Ladies Roll Top Desk
Antique Late 19th Century English Desks
Mahogany, Walnut, Burl
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Adam Style Desks
Satinwood
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Antique Late 17th Century Italian Rococo Pedestals and Columns
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Antique 1890s Bookcases
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century American Desks
Mahogany
Antique 1880s Desks
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Desks
Walnut
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Desks
Other
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Desks
Brass, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Desks
Walnut, Glass
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Desks
Brass
Early 20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Tulipwood
Antique 1890s English Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
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Vintage 1910s Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Desks
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century European Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Louis XV Desks
Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Desks
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Desks
Pine
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century British Sheraton Desks
Mahogany, Satinwood
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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