19th Century Italian Walnut Barley Twist Library / Writing Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Italian Walnut Barley Twist Writing / Library Table. This handsome 19th-century Italian walnut table features a well carved top edge and bold, barley twist legs and a s...
Walnut
19th Century French Walnut Writing Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Below, three drawers run along the front, each fitted with simple round brass knobs, offering practical storage while maintaining a balanced and understated aesthetic. The table sta...
Walnut, Leather
Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Birdseye Maple
French 19th Century Louis XIII Walnut Barley Twist Writing Desk
Located in Carmine, TX
A charming 19th-century French writing desk crafted in solid walnut, showcasing beautifully carved barley twist legs and matching stretcher supports. The single drawer is adorned wit...
Walnut
Antique Barley Twist Desk
Located in New York, NY
Elegant antique console table/desk featuring richly patinated wood with beautifully turned barley twist legs and stretcher base.
Walnut
Baker Furniture English Oak and Burl Wood Barley Twist Writing Desk, Refinished
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional English style writing desk or library table with barley twist legs By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Carved oak, with burl wood drawer front and original br...
Brass
Antique French Henri II Style Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Walnut 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique French Walnut Henri II Style Renaissance Revival Writing Desk or Table with Drawer and Barley Twist Legs and Stretcher ~~c. 1880s With so many people working from ...
Walnut
Scottish Library Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful all-over patina and hand carvings on the apron.
18th Century French Walnut Barley Twist Library Table
Located in High Point, NC
18th century walnut library table from France. The top is made from two planks and is banded with a beveled edge, following down to a simple apron, which contains a single drawer in ...
Walnut
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
French Louis XIII Style Oak Barley Twist Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Features thick barley twist legs conjoined on the bottom with barley twist stretchers topped with two finials.
Oak
$19,500 / item
Custom Barley Twist Dining Table in Oak by Dos Gallos
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dos Gallos custom barley twist table seen here in oak with custom finish. Can be made in any size in a variety of finishes. As shown 96 x 44 x 30. All our custom pieces are bench mad...
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Antique Jacobean Revival Style Barley Twist Desk With Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Jacobean Revival Style Mahogany Carved Barley Twist Single Drawer Desk with Carved Barley Twist High Back Chair A beautifully unified two-piece antique writing set, featuri...
Wood
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Oak Barley Twist Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular 19th century French bureau plat writing table or desk featuring barley twist legs and stretcher.
Oak
Louis XIII Period 1630s Carved Walnut Barley Twist Table with Black Painted Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
The table is supported by four boldly carved barley twist legs, a hallmark of the Louis XIII style, joined by a sculptural X-form stretcher with dramatic curves and a central turned ...
Walnut
LOVELY ANTIQUE LATE VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL BARLEY TWiST LEG HALL TABLE OR DESK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand carved Gothic Revival Victorian Oak hall table with two large drawers Please note the de...
Oak
Antique Rare Jacobean Style Tapestry Covered Desk on Barley Twist Base
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Unusual and magnificent trunk shaped desk covered in gorgeous rich tapestry needlepoint and brass nailheads. The top piece opens to reveal a drop down writing surface with red leath...
Tapestry, Oak
19th Century French Walnut Desk with Barley Twist Legs and Brass Pulls
Located in New York, NY
19th century French barley twist legs desk. Center drawer. Decorative finial at cross stretcher local. Brass pulls. Can also be used as a side table. Walnut.
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XIII Style Barley Twist Desk with Green Leather Top
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine 18th century carved French Louis XIII style bureau plat or desk handcrafted of solid oak by skilled Breton artisans, circa 1730s. The rectangular top with a gadrooned beveled ...
Oak
Antique English Console Table Writing Desk Jacobean Barley Twist Carved Oak
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique English Console Table Writing Desk Jacobean Barley Twist Carved Oak c1890 .
Oak
Antique Italian Baroque Style Barley Twist Walnut Writing Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
The stretchers are crafted in the Barley Twist style. The skirt of the table is highly carved showcasing Italian motifs with a pie crust style edge.
Walnut
French Small Desk or End Table Unusual Open Barley Twist Legs c1800's Restored
Located in Highwood, IL
Very unusual Antique French “open barley twist” leg and stretcher Small Writing Table, that could be used as a Lady’s Desk, End or Side Table and of course a Nightstand.
Wood, Oak
HERITAGE Walnut English Tudor Barley Twist Writing Desk
By Heritage Furniture
Located in Charlotte, NC
An English Tudor style writing desk by Heritage Furniture. Walnut with banded bevelled edge top, brass hardware, "H" shaped stretcher, barley twist legs, and bun feet.
Brass
Antique Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
From the gadrooned edge to the double scrolled legs, this antique barley twist writing table is bursting with visual appeal!
French Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An excellent-quality, highly carved, oak French Renaissance Revival writing table with two drawers and raised on barley twist legs, circa 1880.
Oak
Rare Louis XIII Style Open Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Birmingham, AL
A rare and exquisite Louis XIII style open torsade (barley twist) writing table from the Burgundy region of France.
Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 40.75 in D 26 in
Antique English Barley Twist Writing Table Library Desk Jacobean Walnut c1880
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique English Barley Twist Writing Table Library Desk Jacobean Walnut c1880.
Walnut
19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
The French walnut writing table/side table with drawer and barley twist legs.
Walnut
Fine French Floating Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine antique French Renaissance Revival barley twist desk with it's original leather blotter.
Walnut
c.1870 French Henri II Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Highwood, IL
Charming French Henri II writing table with barley twist legs and stretcher with a center mounted finial.
Walnut
Antique Solid Oak Barley-Twist Writing Table, circa 1890
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French three-drawer Renaissance Revival dark oak library, or writing, table, with barley-twist legs and stretcher and highly-carved details.
Oak
19th Century French Carved Walnut Barley Twist Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Petite 19th century French carved walnut writing table, library table, or desk. Features thick barley twist legs and a stretcher centered by a two-sided finial.
Iron
Sold
H 30 in W 45.5 in D 25.5 in
19th Century English Victorian Carved Oak Barley Twist Writing Table Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Highly carved oak barley twist desk from England, the two frieze drawers with carved 'branch' motif handles, the top with carved edge and inset gilt tooled leather writing surface, t...
Oak
Sold
H 31 in W 44 in D 26 in
19th Century French Louis XIII Style Double Barley Twist Writing Table or Desk
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine 19th century French Louis XIII style writing table or bureau plat, having a rectangular top with a gadrooned beveled edge above a deep apron with a single drawer.
Oak
19th Century Barley Twist Walnut Writing Table, France
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French 19th century barley twist walnut writing table with one long sliding drawer, brass pulls, and the reverse with false front for floating purposes.
Walnut
19th Century Victorian barley twist mahogany writing table
Located in Malton, GB
The barley twist supports give this a great design and the bold stretcher just adds to it.
Mahogany
19th Century French Barley Twist Walnut Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Nothing beats the convenience of an Antique Writing Table, small enough to fit where larger desks would be too large.
Walnut
19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French barley twist writing desk, fashioned from solid French blonde walnut, is an amazing example of Fine hand-craftsmanship. The barley twists work in clockwise and co...
Walnut
French Walnut Barley Twist Writing Desk, circa 1880
Located in Highwood, IL
Circa 1860-1900 French walnut two drawer writing table with a black leather writing surface.
Leather
Sold
H 29 in W 45 in D 25.5 in
Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Oak Renaissance
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Oak Renaissance.
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 39 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Desk Writing Table Renaissance Wide Drawer Oak Barley Twist
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS 19th century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Desk or Writing Table with Wide Drawer, 3" Barley Twist Legs, Stretcher and Up Finial ~~circa 1880s With so many p...
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 39 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Desk Writing Table Renaissance Wide Drawer Oak Barley Twist
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS 19th century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Desk or Writing Table with Wide Drawer, 3" Barley Twist Legs, Stretcher and Up Finial ~~circa 1880s With so many p...
Oak
Sold
H 30.75 in W 53.5 in D 23.5 in
Antique French Desk Writing Table Sofa Entry Table Oak Barley Twist Renaissance
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Desk or the Perfect Entry/Sofa Table with Double Drawers and Barley Twist Legs with "H" Stretcher ~~c. 1890s With so ma...
Oak
Sold
H 30.5 in W 50 in D 30 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Louis XIV
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French carved oak desk writing table Barley twist Louis XIV ~Direct from France~ ~Stunning 19th century antique French desk or ‘bureau plat’ writing table!
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 27.5 in D 18 in
Antique French Desk Writing Table Nightstand PETITE w/ Drawer Barley Twist Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS Antique PETITE French Oak Renaissance Revival Desk or Writing Table or Nightstand with Drawer, Barley Twist Legs, Stretcher and Up Finial ~~c. 1900 With so many people wor...
Oak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 27.75 in D 19.75 in
Antique French Petite Desk Writing Table with Drawer Oak Barley Twist Nightstand
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful 19th century antique petite French oak renaissance revival desk or table with drawer, barley twist legs, stretcher and up finial. ~~c. 1880s With so many people workin...
Oak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 43 in D 27.5 in
Late 19th Century Louis XIII Style Walnut Writing Table, Desk, Barley Twist Legs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French Louis XIII style walnut writing table or desk from the late 19th century features a beveled top supported by barley twist legs that rest on ball feet.
Walnut
Portuguese Ebony Barley Twist Library Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Portuguese Ebony Bronze Mounted Barley Twist and Turned Leg 3 Drawer Library Table w/ Gadrooned Top Edge and Ripple Mouldings.
Sold
H 29.25 in W 42.5 in D 27.25 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Black Forest
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French carved oak sofa table writing desk barley twist black forest ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful French writing desk or sofa table with elegant features~ ~Front ...
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 39 in D 23.5 in
19th century French Oak Sofa Table Writing Desk Carved Black Forest Barley Twist
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French Oak Sofa Table Writing Desk Carved Black Forest Barley Twist.
Oak
Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.
Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.
Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.
Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.
The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.
From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
Fans of the French film star may be surprised to learn that he had a flair for furniture with sleek lines and disco-era flash.
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.