What is a writing desk?

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.

What is a writing desk with drawers called?

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.

What is a small writing desk called?

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.

What is an old-fashioned writing desk called?

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.

What's the difference between a desk and a writing table?

Desks typically include drawers or storage compartments, while writing tables (and secretary desks) offer a flatter surface with little to no built-in storage.

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

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.

What's the difference between a mid-century modern desk and a writing table?

Desks typically include drawers or storage, while writing tables are a flatter, more minimal work surface; check the listing description for storage details.

1860s Writing Desks

Dark Wood Carved Table

Japanese Lacquer Low Table

Flame Mahogany Desk

Victorian Ladies Desk

Wabi Sabi Desk

Gustavian Style Desk

Walnut Lap Desk

Two Sided French Desk

Antique Desk With Small Cabinet Made In Walnut From 1860s

$1,322

Antique Desk With Small Cabinet Made In Walnut From 1860s

Located in Lejre, DK

Antique desk with a small side cabinet for storage, made in walnut from the 1860s. In very nice condition. Dimensions: H:74.5cm W:104cm D:53cm

Category

Antique 1860s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1860s French Boulle Writing Desk

$5,850

1860s French Boulle Writing Desk

Located in Tarrytown, NY

1860s French boulle writing desk. No shelves.

Category

Antique 1860s Desks

Materials

Bronze

Recent Sales

Ladies Desk in Handpolished Walnut from the 1860s

Sold

H 52.37 in W 38.98 in D 20.08 in

Ladies Desk in Handpolished Walnut from the 1860s

Located in Lejre, DK

Ladies desk in handpolished walnut from the 1860s. The desk is in great vintage condition.

Category

Antique 1860s Danish Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Mahogany Empire Writing Desk

Sold

H 40.5 in W 64.25 in D 24.25 in

19th Century Mahogany Empire Writing Desk

Located in Stamford, CT

Mahogany Empire writing desk, circa 1860s. This fine flame mahogany desk has a center drawer flanked by a pair of side drawers and is supported by a group of bronze sabots on casters...

Category

Antique 1860s American Empire Desks and Writing Tables

1860s Black Patinated Écritoire

Sold

H 24 in W 26.4 in D 22.8 in

1860s Black Patinated Écritoire

Located in High Point, NC

This antique traveling desk was crafted in France, circa 1860. A lovely locked écritoire with an authentic time-worn patina, this traveling desk features two interior shelves and a l...

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Antique Victorian Era Ladies Writing Desk, circa 1860s

Sold

H 40 in W 46 in D 24.75 in

Antique Victorian Era Ladies Writing Desk, circa 1860s

Located in Peabody, MA

An Austro-Hungarian ladies writing desk with felt top, decorative carved back rail, carved legs and stretcher with foot rest, circa 1860s.

Category

Antique 1860s Austrian Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Felt, Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Painted Wood Desk with Carved Rosettes

Sold

H 31 in W 38.5 in D 20.6 in

Swedish Gustavian Style 1860s Painted Wood Desk with Carved Rosettes

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood desk from the mid 19th century, with carved rosettes and brass hardware. Created in Sweden during the third quarter of the 19th century, this G...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Hand Carved Walnut Two-Sided Desk, 1860s

Sold

H 28.9 in W 72.3 in D 34.8 in

19th Century French Hand Carved Walnut Two-Sided Desk, 1860s

Located in Miami, FL

Found in the South of France, this 19th century hand carved French walnut table or desk can be placed in the middle of a room as it is beautifully carved on all sides. It features a ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Swedish 1860s Painted Wood Desk with Dark Patina and Reeded Drawer

Sold

H 28.8 in W 38 in D 18 in

Swedish 1860s Painted Wood Desk with Dark Patina and Reeded Drawer

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Swedish painted wood desk from the mid 19th century, with reeded motifs, turned legs and dark patina. Created in Sweden during the third quarter of the 19th century, this painted d...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi low writing desk primitive coffee table

Sold

H 10.04 in W 37.8 in D 14.57 in

1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi low writing desk primitive coffee table

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

From Tohoku area, Japan. This antique low writing desk is a product of late Edo era. estimate from the style and conditions. Made of Hinoki cypress, original urushi lacquer still rem...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Cypress

1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi urushi low writing desk primitive tea table

Sold

H 11.22 in W 36.81 in D 13.66 in

1860s Edo Japanese antique wabi sabi urushi low writing desk primitive tea table

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

156 to 159 years-old antique low writing desk with 2 drawers. product of Keio period (1865-1868), which is the last 3 years of Edo era. estimate from the kanji character "Keio (慶應)",...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture

Materials

Wood

1860's French Cherry Writing Table

Sold

H 27.5 in W 50 in D 29 in

1860's French Cherry Writing Table

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a gorgeous French Cherry writing table. The apron is wavy and the legs are turned. The stretcher base ties this piece together. There is one drawer.

Pleas...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

19th Century Victorian Mahogany Desk, 1860s

Sold

H 29.93 in W 72.45 in D 38.59 in

19th Century Victorian Mahogany Desk, 1860s

Located in Roma, RM

Rare Victorian center desk, in mahogany circa 1860, we note that the legs of the desk are a work of art of carving, in the best English tradition of that period. Present eight wheels...

Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Biedermeier Birch Wood Partner Desk, 1860s

Sold

H 31.5 in W 59.06 in D 40.56 in

19th Century Biedermeier Birch Wood Partner Desk, 1860s

Located in Roma, RM

Biedermeier desk, Swedish, in Biedermeier style, circa 1860. Partner desk, 5 drawers on both sides, in birch wood and birch briar. An important desk, with this warm and sunny color, ...

Category

Antique 1850s Swedish Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

19th Century Biedermeier Birch Wood Partner Desk, 1860s

Sold

H 31.5 in W 59.06 in D 40.56 in

19th Century Biedermeier Birch Wood Partner Desk, 1860s

Located in Roma, RM

Biedermeier desk, Swedish, in Biedermeier style, circa 1860. Partner desk, 5 drawers on both sides, in birch wood and birch briar. An important desk, with this warm and sunny color, ...

Category

Antique 1850s Swedish Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

Antique Writing Slope, Large Victorian Walnut Lap Desk, Scotland 1860s, B1428

Sold

H 6 in W 16 in D 9 in

Antique Writing Slope, Large Victorian Walnut Lap Desk, Scotland 1860s, B1428

Located in Vancouver, BC

Antique writing slope, large Victorian brass bound walnut lap desk with fitter interior, Scotland 1860s, antique furniture, B1428.

Category

Antique 1860s Scottish Victorian Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Charles X Rosewood Inlay Desk, 1860s

Sold

H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 22.45 in

19th Century Charles X Rosewood Inlay Desk, 1860s

Located in Roma, RM

Desk with side wings, France, in the style of Charles X, circa 1860, Napoleon III °. In full Carlo X style with inlaid floral motifs on the top and on the side wings, well defined i...

Category

Antique 1860s French Charles X Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Writing Slope, Victorian Lap Desk, Walnut, Scotland 1860s, B1442

Sold

H 9 in W 20 in D 11 in

Antique Writing Slope, Victorian Lap Desk, Walnut, Scotland 1860s, B1442

Located in Vancouver, BC

Antique writing slope, large Victorian inlaid brass walnut lap desk with fitter interior, Scotland, 1860s, antique furniture, B1442.

Category

Antique 1860s Scottish Victorian Desks

Materials

Walnut

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1860s Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of 1860s writing desks available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and metal, all 1860s writing desks available were constructed with great care. 1860s writing desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 19th Century. 1860s writing desks are generally popular furniture pieces, but Victorian, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles are often sought at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made 1860s writing desks over the years, but those made by Gillows of Lancaster & London, Angiolo Barbetti and Biedermeier are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are 1860s Writing Desks?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $4,381, while they’re typically $750 on the low end and $179,546 highest priced.

Questions About 1860s Writing Desks

What is a writing desk?
1 Answer
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.
What is a writing desk with drawers called?
1 Answer
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.
What is a small writing desk called?
1 Answer
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.
What is an old-fashioned writing desk called?
1 Answer
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.
What's the difference between a desk and a writing table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Desks typically include drawers or storage compartments, while writing tables (and secretary desks) offer a flatter surface with little to no built-in storage.
What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?
1 Answer
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.
What's the difference between a mid-century modern desk and a writing table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Desks typically include drawers or storage, while writing tables are a flatter, more minimal work surface; check the listing description for storage details.

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