Vintage British Colonial Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent writing desk perfectly captures the refined, adventurous spirit of British
Mid-20th Century American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage British Colonial Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent writing desk perfectly captures the refined, adventurous spirit of British
Brass
Antique English British Colonial Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English desk handcrafted in mahogany, in three piece construction, with brass
Mahogany
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest with Pullout Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
a pullout desk with nooks, drawers and a leather writing surface.
Wood
British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk Set
By Baker Furniture Company, Bloomingdale's
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury British Colonial style 4-drawer writing desk or work table of bamboo wood frame
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Wood
British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive mid century desk crafted with a faux burnt bamboo frame having grasscloth panels on the
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
Anglo Indian Colonial Teak Desk, 1890s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Large and sturdy desk from the late 1800s. Generously thick teak material. Below the full carved
Teak
$2,500
H 30 in W 48 in D 24 in
Vintage Anglo Indian Campaign Style Hardwood Curule Writing Desk w/ Brass Inlay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. Vintage Anglo Indian Campaign Style Hardwood Curule Writing Desk w/ Brass Inlay, Three Dovetailed Drawers
Brass
Mahogany console desk, English, 19th century
Located in Nice, FR
This desk is solid mahogany, it dates from the 19th century, English origin. It is in good
Bentwood
Black Lacquer English Antique Campaign Style Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Lacquer English Antique Campaign Style Desk. Believe this to be from the 19th Century. Please
Wood
$25,724
H 9.53 in W 17.33 in D 10.01 in
Colonial 18th Century Vizagapatam Pen-Engraved Writing Desk with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Vizagapatam pen-engraved veneered sandalwood portable writing desk with silver mounts India
Sandalwood, Bone
Unavailable
H 30 in W 72 in D 48 in
1910s Lavish Victorian Style Large Mahogany Partner's Desk from a Bank
Located in Houston, TX
banking partners. This is a beautifully conceived and made desk for a senior personnel in the bank. The
Mahogany
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 51.19 in D 31.5 in
20th Century Italian Wooden Pastry Counter with Drawers, 1940s
Located in Florence, IT
20th century Italian wooden pastry counter with drawers, 1940s. Measures: cm 130 x cm 80x H cm. 80-108.
Aluminum, Brass
Unavailable
H 6.7 in W 13.78 in D 9.06 in
Military Campaign Brass Bound Victorian Walnut Veneered Writing Slope with Keys
Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
A Military Campaign brass bound walnut veneered writing slope, opening to reveal the usual fitted
Brass
Writing Desk
Located in Clinton, AR
Handcrafted. Excellent condition. Beautifully craved doors.
Wood
Unavailable
H 5.91 in W 11.62 in D 9.06 in
Military Campaign Brass Bound Victorian Walnut Veneered Writing Slope with Key
Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
A military campaign brass bound walnut veneered writing slope, with a vintage pen. Opening up to
Brass
Unavailable
H 5.91 in W 11.62 in D 9.06 in
Victorian Walnut Writing Slope Ebony and Abalone Shell Decoration to Borders
Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
A mid-19th century early Victorian burr walnut writing slope desk tidy box having an inset silver
Brass
Antique Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique British Colonial Writing Desk in Teak. Circa 1890.
British Colonial Faux Bamboo Writing Desk and Matching Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning writing desk and matching chair in the British Colonial style having a smart combo of
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo
British Colonial Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive secretary was once found in an colonial office in Rangoon, Burma. The large door
Teak
British Colonial Style Bamboo Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century desk crafted in bamboo and featuring lacquered panels on the top under glass, sides
Bamboo
English British Colonial Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
19th century English partners desk hand crafted in mahogany and French polished in the traditional
Leather, Mahogany
British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
English mahogany partners writing desk with a tooled oxblood leather top, handmade construction
Mahogany
Boho British Colonial Bamboo & Rattan Desk
By Dal Vera
Located in Trenton, NJ
Introducing this Vintage British Colonial Style Grasscloth and Bamboo Writing Desk – a tropical
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Wood
British Colonial West Indies Server or Writing Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting 19th century British Colonial West Indian writing table or server crafted in mahogany
Mahogany
Midcentury British Colonial Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style desk with a tortoiseshell bamboo frame including a pagoda shaped gallery and
Grasscloth, Bamboo
British Colonial Style Bamboo and Canvas Desk
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial three piece seven drawer desk with a bamboo frame and panels of tan canvas on the
Bamboo
British Colonial Style Grasscloth and Mahogany Desk
By Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British colonial style seven drawer desk crafted in mahogany with bold grasscloth panels
Leather, Grasscloth, Mahogany
British Colonial Style Bamboo and Reed Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century sawhorse writing desk with three drawers in the case wrapped with reed over two bamboo
Bamboo, Reed
British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and grasscloth panels all around
Grasscloth, Bamboo
British Colonial Drawing Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Incredibly spacious piece for drafting, drawing and for the simple writer. Also invites ample space for storage.
Teak
Antique English British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century English partners desk, regency in style, crafted in mahogany having a
Brass
British Colonial Wooden Desk with Four Drawers and Two Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome British Colonial desk is from Thailand and was made from wood, circa 20th century
Wood
British Colonial Roll Top Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Spacious piece complimented with rich color adds to your room or office. Handsome design is shown through the simplicity of this unique find.
Teak
British Colonial Roll Top Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Simple, yet handsome piece accented with floral drawer pulls. Sleek curve adds a bright smile.
Teak
Maitland-Smith British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo and Leather Desk
By Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome midcentury British Colonial style desk having a tooled and gilt decorated brown leather
Leather, Faux Bamboo
A British Colonial Art Deco Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1950’s British Colonial Art Deco Desk from India made from Teak wood.
Teak
Sold
H 40.5 in W 43 in D 22.5 in
British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk and Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury British colonial style desk and chair crafted with a burnt bamboo frame having pagoda
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Sold
H 31 in W 54 in D 24 in
British Colonial Style Ming Inspired Solid Mahogany Five Drawer Desk, 20th C
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This British Colonial style writing desk is made with great craftsmanship of solid polished
Brass
Sold
H 30.5 in W 41.5 in D 22.5 in
British Colonial Style Faux Tortoise Bamboo and Grass Cloth Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury faux tortoise bamboo and grass cloth desk with Asian modern form featuring two glove
Cotton, Bamboo, Cane, Raffia, Rattan
Asian Modern Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style writing desk with an Asian modern faux bamboo frame featuring a pagoda form
Bamboo
British Colonial 19th Century Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive William IV antique partners desk handcrafted in mahogany with a lush green tooled
Leather, Mahogany
Midcentury Colonial Style Desk by Baker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style midcentury bamboo desk with a black lacquered top, sides and storage
Faux Bamboo
English British Colonial Style Leather Top Inlaid Rosewood Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique English Edwardian desk crafted in rosewood having a tooled brown leather top over a five
Rosewood
19th Century Colonial Partner Desk
Located in Eindhoven, NL
the colonial era of the English. This desk was made in colonial 19th century India. Beautifully made
Sold
H 30 in W 72 in D 36 in
British Colonial Mahogany Campaign Style Leather Top Gentleman's Desk, 20th C.
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This British Colonial Mahogany campaign style desk features a top with three leather lined panels
Brass
19Th. English Colonial Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Lacquer Drop-Front Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this 19Th. English Colonial Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Lacquer Drop-Front Desk . Lovely
Bamboo
Vintage Large Bamboo Rattan Woven Wicker Leather Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely oversized bamboo, rattan and woven cane desk with large brass bamboo pull rings. Three
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
British Colonial Table with Marble Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Handsome selection with refined legs. Marble top adds a great touch to this piece.
Marble
Sold
H 30 in W 62 in D 32 in
Vintage Tooled Leather Traditional Carved Campaign Style Office Writing Desk 62"
By Maitland Smith
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century campaign style desk. Features a rectangular form with brown tooled leather top
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 39 in W 50 in D 30 in
Vintage Maitland-Smith Leather Clad British Campaign Desk With Steel Sword Base
By Maitland Smith
Located in Centennial, CO
What a unique statement piece! This vintage Maitland-Smith British campaign desk is made of gold
Steel, Gold Leaf
British Colonial Table with Two Drawers and Twist Legs with Casters
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome British Colonial desk was made in Rangoon, Burma, and dates to circa 1910. The desk
Teak, Lacquer
Midcentury Zebra and Chrome Writing Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic midcentury library or writing table with a visually compelling mix of material. The top is
Chrome
Midcentury Rattan Kneehole Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seven drawer desk crafted in pencil reed featuring flowing wave patterns on the sides and back over
Rattan
Bamboo and Grasscloth Pagoda Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Asian modern British colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and painted grasscloth
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Maitland-Smith Vintage Faux Trunk Convertible Foldout Desk
By Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable British Colonial style faux steamer trunk crafted in leather and grasscloth and
Leather, Grasscloth
Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk and Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Faux tortoise two-drawer desk crafted with panels of grasscloth framed in bamboo and metal splayed
Grasscloth, Bamboo
Ebony Desk with Leather Top, Early 1900's
Located in Nantucket, MA
A rare ebony British Colonial desk with two reeded drawer fronts, reeded sides and reeded, tapered
Leather, Ebony
Vintage Mahogany Gray Wash Finished Campaign Desk
Located in North York, ON
Vintage mahogany gray wash finished campaign desk. Vintage, circa 1940s mahogany campaign desk
Brass
20th Century English style desk in oak, United Kingdom ca. 1950
Located in Meulebeke, BE
United kingdom / 1950 / desk / oak / English A charming writing table or desk in full oak crafted
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 40.5 in D 32.5 in
English Green Nautical Ship Painted Plymouth College Double School Desk Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid wood and metal English painted double school desk or child's writing table with depictions of
Metal
Vintage Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Faux bamboo writing desk in colonial style with leather inset top A British Colonial style
Rattan, Wicker
Rattan Midcentury British Colonial Campaign Style Desk
By Bloomingdale's, Bielecky Brothers
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury British colonial campaign style 2-drawer writing desk or work table with distinct
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 54.25 in D 25 in
Mid-20th Century Refinished Coastal British Colonial Rattan Writing Desk
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A beautiful Mid-20th Century rattan writing desk showcasing a true balance of coastal charm and
Rattan, Plywood
19th Century British Colonial Writing Desk or Library Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique, British Colonial writing desk or library table from India, crafted with well grained
British Colonial Elephant Head Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style one drawer writing desk or table crafted in walnut with a chic pecan finish
Walnut
English British Colonial Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English desk crafted in mahogany having the original lush tooled leather top
Leather, Mahogany
British Colonial Style Mahogany Desk or Writing Table
By Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style mahogany desk, writing table or library table with a three panel green
Antique English Leather Top Campaign Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome antique English desk crafted in mahogany featuring three tooled leather panels on a case with three drawers sitting on two pedestals with three drawers each having campaign ...
Brass
Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock
Located in Miami, FL
Murano hand blown studio glass chandelier, in stock All different shaped chartreuse green discs with white details, rigadin technique Brass plated structure with 24 exposed brass reg...
Brass
Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition. Assembled with crystal/gold and red elements handmade in the Murano furnaces. Wooden frame with a natural finish.
Glass
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$3,450
H 28.5 in W 59.75 in D 31.5 in
Executive Desk with Floating Top in Teak Near Mint Condition, Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Gunni Omann
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very beautiful designed executive desks In the style of Gunni Omann's Model 75 and Kai Kristiansen's Model 60. Classic Made of solid and veneered teak. The desk features a desk top t...
Teak
$3,539
H 32.29 in W 44.1 in D 70.87 in
Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany Solid mahogany, partially veneered. Baluster-shaped and grooved/channelled legs ending with brass castors. Frame bo...
Leather, Mahogany
$228,009Sale Price|33% Off
H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
By Henry Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...
Other
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases. Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass top.
Brass
The Albert, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...
Linen
Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE (LARGE) floor lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant‘s Foot– for the prominent shape at its ...
Textile, Wood, Linen, Fiberglass
$6,197 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$5,787 / item
H 35.04 in W 44.89 in D 16.15 in
18th Century Hand Painted Venetian Style Blue Barberini Chest with Drawers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Deep Sea Blue Barberini Chest with Drawers. In a Deep Sea Blue color background with our sunflower...
Wood
Pair of Thomas Pheasant for Baker Max Tufted Club Chairs
By Thomas Pheasant, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Hollywood modern pair of large max club chairs or lounge chairs designed by Thomas Pheasant for Baker. The chairs feature a large hardwood frame with slightly different but complemen...
Brass
Lovely Yew Wood Secretary Campaign Chest
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this lovely yew wood secretary campaign chest made by Kennedy of Ipswich and retailed by Harrods London , this is a very good looking well made and decor...
Brass
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry, part of our metal Kitchen Collection, is designed as a feature element for any space. The three doors on the upper cabinets are fabricated with a kn...
Brass
Typically made of mahogany, teak or bamboo and featuring a range of fabrics and prints with botanical patterns, antique British Colonial furniture and decor varies as it involved local materials and techniques and spanned centuries of design styles.
As the British Empire expanded from the 16th to the 20th century, its conquest and control of colonies around the world bolstered its wealth through the extraction of resources. Including colonies in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia, this spread of often violent subjugation imposed British culture, language and faith on Indigenous peoples. The design of homes was included in this expression of imperial power, with government officials, merchants and military officers creating homes mimicking the luxuries they were used to in England.
Local artisans were commissioned to replicate British designs, resulting in versions of Regency, Chippendale, Sheraton and other styles of furniture being crafted from mahogany, rosewood, ebony and teakwood as opposed to beech and oak, which were more common in Europe. Whereas the colonial furniture for the Portuguese and Dutch regularly had motifs of indigenous flora and fauna, the British tended to want more exact reproductions of their home country’s designs.
To escape the summer heat in places such as India and the Caribbean, British colonizers relocated to airy houses in the hills or plantations, leading to foldable chairs and collapsible desks in the style of military campaign furniture. Rather than upholstery as they might have in Europe, chairs and sofas in the British Colonial style had rattan and cane seating for these higher temperature climates. The contrast between the light textiles and the dark colors of the sturdy furniture became a defining aesthetic of British Colonial interiors.
Find a collection of antique British Colonial outdoor furniture, seating, bedroom furniture, decorative objects and other items on 1stDibs.
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.