Portable Writing Desk
3
101
3
3
to
4
70
26
107
105
105
13
8
5
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
20
57
24
6
7
7
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
89
61
29
20
17
78
43
30
13
12
2
2
2
2
2
Sort By
English Hard Wood Portable Writing Desk, circa 1850
By OTHR
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
English country portable writing desk with lifting writing surface, it has its original bronze
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Mexican Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
A English Neoclassic Burl Walnut, Brass, & Leather Portable Writing Desk, 19thc
Located in Atlanta, GA
The locking desk with two hinged tops, one opening to reveal pen and ink storage and the other
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Neoclassical Desks
Materials
Brass
H 4.25 in W 13.75 in D 11.25 in
Large Dutch Colonial Amboyna and Ebony Indonesian Writing Desk, 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A large Indonesian amboyna and ebony portable writing desk with brass mounts
Indonesia, 18th
Category
Antique 18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Desk Sets
Materials
Ebony, Amboyna
Free Shipping
H 9.45 in W 28.75 in D 22.05 in
Antique English Exceptional Lacquer Mother-of-Pearl Travel Desk, circa 1860-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
This writing slope (or portable writing desk) is richly decorated with mother-of-pearl and pleasing
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English More Desk Accessories
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
H 5 in W 16 in D 11.75 in
Portable "Laptop" Desk with Storage Compartments and Inkwell
Located in Soquel, CA
Portable "Laptop" Desk with Storage Compartments and Inkwell
Box with storage for paper, pens, ink
Category
Early 20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Colonial 18th Century Vizagapatam Pen-Engraved Writing Desk with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Vizagapatam pen-engraved veneered sandalwood portable writing desk with silver mounts
India
Category
Antique 18th Century Indian British Colonial Desk Sets
Materials
Bone, Sandalwood
Free Shipping
H 9.53 in W 17.33 in D 10.01 in
Lord Nelson`s Family Portable Sloping Laptop Desk
Located in Dorking, GB
and the use of travelling scribes was on the wane, this type of writing desk must have been much more
Category
Antique Early 18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
"Moleskine" Portable Atelier Desk Designed by Philippe Nigro for Driade
By Driade, Philippe Negro
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Moleskine" is a desk, designed by Philippe Nigro and manufactured by Driade, with a folding top in
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
H 29.5 in W 43.3 in D 23.6 in
"Moleskine" Portable Atelier Stool Designed by Philippe Nigro for Driade
By Driade, Philippe Negro
Located in Brooklyn, NY
. Indoor use only.
Philippe Nigro designed a light looking desk: a top in birch plywood, oak veneered
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
British Campaign Writing Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare early 19th century rosewood campaign desk displays exquisite beauty and remarkable design
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique Irish Coromandel Satinwood Writing Slope Box by Austins Dublin Ireland
Located in Dublin, Ireland
manufactured portable items, Decanter and Games Boxes, Tea Caddies, Ladies Dressing Boxes, Writing Slopes and
Category
Antique 19th Century Irish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
H 5 in W 16.25 in D 10.75 in
Spanish Baroque Period Dark Walnut and Iron Center or Writing Table, ca. 1675
Located in Atlanta, GA
In its day a portable table these sometimes referred to as “guard room tables” have hinges atop the
Category
Antique 1670s Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
H 30.5 in W 49.25 in D 29.5 in
Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique La
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Exquisite English lap traveling desk portable. Countryside writing bureau in good condition
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
H 20 in W 19.5 in D 10.5 in
Rare Regency Rosewood Writing Slope With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe
Located in High Wycombe, GB
repertoire, specialising in copying machines, portable writing desks (writing boxes, as we know them today
Category
Antique 19th Century British Regency Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 4.93 in W 14.18 in D 9.85 in
18th Century Painted Oak Bureau Bible Box on Stand
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A wonderful characterful late 18th century portable painted carved oak bureau or bible box on a
Category
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique English Mahogany Campaign Style Lap Desk Writing Box
Located in Forney, TX
and businessmen, this portable writing desk was hand-crafted in England in the first half of the 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Anglo-Indian Sadeli Inlaid Work Box Traveling Writing Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
A stunning camel bone, ebony and metal inlaid sadeli work box with portable writing desk, Bombay
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Antique Gentlemen English Travel Writing Desk in Wood, Restored
Located in Milano, IT
Antique English man's portable desk early 800. RESTAURED. Precious travel writing box in walnut
Category
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Rare Complete Early 19th Century Indian Sadeli Work and Writing Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
fittings.
H. 12.6 x W. 43.2 x D. 28.5 cm
Note:
Workboxes, portable writing desks, inkstands and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Indian More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Materials
Bone, Wood
Free Shipping
H 4.97 in W 17.01 in D 11.23 in
19th C Antique Military Campaign English Traveling Writing Desk Tompson Patent
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique, circa mid 19th Century English Military Campaign traveling writing or lap desk with
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Desks
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
No Reserve
H 15.5 in W 20 in D 19.5 in
Rare 17th Century Spanish Vargueño
Located in Chicago, IL
time. The writing desk showcases intricate inlaid marquetry circles adorning its front, while inside
Category
Antique 17th Century Spanish Baroque Cupboards
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An original black painted portable desk from the end of the 18th century. With owner initials, the
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique French Ecritoire Desk in Burled Elm, circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
desk with interior compartments to hold writing materials, such as pens and ink. While in use, the
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Desk Sets
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box
Located in Forney, TX
A antique Victorian era English campaign style brass bound mahogany portable lap desk / writing
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Portable Copying Machine by James Watt & Co.
By James Watt
Located in New Orleans, LA
among the first portable copying machines ever made.
James Watt (1736-1819) is considered one of the
Category
Antique 18th Century English Other Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Mahogany
Geo III Wedgwood and Steel Mounted Amboyna and Ebony Writing Box, c1800
By Matthew Boulton
Located in valatie, NY
the 19th c for traveling. This type of portable desk was described by the English poet William Cowper
Category
Antique Early 1800s English George III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Cut Steel
black lacquer wood chinoiserie travel Desk George III
Located in Valladolid, ES
desk portable. Countryside writing bureau in good condition considering the usage of the period .in
Category
Antique 1790s English Chinese Export Lacquer
Materials
Metal
English 19th Century Campaign Mahogany Box with Unfolding Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
legs seamlessly combines the aesthetics of classic design with the functionality of a writing desk
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Brass
H 36 in W 29.75 in D 19.75 in
Spanish Renaissance Style, Set of Two on Stands, Inlaid Vargueno Cabinets
Located in Austin, TX
prized cabinets andvwere originally made as portable desks, thus the sturdy iron handles on the sides
Category
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Cabinets
Materials
Wood
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
portable leather writing desk with its original two crystal inkwells – the perfect place to store one’s
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Crystal, Silver
19th C. French Restoration Period Empire Style Mahogany Chest Of Drawers Commode
Located in Forney, TX
harmony characterizes Restoration furniture, which was comfortable, gracious and portable.
The styles
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
H 36.5 in W 50.75 in D 23.15 in
1930s Art Deco Raymond Patten Signed Industrial Kitchen Work Table
Located in Forney, TX
the ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a home office writing
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Chrome, Enamel, Stainless Steel
Folding Aluminium Military Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful aluminium folding military desk that breaks-down or folds-up for portability and
Category
Vintage 1940s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
19th Century English Campaign Desk
Located in New York, NY
disassembled for portability. The gallery detaches and folds at the hinges. The top writing portion of the desk
Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Desks
Materials
Brass
Fine Regency Standish by Edwards, London, 1817
By David Edward
Located in New York, NY
A very fine quality goncalo alves and brass mounted portable standish (inkstand) with three
Category
Antique 19th Century English Inkwells
Regency Officers Campaign Writing Slope
Located in London, Greenwich
An impressive large Regency officers campaign writing slope portable desk. Hand made in England
Category
Antique 1810s British Regency Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rosewood
Vargueno de Salamanca
Located in Heeze, Noord Brabant
This late 16th-17th century Spanish Walnut Vargueno or Bargueno desk is a form of portable
desk
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Spanish Baroque Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Italian Portable Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
No excuses for not writing any postcards with this beautiful original kit...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Hermes Pippa Writing Desk
By Rena Dumas
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Portable writing desk in pear wood and natural-colored natural cowhide with hardware in steel
Category
1990s French Secretaires
Materials
Steel
Coaching Desk, Asprey London, Edwardian, Folding, Portable, Travel, circa 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
desk by Asprey London, an Edwardian folding, portable, travel writing table dating to circa 1910.
A
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
H 27.76 in W 24.02 in D 24.02 in
Japanese Black Lacquered Cypress Wood Writing Desk, Meiji Period
Located in Prahran, Victoria
A rare Japanese portable writing desk with an unusual design. Made from black lacquered cypress
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Writing Slope, Victorian Lap Desk, Rosewood Mother-of-Pearl, 1870
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique writing slope, Victorian lap desk, rosewood mother-of-pearl, 1870, B1041
Scotland 1870
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Handsome Mahogany Library Stand or Small Writing Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Great looking mahogany stand with adjustable writing surface, great for a small nook or apartment
Category
Early 2000s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Walnut Backgammon Writing Tric-Trac Table, circa 1860
Located in London, GB
inset with a gold tooled leather inset writing surface for use as a desk, it can be turned over so as
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
H 27.56 in W 49.22 in D 27.56 in
Rustic Country French Desk, Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century rustic country French desk, bureau plat is the perfect choice for a clean, 21st
Category
Antique 1890s French Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Irish Mahogany Mother of Pearl Writing Slope Box by Austins Dublin, circa 1860
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and rare example of an Irish well grained mahogany travelling writing slope of compact
Category
Antique 19th Century Irish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
H 3.5 in W 12 in L 3.5 in
Early Industrial Rolling Desk / Bar by Toledo, Japanning, copper flash
By Toledo Metal Furniture Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
flash.. Great for a laptop desk. Portable Bar,,, A lever picks up the desk on wheels for easy moving
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel
Spanish Late Baroque Walnut & Iron Mounted Guard Room Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
originally made for portability and ease of transport in a wagon, 17th-18th century.
Category
Antique Early 1700s Spanish Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Spanish Late Baroque Walnut and Wrought Iron Folding Table, 17th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
of situations where portability was needed.
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 29 in W 45.25 in D 25.25 in
19th Century English Campaign Mahogany Writing Slope Lap Desk Box Brass
Located in Shreveport, LA
~Direct from England~
~Lovely antique English Campaign mahogany portable writing slope desk~
~Wide
Category
Antique 19th Century British Campaign More Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Writing Slope, Antique Victorian Lap Desk, Marine Walnut Brass, Scotland, B1096
Located in Vancouver, BC
writing cabinet.
In certain instances it is known as a portable desk, a term which is usually
Category
Antique 1890s Scottish Victorian Desks
Materials
Brass
H 7 in W 17.5 in L 7 in
17th Century Spanish Bargueno and Taquillon in Walnut and Bone Marquetry
Located in Paris, FR
antique piece of furniture was used as a portable writing desk, storage for administrative documents and a
Category
Antique 16th Century French Baroque Cabinets
Materials
Wrought Iron
H 56.7 in W 44.89 in D 16.93 in
Mahogany British Campaign Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary and rare English desk is an impeccable example of English campaign furniture
Category
20th Century English Campaign Desks
Materials
Mahogany
British Field Marshal's Campaign Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
. It opens to reveal a portable secretaire administrative station, complete with a writing surface
Category
20th Century English Edwardian Desks
Materials
Silver
The H.M. Stanley Camp Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
paper writing surface equipped with space for two pens and a portable inkwell. The elevated central
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks
Materials
Leather
Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Captains Desk
Located in Chelmsford, GB
Victorian burr walnut pop up Davenport.
The Davenport has a slide out writing surface with
Category
Antique 1850s English Victorian Desks
Materials
Walnut
Antique English Regency Rosewood Slide Top Davenport Desk
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Glasgow, GB
locks and raised on reeded and turned legs with brass cup castors. The writing slope with the original
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Brown Patinated Leather Letter Holder with Brass Handle
Located in Dallas, TX
removable ten-section walnut divider for organizing all of your letter-writing materials. The desk essential
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French More Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Vintage Lettera 35 Typewriter by Mario Bellini for Olivetti, 1970s
By Olivetti, Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
portable mechanical typewriter manufactured beginning in 1974 by Olivetti, the world-renowned Italian
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage Lettera 35 Typewriter by Mario Bellini for Olivetti, 1970s
By Olivetti, Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
portable mechanical typewriter manufactured beginning in 1974 by Olivetti, the world-renowned Italian
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
- 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Portable Writing Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Portable Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the portable writing desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every portable writing desk was constructed with great care. Find 12 options for an antique or vintage portable writing desk now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a portable writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A portable writing desk made by Georgian designers — as well as those associated with Louis XVI — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made portable writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Driade and Philippe Negro are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Portable Writing Desk?
The average selling price for a portable writing desk at 1stDibs is $1,850, while they’re typically $625 on the low end and $5,800 for the highest priced.
Questions About Portable 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.
More Ways To Browse
Antique Rustic Interior Doors
Art Deco Black Buffet
Ornate French Chests
Bureau Desk Modern
Antique Satinwood Desk
Chinese Cabinets In Europe
Stationary Desk
Desk Set Corners
Antique Library Table Hand Carved
English Console With Drawers
Piano Desk
Art Deco Metal Console Table
19th Century Ebony Chairs
Dutch Inlay Cabinet
Leather Top Steel Desk
Antique Silver Oval Mirror
Diminutive Chair
Antique Rustic Chair