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HERITAGE Walnut English Tudor Barley Twist Writing Desk
By Heritage Furniture
Located in Charlotte, NC
An English Tudor style writing desk by Heritage Furniture. Walnut with banded bevelled edge top
Category
Mid-20th Century American Tudor Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture English Oak and Burl Wood Barley Twist Writing Desk, Refinished
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional English style writing desk or library table with barley twist legs
By Baker
Category
Mid-20th Century American William and Mary Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
H 29.75 in W 42 in D 26 in
Antique French Desk Writing Table Renaissance Wide Drawer Oak Barley Twist
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS 19th century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Desk or Writing Table with Wide Drawer
Category
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Writing Desk With Barley Twist Legs
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Henri II or Renaissance Revival ornate carved oak Black Forest writing desk
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
H 46 in W 51 in D 25.5 in
19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Writing Table makes the perfect choice for a student
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Oak Writing Desk
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak desk from France. The top is banded and has beveled and hand carved decorated
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Barley Twist Tall Desk, Spain circa 1900
Located in Culver City, CA
Barley Twist Tall Desk
Spain circa 1900
Constructed in oak, with storage under desk surface
Category
20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Barley Twist Tall Desk, Spain circa 1900
Located in Culver City, CA
Barley Twist Tall Desk
Spain circa 1900
Constructed in oak, with storage under desk surface
Category
20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
French Walnut Barley Twist Desk with Leather Top
Located in Port Chester, NY
A handsome leather topped desk or writing table with spectacular barley twist legs and support
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Antique William IV Leather Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic original William IV period desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
19th Century Renaissance Barley Twist Stripped Oak Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Renaissance Barley Twist Stripped Oak Desk features clockwise & counter clockwise
Category
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Leather
19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Student Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance writing table ~ student desk is a remarkable example of the
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Desk ~ Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Desk ~ Bureau Plat is a splendid example of the period
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Oak Barley Twist Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular 19th century French bureau plat writing table or desk featuring barley twist legs and
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
18th C. Walnut Table / Desk with Twisted Legs
Located in East Hampton, NY
Wonderful walnut table with turned legs and a single drawer.... a great night stand for a King bed.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid 19th Century Mahogany Roll Top Writing Desk
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
on 4 twisted turned table legs with 5 long frame drawers, a work surface that can be closed with
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
Custom Hand-Carved Walnut Writing Desk with Pencil Drawer
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small scale, petite writing desk with barley twist legs, carved edge and apron detail as well as
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Desks and Writin...
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Carved Secretary Petite Desk Barley Twist Walnut Bookcase
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French Carved Secretary Petite Writing Desk Barley Twist Louis XIII.
Direct from
Category
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 49 in W 29.5 in D 18.25 in
French Louis XIII Style Oak Barley Twist Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fine 19th century French carved oak library table, or writing table desk made in the grand Louis
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Barley Twist Leg Side Table or Desk, France, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
19th century French barley twist legs desk.
Center drawer.
Decorative finial at cross stretcher
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Renaissance Wall Desk with Extending Writing Surface
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Renaissance Wall Desk with Extending Writing Surface represents the height of
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Oak
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
H 27.37 in W 31.3 in D 13.78 in
Antique French Desk Secretary Chest Server Drawers Barley Twist Renaissance Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Handsome 19th century Antique French oak Renaissance revival library office desk with secretary top
Category
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
H 56 in W 55 in D 24.75 in
Antique Victorian Walnut Writing Table Desk Hindley & Sons 19th Century
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian walnut writing table, circa 1850 in date.
One of the drawers is stamped by the
Category
Antique 1850s English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 29.93 in W 48.43 in D 27.17 in
Louis Majorelle Rare Writing Desk with Botanical Inlays ca. 1900 (Signed)
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
Rare Art Nouveau artisan writing desk with incredible botanical motif inlays on top and gently
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
H 30 in W 48.5 in D 27.5 in
Vintage Tooled Leather Traditional Carved Campaign Style Office Writing Desk 62"
By Maitland Smith
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century campaign style desk. Features a rectangular form with brown tooled leather top
Category
Late 20th Century British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
H 30 in W 62 in D 32 in
Arts & Crafts American Oak Library Table Desk With Barley Twist Legs
Located in Southampton, NJ
in its distinct Mission & English influences. Boasts a single drawer with impressive barely twist
Category
Antique 1890s American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique English Desk Table with Drawer Oak Leather Top Barley Twist Petite
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS Antique PETITE English carved oak desk or writing table with Drawer~~ Green Leather Top
Category
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Carved Tiger Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
, Barley Twist Legs and Stretcher
~~c. 1880s-1900
With so many people working from home, DESKS have become
Category
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
H 29.5 in W 45 in D 23.5 in
Late 19th Century French Carved Oak Writing Desk with Leather Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This is an authentic French antique carved desk with a leather top made of oak, having intricate
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Kittinger Spanish Colonial Walnut Fall Front Secretary Desk Barley Twist
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
"Extremely rare 1 of a kind early Kittinger Spanish Colonial fall front secretary or library desk
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 48.5 in W 46 in D 21 in
19th Century Spanish Baroque Carved Bleached Walnut and Iron Writing Table Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a focal point to your study or library with this elegant antique fruitwood desk. Carved in
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Spanish Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
H 32 in W 51 in D 31 in
18/19 Century Gustavian Writing Table, Desk or Center Table, Bleached, Inlaid
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Swedish or Gustavian style writing table, desk or center table. This Bleached Wood table is
Category
Antique 1860s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
H 31 in W 72 in D 30 in
Miterz Modern Writing Desk by Cauv Design Powder Coated Steel and Black Walnut
By Joseph Cauvel of CAUV Design
Located in North Branch, NY
A modern and clean twist on the traditional writing desk. The "MiterZ" writing desk by Cauv Design
Category
2010s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
H 30 in W 52 in D 26 in
19th Century Barley Twist Mahogany Desk Console or Library Table by Imperial
Located in Southampton, NJ
A stunning 19th Century single drawer desk or library console table having turned mahogany legs and
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Oak Library Desk Console Sofa Table Barley Twist Louis XIII
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French oak office library desk sofa table barley twist Louis XIII
~Direct from France
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
H 27.5 in W 41.5 in D 26.5 in
19th Century Davenport Heavily Carved Oak Desk w/ Rope Twist Supports 4 Drawers
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
19th Century Davenport heavily carved oak desk w/ rope Twist supports 4 Drawers.
Lift top storage
Category
Antique 19th Century American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
H 37 in W 26 in D 21 in
18th Century French Louis XIII Style Barley Twist Desk with Green Leather Top
Located in Birmingham, AL
drawer with iron pull. This beautifully carved oak desk is raised on four hand-turned double barley twist
Category
Antique 18th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
H 30.75 in W 45.5 in D 30 in
William IV Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
wood knobs, raised on a barley twist trestle base. Disc feet with casters.
Category
Antique 1830s English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antiqued 17th Century Style Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued wood writing desk, with two frieze drawers, on barley twist turned legs joined by
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Oak Writing Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak writing table from France with a banded top, which also has a lovely hand carved
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century Miles and Edwards Writing Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century Miles and Edwards writing table of unusual shaped top, with leather scribe on barley
Category
Antique 19th Century Irish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Scottish Library Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful all-over patina and hand carvings on the apron.
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
19th Century French Renaissance Leather Top Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance leather top writing table is perfect for adding an Old World touch
Category
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
18th Century Country French Writing Table ~ End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century Country French Writing Table ~ End Table was beautifully hand-crafted from solid
Category
Antique 1790s French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Fine Arts Furniture Co. Elegant Mahogany Three Drawer Writing Table
By Fine Arts Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant and modern mahogany three drawer writing table from Fine Arts Furniture, Grand Rapids MI, a
Category
20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Painted Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
French painted leather top desk, a twist on a classic 18th-century French design. Finished in
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Custom Barley Twist Dining Table in Oak by Dos Gallos
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dos Gallos custom barley twist table seen here in oak with custom finish. Can be made in any size
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Desks and Wri...
Materials
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Hot Desk 1, Miami by Russell Bamber, Geometric Shaped Desk, Colored Laminate
By Russell Bamber
Located in London, GB
Hot Desk 1 is an eye-catching centre-piece sculptural unit that can be used as a reception desk
Category
2010s British Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Laminate
H 59.06 in W 86.62 in D 32.29 in
Antique Tiger Oak Gateleg Drop Leaf Table Barley Twist, Scotland 1910, H1181
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Tiger Oak Gateleg Drop Leaf Table Crust Edge Barley Twist, Scotland 1910, H1181
Scotland
Category
Vintage 1910s Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
H 28.5 in W 47 in D 36 in
Regency Irish Mahogany Writing Table in the Manner of Williams & Gibton, Dublin
By Williams & Gibton
Located in Belfast, IE
This wonderful writing table with a single drawer concealing a sliding leather lined writing
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Irish Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
H 30 in W 30 in D 24 in
Louis XIII Period 1630s Carved Walnut Barley Twist Table with Black Painted Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XIII period walnut writing table from circa 1630 with two lateral drawers, barley
Category
Antique 17th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 28.75 in W 41.75 in D 28.75 in
Graphite Secretaire Desk, Pols Potten Studio
By Pols Potten
Located in Geneve, CH
Graphite secretaire desk - Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W119 x D59 x H75.5 cm.
Materials
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Iron
17th Century Italian Carved Walnut Table or Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
17th century Italian walnut library table or writing desk. Desk features three drawers amongst
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Brass-Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass-plated desk, Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm.
Materials
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Iron, Aluminum
Antique Brass Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
By Pols Potten
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass plated desk, Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm.
Materials
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Iron
Antique French Renaissance Walnut Desk ~ Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Renaissance walnut desk ~ Bureau plat was found along the southern coast of France
Category
Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Eclectic 19th century carved walnut desk and chair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved walnut desk and chair circa 1880.
Superb quality desk with original chair made
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing T...
Materials
Brass
18th C. Spanish Trestle Style Writing Table, Spool Turned Legs and Wrought Iron
Located in Madrid, ES
warped slightly, adding an attractive twist to the surface and creating a piece of furniture with unique
Category
Antique 18th Century Spanish Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
H 35.04 in W 57.88 in D 33.47 in
"Brenne" Bean-shaped Burl Wood Desk by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
first appeared as a writing desk or dressing table during the Louis XV period of 16th century France
Category
2010s Vietnamese Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl
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Twist Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic twist writing desk available at 1stDibs. A twist writing desk — often made from wood, oak and walnut — can elevate any home. Find 110 options for an antique or vintage twist writing desk now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the twist writing desk you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A twist writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Victorian, Neoclassical and Baroque styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made twist writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Dos Gallos Studio, Baker Furniture Company and Kittinger Furniture Company are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Twist Writing Desk?
The average selling price for a twist writing desk at 1stDibs is $3,800, while they’re typically $550 on the low end and $19,500 for the highest priced.
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 Twist 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.
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