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Antique Scholars Desk

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Antique Scholar's Desk, English, Writing Table, Side, Study, Regency, Circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scholar's desk. An English, mahogany writing or side table, dating to the
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Rare 19th Century British India Solid Teak Slant Lid Floor Scholar's Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Rare British India slant lid floor desk likely used by a scholar or merchant. Beautifully
Category

1890s Indian Anglo Raj Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Teak

Chinese Carved Lapis Lazuli Scholar Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
brocade and designated to the scholar's desk or shelf in a fine study.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Stone

Chinese Bronze Chilong Garlic Head Scholar's Vase, Qing Dynasty, 17th C, China
Located in Austin, TX
color. Made for the scholar's desk or studio, this lovely vase would most likely have been used as a
Category

Late 17th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Zitan Brush Pot with Soapstone Inlay, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This beautiful example is carved
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Soapstone

Awaji Pottery Japanese Scholar's Desk Yellow Brush Pot/Pencil Cup Bronze Weave
By Awaji Pottery
Located in Wilton, CT
Awaji Pottery brushpot/pencil cup in sunny yellow glaze with bronze weaving. Sumoto kiln. 5" high, 3 1/2" diameter. Impressed export and kiln marks. Excellent condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Arts and Crafts Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Pottery

Chinese Qing Dynasty MOP Inlaid Hardwood Scholar's Seal Stand, 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
of the late Qing Dynasty and was likely created for a literati or scholar's desk. The front is
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Twisted Rootwood Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot was a fixture of every traditional scholars' desk. This small wooden brush pot from the late
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Burl

19the Century Stone Shanxi Lion
Located in Singapore, SG
lion, known in Chinese as an 案头狮 (àn tóu shī). These figures were kept on a scholar’s desk to symbolize
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Stone

Antique 19the Century Stone Shanxi Lion
19the Century Stone Shanxi Lion
H 5.52 in W 2.37 in D 3.15 in
Chinese Gnarled Root Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot was a fixture of every traditional scholars' desk. This wooden brush pot from the late 19th
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Burl

A Chinese Gnarled Root Brush Pot, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot was a fixture of every traditional scholars' desk
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Wood

Chinese Scholar Stone Mountain Form with Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small desk top Chinese scholar stones (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock
Category

19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Stone

Chinese Lingbi Scholar Stone Arched Form on Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small desk top Chinese scholar stones (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Stone

Chinese Hardwood Scholar Tray with Brass Mounts, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
of the scholar studio and desk. Called a ducheng pan in Chinese, these types of trays were both
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Brass

Anglo-Indian Rosewood Writing Desk, India, circa 1825
Located in Spring Valley, NY
Elegant and finely crafted rosewood and ivory inlay traveller's writing desk from the late Mughal
Category

1820s Indian Islamic Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Ivory, Rosewood

Anglo Indian Sadeli Inlay Lap Desk, with Fitted Interiors
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Anglo-Indian bone inlay lap desk with fitted interiors. Exterior has geometric design
Category

19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Bone, Wood

Chinese Silver Mounted Letter Opener
Located in Middleburg, VA
Chinese export objects made for the scholar’s desk.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Metal, Silver

Chinese Silver Mounted Letter Opener
Chinese Silver Mounted Letter Opener
H 8.75 in W 1 in D 0.5 in
Pair of Chinese Huanghuali Nesting Trays
Located in Austin, TX
originally have graced the desk of a scholar and aided him in his scholarly pursuits. The larger tray
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Japanese Hirado Porcelain Ink Pot Well Scholar Table, 19th Cen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Rare. Similar pieces are pictured in "Louis Lawrence : Hirado Prince of Porcelains. Lid not original. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Korean Scholar Book Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
features a top plank with overhang, a feature that is often found in scholar's desk, which is to facilitate
Category

19th Century Korean Other Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Iron

Japanese Meiji Period Carved Desk Circa 1900
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
household or a scholar’s study, the desk combines beauty with practicality. Its intricate detailing captures
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Hardwood

Japanese Meiji Period Carved Desk Circa 1900
Japanese Meiji Period Carved Desk Circa 1900
H 52.37 in W 51.78 in D 30.32 in
A LARGE ANTIQUE CHINESE ARCHAIC BRONZE CENSER BOWL 19th C
Located in London, GB
typical object on scholar's desk or altar table for decoration or incense. There are small areas of
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Bronze

Antique Korean Scholar Book Storage Chest with Buddhism Symbols
Located in Atlanta, GA
scholar's desk, which is to prevent the falling off of the scrolls. The upper level has three small drawers
Category

19th Century Korean Other Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Iron

Chinese Gnarled Root Brush Pot, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot was a fixture of every traditional scholars' desk. This wooden brush pot from the mid-19th
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Organic Modern Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Burl

Chinese Gnarled Root Brush Pot, c. 1850
Chinese Gnarled Root Brush Pot, c. 1850
H 6.25 in W 5.75 in D 5 in
Japanese Meiji Bronze Basketweave Pattern Sake Pot
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
immediately be envisaged sitting on a scholar’s desk and is very finely made of square form with slightly
Category

1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Bronze

Korean Porcelain Water Dropper Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
this is an important component of scholar's desk items. It was used to add drops of water to the ink
Category

19th Century Korean Other Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Ceramic

Korean Ceramic Water Dropper Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
small sprout is placed on the side. Water dropper like this is an important component of scholar's desk
Category

19th Century Korean Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Carved Celadon and Russet Jade Mythical Animal, Ming Dynasty or Earlier
Located in Austin, TX
russet "skin". Meant for the scholar's desk, this wonderful animal would have served as a curiosity
Category

17th Century Chinese Ming Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Jade

Korean Ceramic Water Dropper in Frog Form
Located in Atlanta, GA
component of scholar's desk items. It was used to add drops of water to the ink stone for grinding the ink
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Ceramic

Korean Ceramic White Porcelain Water Dropper Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
like this is an important component of scholar's desk items. It was used to add drops of water to the
Category

19th Century Korean Other Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Ceramic

Korean Ceramic Water Dropper in Dog Form Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
of scholar's desk items. It was used to add drops of water to the ink stone for grinding the ink
Category

19th Century Korean Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Yellow and Russet Jade Mythical Beast, Ming Dynasty or Earlier
Located in Austin, TX
conservatively dating this piece to Ming Dynasty or earlier. Meant for the scholar's desk, this wonderful
Category

17th Century Chinese Ming Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Jade

Chinese Folding Floor Screen with Stone Insets
Located in Atlanta, GA
hard stones. The top features flowers in vases, desk top scholar objects such as seal and brush pen
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Stone

19th Century Scholars Desk
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Scholars desk crafted in the 19th century from Elm
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Elm

19th Century Scholars Desk
19th Century Scholars Desk
H 14 in W 35 in D 22 in
Chinese Rootwood Scholar's Stand
Located in Wilton, CT
Chinese Rootwood Stand Found on a Scholar's Desk, Showing Traces of Black Lacquer. Intended for
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Chinese Rootwood Scholar's Stand
Chinese Rootwood Scholar's Stand
H 11 in W 28 in D 13 in
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Rhinoceros-form Water Pots, Qing Dynasty
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
This pair of water pots in the form of standing rhinoceroses would have been made for the scholar
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Brass

German Scholar's Inkwell and Watch Stand
Located in Sheffield, MA
Scholar's earthenware inkwell and watch stand, Germany, circa 1780. Neoclassical details include
Category

Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Pewter

A White Jade Lotus Root Brush Rest, Qing Dynasty
By Artistian Made
Located in San Diego, CA
and intricate detailing. The Four Treasures of the Chinese Scholar’s Desk include the brush, ink
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Yellow Chinese Beijing Glass Bowl
Located in 's-Hertogenbosch, NL
items for the scholar's desk. These glass artefacts from the Imperial workshops were either used in the
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Scholars Desk

Pair of Yellow Chinese Beijing Glass Vases and Covers
Located in 's-Hertogenbosch, NL
items for the scholar's desk. These glass artefacts from the Imperial workshops were either used in the
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Scholars Desk

Pair of Chinese Beijing Yellow Glass Dragon Bottles
Located in 's-Hertogenbosch, NL
items for the scholar's desk. These glass artefacts from the Imperial workshops were either used in the
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Scholars Desk

A Pale Celadon Jade Recumbent Dog, Qing Dynasty
By Artistian Made
Located in San Diego, CA
may serve as paperweight for the scholar's desk. It is also a wonderful display of Hetian Jade carving
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Antique Jade Chinese Pendant circa Late 19th to Early 20th Century Qing Dynasty
Located in Chesterland, OH
pseudo-archaic decoration, fairy mountains, and brush pots for the scholar’s desk. The pendant measures
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Jade

Red Lacquered Scholar's Desk
Located in New York, NY
A red lacquered four-drawer scholar's desk, original hardware, peach wood, Zheklang.
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Red Lacquered Scholar's Desk
Red Lacquered Scholar's Desk
H 32 in W 62.5 in D 22 in
Mid-19th Century Elmwood Scholar's Desk
Located in New York, NY
A large elmwood Scholar's desk from Beijing, China, mid-19th century. Six drawers with original
Category

1860s Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Elm

Black Polished Elm Wood Scholar Desk
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant Chinese Qing Dynasty Doctor's desk or Scholar desk in black polished Jumu (Elm) wood
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Metal

Black Polished Elm Wood Scholar Desk
Black Polished Elm Wood Scholar Desk
H 30.32 in W 54.73 in D 26.78 in
Chinese Scholar Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Spacious piece boasting six drawers and handsomely latticed bottom portion. Stone top adds executive touch.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Elm

Chinese Scholar Desk
Chinese Scholar Desk
H 33 in W 68 in D 28 in
Chinese Four Drawer Scholar's Desk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This four-drawer writing desk once stood centerpiece in the office of a well-to-do professional of
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Brass

Antique Korean Scholar Desk Ch'aeksang Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
Known as Ch'aeksang or Soan, this small Korean desk was made from zelkova wood (Korean Elm) and
Category

19th Century Korean Other Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Wood

Chinese Cypress Brush Pot, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot or scroll holder was a fixture on every traditional scholars' desk. Once used to hold
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Cypress

Chinese Tree Trunk Brush Pot, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot was a fixture of every traditional scholars' desk. This early 20th century brush pot was
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Elm

Early 20th Century Chinese Tapered Brush Pot
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot or scroll holder was a fixture on every traditional scholars' desk. Once used to display a
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Elm

Chinese Blue Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
brush rest was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This early 20th century ceramic brush rest is
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Yumu Scroll Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
- a brush pot or scroll holder was a fixture on every traditional scholars' desk. Once used to hold
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Elm

Chinese Scholar Free Standing Desk In Elm Wood
Located in Kastrup, DK
3 part Doctor's desk or Scholar desk in Jumu wood from the city of Suzhou in China, approx. 1900
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Metal

Chinese Scholar Free Standing Desk In Elm Wood
Chinese Scholar Free Standing Desk In Elm Wood
H 31.5 in W 53.94 in D 27.17 in
Chinese Bamboo Lotus Leaf Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
brush pot was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. Like everything in the scholars' studio, the
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Bamboo

A Huanghuali Scroll End Stand (Ji)
Located in Austin, TX
the scholar's desk.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

A Huanghuali Scroll End Stand (Ji)
A Huanghuali Scroll End Stand (Ji)
H 4.5 in W 26 in D 15 in
Chinese Lingbi Scholars' Rock
Located in Chicago, IL
wrinkling (zhou)—were especially prized. This stone may have once sat on the desk of a scholar who
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Scholars Desk

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Lingbi Scholars' Rock
Chinese Lingbi Scholars' Rock
H 21.75 in W 31 in D 20.75 in
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Antique Scholars Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal antique scholars desk for your home. Frequently made of wood, hardwood and elm, every antique scholars desk was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the antique scholars desk you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right antique scholars desk, those designed in Arts and Crafts, Neoclassical and Rococo styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made antique scholars desk over the years, but those crafted by Awaji Pottery are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique Scholars Desk?

An antique scholars desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,550, while the lowest priced sells for $225 and the highest can go for as much as $9,800.
Questions About Antique Scholars Desk
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.