Jacobean Finely Carved Massive Solid Mahogany Partners Desk
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Jacobean Finely Carved Massive Solid Mahogany Partners Desk
Category
20th Century American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Jacobean Writing Desk
Lifetime Furniture English Jacobean Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk, Circa 1920s
$3,595
H 45 in W 42 in D 17.25 in
Lifetime Furniture English Jacobean Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk, Circa 1920s
By Lifetime
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique English Jacobean or Renaissance Revival style drop front secretary desk By
Category
Vintage 1920s American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
Category
Vintage 1920s English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Tapestry, Oak
Drexel Sandia Collection Jacobean Drop-Front Desk
By Drexel
Located in Chicago, IL
Drexel drop front desk from the Sandia Collection, circa 1960s. Interesting writing desk marrying
Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique English Slant Front Desk Display Stand Jacobean Carved Tiger Oak Lectern
$2,950
H 39.5 in W 23.5 in D 17.5 in
Antique English Slant Front Desk Display Stand Jacobean Carved Tiger Oak Lectern
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Slant Front Desk Display Stand Jacobean Carved Tiger Oak Lectern. Direct from
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
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
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Fine Antique English Oak Writing Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very fine Antique English writing table with great traditional form, peg construction and
Category
Antique 19th Century English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Jacobean Revival Dresser Walnut Server Tables Farmhouse
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful Jacobean Revival dresser in walnut Circa 1930 Great for achieving that sought after
Category
Vintage 1980s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Davenport Heavily Carved Oak Desk w/ Rope Twist Supports 4 Drawers
$5,400
H 37 in W 26 in D 21 in
19th Century Davenport Heavily Carved Oak Desk w/ Rope Twist Supports 4 Drawers
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
19th Century Davenport heavily carved oak desk w/ rope Twist supports 4 Drawers. Lift top storage
Category
Antique 19th Century American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique English Console Table Writing Desk Jacobean Barley Twist Carved Oak
$1,699
H 29 in W 35 in D 25 in
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 . Direct from
Category
Antique 1890s English Jacobean Console Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique English Console Table Writing Desk Jacobean Barley Twist Carved Oak
$3,250
H 31 in W 35.25 in D 23.25 in
Antique English Console Table Writing Desk Jacobean Barley Twist Carved Oak
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Console Table Writing Desk Jacobean Barley Twist Carved Oak c1890 . Direct from
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Jacobean Console Tables
Materials
Oak
Recent Sales
Ant. Oak Jacobean Style Slant Front Desk Bureau, Writing, Scotland 1910
Unavailable
H 40 in W 35.5 in D 17 in
Ant. Oak Jacobean Style Slant Front Desk Bureau, Writing, Scotland 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Ant. Oak Jacobean style slant front desk bureau, writing desk, Scotland 1910, H880 $1250
Category
20th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Jacobean Spanish Revival Walnut Hand Painted Secretary Writing Desk
Sold
H 39 in W 16 in D 45 in
Antique Jacobean Spanish Revival Walnut Hand Painted Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century Jacobean / Spanish Revival secretary desk. Made from walnut with hand carved and
Category
20th Century Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Paint
Antique English Writing Desk Table Jacobean Carved Oak Green Leather Bobbin Leg
Sold
H 30.5 in W 48 in D 23 in
Antique English Writing Desk Table Jacobean Carved Oak Green Leather Bobbin Leg
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English writing desk table Jacobean carved oak green leather w bobbin legs. Direct from
Category
Early 20th Century British Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Jacobean-Style Desk or Lamp Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Versatile table has leg room as a small single drawer writing desk or night table with braced
Category
Antique 19th Century French Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
English Barley Twist Jacobean Style Desk Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
Solid Mahogany Jacobean style writing desk with three paneled drawers, original brass drop pulls
Category
Early 20th Century English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Black Forest Carved Oak Jacobean Mall Writing Desk Table with Northwind Face
Sold
H 30 in W 36 in D 20 in
Black Forest Carved Oak Jacobean Mall Writing Desk Table with Northwind Face
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique black forest carved oak Jacobean mall writing desk table with Northwind face. Item features
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Black Forest Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Jacobean Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk by Bloomingdales
Located in Plainview, NY
A 1970's Jacobean Spanish colonial style drop-lid slant front desk made of quality flame mahogany
Category
20th Century American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Jacobean Oak Desk / Library Table Early 20th Century
Located in Fulton, CA
Early 20th century oak library table / desk / refectory table with fanned inlay detail. Bold, over
Category
Early 20th Century English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Early 19th c. Carved Jacobean desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th c. Carved Jacobean desk
Category
Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Leather Top Oak Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and useful antique leather top writing table in solid oak. This was made in England & I
Category
Early 20th Century English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Early 19th Century Jacobean Style Desk & Hutch C-LK
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Early 19th Century Jacobean Style Desk & Hutch. This is a very interesting piece. It has exquisite
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Finely Carved Oak Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The top with a carved leafy border over two working apron drawers and two faux drawers all with leaf and berry vine details and carved leafy pulls. Raised on heavy barley twist legs ...
Category
Early 20th Century Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Handsome 19th Century French Carved Walnut and Leather Top Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century desk on turned barley-twist legs with ornate carvings on all the drawer fronts. The
Category
Antique 19th Century French Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Ethan Allen Circa 1776 Maple Wood Drop Lid Slant Front Secretary Desk
Sold
H 39.25 in W 27.25 in D 14.5 in
Ethan Allen Circa 1776 Maple Wood Drop Lid Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ethan Allen circa 1776 maple drop lid slant front secretary desk. Item features solid wood
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple
19th Century English Oak Table
Located in Hixson, TN
Very nice English 19th century oak side table with two carved drawers and a carved band on the top. The turned legs rest upon a box stretcher.
Category
Antique 19th Century British Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
19th-C. English Jacobean Carved Oak Slant Top Writing Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Oh the detail! This is a 19th century heavily carved oak slant front desk. The top lifts over two
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Jacobean Desks
Materials
Brass
Antique Saginaw Jacobean Spanish Revival Oak Vanity Dressing Table Writing Desk
Sold
H 30 in W 18 in D 48 in
Antique Saginaw Jacobean Spanish Revival Oak Vanity Dressing Table Writing Desk
By Saginaw
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive Spanish Revival dressing table by Saginaw Furniture, circa late 1930s to early 40s. Made from oak with three dovetailed drawers. Features a rectangular frame with intri...
Category
Vintage 1930s Jacobean Vanities
Materials
Mirror, Oak
Antique Kittinger Jacobean Spanish Revival American Walnut Carved Secretary Desk
Sold
H 32.5 in W 45 in D 12.5 in
Antique Kittinger Jacobean Spanish Revival American Walnut Carved Secretary Desk
By Kittinger
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely early Kittinger Jacobean Revival fall front secretary writing desk. Made from American
Category
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Antique Victorian Quartersawn Oak Gothic Carved Secretary Writing Desk
Sold
H 39 in W 40.75 in D 20.5 in
Antique Victorian Quartersawn Oak Gothic Carved Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Jacobean secretary desk. Made of oak, featuring Gothic style carvings with iron hardware
Category
Antique 19th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Materials
Iron
Rare Charles II 1674 Carved with Hunting Scenes Writing Bureau Desk Lots Drawers
Sold
H 41.15 in W 36.03 in D 21.26 in
Rare Charles II 1674 Carved with Hunting Scenes Writing Bureau Desk Lots Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
desks main body also has a large almost hidden sliding platform We have deep cleaned hand condition
Category
Antique 1670s British Jacobean Cupboards
Materials
Oak
Jacobean Style Oak Desk w/ Two Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. late 18th century - early 19th century Jacobean style oak desk w/ two drawers Drawer Size
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Oak English Jacobean Spiral Barley Twist Table Desk with One Drawer
Sold
H 29.5 in W 38 in D 24 in
Antique Oak English Jacobean Spiral Barley Twist Table Desk with One Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique oak English Jacobean spiral barley twist table desk with one drawer. Item features spiral
Category
Early 20th Century English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
20th Century English Tiger Oak Barley Twist Hall Sofa Table Desk Jacobean Style
Sold
H 30.75 in W 30 in D 18 in
20th Century English Tiger Oak Barley Twist Hall Sofa Table Desk Jacobean Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from England, a lovely and versatile antique English tiger oak sofa table or desk
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Desk Library Writing Table Side Hall Victorian English Carved Oak
Sold
H 29.93 in W 40.95 in D 25.2 in
Antique Desk Library Writing Table Side Hall Victorian English Carved Oak
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
offers desirable rich oak tone and patina Useful as a writing desk, work table or feature item With
Category
Antique 1870s Great Britain (UK) Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique English Barley Twist Sofa Entry Table Oak Carved Beveled Edge Top 1920s
Sold
H 30 in W 36 in D 15 in
Antique English Barley Twist Sofa Entry Table Oak Carved Beveled Edge Top 1920s
Located in Tyler, TX
Antique English Oak Jacobean Sofa Table, Entry Table, Barley Twist Legs and Stretcher with Carved
Category
Vintage 1920s French Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique English Carved Oak Writing Desk Sofa Table Jacobean William Mary
Sold
H 29 in W 41.5 in D 23.5 in
Antique English Carved Oak Writing Desk Sofa Table Jacobean William Mary
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from England, a wonderful antique English hall table or sideboard with gorgeous hand carvings throughout!~ ~Wide front apron actually has two drawers, with the fronts almost ...
Category
Antique 1890s English Jacobean Desks
Materials
Oak
Antique English 19th Century Oak Writing Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century handsome oak writing desk.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Jacobean Desks
Materials
Oak
Jacobean-Style Trestle Table/Writing Desk c.1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jacobean-style trestle table/writing desk, circa 1910 Walnut barley twist legs on bun feet and x
Category
Early 20th Century Jacobean Tables
Materials
Wood
Jacobean style Writing Desk
Located in Roswell, GA
Exceptional and unusual English Oak Jacobean writing table/desk with 10 drawers (8 small 2 larger
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Jacobean style Writing Table
Located in Roswell, GA
Jacobean style small writing table with 3 drawers. All drawers have carved gargoyle style head
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Jacobean Revival Oak Desk/Writing Table, England, Early 20th C.
Located in New York, NY
Jacobean Revival Oak Desk / Writing Table with Well-Patinated Inset Brown Leather Top Above Five
Category
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
English Jacobean Trestle table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
). Solid oak. Can be used as a dining table or desk.
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier European Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
English Jacobean Style Barley Twist Oak Desk, Circa 1880
Located in Louisville, KY
featuring a rectangular top over a two drawer frieze and raised on sugar twist legs connected with turned stretchers.
Category
Antique 19th Century British Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Canvas
Jacobean style 'Dolphin' table
Located in Roswell, GA
Dark English Oak Dolphin table with one large center drawer. Carved Lions' Heads at each corner with brass rings. Stylised Dolphin feeet. Beautiful carving.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Pull Out Table with Parquet Top
Located in Chamblee, GA
as a sofa table, desk or dining table. The 2 leaves are 21 1/2 in. long which makes the length with
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Formations Ebonized Jacobean Style Writing Table
Located in New Preston, CT
Formations Ebonized Two-Drawer Jacobean Style Writing Table Raised on Magnificent Turned Legs with
Category
Late 20th Century American Desks
English Carved Oak Desk Library Table Gothic Jacobean Large Writing Table
Sold
H 28.9 in W 59.02 in D 34.45 in
English Carved Oak Desk Library Table Gothic Jacobean Large Writing Table
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive 19th century carved oak library table in the Jacobean manner. The rectangular top
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Vintage 1970s Jacobian Writing Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
carved stretched legs. This French Jacobian writing desk is in good condition and can be used for years
Category
Vintage 1970s French Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Small Jacobean Style Oak Writing Desk
Located in Manchester, GB
A superb quality and unusually small, writing desk, quite possibly by Titchmarsh and Goodwin. With
Category
Vintage 1930s European Desks
Materials
Leather, Oak
People Also Browsed
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Materials
Linen, Velvet
Antique Jacobean Style Turned Oak Tiered Server
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tiered Jacobean Server with bold form, great age patina and three tiers. Made in three tiers, the top and second tier with carved friezes in a pattern of textured squares and small...
Category
Antique 19th Century Jacobean Shelves
Materials
Oak
French Empire Bedroom Suite Walnut Nightstands Bed Commode 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This Suite Comprises of a Large Gentleman's Wardrobe, a Ladies Wardrobe, Super King Size Bed, Marble Top Commode and a Pair of Marble Top Bedside Cabinets. The Whole of the Suite Bei...
Category
Antique 1870s French Provincial Bedroom Sets
Materials
Marble
Hand Carved, Louis XV Style Sofa Made By La Maison London
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV style, hand-carved, curved back, freestanding, sofa. Hand finished in antique white and lightly distressed. Upholstered in a Lelievre, damask, fabric with deep filled, feath...
Category
2010s British Louis XV Sofas
Materials
Hardwood
Rare Pair 18th Century Venetian Paint Decorated Marble Top Commodes Nightstands
$4,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34 in W 27.5 in D 15.5 in
Rare Pair 18th Century Venetian Paint Decorated Marble Top Commodes Nightstands
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This rare pair of 18th century Venetian paint-decorated marble top commodes nightstands exemplifies the opulence and artistry of Italian Rococo furniture. Each bombe-form chest showc...
Category
Antique 1790s Italian Rococo Night Stands
Materials
Marble, Iron
Antique Quartersawn Oak French Renaissance Revival Dining Table Library Desk
Sold|$3,500
H 30 in W 34.5 in D 50 in
Antique Quartersawn Oak French Renaissance Revival Dining Table Library Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century Figural French Renaissance Revival / Elizabethan style Dining or Library Table. A rectangular form made from oak with a quartersawn top. Features a thick gadroon...
Category
Antique 1880s Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables
Materials
Oak
George Smith Mohair Velvet Ottoman Sofa Banquette
By George Smith
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental bespoke mohair velvet tufted sectional banquette sofa custom designed by George Smith, London UK. The grand "ottoman sofa" was commissioned by Samantha Todhunter Design fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Sofas
Materials
Mohair, Hardwood
19th Century Venetian Armoire
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful Italian armoire made up of exceptional carved and painted panels.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Wardrobes and Armoires
Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Liquor Wine Cabinet Chest Stand Cherubs 1880
$5,995
H 52.25 in W 48 in D 16.5 in
Antique Italian Renaissance Carved Liquor Wine Cabinet Chest Stand Cherubs 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Italian Florentine Renaissance Revival carved cabinet on stand, circa 1880. The cabinet has some of the finest carvings we have seen on a late 19th century cabine...
Category
Antique 1880s Italian Renaissance Revival Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Renaissance Revival Walnut Buffet Cabinet Cupboard Hutch 94"
$4,700
H 94 in W 62 in D 23.5 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Walnut Buffet Cabinet Cupboard Hutch 94"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Renaissance / Henry II style walnut buffet a deux corps / vaisselier / cupboard / cabinet / hutch featuring Neoclassical carved figural / acanthus / floral theme. The...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Cupboards
Materials
Walnut
Exceptional Crystal and Bronze Chandelier, L-A Marquis, France, C. 1860
$1,022,451
H 82.68 in Dm 76.78 in
Exceptional Crystal and Bronze Chandelier, L-A Marquis, France, C. 1860
By Maison Marquis
Located in PARIS, FR
This very important 96-lights chandelier made entirely in chiseled and gilded bronze in the Renaissance style, is composed at the lower part of six large sets of ten light-arms, ador...
Category
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique French Carved Walnut Cabinet Wine Bar Renaissance Bookcase c1890
$6,250
H 59 in W 36 in D 21 in
Antique French Carved Walnut Cabinet Wine Bar Renaissance Bookcase c1890
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French Carved Walnut Cabinet Bar Renaissance Wine Server Baroque. Direct from Europe, a highly carved antique cabinet, with a drop down back, which perfectly adapts f...
Category
Antique 1890s French Baroque Cupboards
Materials
Walnut
Large Early 20th Century Rococo Headboard
Located in London, Park Royal
This elegant Antique Rococo Headboard is the perfect centrepiece for a classic bedroom. Crafted in Italy during the 1900s, this headboard boasts a timeless Rococo style. We can make ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Wood
1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
$3,875
H 40.75 in W 34.25 in D 17 in
1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
By Rockford National Furniture Company 1
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture Company. Founded in 1876 by Swedish settlers, the company has a rich heritage of f...
Category
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy
$62,549Sale Price|20% Off
H 104.34 in W 153.55 in D 19.69 in
Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Complete antique pharmacy cabinet, with 3 open bookcases on the sides, 1 bookcase with drawers and 2 original doors with glass and enameled mirror sign. Built in the mid-19th century...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Jacobean Writing Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Jacobean Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the jacobean writing desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, oak and walnut, every jacobean writing desk was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a jacobean writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each jacobean writing desk bearing Baroque hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made jacobean writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Drexel and Ethan Allen are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Jacobean Writing Desk?
Prices for a jacobean writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $750 and can go as high as $11,500, while the average can fetch as much as $2,516.
Finding the Right Desks-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.
Questions About Jacobean Writing Desk
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In 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.
Read More
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
This Alain Delon–Designed Table Is Almost as Handsome as He Was
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.
Uchronia’s Plant Stand Gives Pots a Pretty Perch with All the Trimmings
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
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.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
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.
Inspired by the Cosmos, Sandra Nunnerley’s Nova Table Has a Futuristic Feel
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
In Guadalajara, These Luscious Side Tables Are Chiseled from Volcanic Rock
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.
More Ways To Browse
Titchmarsh Goodwin
Antique Jacobean Hutch
Antique Spanish Secretary Desk
American Wood Secretary
Titchmarsh And Goodwin
Antique Jacobean Vanity
Bobbin Desk
Gothic Secretary
Jacobean Vanity
Kittinger Jacobean
Kittinger Secretary Desk
Antique Desk Hutch
Bobbin Leg Desk
Ethan Allen Maple
Ethan Allen Mid Century
Ethan Allen Vintage Maple Furniture
Gothic Hardware
Jacobean Secretary Desk