Can a library table be used as a desk?

Yes, you can use a library table as a desk. In fact, many people like the spacious tops found on library tables because they usually have enough room to accommodate a computer and provide additional work space. Find a range of library tables on 1stDibs.

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 Library Desk

Quarter Sawn Oak Library Table

Early 20th Century Library Table

Stickley Writing Desk

Stickley Copper

Libraries And Studies

Arts Crafts Oak Desk

Arts And Crafts Library Table

Stickley Mission Oak

Shapland & Petter, Arts and Crafts Oak Tub Chair (12 in stock)

$1,028 / item

Shapland & Petter, Arts and Crafts Oak Tub Chair (12 in stock)

By Shapland & Petter

Located in London, GB

From a long run and sold individually, 12 left in stock, the model reads as a modest workshop chair that serves institutional and domestic uses with honest construction and clear str...

Category

1910s English Arts and Crafts Antique Library Desk

Materials

Oak

French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small

$975

French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small

By Luc Lanel

Located in New York, NY

Lamp may work well for a nook, hall, desk, library, bedside, etc. Lamp is signed on lower front 'Luc' and marked 'Made in France' on back as shown in images.

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Antique Library Desk

Materials

Gold, Brass

Antique Hand Carved Oak Jacobean Dining Table, Circa 1910s

$3,920

Antique Hand Carved Oak Jacobean Dining Table, Circa 1910s

Located in Germantown, MD

Gorgeous Hand carved oak Jacobean style dining table. Use as a library/office table or desk. Beautiful oak top with substantial hand carved legs and stretchers on original casters.

Category

Early 20th Century American Jacobean Antique Library Desk

Materials

Oak

Louis XV French Bergere Armchair Finished with Black Leather & Brass Stud Detail

$2,491

Louis XV French Bergere Armchair Finished with Black Leather & Brass Stud Detail

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A particularly versatile piece, it would work beautifully alongside an antique writing desk or library bookcase, or as an occasional chair in a more contemporary interior where its t...

Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Library Desk

Materials

Brass

Hepplewhite period Armchair, English Hardwood & Green Leather, Circa 1785

$1,104Sale Price|30% Off

Hepplewhite period Armchair, English Hardwood & Green Leather, Circa 1785

By George Hepplewhite

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

This is a very comfortable and elegant armchair and would make an ideal desk or library chair. The proportions, color and patination are really good and typical of a period English...

Category

Late 18th Century English Hepplewhite Antique Library Desk

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Very Cool French Early 1900s Stack of Leather Books Tantalus Liquor / Drinks Box

$2,863

Very Cool French Early 1900s Stack of Leather Books Tantalus Liquor / Drinks Box

Located in Lisse, NL

This novelty, antique talking piece is the perfect gift, but also the ideal decoration piece for your desk, your private library or your home office. Apart from the rare and striking...

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Antique Library Desk

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Victorian Highly Carved Parlor Table

$4,250

19th Century Victorian Highly Carved Parlor Table

Located in Forney, TX

A stunning and most impressive piece that can be used as a library table, writing desk, games table, server, or dramatic entry statement piece.

Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Library Desk

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Natural Hippopotamus Tooth Bookends, Mounted Sculptural Specimen

$1,400 / set

Pair of Antique Natural Hippopotamus Tooth Bookends, Mounted Sculptural Specimen

Located in Miami, FL

Perfect for displaying books on a nightstand, mantel, desk, console, or library shelf, they are guaranteed conversation pieces—ideal for collectors of natural history, curiosities, a...

Category

Early 20th Century South African Antique Library Desk

Materials

Bone, Wood

19th Century French Provincial Louis XV Style Flip-top Farmhouse Dining Table

$9,500

19th Century French Provincial Louis XV Style Flip-top Farmhouse Dining Table

Located in Forney, TX

Bottom of apron to floor (clearance): 23.5" Tall Versatile: As warm and attractive as it is functional, having the ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses, incl...

Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Library Desk

Materials

Wood

Art Nouveau Wood & Metal Mantle Wall Mirror Glass Embossed Repousse Antique CA

$4,845Sale Price|28% Off

Art Nouveau Wood & Metal Mantle Wall Mirror Glass Embossed Repousse Antique CA

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This piece would be a nice touch over a mantel fireplace , dining room or master bedroom hallway mounted on top of a console entryway office desk library kitchen or even a bathroom o...

Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Library Desk

Materials

Metal

19th Century Dutch Continental Rosewood Marquetry Drop-Leaf Table

$1,495

19th Century Dutch Continental Rosewood Marquetry Drop-Leaf Table

Located in Forney, TX

This versatile table can be used in many ways including as a hall console or sofa table, centre table, writing desk, library table or stunning entry piece!.

Category

19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Library Desk

Materials

Rosewood

17th Century Iberian Rustic Table

$8,800

17th Century Iberian Rustic Table

Located in Forney, TX

As warm and attractive as it is useful, with good size and proportions, this incredible European antique an be used a variety of different ways, including as a side table, centre / l...

Category

17th Century European Rustic Antique Library Desk

Materials

Walnut

Bouillotte French Lamp Gild Bronze 4 lights Flora Motive Empire Style

$1,180

Bouillotte French Lamp Gild Bronze 4 lights Flora Motive Empire Style

Located in Sweden, SE

Which is why this lamp was often used in libraries and on desk in personal cabinet. And in our time, these lamps are completely functional and irreplaceable, for people who want to a...

Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Library Desk

Materials

Bronze

1930s Art Deco Raymond Patten Signed Industrial Kitchen Work Table

$2,795

1930s Art Deco Raymond Patten Signed Industrial Kitchen Work Table

Located in Forney, TX

Having the ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a home office writing desk, library table, buffet server, oversized hall console, sofa table, kitc...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Library Desk

Materials

Chrome, Enamel, Stainless Steel

Early 18th Century Spanish Colonial Baroque Period Carved Walnut Large Table

$6,500

Early 18th Century Spanish Colonial Baroque Period Carved Walnut Large Table

Located in Forney, TX

Worldwide Shipping / Delivery available Local Pickup / Delivery available around Dallas Texas Versatile: Ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses in today's home...

Category

18th Century Central American Baroque Antique Library Desk

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Louis XV Period Fruitwood Farmhouse Harvest Table

$7,500

18th Century French Louis XV Period Fruitwood Farmhouse Harvest Table

Located in Forney, TX

Dimensions: 29.5" High, 68" Wide, 28.5" Deep Floor to apron clearance: 21-22" As warm and attractive as it is useful, this versatile European antique can be used a variety of diffe...

Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Library Desk

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Italian Grand Neoclassical Roman Carrara Rosso Solid Marble Table

$45,000

Antique Italian Grand Neoclassical Roman Carrara Rosso Solid Marble Table

Located in Forney, TX

Dimensions: (approx) 31" High, 72" Wide, 35" Deep Having the ideal large size and proportions for a variety of different uses in today's contemporary interior styles, including as ...

Category

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Library Desk

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

19th Century Indo-Persian Tinned Copper Hammered Covered Box Islamic Qajar Style

$650Sale Price|23% Off

19th Century Indo-Persian Tinned Copper Hammered Covered Box Islamic Qajar Style

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Measuring approximately 9 inches in diameter and 4 inches high to the top of the finial, the box has enough scale to make a substantial decorative statement on a library table, conso...

Category

19th Century Asian Islamic Antique Library Desk

Materials

Metal, Copper

Antique Seljuk-Style Islamic Cast Bronze Lion with Prey Figure, circa 1900

$1,950

Antique Seljuk-Style Islamic Cast Bronze Lion with Prey Figure, circa 1900

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

It could be displayed on a desk, library shelf, mantel, console, pedestal or within a glass cabinet.

Category

Early 20th Century West Asian Islamic Antique Library Desk

Materials

Bronze, Metal

Antique Indian Dhokra Tribal Brass Anklet Repurposed as Catchall, circa 1920

$650

Antique Indian Dhokra Tribal Brass Anklet Repurposed as Catchall, circa 1920

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

At approximately 7.5 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches high, it has excellent scale for display on a coffee table, library table, desk or console. It would integrate beautifully into...

Category

Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Antique Library Desk

Materials

Metal

Vintage West African Cast-Brass Mythical Lion Folk Art Sculpture, circa 1960

$950

Vintage West African Cast-Brass Mythical Lion Folk Art Sculpture, circa 1960

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Measuring approximately 3.5 inches high, 6 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep, the sculpture is ideally sized for display on a library shelf, writing desk, console, mantel, collector’s ...

Category

Early 20th Century African Folk Art Antique Library Desk

Materials

Bronze

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Antique Library Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the antique library desk you’re looking for. Each antique library desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and oak. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer antique library desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique library desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Victorian, Regency and Georgian styles are sought with frequency. A well-made antique library desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Gillows of Lancaster & London, Gustav Stickley and Stickley Brothers are consistently popular.

How Much is a Antique Library Desk?

An antique library desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $5,045, while the lowest priced sells for $250 and the highest can go for as much as $275,000.

Questions About Antique Library Desk

Can a library table be used as a desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Yes, you can use a library table as a desk. In fact, many people like the spacious tops found on library tables because they usually have enough room to accommodate a computer and provide additional work space. Find a range of library tables on 1stDibs.
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.