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.

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$8,350

H 33.5 in W 20 in D 12 in

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inlays, featuring a flip top compartment with tooled leather writing surfaces over storage nooks, pull

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Antique French Flip Top Envelope Library Table Console Sofa Entry Table Oak

$3,100

H 31.5 in W 59 in D 17.5 in

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Located in Tyler, TX

BEAUTIFUL Versatile Size Antique French Oak Flip Top Envelope Table, Writing Desk or Sofa Table

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Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk

$2,200

H 33 in W 42 in D 22.5 in

Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk. Item features 3

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Antique American Pine Flip Top Desk

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H 34 in W 27.5 in D 24 in

Antique American Pine Flip Top Desk

Located in Livingston, NJ

Antique American pine flip top desk. Beautiful natural patina with many signs of use. Very sturdy

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Antique Belgian Oak Flip Top Desk

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H 40 in W 42 in D 26 in

Antique Belgian Oak Flip Top Desk

Located in New York, NY

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Antique Austrian Mahogany Flip-Top Campaign Desk Original Interior Fittings

Sold

H 31 in W 26.25 in D 16 in

Antique Austrian Mahogany Flip-Top Campaign Desk Original Interior Fittings

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Antique petite Austrian campaign desk retaining it's original key. Having a curvaceous accented

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Antique Flip Top Dictatype Shorthand Machine, c.1910-1930

Sold

H 6 in W 11 in D 9.25 in

Antique Flip Top Dictatype Shorthand Machine, c.1910-1930

By The Stenotype Co. 1

Located in San Francisco, CA

About An original flip top Dictatype shorthand machine and original leather and brass case. All

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H.E. Shaw Furniture Antique Mahogany Spinet Piano Desk Spiral Twist Flip Top

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H 33 in W 42 in D 20 in

H.E. Shaw Furniture Antique Mahogany Spinet Piano Desk Spiral Twist Flip Top

By Shaw Furniture Company

Located in Philadelphia, PA

H.E. Shaw Furniture Co. Antique mahogany spinet "Piano" desk spiral twist carved legs flip top

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Early 20th Century Antique Corona Flip Top Portable Typewriter, circa 1917

Sold

H 7.5 in W 12 in D 9 in

Early 20th Century Antique Corona Flip Top Portable Typewriter, circa 1917

By L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters Inc

Located in San Francisco, CA

About This is an original Corona 3 Flip Top Typewriter. The top flips over and converts to a

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Early 20th Century American Industrial More Desk Accessories

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Enamel, Steel

Early 20th Century Antique Corona Flip Top Portable Typewriter, circa 1917

Sold

H 7.5 in W 12 in D 9 in

Early 20th Century Antique Corona Flip Top Portable Typewriter, circa 1917

By L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters Inc

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT This is an original Corona 3 Flip Top Typewriter with original gold lettering label and

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Early 20th Century American Industrial More Desk Accessories

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Enamel, Steel

Walnut Flip Top Writing Desk

Sold

H 38 in W 25.75 in D 15.5 in

Walnut Flip Top Writing Desk

Located in Kensington, MD

Petite Antique Walnut Flip Top Writing Desk View our complete collection

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English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century

$2,400

H 80.5 in W 46.5 in D 21 in

English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century

Located in Southampton, NY

English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk. Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...

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George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century

$6,895

H 44 in W 47 in D 23 in

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...

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Antique Chippendale Style Walnut Drop Front Secretary Ladies Writing Desk

$2,575

H 36.23 in W 27.96 in D 17.72 in

Antique Chippendale Style Walnut Drop Front Secretary Ladies Writing Desk

Located in Miami, FL

An antique early 20th century ladies' secretary desk. Made from walnut with a maple writing surface. Features a drop front with neoclassical brass hardware over large central drawer ...

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Pair of Mahogany Military Campaign Chests on Stands or Tables

$6,950 / set

H 27.25 in W 18.75 in D 12.75 in

Pair of Mahogany Military Campaign Chests on Stands or Tables

Located in Dallas, TX

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Italian Venetian Walnut Serpentine Desk

$21,500

H 35.75 in W 44.75 in D 18 in

Italian Venetian Walnut Serpentine Desk

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Venetian (18th Century) walnut serpentine shaped desk with 2 side doors and 2 narrow front doors above a drawer with a pull out front interior chair having a left arm.

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Portuguese Style Ebonized Spinet Secretary Desk by Tommy Bahama

$2,800

H 35 in W 50 in D 24 in

Portuguese Style Ebonized Spinet Secretary Desk by Tommy Bahama

By Tommy Bahama

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Handsome Portuguese style secretary writing table or desk by Tommy Bahama. The spinet or piano style case has a flip top opening to reveal a pull-out writing table with a leather sur...

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1790 Gillows Cuban Hardwood Library Secretaire Desk Writing Table I Bramah Lock

$27,003

H 29.93 in W 35.83 in D 18.9 in

1790 Gillows Cuban Hardwood Library Secretaire Desk Writing Table I Bramah Lock

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1790 George III Library writing desk secrataire by Gillows of Lancaster and London A rare find, looking through Gillows of ...

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Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables

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Antique Flip Top Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the antique flip top desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each antique flip top desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. There are many kinds of the antique flip top desk you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique flip top desk made by Empire designers — as well as those associated with Louis XVI — is very popular.

How Much is a Antique Flip Top Desk?

Prices for an antique flip top desk start at $899 and top out at $9,500 with the average selling for $3,704.

Questions About Antique Flip 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.