How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?

To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.

How do I know if my antique roll top desk?

A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.

Antique English Roll Top Desk

Edwardian Oak Roll Top Desk

Pigeon Hole

Rosewood Desk With Brass

English Rolled

English Arts And Crafts Table

Tambour Desk

Arts And Crafts Oak Furniture

Oak Tambour

19th Century Empire Style English Roll Top Desk with Bronze Mounts

$95,000

H 52 in W 77 in D 41 in

19th Century Empire Style English Roll Top Desk with Bronze Mounts

Located in Queens, NY

19th century Empire style English dark-brown wooden desk with roll top that opens to reveal drawers

Category

19th Century Empire Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

English Arts and Crafts Oak Roll Top Desk

$32,000

H 43 in W 60 in D 37.5 in

English Arts and Crafts Oak Roll Top Desk

Located in Queens, NY

English Arts and Crafts oak roll top desk with side drawers and leather top.

Category

Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Leather, Oak

English Mahogany and Gold Accented Roll Top Desk

$95,000

H 52 in W 77 in D 41 in

English Mahogany and Gold Accented Roll Top Desk

Located in Queens, NY

English Victorian style mahogany roll top desk that opens to reveal drawers, letter holders, and a

Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

Free Standing Mahogany English Regency Tambour Roll Top Writing Desk

$6,918

H 40.16 in W 51.19 in D 33.08 in

Free Standing Mahogany English Regency Tambour Roll Top Writing Desk

Located in Kastrup, DK

An elegant 19th century freestanding mahogany roll top writing desk. Tambour top rolls back to

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Brass

Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Roll Top Desk

$4,790

H 46.5 in W 49 in D 30.5 in

Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Roll Top Desk

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Solid Oak English hand crafted roll-top desk with good proportions. Stately, yet not too large

Category

1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Oak

Antique Mahogany Petite Rolltop Desk with Leather Surface, 1860

$1,575Sale Price|81% Off

H 55.5 in W 35.5 in D 22.5 in

Antique Mahogany Petite Rolltop Desk with Leather Surface, 1860

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Wonderful antique English mahogany petite roll top desk having all the bells and whistles including

Category

19th Century English Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Recent Sales

English Antique Oak Bureau Tambour Roll-Top Writing Desk Chest Edwardian

Unavailable

H 46.3 in W 23.63 in D 23.98 in

English Antique Oak Bureau Tambour Roll-Top Writing Desk Chest Edwardian

Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB

An impressive Edwardian solid oak roll-top writing bureau. The tambour fall flap enclosed

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Oak

"Sheraton" English Mahogany Roll Top Desk, circa 1870

Sold

H 41.5 in W 36 in D 23 in

"Sheraton" English Mahogany Roll Top Desk, circa 1870

Located in New Orleans, LA

"Sheraton" English mahogany roll top desk, circa 1870.

Category

19th Century Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Hobbs & Co. English Roll Top Cylinder Desk

Sold

H 46.07 in W 56.3 in D 42.13 in

Antique Hobbs & Co. English Roll Top Cylinder Desk

By Hobbs & Co.

Located in Den Haag, NL

cylinder desk features a small up stand to top, a large barrel fronted desk compartment, and a quality

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

English 19th Century Mahogany Roll Top Writing Desk

Sold

H 41.5 in W 60 in D 29.5 in

English 19th Century Mahogany Roll Top Writing Desk

Located in Locust Valley, NY

A 19th century, English mahogany roll top writing desk with two drawers and four bales in front

Category

19th Century Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Roll-Top Desk, English, Bureau, Aesthetic Period, Victorian, Circa 1880

Sold

H 39.97 in W 35.44 in D 21.66 in

Antique Roll-Top Desk, English, Bureau, Aesthetic Period, Victorian, Circa 1880

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique roll-top desk. An English, mahogany and leather tambour bureau in Aesthetic

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Wood

Grand Antique Estate Pedestal Desk, English Roll Top Secretaire, Victorian, 1860

Sold

H 45.87 in W 59.45 in D 41.54 in

Grand Antique Estate Pedestal Desk, English Roll Top Secretaire, Victorian, 1860

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a grand antique estate pedestal desk. An English, quality mahogany and satinwood roll-top

Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Wood

18th Century English George III Mahogany Roll Top Desk

Sold

H 40.5 in W 54 in L 40.5 in

18th Century English George III Mahogany Roll Top Desk

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality Georgian mahogany tambour front roll top desk. The top having a gallery

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

19th c. Campaign Style Roll Top Desk

Sold

H 45 in W 54 in D 20 in

19th c. Campaign Style Roll Top Desk

Located in Wilton, CT

Antique English oak roll-top desk with gilt embossed leather pull-out writing surface, adjustable

Category

19th Century English Campaign Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Brass

Adam Style Roll Top Desk with Inlay

Sold

H 44 in W 42 in D 28 in

Adam Style Roll Top Desk with Inlay

Located in Atlanta, GA

Beautiful English Adam style roll top desk, late 19th Century, gorgeous floral satinwood, rosewood

Category

19th Century English Neoclassical Revival Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Inlaid Brass Boulle Rosewood English Regency Cylinder Roll Desk with Leather Top

Sold

H 77 in W 48 in D 24 in

Inlaid Brass Boulle Rosewood English Regency Cylinder Roll Desk with Leather Top

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a fantastic and very clean 1840s era English Regency desk. Made of rosewood with brass

Category

1840s English Regency Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Brass

Antique Roll Top Desk, English, Oak, Victorian, Lock, Tambour, circa 1900

Sold

H 50.79 in W 48.04 in D 31.99 in

Antique Roll Top Desk, English, Oak, Victorian, Lock, Tambour, circa 1900

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique roll top desk in English oak, late Victorian with locking tambour front dating

Category

19th Century Victorian Antique English Roll Top Desk

Antique English Burled Walnut & Mahogany Ladies Roll Top Desk Circa 1890

Sold

H 50.5 in W 44.5 in D 29 in

Antique English Burled Walnut & Mahogany Ladies Roll Top Desk Circa 1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique English ladies desk offers burled walnut and mahogany construction with roll top opening

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut, Burl

1920s English Antique Oak Desk D Shaped Tambour Roll Top Library Home Office

Sold

H 39.77 in W 60.04 in D 35.83 in

1920s English Antique Oak Desk D Shaped Tambour Roll Top Library Home Office

Located in Sherborne, Dorset

A good example of a 1920s roll top desk in a lovely honey-coloured quarter-sawn oak. It’s a very

Category

1910s British Edwardian Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Brass

19th Century William IV Mahogany Rolltop Writing Desk

Sold

H 38.5 in W 44.5 in D 30.25 in

19th Century William IV Mahogany Rolltop Writing Desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Ne quality English mahogany roll top desk, circa 1830. Rare piece of English furniture we found

Category

Mid-19th Century British William IV Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century William IV Mahogany Rolltop Writing Desk

Sold

H 38.5 in W 44.5 in D 30.25 in

19th Century William IV Mahogany Rolltop Writing Desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Fine quality English mahogany roll top desk, circa 1830. Rare piece of English furniture we

Category

Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

English Sheraton Roll Top Desk

Sold

H 38.5 in W 37 in D 22.5 in

English Sheraton Roll Top Desk

Located in Stamford, CT

An English Sheraton mahogany, tambour or roll top desk, fitted with compartments and slide-out

Category

19th Century British Sheraton Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

English Edwardian Fully Fitted Solid Oak Roll Top Twin Pedestal Desk

Sold

H 46.07 in W 47.64 in D 26.78 in

English Edwardian Fully Fitted Solid Oak Roll Top Twin Pedestal Desk

Located in Leicester, GB

Beautiful English Edwardian double pedestal, roll top oak desk. Handsomely made by ‘HLL’ Harris

Category

1910s British Edwardian Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Oak

19th century William IV mahogany roll top writing desk

Sold

H 38.5 in W 44.5 in D 30.25 in

19th century William IV mahogany roll top writing desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Fine quality English mahogany roll top desk circa 1830. Rare piece of English furniture we found

Category

Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century English, Mahogany and Satinwood, Tambour, Kneehole Desk

Sold

H 39.5 in W 41 in D 29 in

Early 19th Century English, Mahogany and Satinwood, Tambour, Kneehole Desk

Located in New York, NY

Early 19th Century English Roll Top Desk

Category

19th Century English Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

English Mahogany Roll Top Desk

Sold

H 47 in W 60 in D 28.5 in

English Mahogany Roll Top Desk

Located in San Francisco, CA

A fantastic antique English mahogany roll top desk with fitted birds eye maple interior. Made by

Category

19th Century English Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Wood

English Mahogany Roll Top Desk.

Sold

H 48 in Dm NaN in

English Mahogany Roll Top Desk.

Located in Roswell, GA

Fine quality English mahogany roll top desk/bureau. Finished on all sides including back which has

Category

19th Century English Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Lead

English 19th Century Cylinder Roll Top Desk

Sold

H 44 in W 48 in D 31 in

English 19th Century Cylinder Roll Top Desk

Located in Hudson, NY

a very handsome English Mahogany Roll Top Cylinder Desk c. 1850. Classic form with a gallery top

Category

19th Century English Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Mahogany

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Antique Derby School Paneled Oak Roll Top Desk with Full Interior, C1900

By Derby Desk Company

Located in Big Flats, NY

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Oak

Italian Sterling Silver Chess Board, Chess Game, Sodalite Marble

$39,402

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Located in VALENZA, IT

Impressive sterling silver chess board medieval style chess set. The chess board, made by ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA, was made in white marble and sodalite is supported by a STERLING SIL...

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2010s Italian Medieval Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Marble, Sterling Silver

Edo Period Samurai Suit Of Armor

$188,500

H 51.25 in W 25.75 in D 22.63 in

Edo Period Samurai Suit Of Armor

Located in New Orleans, LA

This exquisite Tetsusabiji Uchidashi Gomai Dou Gusoku (Five-Plate Russet Iron Embossed Cuirass Armor), crafted in the 18th century, exemplifies the pinnacle of Edo-period samurai arm...

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18th Century Asian Edo Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Copper, Iron

19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan

$7,700

H 52 in W 48 in D 20 in

19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan

By Karl Johan

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A 19th Century, antique Swedish Biedermeier writing agency, secretary table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany with a writing flap, designed by Karl-Johan in goo...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Metal, Brass

Steinway & Sons, Baby Grand Model O Piano, Fully Refurbished, 1911

$37,500

H 39 in W 58 in D 70.5 in

Steinway & Sons, Baby Grand Model O Piano, Fully Refurbished, 1911

By Steinway & Sons

Located in Stamford, CT

Steinway & Sons, Baby Grand Model L Piano, Refurbished Satin Ebony, 1911, 88 Keys, Serial Number 146562 This exceptional 1911 Steinway piano, Model 146561, has undergone a complete ...

Category

20th Century American Modern Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Lacquer

Exceptional Mahogany and Ormolu-Mounted Bibliotheque

$1,237,070

H 118.9 in W 157.49 in D 30.32 in

Exceptional Mahogany and Ormolu-Mounted Bibliotheque

Located in London, GB

The overhanging foliate cornice above a frieze with reliefs of female and male figures surmounted by ribbon ties and flanked by foliage and laurel leaves, above two pairs of glazed d...

Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Ormolu

One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin

$268,748

H 57 in W 30 in D 31.5 in

One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin

Located in London, GB

*Winner of the 2022 Masterpiece Fair Furniture Highlight* The 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Bog Yew Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin Carved entirely from Irish bog yew wood, ...

Category

19th Century Irish Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Upholstery, Yew

Small French Louis XVI Desk

$3,405 / item

H 30 in W 45 in D 22 in

Small French Louis XVI Desk

Located in Westwood, NJ

This desk brings timeless elegance and delicate refinement to your home. Crafted from Acacia wood in a soft Country mahogany finish, this piece showcases a smooth top, and turret cor...

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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XVI Antique English Roll Top Desk

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Magnificent and large ormolu and hardstone Regency period ebonized wooden casket

$482,369

H 16.15 in W 28.35 in D 20.48 in

Magnificent and large ormolu and hardstone Regency period ebonized wooden casket

Located in London, GB

Magnificent and large ormolu and hardstone mounted ebonized wooden casket English, 19th Century Height 41cm, width 72cm, depth 52cm Exceptionally fine and richly adorned, this beau...

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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique English Roll Top Desk

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Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu

18th Century Renaissance Palladio Dining Room Set in blackening wood of walnut

$452,172 / set

H 157.49 in W 157.49 in D 157.49 in

18th Century Renaissance Palladio Dining Room Set in blackening wood of walnut

By Andrea Palladio

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Monumental and important Renaissance Palladio dining room set all in solid hand-carved walnut from a Palladian Palace in Vicenza of a Venetian patrician family. The back of the show...

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Late 18th Century Italian Renaissance Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Glass, Pine, Walnut

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

$425,000

H 168 in Dm 104 in

Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)

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Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Antique English Roll Top Desk

Materials

Metal

Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy

$61,876Sale Price|20% Off

H 104.34 in W 153.55 in D 19.69 in

Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy

Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)

Complete antique pharmacy cabinet, with 3 open bookcases on the sides, 1 bookcase with drawers and 2 original doors with glass and enameled mirror sign. Built in the mid-19th century...

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19th Century Italian Antique English Roll Top Desk

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Glass, Walnut

Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet

$187,500

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Located in Houston, TX

Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...

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Antique English Regency Leather Top Desk

$7,150

H 28.5 in W 42 in D 21.5 in

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Located in Palm Beach, FL

Handsome 19th century English writing desk handcrafted in mixed exotic hardwoods, featuring a tooled leather top on a case with five drawers inlaid with graceful floral designs and b...

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19th Century English Regency Antique English Roll Top Desk

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Brass

Superb 1920s Oak Roll Top Desk

$2,201

H 40 in W 42 in D 27 in

Superb 1920s Oak Roll Top Desk

Located in Dublin, IE

A superb 1920s beautifully patinated oak roll top desk of neat proportions, finely carved and of gorgeous quality. The moulded top of rectangular form raised over D-shaped tambour sl...

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1920s English Antique English Roll Top Desk

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Oak

Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Desk

$7,500

H 30.5 in W 35 in D 22 in

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 crossbanding and chevron designs, having a tooled leather top with a brass gallery, the ca...

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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique English Roll Top Desk

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Brass

Tables Under $2,000

Antique and Vintage Tables

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Antique English Roll Top Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the antique English roll top desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each antique English roll top desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. Your living room may not be complete without an antique English roll top desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique English roll top desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Victorian, Arts and Crafts and Empire styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made antique English roll top desk over the years, but those crafted by Hobbs & Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique English Roll Top Desk?

The average selling price for an antique English roll top desk at 1stDibs is $6,525, while they’re typically $1,402 on the low end and $100,000 for the highest priced.

Questions About Antique English Roll Top Desk

How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.
How do I know if my antique roll top desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.