What is an antique Davenport desk?

An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What are antique desks called?

What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.

What's the difference between an antique desk and a vintage desk?

Antique desks are generally 100 years or older, while vintage desks are at least 20 years old and often reflect a specific design era.

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 much is my antique secretary desk worth?

An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.

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.

What's the difference between a general antique desk and a mid-century modern desk?

Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader category, while a mid-century modern desk specifically features the tapered legs and clean lines of 1940s-1960s design.

Antique Folding Desk

English Folding Table

Traveling Desk

Antique Shutters

Fold Down Writing Desk

Folding Camera

18th Century Slant Front Desk

Chest Of Drawers With Writing Desk

Kodak Camera

Anglo Raj Regency Campaign Chest with Desk Trimmed in Brass Banding Accents 1811

$9,989

Anglo Raj Regency Campaign Chest with Desk Trimmed in Brass Banding Accents 1811

Located in Los Angeles, CA

On top middle the drawer pulls out to reveal a mini or fold open whole desk in tooled gold and green leather.

Category

Early 19th Century English Anglo Raj Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Brass

19th-century campaign chest of drawers

$6,914

19th-century campaign chest of drawers

Located in MILL, NL

Crafted from solid camphor wood with concealed brass fittings. Features a fold-out writing desk in the centre. With various drawers and compartments for storing stationery or documen...

Category

19th Century English Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century French Directoire / Empire Secretary with Caryatids, Mahogany

$6,765

Early 19th Century French Directoire / Empire Secretary with Caryatids, Mahogany

Located in Greven, DE

Folding-top secretary desk with caryatids France Mahogany early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 145 x 96 x 43 cm Description: A writing desk with mahogany veneer, standing on ...

Category

Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century British Military Five-Drawer Campaign Chest

$7,500

Late 19th Century British Military Five-Drawer Campaign Chest

Located in Bridgeport, CT

They were prized for their functionality, often featuring fold-out desks or concealed compartments, and became status symbols among officers.

Category

Late 19th Century British Campaign Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Georgian English Travel Writing Box Mahogany

$1,569

Early 19th Century Georgian English Travel Writing Box Mahogany

Located in Münster, DE

Writing box, mahogany, England, around 1830, writing surface with leather overlay, nice interior division Large writing box / travel writing desk England around 1830, folding to tr...

Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Brass

George I Walnut Bureau Bookcase

$11,500

George I Walnut Bureau Bookcase

Located in Essex, MA

Rectangular cornice over a single door with mirror, the desk section with fold down writing surface opening to a nicely fitted interior and sliding panel opening to a well, all over ...

Category

1720s English George I Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant, Mahogany & Marble

$4,500

19th Century French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant, Mahogany & Marble

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling.

Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Marble, Brass

Italian Renaissance revival Bookcase Secretaire, 19th Century

$9,950

Italian Renaissance revival Bookcase Secretaire, 19th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

The lower section includes a fold-out writing desk and ample drawer storage, combining functionality with timeless elegance.

Category

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Rococo Bureau-Cabinet, Walnut with Ebonized Trim, Milan, Circa 1760

$114,667

Rococo Bureau-Cabinet, Walnut with Ebonized Trim, Milan, Circa 1760

Located in Milano, IT

Bureau-cabinet with fold-down writing desk Lombardy, third quarter of the 18th century Walnut with carved decoration and walnut-burl veneer; applied ebonized wood trim and cornice ...

Category

1750s Italian Rococo Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Walnut

Italian walnut bureau with writing surface, tuscan cabinetmaking, mid-1700s

$8,256

Italian walnut bureau with writing surface, tuscan cabinetmaking, mid-1700s

Located in Chiavari, Liguria

Resting the writing surface on its supports, one can sit and write with pen and inkwell in a private, intimate space. This fold-out writing desk has undoubtedly borne witness to whis...

Category

Mid-17th Century Italian Directoire Antique Folding Desk

Materials

Walnut

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Antique Folding Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the antique folding desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each antique folding desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and mahogany. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique folding desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right antique folding desk, those designed in Industrial, Victorian and Arts and Crafts styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one antique folding desk that is appealing in its simplicity, but Remington Rand, Shapland & Petter and T. Powell produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Antique Folding Desk?

Prices for an antique folding desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $68 and can go as high as $10,800, while the average can fetch as much as $2,271.

Questions About Antique Folding Desk

What is an antique Davenport desk?
2 Answers
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A Davenport desk is a type of small desk with a distinct inclined desktop. The desktop covers a large storage compartment meant for keeping paper and other writing materials. Popular in the 19th century, Davenport desks are still sought after today. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
What are antique desks called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.
What's the difference between an antique desk and a vintage desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Antique desks are generally 100 years or older, while vintage desks are at least 20 years old and often reflect a specific design era.
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 much is my antique secretary desk worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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.
What's the difference between a general antique desk and a mid-century modern desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader category, while a mid-century modern desk specifically features the tapered legs and clean lines of 1940s-1960s design.