There is a range of distressed desks for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
wood,
animal skin and
leather, all distressed desks available were constructed with great care. Distressed desks have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century.
louis xv,
Georgian and
Louis XVI distressed desks are consistently popular styles. Not every interior allows for large distressed desks, so small distressed desks measuring 19.9 inches across are available at 1stDibs. Distressed desks have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by
Baker Furniture Company and
Theodore Alexander are consistently popular.
Distressed desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $4,038, while the lowest priced sells for $517 and the highest can go for as much as $33,207.
Vintage desks and writing tables span centuries of design. The writing table came first, a simple surface built for correspondence, while the drawered desk followed as record-keeping at home and in the office grew more demanding.
Styles to Know
Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader vintage category. If you want a tapered-leg, mid-century look specifically, browse mid-century modern desks; Louis XVI and Art Deco secretary desks bridge the writing-table and desk forms. A vintage table lamp adds task lighting to either.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Piece
Writing tables often carry little to no storage of their own, so a separate file cabinet or desk organizer may be worth planning for, alongside a close look at the surface dimensions against the space available. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and every purchase is covered by the 1stDibs Promise.