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Lift Top Writing Desk

19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk / Work Table
19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk / Work Table

19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk / Work Table

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk or Work Table. Features two drawers with

Category

Antique 19th Century American Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Early American Style Petite Maple Lift Top Secretary Desk & Hutch 70"
Vintage Early American Style Petite Maple Lift Top Secretary Desk & Hutch 70"

Vintage Early American Style Petite Maple Lift Top Secretary Desk & Hutch 70"

Located in Dayton, OH

1960s American Country Diminutive Desk & Hutch. Made from maple with a lift top writing desk

Category

Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Boho Rattan Lift Top Desk
Vintage Boho Rattan Lift Top Desk

Vintage Boho Rattan Lift Top Desk

$1,950

H 35.5 in W 26.5 in D 17 in

Vintage Boho Rattan Lift Top Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Infuse your home with the quaint charm and practical elegance of this Vintage Boho Rattan Lift Top

Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

ANTIQUE 1684 DATED HAND CARVED 17TH CENTURY LIFT TOP WRITiNG TABLE DESK BIBLE
ANTIQUE 1684 DATED HAND CARVED 17TH CENTURY LIFT TOP WRITiNG TABLE DESK BIBLE

ANTIQUE 1684 DATED HAND CARVED 17TH CENTURY LIFT TOP WRITiNG TABLE DESK BIBLE

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

century, hand caved 1684 lift top writing work table traditionally used for bible storage Please note

Category

Antique 1680s English Charles II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

French Restoration Style Desk on Brass Base with Lift Top
French Restoration Style Desk on Brass Base with Lift Top

French Restoration Style Desk on Brass Base with Lift Top

Located in Troy, MI

French Restoration style desk on brass base with lift top desk has a brass curule style base and

Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Spanish Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk, 19th Century
Spanish Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk, 19th Century

Spanish Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk, 19th Century

Unavailable

H 19.13 in W 27.88 in D 24.5 in

Spanish Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk, 19th Century

Located in Cookeville, TN

This Spanish writing desk for a child has a lift top for storage. It features great metal detailing

Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks

Materials

Wrought Iron

Walnut Writing Desk with Lift Top, Victorian
Walnut Writing Desk with Lift Top, Victorian

Walnut Writing Desk with Lift Top, Victorian

Unavailable

H 40.75 in W 20.88 in D 18.75 in

Walnut Writing Desk with Lift Top, Victorian

By Manchip & Sons

Located in Cookeville, TN

A detailed Victorian lift top writing desk by Manchip and Sons of Bridgewater. Has detailed inlay

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Rare Georgian Mahogany Kneehole Desk Lift Up Top, 18th Century, circa 1780
Rare Georgian Mahogany Kneehole Desk Lift Up Top, 18th Century, circa 1780

Rare Georgian Mahogany Kneehole Desk Lift Up Top, 18th Century, circa 1780

Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury

Rare Georgian mahogany kneehole desk lift up top, 18th century, circa 1780 A rare 18th century

Category

Antique 1780s English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Turn of the Century Pine Desk with Lift Top, Inner Cubbies and Drawers
French Turn of the Century Pine Desk with Lift Top, Inner Cubbies and Drawers

French Turn of the Century Pine Desk with Lift Top, Inner Cubbies and Drawers

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French lift top pine desk from the turn of the century (late 19th to early 20th). You don’t have

Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Pine

Hand Built Lift-Top Desk and Chair by California Artist Dale Holub circa 1970s
Hand Built Lift-Top Desk and Chair by California Artist Dale Holub circa 1970s

Hand Built Lift-Top Desk and Chair by California Artist Dale Holub circa 1970s

By Dale Holub

Located in Palm Springs, CA

An amazing custom hand-built lift-top desk and chair by the super talented Northern California

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Fine Mahogany Work Table with Convex Corners and Lift Top, New York, circa 1810
Fine Mahogany Work Table with Convex Corners and Lift Top, New York, circa 1810

Fine Mahogany Work Table with Convex Corners and Lift Top, New York, circa 1810

Located in Providence, RI

executed, which reduces the mass of the form. With, basically, a lift-top and drawer, it has a lightness of

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Antique French Mahogany Wooden Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk
19th Century Antique French Mahogany Wooden Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk

19th Century Antique French Mahogany Wooden Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk

Located in Baambrugge, NL

19th century antique French mahogany wooden, low by the ground, childrens writing desk. This lift

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Walnut Lift Top Desk Drafting Table
Walnut Lift Top Desk Drafting Table

Walnut Lift Top Desk Drafting Table

Sold

H 28 in W 30 in D 46 in

Walnut Lift Top Desk Drafting Table

By Knoll, George Nelson

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Very nice Mid-Century Modern lift top desk drafting writing table.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Late Regency Tulipwood & Leather Lift-Top Writing Table
Late Regency Tulipwood & Leather Lift-Top Writing Table

Late Regency Tulipwood & Leather Lift-Top Writing Table

Located in Middleburg, VA

Late Regency Tulipwood and leather lift-top writing table, 19th century Fitted interior with

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Tulipwood

French Mahogany Lift Top Architect's Desk, circa 1930
French Mahogany Lift Top Architect's Desk, circa 1930

French Mahogany Lift Top Architect's Desk, circa 1930

Located in Dallas, TX

French mahogany lift top architect's desk from Marseilles area, circa 1930.

Category

Vintage 1930s French Other Desks and Writing Tables

Landstrom Furniture Walnut & Mahogany Lift-Top Vanity
Landstrom Furniture Walnut & Mahogany Lift-Top Vanity

Landstrom Furniture Walnut & Mahogany Lift-Top Vanity

By Landstrom Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Beautifully designed flip top vanity/desk by Landstrom Furniture. Mahogany tapered dowel legs

Category

Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Mahogany

19th Century Bamboo & Leather Lift Top Writing Desk
19th Century Bamboo & Leather Lift Top Writing Desk

19th Century Bamboo & Leather Lift Top Writing Desk

Located in San Francisco, CA

19th century bamboo & leather lift top writing desk Outstanding antique bamboo writing desk with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Chinese Export Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo

1900s French Lift-Top Writing Desk
1900s French Lift-Top Writing Desk

1900s French Lift-Top Writing Desk

Sold

H 39 in W 30.9 in D 27.2 in

1900s French Lift-Top Writing Desk

Located in High Point, NC

An antique writing desk from France, produced during the turn of the century. An elegant lift-top

Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Oak Slant / Lift Top Travel Desk / Laptop Desk, C.1930
Vintage Oak Slant / Lift Top Travel Desk / Laptop Desk, C.1930

Vintage Oak Slant / Lift Top Travel Desk / Laptop Desk, C.1930

Located in San Francisco, CA

Vintage oak slant / lift top travel desk / laptop desk, C.1930, 20th century writing desk

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th-C. French Carved Oak Barley Twist Desk / Table W/ Lift Top Storage
19th-C. French Carved Oak Barley Twist Desk / Table W/ Lift Top Storage

19th-C. French Carved Oak Barley Twist Desk / Table W/ Lift Top Storage

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a late 19th century Victorian carved oak writing desk with lift top storage. The carved

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Very Fine 19th Century English Bamboo Lift-Top Writing Desk
Very Fine 19th Century English Bamboo Lift-Top Writing Desk

Very Fine 19th Century English Bamboo Lift-Top Writing Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Very fine English bamboo lift top writing desk with gold tooled leather writing surface,upper

Category

Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo

Gustavian Small Chest of Drawers With Lift Top
Gustavian Small Chest of Drawers With Lift Top

Gustavian Small Chest of Drawers With Lift Top

Sold

H 30.32 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in

Gustavian Small Chest of Drawers With Lift Top

Located in Paris, FR

Very unsual chest with 2 drawers and one lift top writing desk. In painted wood imitating faux

Category

20th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Victorian Carved Oak Lift Top Writing Table, Desk, Secretaire
Victorian Carved Oak Lift Top Writing Table, Desk, Secretaire

Victorian Carved Oak Lift Top Writing Table, Desk, Secretaire

Located in Vancouver, BC

A late Victorian carved oak lift top, slant writing table with three-quarter gallery above slant

Category

Antique 19th Century Scottish Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare Georgian Mahogany Kneehole Desk Lift Up Top, 18th Century, circa 1780
Rare Georgian Mahogany Kneehole Desk Lift Up Top, 18th Century, circa 1780

Rare Georgian Mahogany Kneehole Desk Lift Up Top, 18th Century, circa 1780

Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury

Rare Georgian mahogany kneehole desk lift up top, 18th century, circa 1780 A rare 18th century

Category

Antique 1780s English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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By DBO Home

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19th Century mahogany inlaid sideboard

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$3,506

H 38 in W 70 in D 29 in

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Located in Martlesham, GB

A superb quality early 19th Century mahogany inlaid bowfront sideboard, having a lovely figured top above a central drawer flanked either side with a single deep drawer to the right ...

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VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting
VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting

VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting

By Blueprint Lighting, Josef Hoffmann

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Bespoke Round Italian Dining Table in Travertine
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$4,332 / item

H 30.71 in Dm 40.01 in

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Located in London, London

Travertine dining table Made to order in Italy Round top Honed or polished finish Rounded or straight edges Travertine pedestal. The photos show a selection of tables we have m...

Category

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Located in Vienna, AT

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Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design
Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design

Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

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Category

20th Century Vanities

Materials

Wicker

Rare Fine Antique Early Victorian Military Campaign Writing Slope Davenport Desk
Rare Fine Antique Early Victorian Military Campaign Writing Slope Davenport Desk

Rare Fine Antique Early Victorian Military Campaign Writing Slope Davenport Desk

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this early Victorian Military Campaign writing slope in the form of a Davenport desk circa 1840-1860 in solid mahogany I’ve only ever seen one o...

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Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Desks

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Antique Wicker Vanity Desk Set with Chair, Circa 1890, Pink Upholstery
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Antique Wicker Vanity Desk Set with Chair, Circa 1890, Pink Upholstery

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Charming antique wicker vanity / desk with matching chair. Chair seat cushion has been reupholstered in a pink & white plaid cotton fabric. A very sweet set!.

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Antique 19th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

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Wicker

Belgian Linen Stone Washed Linen Slip Covered Chair
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Belgian Linen Stone Washed Linen Slip Covered Chair

$1,890 / item

H 33 in W 39 in D 36 in

Belgian Linen Stone Washed Linen Slip Covered Chair

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

Introducing the Ans Belgian Linen Slip Covered Accent Chair, exuding classic European style with its elegant design. Crafted with luxurious Belgian linen, this accent chair features ...

Category

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French Louis XV Style Vanity or Poudreuse, 19th Century
French Louis XV Style Vanity or Poudreuse, 19th Century

French Louis XV Style Vanity or Poudreuse, 19th Century

$5,000

H 30.32 in W 17.33 in D 29.93 in

French Louis XV Style Vanity or Poudreuse, 19th Century

Located in Belmont, MA

This gorgeous Louis XV style vanity or "poudreuse" dates back to the mid 19th century and comes from France. The woman's dressing table has a very pretty walnut veneer pattern. The m...

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Antique 1850s French Louis XV Vanities

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Vanity Dressing Table w/ Mirror & Drawer
Vanity Dressing Table w/ Mirror & Drawer

Vanity Dressing Table w/ Mirror & Drawer

$1,250

H 31 in W 16 in D 12.5 in

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Located in San Francisco, CA

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Glass, Wood

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Carina Dining Table Made from Reclaimed Pine (custom)

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$18,000 / item

H 30 in W 52 in D 120 in

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Otto Prutscher chandelier with original glass shade vienna around 1908

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Restored Shabby Chic Wicker & Rattan Secretary Desk with Chair
Restored Shabby Chic Wicker & Rattan Secretary Desk with Chair

Restored Shabby Chic Wicker & Rattan Secretary Desk with Chair

$1,650Sale Price / set|40% Off

H 35 in W 36 in D 19.5 in

Restored Shabby Chic Wicker & Rattan Secretary Desk with Chair

Located in Van Nuys, CA

White shabby chic wicker and rattan secretary desk with matching chair. This late Victorian desk features a mahogany top with rattan legs and wicker sides, a center drawer, and built...

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Vintage 1950s American Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

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Pennsylvania House Slant Front 4-Drawer Cherry Secretary Desk with Lock
Pennsylvania House Slant Front 4-Drawer Cherry Secretary Desk with Lock

Pennsylvania House Slant Front 4-Drawer Cherry Secretary Desk with Lock

By Pennsylvania House

Located in Germantown, MD

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Lift Top Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal lift top writing desk for your home. A lift top writing desk — often made from wood, mahogany and bamboo — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a lift top writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A lift top writing desk, designed in the Georgian, Victorian or Arts and Crafts style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one lift top writing desk that is appealing in its simplicity, but Manchip & Sons produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Lift Top Writing Desk?

Prices for a lift top writing desk start at $475 and top out at $25,669 with the average selling for $2,498.

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.