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18th Century Writing Desk

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Danish 18th Century Writing Desk By Royal Architect C. F. Harsdorff
Danish 18th Century Writing Desk By Royal Architect C. F. Harsdorff

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

Italian 18th Century Writing Desk
Italian 18th Century Writing Desk

Italian 18th Century Writing Desk

Located in Round Top, TX

An outstanding 18th century Louis XIV Auctioneer’s Desk from Lombardy, Italy. Beautifully

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Olive, Walnut

French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk
French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk

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

Louis XVI Desk, Germany 1780, cherry veneer
Louis XVI Desk, Germany 1780, cherry veneer

Louis XVI Desk, Germany 1780, cherry veneer

Located in Leimen, DE

18th-century writing desk offers five functional drawers and is in very good refinished condition

Category

Antique 1780s German Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s
18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s

18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

collectors, interior designers, or history enthusiasts, this Italian 18th-century writing desk is not just a

Category

Antique 1760s Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Pine

18th Century Flap Writing Desk, Walnut, Louis XIII Style, Italy
18th Century Flap Writing Desk, Walnut, Louis XIII Style, Italy

18th Century Flap Writing Desk, Walnut, Louis XIII Style, Italy

Located in Sant'Arsenio, Campania

18th century flap writing desk Object: Desk with flap Period: eighteenth century Origin

Category

Antique Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIII Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI writing desk in walnut. 18th century
Louis XVI writing desk in walnut. 18th century

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

Gorgeous 18th Century Tin Marquetry Writing Desk/ Cabinet
Gorgeous 18th Century Tin Marquetry Writing Desk/ Cabinet

Gorgeous 18th Century Tin Marquetry Writing Desk/ Cabinet

Located in Brussels, BE

18th century tin marquetry writing desk.

Category

Antique Early 18th Century German Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tin

Italian Parquetry Inlaid Writing Table Desk, 18th Century
Italian Parquetry Inlaid Writing Table Desk, 18th Century

Italian Parquetry Inlaid Writing Table Desk, 18th Century

Located in San Francisco, CA

An exceptional parquetry inlaid writing table with Neoclassical designs, inlay with satinwood

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood, Satinwood, Walnut

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk
18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk

Located in IT

18th Century, Franch Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk Measures: cm H 94 x W 83,5 x D 46; D with the

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk
French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk

French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

. The iconic Coco chancel lived with a Rococo writing desk just like this one and indeed this Bureau

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Georgian 18th Century Satin Walnut Bureau Desk Writing Table Elegant
Antique Georgian 18th Century Satin Walnut Bureau Desk Writing Table Elegant

Antique Georgian 18th Century Satin Walnut Bureau Desk Writing Table Elegant

Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Antique Georgian 18th Century Satin Walnut Bureau Desk Writing Table – a rare and exquisite piece

Category

Antique 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Fine 18th Century French Games Table with removable Leathertop Writing Desk
Fine 18th Century French Games Table with removable Leathertop Writing Desk

Fine 18th Century French Games Table with removable Leathertop Writing Desk

Located in Richmond, VA

Fine 18th century French walnut games table and leathertop writing desk. The table features a

Category

Antique 18th Century French Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Baize, Walnut

18th Century Black Rococo Writing Desk Table
18th Century Black Rococo Writing Desk Table

18th Century Black Rococo Writing Desk Table

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A beautifully crafted French Rococo writing desk from the Late 18th Century or Early 19th Century

Category

Antique 1780s French Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s
Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s

Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s

Located in New York, NY

A Swedish late Gustavian writing desk, late 18th century in excellent antique condition. Key

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

High-Quality Antique Oak Writing Table - Early 18th Century Desk Side Dressing
High-Quality Antique Oak Writing Table - Early 18th Century Desk Side Dressing

High-Quality Antique Oak Writing Table - Early 18th Century Desk Side Dressing

Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Introducing an antique quality early 18th Century oak writing table, versatile as a desk or

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk
Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk

Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Found near Paris, France, we purchased this museum quality 18th century Empire style desk for its

Category

Antique 18th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18 th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Lectern Desk on Stand
18 th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Lectern Desk on Stand

18 th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Lectern Desk on Stand

Located in Dallas, TX

authenticity and character. This charming 18th-century writing cabinet is in excellent condition commensurate

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century, Gentleman's Writing Desk and Games Table
18th Century, Gentleman's Writing Desk and Games Table

18th Century, Gentleman's Writing Desk and Games Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wonderful, circa 1780, hand carved, petite writing desk inset with game chess and backgammon game

Category

Antique 1780s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century George II Walnut Writing Table
18th Century George II Walnut Writing Table

18th Century George II Walnut Writing Table

Located in Bradenton, FL

George II walnut writing table, Mid-18th Century, the molded top having a tooled green leather

Category

Antique 18th Century British George II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Leather

English Lady's Writing Desk
English Lady's Writing Desk

English Lady's Writing Desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

English lady's writing desk table, table desk, or telephone table. Has quatrefoil backsplash. In

Category

Antique 18th Century British George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

18th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Writing Table or Desk, Circa 1780
18th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Writing Table or Desk, Circa 1780

18th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Writing Table or Desk, Circa 1780

Located in San Francisco, CA

A Louis XVI carved walnut writing table with a tooled inset brown leather top, standing on elegant

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

18th Century Neoclassical Desk, Austria
18th Century Neoclassical Desk, Austria

18th Century Neoclassical Desk, Austria

Located in New York, NY

An elegant Neoclassical desk featuring one drawer and a sliding tabletop. The piece is beautifully

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Austrian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

18th Century French Cherrywood 'Bureau de Pente' Slant Top Writing Desk
18th Century French Cherrywood 'Bureau de Pente' Slant Top Writing Desk

18th Century French Cherrywood 'Bureau de Pente' Slant Top Writing Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

graceful and functional bureau de pente from the late 18th century, this cherrywood slant top writing desk

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 18th Century Writing Table
French 18th Century Writing Table

French 18th Century Writing Table

Located in Stockbridge, GA

This writing table is made of walnut with wonderful patine.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Louis XV Provincial Writing / Occasional Table
18th Century Louis XV Provincial Writing / Occasional Table

18th Century Louis XV Provincial Writing / Occasional Table

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Louis XV provincial walnut writing / occasional table, 18th century. With an overhanging 3 board

Category

Antique 18th Century European Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Veneered and Inlaid Wood Italian Louis XV Writing Desk
18th Century Veneered and Inlaid Wood Italian Louis XV Writing Desk

18th Century Veneered and Inlaid Wood Italian Louis XV Writing Desk

Located in IT

The elegant antique north Italian (Genoa) Louis XV period writing desk, called also bureau plat, is

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Spanish Louis XIII Carved Walnut Writing Table Desk with Drawers
18th Century Spanish Louis XIII Carved Walnut Writing Table Desk with Drawers

18th Century Spanish Louis XIII Carved Walnut Writing Table Desk with Drawers

Located in Dallas, TX

writing desk in a study, a center table in an entryway, or a statement console against a wall. Measures

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table
18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table

18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table

Located in West Hollywood, CA

18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table. Beautiful Hand

Category

Antique 18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Late 18th Century Small Lady's Mahogany Writing Desk with Ink Pot & Well
Late 18th Century Small Lady's Mahogany Writing Desk with Ink Pot & Well

Late 18th Century Small Lady's Mahogany Writing Desk with Ink Pot & Well

Located in Shrewsbury, GB

A superb George III lady's mahogany writing desk with hidden ink pots and a drawer, circa 1790. The

Category

Antique Late 18th Century George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Spanish, late Baroque, 18th Century Desk or Writing Table or console table
Spanish, late Baroque, 18th Century Desk or Writing Table or console table

Spanish, late Baroque, 18th Century Desk or Writing Table or console table

Located in Troy, NY

Rustic, Spanish late Baroque Writing Table, made of Chestnut, with a wonderful deep warm patina and

Category

Antique 18th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

18th century Louis XVI Writing Desk, cherry veneer, South Germany
18th century Louis XVI Writing Desk, cherry veneer, South Germany

18th century Louis XVI Writing Desk, cherry veneer, South Germany

Located in Belmont, MA

Rare Louis XVI writing desk, South German 1780, exquisite cherry and plum wood veneer on front back

Category

Antique 1780s German Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

18th Century French Walnut Writing Table
18th Century French Walnut Writing Table

18th Century French Walnut Writing Table

Located in High Point, NC

18th century walnut writing table with a banded and beveled edge around the top, following down to

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Continental 18th Century Bombay Slant Front Desk
Continental 18th Century Bombay Slant Front Desk

Continental 18th Century Bombay Slant Front Desk

Located in Bridgeport, CT

An 18th century Bombay form slant front desk that opens to reveal an inlaid central door with

Category

Antique 18th Century European Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

18th Century George II Writing Bureau
18th Century George II Writing Bureau

18th Century George II Writing Bureau

Located in Dublin 8, IE

18th Century George II mahogany ladies writing bureau topped by brass pierced gallery. The sloped

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Irish George II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Quality Antique Mahogany Writing Table - Late 18th Century Dressing
Fine Quality Antique Mahogany Writing Table - Late 18th Century Dressing

Fine Quality Antique Mahogany Writing Table - Late 18th Century Dressing

Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

Georgian Cuban Mahogany Writing Table - Late 18th Century Desk Side Dressing. This exceptional

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

18th c. Walnut Writing Table
18th c. Walnut Writing Table

18th c. Walnut Writing Table

Located in New Orleans, LA

Walnut Writing Table

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Provincial Fruitwood and Tooled Leather Writing Table, 18th Century
French Provincial Fruitwood and Tooled Leather Writing Table, 18th Century

French Provincial Fruitwood and Tooled Leather Writing Table, 18th Century

Located in Savannah, GA

French Provincial Fruitwood and Tooled Leather Writing Table, 18th Century

Category

Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

A Blue Rococo 18th Century Writing Table With Drawer, Finland
A Blue Rococo 18th Century Writing Table With Drawer, Finland

A Blue Rococo 18th Century Writing Table With Drawer, Finland

Located in Helsinki, FI

A beautiful 18th Rococo writing table in absolutely original condition. The table features a single

Category

Antique 18th Century Finnish Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

French 18th Century Poplar & Oak Writing Table Louis XV Period
French 18th Century Poplar & Oak Writing Table Louis XV Period

French 18th Century Poplar & Oak Writing Table Louis XV Period

Located in Labrit, Landes

Writing table or desk made of poplar in the french 18th century, Louis XV period. Height between

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Poplar

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Table

Located in Kramfors, SE

Gustavian table from northern Sweden in untouched original condition. The table is from the years circa 1780-1790 with traces of thin paint on the frame and a white painted tabletop....

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden
Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden

Located in New York, NY

Desk Swedish 18th Century Green Original Paint Sweden. A writing desk Swedish made during the 18th

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bentwood

18th Century Russian Empire Desk
18th Century Russian Empire Desk

18th Century Russian Empire Desk

Located in Allerum, SE

Unusually large 19th century Russian Empire freestanding brass striped mahogany writing table

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Russian Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Inlaid Writing Desk with Parquetry Medallion
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Inlaid Writing Desk with Parquetry Medallion

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Inlaid Writing Desk with Parquetry Medallion

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Writing Desk A refined late 18th century French writing desk

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Late 18th-Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Writing Table
Late 18th-Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Writing Table

Late 18th-Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Writing Table

Located in Atlanta, GA

desk, console table, or workspace, bringing with it the calm and honest craftsmanship of late 18th

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Walnut Writing Table with Two Drawers and Turned Legs
18th Century Italian Walnut Writing Table with Two Drawers and Turned Legs

18th Century Italian Walnut Writing Table with Two Drawers and Turned Legs

Located in Atlanta, GA

This handsome Italian table dates to the 18th century and exemplifies the restrained, functional

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Fine 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk
Fine 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk

Fine 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk

Located in Bozeman, MT

Fine 18th century Swedish Rococo desk / console table with one drawer and in Its original colour

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

18th Century Louis XV Wood French Writing Table
18th Century Louis XV Wood French Writing Table

18th Century Louis XV Wood French Writing Table

Located in IT

, in the 18th century, Louis XV period. It has a refined veneer in wood and a sliding shade, very rare

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Dutch 18th Century Metamorphic Architect’s Desk
Dutch 18th Century Metamorphic Architect’s Desk

Dutch 18th Century Metamorphic Architect’s Desk

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A versatile Dutch architect’s desk from the late 1700s. This mahogany desk has an adjustable tilt

Category

Antique 18th Century Dutch Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century George III Mahogany Writing Table with Leather Inset
18th Century George III Mahogany Writing Table with Leather Inset

18th Century George III Mahogany Writing Table with Leather Inset

Located in Kittery Point, ME

In the French taste‚ the rectangular tooled leather inset writing surface with a three-quarter

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George III Desks and Writing Ta...

Materials

Brass

18th Century Lacquered Tuscan Desk Table with Hand Painted Decoration
18th Century Lacquered Tuscan Desk Table with Hand Painted Decoration

18th Century Lacquered Tuscan Desk Table with Hand Painted Decoration

Located in Atlanta, GA

An elegant lacquered wooden desk table from Tuscany, dating to the Louis XVI period, late 18th

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

18th Century Mahogany Desk
18th Century Mahogany Desk

18th Century Mahogany Desk

Located in Lincolnshire, GB

A George III period mahogany kneehole desk of good size, with the original brasses and lovely one

Category

Antique 1780s English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Country French Child's Desk
18th Century Country French Child's Desk

18th Century Country French Child's Desk

Located in Winter Park, FL

A late 18th century Country French child size desk, made of solid cherry. Beautifully crafted with

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

18th Century Italian Single Drawer Desk, Italy
18th Century Italian Single Drawer Desk, Italy

18th Century Italian Single Drawer Desk, Italy

Located in New York, NY

18th century Italian single drawer desk. Turned legs. Walnut. Beautiful patina. Also makes a great

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Walnut Library Table Desk with Two Drawers, 18th Century
Spanish Walnut Library Table Desk with Two Drawers, 18th Century

Spanish Walnut Library Table Desk with Two Drawers, 18th Century

Located in San Francisco, CA

fluidly carved legs and support braces. In remarkable antique condition. Spanish, 18th century.  

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th century Louis XV ITALIAN Writing Table with Drawers
18th century Louis XV ITALIAN Writing Table with Drawers

18th century Louis XV ITALIAN Writing Table with Drawers

Located in Firenze, FI

the mid-18th century. In good condition, very comfortable to work.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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18th Century Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the 18th century writing desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A 18th century writing desk — often made from wood, walnut and mahogany — can elevate any home. Find 788 options for an antique or vintage 18th century writing desk now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer 18th century writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Each 18th century writing desk bearing Georgian, Louis XVI or Louis XV hallmarks is very popular. Gillows of Lancaster & London, Caspar Frederik Harsdorff and Thomas Chippendale each produced at least one beautiful 18th century writing desk that is worth considering.

How Much is a 18th Century Writing Desk?

The average selling price for a 18th century writing desk at 1stDibs is $6,796, while they’re typically $797 on the low end and $212,272 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 18th Century Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, wedding rings have a long history, stretching back to ancient Egypt. The first diamond engagement ring was created in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Browse a wide array of vintage and contemporary wedding rings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    In the 18th century, art changed in style from Baroque to Rococo and Neoclassicism. Art became more ornamented and idealized during the Rococo period and then shifted toward a style that emulated the artwork of ancient Greece and Rome near the end of the century. You’ll find a variety of fine art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    To identify 18th-century furniture, you can research your piece in the context of the prevailing styles of the period or consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. To identify your item on your own, look over it for maker's marks, such as carvings, stamps, brands and labels. Researching the marking can help you determine the maker of your piece, and from there, you can search further to learn more about your particular item. Without a maker's mark, the best approach is to consider the characteristics of the dominant furniture styles during the 18th century. In England, these included William and Mary, Queen Anne, Georgian, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Some French furniture styles of the 1700s include Louis XV, Louis XVI and Régence. Find a diverse assortment of 18th-century furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    One way to check if your brass candlesticks are from the 18th century is to look for the two seams running lengthwise on either side. This is from when the candlestick was molded in two halves and then soldered together. You’ll find a variety of candlesticks of all shapes and sizes from some of the top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    The individuals considered the Big Three of 18th-century cartoons are William Hogarth, James Gillray and George Cruikshank. Although the 18th century saw a widespread increase in illustrations in newspapers, these three illustrators were particularly well-known for their work. Hogarth's work was extremely diverse, ranging from serious, realistic paintings and portraits to satirical and moralistic illustrations filled with symbolism. A British caricaturist, Gillray is remembered today for his artworks representing political and social satires, like his political cartoons against George III of England. Despite being a prolific caricaturist, Cruikshank is now most famous for illustrating the works of Charles Dickens. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of illustrations.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    At the end of the 17th century, Europe went into a frenzy over porcelain. Asian porcelain was highly sought after, and spurred the foundation of the Meissen factory in France, where hard porcelain went on to be made. You’ll find a large collection of porcelain pieces from many of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.