,408, while the lowest priced sells for $1 and the highest can go for as much as $1,844,713.

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 Used Writing Desks
  • 1stDibs 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Desk blotters are used to protect the top of a table or desk. It helps prevent scratches and absorbs dripped or spilled ink and paint. Desk pad is another name for a blotter. You'll find a selection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A Davenport desk is used for writing and is typically favored by women. The desk features a slanted top leather insert, a cupboard, slides and drawers to carry writing essentials. You’ll find a selection of antique Davenport desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A 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, 2021
    A 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 ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Because of their variety of sizes and range in function, console tables can easily work as a desk. Given their size and ease of mobility, a console table can be used in almost any sort of room.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, you can use a library table as a desk. In fact, many people like the spacious tops found on library tables because they usually have enough room to accommodate a computer and provide additional work space. Find a range of library tables on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    What 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, 2023
    In 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.