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.

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's the difference between an antique desk and a vintage desk?

Antique desks are generally 100 years or older, while vintage desks are at least 20 years old and often reflect a specific design era.

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 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.

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.

What's the difference between a general antique desk and a mid-century modern desk?

Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader category, while a mid-century modern desk specifically features the tapered legs and clean lines of 1940s-1960s design.

How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?

Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.

French Antique Desk

Empire Mahogany Writing Desk

Mid Century Modern Desk With Return

Oak Table With Twisted Legs

Brown Herman Miller Desk Chair

19th Century Ladies Writing Desk

Oak Barley Twist Side Tables

Located in Dallas, TX

Raised on four small turned bronze feet, the inkwell combines practical function with the decorative elegance associated with late 19th century French desk accessories. The antique w...

Category

Late 19th Century French Empire French Antique Desk

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

$44,500

French Charles X Writing Desk

Located in New Orleans, LA

The epitome of French elegance and style, this French Charles X-style writing desk takes the classic design of English Davenport desks to new heights.

Category

19th Century French Charles X French Antique Desk

Materials

Bronze

Recent Sales

Exquisite French Desk

Unavailable

H 40 in W 39 in D 22 in

Exquisite French Desk

Located in Southampton, NY

Drop front French desk, incredible hardware and woodwork. Patina.

Late 19th century French Desk set with beautifull Inkwell.

Unavailable

H 4.93 in W 9.85 in D 6.7 in

Late 19th century French Desk set with beautifull Inkwell.

Located in Paris, FR

Late 19th century French desk set with an inkwell, a letter holder and a blotter.

Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque French Antique Desk

Antique French Desk

Unavailable

H 45.5 in W 30.5 in D 24 in

Antique French Desk

Located in San Francisco, CA

Antique French two-part desk with leather writing surface.

Category

19th Century French French Antique Desk

Materials

Wood, Leather, Mirror

Oversized French Desk

Unavailable

H 29 in W 96 in D 23 in

Oversized French Desk

Located in Bedford, NY

Originally used in fabric shops in France to roll out drapery fabrics, great for serving, working or playing. Two drawers.

Category

19th Century French French Antique Desk

Materials

Pine

Antique French Desk

Unavailable

H 28 in W 39 in D 14.5 in

Antique French Desk

By C. Durand

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A wonderful antique French Tulipwood parquetry inlaid ladies writing table with 2 side drawers and leather pull-out slide in the front.

Category

19th Century French French Antique Desk

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Walnut French Desk

Unavailable

H 30 in W 51 in D 31.25 in

19th Century Walnut French Desk

Located in New Orleans, LA

19th century French walnut leather top desk with two slides. Five drawers on one side and five faux drawers on the other side.

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI French Antique Desk

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Louis XIV Walnut Wood French Desk, 1790s

Unavailable

H 28.75 in W 38.59 in D 22.05 in

18th Century Louis XIV Walnut Wood French Desk, 1790s

Located in Wyboston Lakes, GB

This desk has a drawer. It is made of walnut wood. It is French, 18 century.

Late 19th Century Heavily Carved French Walnut Desk

Unavailable

H 56.5 in W 42 in D 21 in

Late 19th Century Heavily Carved French Walnut Desk

Located in Santa Ana, CA

This ornately carved French desk is made from walnut. The desk features superb carvings of cherubs and accent trimmings that are reminiscent of the Gothic style.

Category

Late 19th Century French Other French Antique Desk

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Japanese Lacquer Bureau Plat in Napoleon III Style

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 27 in Dm 7 in

French Articulated Desk Lamp

Located in New York, NY

French desk lamp.

French Mahogany Marble-Top Desk

Unavailable

H 28.55 in W 33.08 in D 17.33 in

French Mahogany Marble-Top Desk

Located in Buckinghamshire, GB

French mahogany marble-top desk having rosewood crossbanding with three drawers and a grey marble top having a galleried edge raised on tapering outsplayed legs.

Category

Early 1900s French French Antique Desk

French marquetry desk by Linke

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 48.04 in W 53.15 in D 24.02 in

Wonderful 18th Century French Roll Top Desk (Cylinder Bureau)

Located in Poole, GB

Wonderful 18th Century French Roll Top Desk ( cylinder bureau ) A very elegant and with great proportions, late 18th century French walnut and parquetry Cylinder bureau with chevron...

Category

Late 18th Century French French Antique Desk

Materials

Walnut

French 19th century double-sided burled elm partners' desk

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 40.56 in W 51.58 in D 24.02 in

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Desk by J Werner

By Jean Werner

Located in Antrim, GB

Exhibition quality antique French ormolu mounted Kingwood desk stamped by the important Paris furniture maker J Werner circa 1860 .

Category

Mid-19th Century French Empire French Antique Desk

Materials

Kingwood

French 19th Century Mahogany Desk Chair

Unavailable

H 28.35 in W 24.41 in D 22.84 in

French 19th Century Mahogany Desk Chair

Located in den Haag, NL

A French 19th century mahogany desk chair with concave back, inscrolled arms and turned front legs in white muslin.

Category

Early 19th Century French Regency French Antique Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Unavailable

H 60 in W 40 in D 33 in

ON SALE Desk 19th Century French Pine Pupitre Desk

Located in San Francisco, CA

Unusual 19th century French pine pupitre desk. restaurant entry host table.

Materials

$14,857

H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in

Gianfranco Frattini Brown Velvet Sesann Three-Seater Sofa for Cassina, 1972

By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini

Located in Vicenza, IT

Sesann three-seater sofa, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. It features brown alpaca velvet upholstery and a chrome tubular ca...

Category

1970s Italian Space Age French Antique Desk

Materials

Chrome

Small Louis XV Commode Attibuted to Criard

$4,750

$32,795Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 30.12 in W 28.75 in D 34.65 in

PAiR OF ANTIQUE HOWARD & SON'S BRIDGEWATER CHESTERFIELD GREEN LEATHER ARMCHAIRS

By Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard and Sons

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunningly rare, original pair of fully restored Regency Green leather, Victorian Mahogany framed Howar...

Category

19th Century English Victorian French Antique Desk

Materials

Leather

Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture

$1,695

H 13.75 in W 14.5 in D 2.75 in

Black Coral Sea Fan Sculpture

Located in Houston, TX

Black coral sea fan embellished with tourmaline and a showy quartz druzy shell specimen mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Renaissance French Antique Desk

Materials

Coral, Quartz, Bronze

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French Antique Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal French antique desk for your home. Frequently made of wood, metal and bronze, every French antique desk was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer French antique desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right French antique desk, those designed in Louis XVI, Louis XV and Empire styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one French antique desk that is appealing in its simplicity, but François Linke, Baccarat and Paul Sormani produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a French Antique Desk?

The average selling price for a French antique desk at 1stDibs is $4,246, while they’re typically $67 on the low end and $1,740,240 for the highest priced.

Questions About French Antique Desk

What is an antique Davenport desk?
2 Answers
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A Davenport desk is a type of small desk with a distinct inclined desktop. The desktop covers a large storage compartment meant for keeping paper and other writing materials. Popular in the 19th century, Davenport desks are still sought after today. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
What are antique desks called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
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's the difference between an antique desk and a vintage desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Antique desks are generally 100 years or older, while vintage desks are at least 20 years old and often reflect a specific design era.
How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
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 much is my antique secretary desk worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
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.
How do I know if my antique roll top desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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.
What's the difference between a general antique desk and a mid-century modern desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader category, while a mid-century modern desk specifically features the tapered legs and clean lines of 1940s-1960s design.
How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.
What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.