Antique English Rosewood Regency Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1830
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English rosewood regency inlaid lap desk, circa 1830.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Lap and Portable Desks
Antique English Regency Rosewood Travelling Lap Desk Box, Circa 1830
$4,800
H 7.25 in W 19.75 in D 10.75 in
Antique English Regency Rosewood Travelling Lap Desk Box, Circa 1830
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Regency rosewood travelling lap desk box, circa 1830.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
19th-Century Pine Lap Desk Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
$751Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.12 in W 9.85 in D 8.67 in
19th-Century Pine Lap Desk Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Pine Lap Desk Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl A small and lined with a fabric lap desk
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Pine, Burl, Mother-of-Pearl
Antique English Campaign Travel Lap Desk on Custom Stand
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Mahogany & brass English antique travel lap desk with custom black ebonized birch wooden stand
Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Writing Slope Lap Desk Box with Red Leather Interior and Brass Hardware
$750
H 6.25 in W 17 in D 9.5 in
Mahogany Writing Slope Lap Desk Box with Red Leather Interior and Brass Hardware
Located in High Point, NC
A refined vintage mahogany writing slope or lap desk box featuring classic proportions and handsome
Category
20th Century Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique LA
$3,800
H 20 in W 19.5 in D 10.5 in
Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique LA . Exquisite
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope Lap Desk with Velvet Interior Storage
$950
H 7 in W 20 in D 9.5 in
Vintage Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope Lap Desk with Velvet Interior Storage
Located in High Point, NC
corner mounts and straps. Designed in the classic campaign style, this portable writing desk was made to
Category
20th Century Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Marquetry Inlaid Writing Slope Lap Desk with Geometric Motif and Leather
$970
H 7 in W 20 in D 9.5 in
Vintage Marquetry Inlaid Writing Slope Lap Desk with Geometric Motif and Leather
Located in High Point, NC
, correspondence, and desk accessories. Beneath the writing surface is a larger storage well, along with small
Category
20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century Laptop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th century laptop is also known as a writing slope, or a lap desk! It became wildly popular
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Rare 19th Century English 'Eclipse' Patented Telescopic Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
which functions just like a lap desk with a storage compartment underneath. Above it is a gallery area
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Desks
Materials
Brass
Recent Sales
China Trade Camphorwood Lap Desk
Located in Wilton, CT
China Trade Lap Desk With Pop-up Compartments and Secret Drawers. Retro-fited with Brass English
Category
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Japanese Lacquered Lap Desk on Stand
Located in Newburgh, NY
Japanese lap desk on stand with interior fold-out writing surface. Architect, Sandy Littman of
Category
Vintage 1960s Unknown Japonisme Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Walnut Lap Desk
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
An English brass mounted burr walnut lap desk on later stand from the second half of the 19th
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Calamander Writing Bowx on Later Stand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very high end English Regency Calamander, brass (with Bramah locks) and leather lap desk, now
Category
20th Century English Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
19th C Original Paint Decorated Lap Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine painted and hand made early lap desk in post master format on high turned legs. The paint
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Adirondack Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
William IV / Victorian Lap Desk on Stand
Located in Astoria, NY
William IV or early Victorian lap desk on stand, the brass mounted rosewood with a cartouche
Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Campaign Style Lap Desk on Stand, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Antique Campaign style lap desk on stand, 19th century. Desk without stand is 24" W x 12" D x 7" H
Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Victorian Mahogany & Brass Lap Desk Box on Stand
Located in Astoria, NY
Victorian brass-bound mahogany lap desk or writing box on stand, the box rectangular with central
Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Lap Desk on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A oversized 19th century english mahogany lap desk on stand. Fine quality with brass mounts, “BF
Category
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century English Lap Desk on Stand with Original Leather
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 19th Century English Lap Desk on Stand with Original Leather. England, circa 1800-1830
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
English Mahogany Lap Desk on a Custom-Made Stand, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English mahogany lap desk on a custom-made stand with brass fit decorations and candle holders
Category
Antique 19th Century English Decorative Boxes
English Campaign Mahogany Lap Desk Decorative Box on Custom Stand, circa 1860
Sold
H 19 in W 15 in D 9.5 in
English Campaign Mahogany Lap Desk Decorative Box on Custom Stand, circa 1860
Located in Atlanta, GA
This English Campaign lap desk from the mid-19th century features a rectangular mahogany writing
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Louis XV Style Mahogany Stand or Side Table with Lap Desk Drawer
Sold
H 27.5 in W 17.5 in D 13.5 in
19th Century Louis XV Style Mahogany Stand or Side Table with Lap Desk Drawer
Located in Savannah, GA
19th Century Louis XV Style Inlaid Mahogany Stand or Side Table with Lap Desk Drawer, inset black
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Side Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Lap Desk Wedgwood Mount
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare antique English burled walnut with Wedgwood mount signed by retailer Trussell of Brighton interior is lined with Coromandel wood and has original inkwells,pen nib holder and dip...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Boxes
19th Century 3-Piece Diminutive Lacquer Secretary Desk with Nice Chinoiserie
Sold
H 64.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
19th Century 3-Piece Diminutive Lacquer Secretary Desk with Nice Chinoiserie
Located in Milford, NH
decoration, including a base table, brass-handled lap desk, and two door cabinet with compartmentalized
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Quality 19th Century Military Campaign Camphor Wood Roll Top Writing Slope
Sold
H 11.23 in W 21.07 in D 16.74 in
Quality 19th Century Military Campaign Camphor Wood Roll Top Writing Slope
Located in Benington, Herts
quality Chinese export camphor wood metamorphic writing slope / lap desk dating to circa 1850 was made for
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Asian Chinese Export Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Asian Burl Wood & Elmwood Scholar's Lap Floor Desk Stationary Table
Sold
H 13 in W 18.5 in D 13 in
19th Century Asian Burl Wood & Elmwood Scholar's Lap Floor Desk Stationary Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Uniquely conceived Asian scholar's writing table with flaps and drawers as well as open tier for housing paperwork, stationary etc. Simple lines with old patina. Some ink stains pres...
Category
Antique 1880s Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl
Military Style Victorian Lap Desk Writing Slope Box, circa 1850
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This military style Victorian lap desk writing slope has multiple internal compartments including a
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Victorian English Walnut Lap Desk Box on Stand
Located in Astoria, NY
Victorian braqsss-mound English walnut Lap Desk or writing box on stand, rectangular with cartouche
Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
British Mahogany Officer's Campaign Lap Desk on Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
19th century British mahogany Campaign desk style officers chest or lap desk box on a later stand
Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Lap Desk on Stand
Located in Peabody, MA
An early 19th Century English lap desk on stand, can be used as an elegant side table. On stand
Category
Antique 19th Century British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Lap Desk on a Custom-Made Stand, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English mahogany lap desk on a custom-made stand with brass fit decorations and candleholders, 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Antique English Traditional Lap Desk on Custom Stand
Located in Hopewell, NJ
English mahogany lap desk, brass bound with inlaid brass stringing and brass presentation plaque
Category
Antique 1850s English End Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts 4 Drawer Spool Thread Cabinet Writing Lap Desk
Sold
H 12 in W 29.5 in D 20 in
Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts 4 Drawer Spool Thread Cabinet Writing Lap Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts 4 drawer spool thread cabinet writing lap desk. Item features 4
Category
Antique 19th Century North American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Oak
Antique English Regency Period Rosewood Lap Desk Writing Slope Box, circa 1830
Sold
H 6 in W 14.75 in D 9.5 in
Antique English Regency Period Rosewood Lap Desk Writing Slope Box, circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very nice quality English Regency period rosewood and brass writing slope, this is a fine piece remaining in excellent original condition. It opens to reveal an early tooled green ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique 1830 Wooden Tambour Campaign Lap Roll Top Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique 1830 wooden tambour lap campaign roll top desk. This is truly a unique piece when opened
Category
Antique 1830s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Regency Rosewood Antique Traveling Lap Writing Desk Box
Sold
H 6.5 in W 16.25 in D 9.63 in
19th Century English Regency Rosewood Antique Traveling Lap Writing Desk Box
Located in Shippensburg, PA
the brass lock, allowing the desk to be opened into a full writing slope; two inkwells (originality
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Pennsylvania School Masters Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
lap part of the desk has a wood trim attached for a book, to keep from sliding. This desk has a mellow
Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Walnut
English Rosewood Box with Intricate Brass Motifs and Black Leather Writing Area
Sold
H 6.25 in W 16 in D 9.635 in
English Rosewood Box with Intricate Brass Motifs and Black Leather Writing Area
Located in Atlanta, GA
century, this English slope lap desk features a linear rosewood structure, beautifully adorned with
Category
Antique 19th Century English Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
English Lap Desk
Located in Sarasota, FL
An English rosewood lap desk with Turnbridge inlay, original red leather, two secret compartments
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Rosewood Lap Desk
Located in Wilson, NC
This English lap desk has a velvet writing surface which has wear commensurate with age and use
Category
Antique 1850s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
William IV Period Mahogany Lap-Desk
Located in Cambridge, GB
William IV period mahogany lap-desk; the hinged lid and writing-slope inlaid with cut-brass borders
Category
Antique 1830s English Desks and Writing Tables
Lap Desk Writing Slope Box Rosewood, circa 1840
Located in Brussels, BE
Lap desk writing slope box rosewood, circa 1840.
Category
Antique 1840s Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Palisander
Victorian Brass Bound Lap Desk with Stand
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian rosewood lap desk with brass banding and details including campaign side handles
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Writing Slope, Victorian Lap Desk, Rosewood Mother-of-Pearl, 1870
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique writing slope, Victorian lap desk, rosewood mother-of-pearl, 1870, B1041 Scotland 1870
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Traveling Lap Desk
Located in New York, NY
A traveling desk presented to Mr. William Sangster by the employees of Messrs. Durno and Cameron
Category
Antique 19th Century British Side Tables
Materials
Brass
Burr Walnut and Brass Traveling Lap Desk
Located in Woodbury, CT
Very well dark grained burr walnut and detail engraved gilt mounts. Rounded top lifts up and back, slant front drops down. Covered in deep purple velvet. Back section of writing slan...
Category
Antique 1870s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
B-21 Bauhaus Desk Designed by Marcel Breuer for Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
as desk for a lap top or as an interesting side table.
Category
20th Century German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Writing Slope, Antique Victorian Lap Desk, Marine Walnut Brass Desk, 1870
Sold
H 8.5 in W 19.5 in D 10 in
Writing Slope, Antique Victorian Lap Desk, Marine Walnut Brass Desk, 1870
Located in Vancouver, BC
Writing slope, antique Victorian lap desk, marine walnut brass, Scotland, 1870, B1081. Scotland
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Writing Slope, Victorian Mahogany Lap Desk, Scotland 1870, B1768
Sold
H 6.5 in W 18 in D 10.5 in
Antique Writing Slope, Victorian Mahogany Lap Desk, Scotland 1870, B1768
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique writing slope, Victorian mahogany campaign lap desk, Antique Furniture, Scotland 1870
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Writing Slope, Stationary Lap Desk, Scotland 1870, B1890Y
Sold
H 7 in W 16 in D 10 in
Antique Victorian Writing Slope, Stationary Lap Desk, Scotland 1870, B1890Y
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian writing slope, brass bound stationary lap desk, Scotland 1870, B1890Y Scotland
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Victorian Writing Slope, Brass Bound, Lap Desk, Scotland, 1870
Sold
H 6.5 in W 20 in D 10.5 in
Antique Victorian Writing Slope, Brass Bound, Lap Desk, Scotland, 1870
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian writing slope, brass bound, lap desk, Scotland 1870, B1727y Scotland 1870
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Chippendale Partners Desk
Located in Lawrenceburg, TN
and bracket feet. This desk features a lap drawer, as well as three drawers on either side, with the
Category
Vintage 1980s English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
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Library of Antique Leatherbound Books
Located in Brønshøj, DK
This collection consists of 400 antique decorative books, mainly dating from 1850–1950, with most published before 1920. The books are bound in leather, many with fine gold leaf embo...
Category
20th Century Danish Victorian Books
Materials
Gold Leaf
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
$229,142Sale Price|33% Off
H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
By Henry Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Materials
Other
Pier (Pietro) Dandini17th Century Italian Old Master Oil Painting Moses Striking Water from the Rock, 17th century
$6,742Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 28 in D 1 in
17th Century Italian Old Master Oil Painting Moses Striking Water from the Rock
By Pier (Pietro) Dandini
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Moses Striking Water from the Rock; Circle of Pietro Dandini, Italian 1646-1712 Italian School, late 17th century oil on canvas, framed framed: 32 x 28 inches canvas: 29 x 23.5 inch...
Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
1 BANGA space age micro architecture prefab house bungalow by Carlo Zappa, 1971
$164,493
H 110.24 in W 127.56 in D 127.56 in
1 BANGA space age micro architecture prefab house bungalow by Carlo Zappa, 1971
By Carlo Zappa
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
here we offer one of 2 bangas, with light grey interior. the second one with black interior is offered in another listing. a banga shows ways in which we could live more sustainably...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Architectural Elements
Materials
Fiberglass
Antique English Regency Mahogany Folding Bench Loveseat Sleeper Sofa Campaign
$4,375Sale Price|45% Off
H 39 in W 22 in D 76 in
Antique English Regency Mahogany Folding Bench Loveseat Sleeper Sofa Campaign
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 19th century museum quality English Regency convertible hall bench or bed. A rectangular form made from walnut with with brass trim. Upholstered in a striped blue and red fabri...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Regency Daybeds
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique English Victorian Bramah Leather Fold-out Stationary Writing Desk
$4,364Sale Price|40% Off
H 6.5 in W 14.57 in D 10.63 in
Antique English Victorian Bramah Leather Fold-out Stationary Writing Desk
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful & Luxurious Handcrafted Victorian Bramah Fold-out Travelling Writing Companion With Fitted Leather Interior, Ceramic Blotting Tablets. Complete with Beautifully Desi...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
English Zebra Wood Military Campaign Writing Desk, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English zebra wood military campaign writing desk with brass bound molded edges, original recessed side handles, fitted leather interior with tooling and retains the original crystal...
Category
Antique 1820s American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Regency Rosewood Writing Box
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A fine quality, charming 19th century Regency Italian late baroque period walnut 2-drawer table, late 17th/early 18th century period rosewood writing box having elegant brass inlaid ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rosewood
1750s Brown Floral English George III Needlepoint Carpet 13'4"x19'4" Wool Rug
$225,000
W 160 in L 232 in
1750s Brown Floral English George III Needlepoint Carpet 13'4"x19'4" Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
18th Century English George III Needlepoint Carpet 13'4" x 19'4" - 405 x 560 18th Century English George III Needlepoint Carpet, Circa 1750 This remarkable English George III needl...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
English Campaign Style Rosewood Brass Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1850
$700Sale Price|28% Off
H 4 in W 9.75 in D 11 in
English Campaign Style Rosewood Brass Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1850
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine quality brass inlaid Campaign style traveling desk with a recessed brass handle engraved with the name of its owner, Anne Orten. The piece opens to reveal a velvet lined writi...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Extensive Augarten Porcelain Dinner, Coffee and Tea Service, circa 1935
Located in New York, NY
Special commission from the factory for the Brucknerstift St. Florian, a seminary located on the outskirts of Vienna. Blue crowned Bindenshield and Wien Mark, iron-red printed hash m...
Category
Vintage 1930s Austrian Dinner Plates
Materials
Porcelain
Fabergé Style Bejewelled and Enamelled Gold Egg by Asprey
By Asprey International Limited, Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in London, GB
This exceptional, 18 carat gold Easter egg was crafted by the famous London-based royal jewellers, Asprey & Co. The piece was then retailed by Garrard & Co, who once worked i...
Category
1990s English Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold
19th Century George III Style Carved Mirror after a design by Thomas Johnson
$235,746
H 115.5 in W 62 in D 10 in
19th Century George III Style Carved Mirror after a design by Thomas Johnson
By Thomas Johnson, London 1
Located in London, GB
A George III style carved giltwood mirror After a design by Thomas Johnson Of grandiose proportions, the central oval glass plate built up in a concentric arrangement of mercury ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English George III Pier Mirrors and Console Mi...
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
King George I Ambassadorial Secrétaire-Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exce...
Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Anthony van DyckPortrait of Anne, Lady Russell, later Countess of Bedford, c. 1635
$204,762Sale Price|24% Off
H 53.125 in W 43.25 in
Portrait of Anne, Lady Russell, later Countess of Bedford
By Anthony van Dyck
Located in London, GB
A three-quarter length portrait of Anne, Lady Russell, later Countess of Bedford (1615-1684), in a blue dress. Attributed to Sir Anthony Van Dyck. Anne Carr, Lady Russell, an estee...
Category
17th Century Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
(After) Anthony Van DyckDouble Portrait Oil Painting Brothers George, 2nd Duke Buckingham & Lord Francis, 1680
$86,215Sale Price|20% Off
H 66.93 in W 57.88 in
Double Portrait Oil Painting Brothers George, 2nd Duke Buckingham & Lord Francis
By (After) Anthony Van Dyck
Located in London, GB
Aftrer Anthony VAN DYCK - maybe Studio (1599, Antwerp – 1641, London) Flemish Double Portrait of George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (1628-1687) & Lord Francis Villiers (1629-164...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
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Lap and Portable Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are several options of lap and portable desks available for sale. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, all lap and portable desks available were constructed with great care. Lap and portable desks are generally popular furniture pieces, but Victorian, Regency and Louis XV styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Some lap and portable desks are too large for some spaces — a variety of smaller lap and portable desks, measuring 12 inches across, are available at 1stDibs.
How Much are Lap and Portable Desks?
Prices for lap and portable desks start at $725 and top out at $3,800 with the average selling for $1,998.
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.
Questions About Lap and Portable Desks
Prices for most lap and portable desks on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell lap and portable desks and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
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More Ways To Browse
Roll Top
Walnut Lap Desk
Burl Elmwood
Traveling Lap Desk
Inlaid Lap Desk
Lap Writing Desk Box
Mahogany Lap Desk
19th Century Military Campaign Writing Slope
Campaign Lap Desk
Lap Desk On Stand
Spool Cabinet
Antique Rosewood Writing Slope
Patent Desk
Rosewood Writing Slope
Antique Thread Cabinet
Antique Spool Cabinet
Scottish Pearl
Slope Top Desk