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 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.

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.

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.

Antique Spooled Desk

Spool Desk

English Renaissance Table

English Early 17th Century Furniture

1920s Writing Desk

English Renaissance Walnut Table Desk

$27,000

H 31.5 in W 40 in D 25.5 in

English Renaissance Walnut Table Desk

Located in Queens, NY

English Renaissance (17th Century) walnut table desk with spool legs and 2 drawers with stretcher.

Category

Early 17th Century English Northern Renaissance Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Walnut

Recent Sales

Antique American Clark's O.N.T. Oak Spool Cabinet/Mercantile Desk, 1892

Sold

H 15 in W 30 in D 21 in

Antique American Clark's O.N.T. Oak Spool Cabinet/Mercantile Desk, 1892

Located in Portland, OR

Antique American Clark's O.N.T. oak spool cabinet/mercantile desk, circa 1900. The top with fitted

Category

Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

1920's French Writing Desk/Side Table

Sold

H 30 in W 44 in D 27 in

1920's French Writing Desk/Side Table

Located in New York, NY

Spool leg desk can be used as a writing desk or a side table Center drawer Beautiful natural

Category

Early 20th Century French Other Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Wood

Antique Clark Spool Cabinet, Apothecary Cabinet, Table Top Desk, Store Display

Sold

H 17.5 in W 30 in D 18 in

Antique Clark Spool Cabinet, Apothecary Cabinet, Table Top Desk, Store Display

By Clark & Biddle

Located in Buffalo, NY

Antique spool cabinet. Made of oak with five drawers. Retains its original reverse painted drawers

Category

1910s American Victorian Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Metal

Antique American Oak Mercantile Country Store Desk Spool Cabinet, Willimantic

Sold

H 14 in W 31.5 in D 24 in

Antique American Oak Mercantile Country Store Desk Spool Cabinet, Willimantic

By Willimantic

Located in Portland, OR

The spool cabinet circa 1890, having a shaped gallery and an inset covered brass inkwell, the lift

Category

Late 19th Century American Country Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts 4 Drawer Spool Thread Cabinet Writing Lap Desk

Sold

H 12 in W 29.5 in D 20 in

Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts 4 Drawer Spool Thread Cabinet Writing Lap Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts 4 drawer spool thread cabinet writing lap desk. Item features 4

Category

19th Century North American Arts and Crafts Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

Antique J&P Coats Oak Wood 4 Drawer Sewing Spool Cabinet Desk W/ Cast Iron Base

Sold

H 41 in W 30 in D 20.5 in

Antique J&P Coats Oak Wood 4 Drawer Sewing Spool Cabinet Desk W/ Cast Iron Base

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique J&P Coats Oak Wood 4 Drawer Sewing Spool Cabinet Desk w/ Cast Iron Base. Item features

Category

19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Iron

19thc American Oak Mercantile Country Store Desktop Clark's Spool Cabinet

Sold

H 15 in W 29.75 in D 21.25 in

19thc American Oak Mercantile Country Store Desktop Clark's Spool Cabinet

Located in Savannah, GA

This late Victorian era oak spool cabinet was made to be a desk to fit on the counter of a country

Category

1890s American Late Victorian Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Brass

People Also Browsed

Italian 17th Century Walnut Rustic Trestle Refectory Dining or Library Table

$30,194

H 31.89 in W 118.12 in D 39.38 in

Italian 17th Century Walnut Rustic Trestle Refectory Dining or Library Table

Located in Firenze, IT

This charming 17th Century massive scale rectangular refectory table, dating back to Baroque period, is a magnificent example of Tuscan rustic craftsmanship. The top consists of four...

Category

17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Elizabethan 'Tudor' Hand Carved Oak Wainscot Arm Chair circa 1580

$3,120Sale Price|20% Off

H 39 in W 20 in D 16.5 in

Elizabethan 'Tudor' Hand Carved Oak Wainscot Arm Chair circa 1580

Located in Wainscott, NY

This gorgeous Elizabethan Tudor hand carved oak wainscot arm chair - circa 1580 - would be an asset to any space with its simple and modern shape and carved details... its spectacula...

Category

16th Century English Elizabethan Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

Oak Welsh Dresser, 18th Century

$9,350

H 77.5 in W 75 in D 17.5 in

Oak Welsh Dresser, 18th Century

Located in Savannah, GA

18th Century Oak Welsh Dresser, in two parts, the upper section having a molded cornice above three shelves, the lower section having a rectangular top over three short drawers, rais...

Category

18th Century and Earlier Scottish Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

English Renaissance Carved Oak Paneled Room

$145,000

H 116 in W 613 in D 4 in

English Renaissance Carved Oak Paneled Room

Located in Queens, NY

English Renaissance (Tudor-16th Century) oak carved linen fold design paneled room with a mantle, overmantle carving and a Pair of spindle design open doors (approx 51 feet)

Category

16th Century British Gothic Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

17th Century Spanish Renaissance Oak Refectory Table

$60,000

H 33 in W 81 in D 29.5 in

17th Century Spanish Renaissance Oak Refectory Table

Located in Queens, NY

Spanish 17th century oak refectory table with 2 carved drawers & apron supported on turned legs with stretcher at base.

Category

17th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

17th Century Charles I English Oak Wainscot Armchair Primate Design Hand Carved

$4,859

H 39.38 in W 23.43 in D 22.45 in

17th Century Charles I English Oak Wainscot Armchair Primate Design Hand Carved

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this original early 17th century Charles I Wainscot armchair. A good early original piece, hand carved, very naïve but at the time this would ha...

Category

Early 17th Century European Renaissance Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

Small 18th Century Oak Dresser

$4,623

H 73.5 in W 55.5 in D 21 in

Small 18th Century Oak Dresser

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Very small 18th C English oak dresser with a good colour. 1740. Reference: 8417 Dimensions 55.5 inches (141 cms) Wide 21 inches (53 cms) Deep 73.5 inches (187 cms) High

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

English Charles I 17th Century Oak and Inlaid Court Cupboard

$14,850

H 59 in W 64 in D 21 in

English Charles I 17th Century Oak and Inlaid Court Cupboard

Located in Troy, NY

Large English Charles I Oak and Inlaid Court Cupboard, Yorkshire circa 1640, having a boarded top with a delicately carved edge above a leave-carved frieze, the upper part with turne...

Category

1640s English Jacobean Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Wood

English Oak Late 17th Century Jacobean Buffet / Cupboard / Dresser with Dishrack

$19,500

H 77 in W 65.5 in D 15 in

English Oak Late 17th Century Jacobean Buffet / Cupboard / Dresser with Dishrack

Located in Troy, NY

Buffet / Cupboard / Dresser - of unusual narrow proportions. The lower cabinet part having three drawers over two beautifully geometrically paneled doors flanking a stationary confor...

Category

Late 17th Century English Jacobean Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

17th Century English Child's Chair in Leather with Brass Studwork

$4,800

H 26 in W 19 in D 13.5 in

17th Century English Child's Chair in Leather with Brass Studwork

Located in Greenwich, CT

Rare low 17th century leather upholstered oak child's chair with brass studwork on turned legs joined by stretcher base, excellent color.

Category

Late 17th Century English Baroque Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Brass

English Renaissance Red Velvet Side Chair

$1,250

H 42.5 in W 20 in D 25 in

English Renaissance Red Velvet Side Chair

Located in Queens, NY

English Renaissance style oak carved side chair with a square back and stretcher with red velvet upholstered seat and back

Category

20th Century British Renaissance Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

17th Century English Oak Oval Dropleaf / Gateleg Table

$5,500

H 29 in Dm 40.5 in

17th Century English Oak Oval Dropleaf / Gateleg Table

Located in Troy, NY

Well proportioned and versatile English Oak Dropleaf / Gateleg Table of oval form. Suited for various functions, it can be used as small wall-console, narrow end table or, with both ...

Category

17th Century English Jacobean Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

English Renaissance Wainscot Arm Chair

$9,500

H 47 in W 22.5 in D 27.5 in

English Renaissance Wainscot Arm Chair

Located in Queens, NY

English Renaissance (17th Cent) Wainscot style oak arm chair with diamond designed carved back. (rePairs to back)

Category

17th Century British Renaissance Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

Antique Exceptionally Rare 1686 Dated Wainscot Armchair Northern England Oak

$6,733

H 50.6 in W 25.6 in D 22.64 in

Antique Exceptionally Rare 1686 Dated Wainscot Armchair Northern England Oak

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, 1686 dated, Northern English hand carved from solid oak Wainscot armchair. A highly decorative and original piece the b...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Oak

17th Century Rustic Spanish Baroque Walnut Bench / Settee

$12,750

H 34 in W 41 in D 23 in

17th Century Rustic Spanish Baroque Walnut Bench / Settee

Located in Troy, NY

Rustic, Spanish Baroque Walnut Bench of small size (for two people). The back decorated with a carved heraldic shield flanked by geometric roundels and within a chip carved frame. Th...

Category

Early 17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Walnut

English Renaissance Walnut Console Table

$18,000

H 33.5 in W 50.5 in D 24 in

English Renaissance Walnut Console Table

Located in Queens, NY

English Renaissance-style (19th Century) walnut carved console table with drawer and stretcher on turned legs.

Category

19th Century English Renaissance Antique Spooled Desk

Materials

Walnut

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Antique Spooled Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Antique Spooled Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal antique spooled desk for your home. An antique spooled desk — often made from wood, metal and hardwood — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique spooled desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. An antique spooled desk made by Arts and Crafts designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular.