Flip Top Desks
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mirror, Wood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Paint
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing T...
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Vanities
Mirror, Wood
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese High Victorian Desks and Writin...
Leather, Wood
20th Century Belgian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 1820s English Restauration Desks and Writing Tables
Kingwood
Antique 1860s Belgian Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Vanities
Mirror, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Mirror, Wood
Antique 19th Century Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum, Steel
Antique 18th Century Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Antique 1830s American American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Desks
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Desks
Bronze
20th Century French Organic Modern Vanities
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Farm Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vanities
Rosewood
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Demi-lune Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Vanities
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vanities
Teak
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Game Tables
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Lucite, Olive
Antique 1880s Arts and Crafts Pedestals
Oak
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Vintage 1950s American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage 1960s Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Steel
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Desks
Teak
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Walnut
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Game Tables
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vanities
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
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Flip Top Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Flip Top Desks?
Finding the Right Desks and Writing Tables for You
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.
- What is a flip top table?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021As the name suggests, a flip top table is that piece of furniture with a hinged leaf that lies flat on the top of the table and folds outward to double the size. Flip top tables are both elegant and stylish and can add a modern element to any room at home, a workplace or at school. The tables are easy to set up and help create ample space for use. Find a collection of antique and vintage flip top tables on 1stDibs.
- What is a roll top desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A roll top desk is a piece of furniture that has a wooden cover that can be pulled down when the desk is not in use. Shop a collection of roll top furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The leather top on a desk is usually just called a leather top. However, some people refer to it as a leather insert or leather writing surface. The thin pieces of leather that go into making leather-top desks are known as skivers. Shop a variety of desks from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a roll top desk called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sometimes, roll-top desks are called tambours, sliding roll desks or roll-up desks. However, roll-top is the most commonly used name. The style of desk became popular during the 19th century. You can find a range of roll-top desks on 1stDibs.
- Can I paint a leather desk top?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021Yes, you can paint a leather desk top. You can transform an old leather desk top and add visual appeal with easy-to-use leather paint. If you don’t feel confident in trying this by yourself, get in touch with a furniture restorer or related professional for help. Find a variety of leather desk tops on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A roll top desk kept small essentials and paperwork organized. The roll top design was ideal for business people to secure their desks at the end of the day without filing away their work. Browse a variety of roll top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Roll-top desks are originally from the late 18th century in the Georgian era of England. By the middle of the Victorian era, they were found in most offices and produced on a large scale. Shop a range of antique roll-top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A roll top desk can be worth anywhere between $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the condition, materials used and time of manufacturing. Roll top desks are expensive, as they are very popular on the antique furniture market and are considered timeless collectibles. Shop a range of antique and vintage roll top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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.
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