What is a writing desk?

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.

What is a writing desk with drawers called?

A 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.

What is a small writing desk called?

A 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.

What is an old-fashioned writing desk called?

What 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.

What's the difference between a desk and a writing table?

Desks typically include drawers or storage compartments, while writing tables (and secretary desks) offer a flatter surface with little to no built-in storage.

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.

What's the difference between a mid-century modern desk and a writing table?

Desks typically include drawers or storage, while writing tables are a flatter, more minimal work surface; check the listing description for storage details.

Mazarin Writing Desk

Napoleon Style Desk

18th Century French Desk

18th Century Oak Bureaus

Desk With Pull Out

Antique Partner's Desk, English, Bureau Mazarin, Louis XIV Revival, Victorian

$20,350

Antique Partner's Desk, English, Bureau Mazarin, Louis XIV Revival, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a large antique partner's desk. An English, mahogany bureau Mazarin in Louis XIV taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Of similar form and influence to Sir...

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Recent Sales

18th Century Mazarin Writing Desk

Unavailable

H 42.52 in W 57.09 in D 25.99 in

18th Century Mazarin Writing Desk

Located in Vilnius, LT

A wonderful Italian inlaid bureau Mazarin in the style of Louis XIV The shaped front desk of burl walnut and satin wood inlay with convex drawer fronts and canted corners is intri...

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mazarin Desk, Louis XIV Period

Unavailable

H 29.93 in W 42.52 in D 25.6 in

Mazarin Desk, Louis XIV Period

Located in Biarritz, FR

Rare Mazarin desk , Louis XIV period with turbulent shape, curved sides and 7 drawers in front, lemon nets and walnut top decorated with large elm losange On the visitor side t...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Great Mazarin Desk by Alexandre Jean Oppenordt

Unavailable

H 29.14 in W 57.49 in D 29.93 in

Great Mazarin Desk by Alexandre Jean Oppenordt

By Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt

Located in Paris, FR

Ebony Mazarin desk inlaid with ormolu and ebony. Its top is covered on its center with brown leather. It opens with seven drawers and a door. This desk has eight legs divided o...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

17th Century French Bureau Mazarin

Unavailable

H 41.34 in W 31.11 in D 23.63 in

17th Century French Bureau Mazarin

Located in Antwerp, BE

The ‘Bureau Mazarin’ is a 17th century desk form named in memory of Cardinal Mazarin, premier ministre of France from 1642 to 1661. It is the earliest predecessor of the pedestal des...

Category

Antique 17th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Louis XIV Brass-Inlaid Mazarin Bureau

Unavailable

H 76 in W 84 in D 55.5 in

Louis XIV Brass-Inlaid Mazarin Bureau

Located in Paris, FR

Boulle marquetry en contrepartie It contains six drawers in boxes on three rows separated by crossbars, and a drawer en ceinture surmounting a set back leaf. It rests on light ...

Category

Antique 1690s French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Copper

19th Century Mazarin Style Center Desk with Drawers in Walnut -1X54

Sold

H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 29.93 in

19th Century Mazarin Style Center Desk with Drawers in Walnut -1X54

Located in Bordeaux, FR

Convenient Pull-Out Writing Slides: Each side of the desk is fitted with a pull-out writing slide, providing additional workspace when needed and enhancing the desk's versatility.

Category

Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Ornate Original French "Bureau Mazarin" Ebonized Mahogany Desk or Dressing Table

Sold

H 29.75 in W 61.25 in D 29.5 in

Ornate Original French "Bureau Mazarin" Ebonized Mahogany Desk or Dressing Table

Located in Highwood, IL

Stately original 1920's French Bureau Mazarin. This fine example offers an ebonized mahogany case with loads of eye-popping solid bronze decorations. Instantly recognizable by the st...

Category

Early 20th Century French Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Oak Bureau de Mazarin, Netherlands Circa 1750

Sold

H 33.5 in W 61.25 in D 25.25 in

Oak Bureau de Mazarin, Netherlands Circa 1750

Located in Culver City, CA

Oak Bureau de Mazarin Netherlands Circa 1750 Measures: 61.25” W x 25.25” D x 33.5” H.

Category

Antique 18th Century Dutch Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

A Mazarin Writing Desk

Sold

H 32.5 in W 60 in D 30 in

A Mazarin Writing Desk

Located in Cathedral City, CA

A Mazarin inlaid writing desk.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine Louis XIV Boulle Bureau Mazarin

Sold

H 28.75 in W 47.64 in D 21.66 in

Fine Louis XIV Boulle Bureau Mazarin

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur

A Louis XIV Boulle writing table, inlaid with Bérainesque designs. The front with five drawers on cabriolet legs, on ormolu paw feet. A very similar Mazarin was sold in Mentmore vol...

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

18th century French port work mahogany bureau mazarin

Sold

H 40.56 in W 32.29 in D 17.72 in

18th century French port work mahogany bureau mazarin

Located in Paris, FR

Small mahogany Mazarin desk. 'Travail de port' of the first half of the 18th century. The desk opens with seven drawers and a front wing. Canted sides based on eight balustrades feet...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Mazarin Style Table in Inlaid and Ebonized Wood

Sold

H 29 in W 28 in D 17.5 in

19th Century French Mazarin Style Table in Inlaid and Ebonized Wood

Located in Salt Lake City, UT

An 17th century style occasional desk with exotic wood floral and strap work marquetry top and span and Portuguese turned (i.e. Solomonic columned) legs. Measures: 29 x 28 x 17 1/...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Renaissance Hand Carved Desk or Writing Table with Carved St

$6,240

H 29.1 in W 44.1 in D 25.2 in

19th Century French Renaissance Hand Carved Desk or Writing Table with Carved St

Located in Miami, FL

We are delighted with this four-sided carved desk with five dark oak drawers. This is a collectible desk. It has five front drawers and another five false drawers at the back, maki...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920

$3,420

H 29.53 in W 43.31 in D 22.05 in

20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920

Located in Miami, FL

20th century Louis XV style French walnut writing desk with three drawers and cabriolet legs. Created in France during the 20th century, this walnut desk features a rectangular plank...

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk

$18,900

H 30.5 in W 53 in D 32 in

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A handsome and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Tulipwood, Charmwood, and ormolu desk. The five drawer desk is raised by slender square tapered legs with fine...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Louis Philippe Mahogany Bureau Plat Desk, Hand-Crafted

$2,500

H 29.75 in W 51 in D 25.5 in

19th Century Louis Philippe Mahogany Bureau Plat Desk, Hand-Crafted

Located in Winter Park, FL

A 19th century French Louis Philippe style bureau plat, or desk, made of solid and veneer of mahogany. Double sided, the back has false drawers so this desk may be free floated in a ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Elegant antique English desk / writing table from the mid-19th century

$1,372

H 32.68 in W 48.04 in D 23.23 in

Elegant antique English desk / writing table from the mid-19th century

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This elegant and practical antique English desk, writing table, or side table is crafted from mahogany and dates from the mid-19th century. Its refined proportions and timeless desig...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Classical Roman Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th century William IV mahogany library desk

$7,509

H 29.5 in W 49.75 in D 28.75 in

19th century William IV mahogany library desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century william iv mahogany library desk circa 1835. We are pleased to offer this William IV period library table in it's original patina. Writing surface showcases the beauti...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Louis XV Provincial style Fruitwood desk

$2,250

H 29.5 in W 69 in D 28 in

Antique Louis XV Provincial style Fruitwood desk

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Antique Louis XV provincial style fruit wood desk, 19th century. With a 3 board top, 3 frieze drawers, resting on cabriole legs. Two outer drawers with hand dove tailed construction....

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Partners Writing Library Table Desk 19th Century

$3,347

H 30.71 in W 54.34 in D 32.29 in L 30.71 in

Antique Victorian Partners Writing Library Table Desk 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This elegant Victorian antique partners writing table is crafted from beautiful flame mahogany and dates from Circa 1860. It features a striking inset green leather writing surface ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Desk with Leather Top

$15,600

H 30 in W 63.5 in D 34.5 in

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Desk with Leather Top

Located in New York, NY

A 19th-century French Empire-style writing desk featuring figured burl and crotch mahogany veneers, an inset gold-tooled leather writing surface, and carved paw feet. The frieze hou...

Category

Antique 19th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Antique Louis XV Style French Oak Desk from Pierre Deux

$7,125Sale Price|25% Off

H 30 in W 75 in D 28 in

19th Century Antique Louis XV Style French Oak Desk from Pierre Deux

By Pierre Deux

Located in Chicago, IL

19th C. Antique Louis XV Style French oak desk with two drawers and original hardware. Its carved back and side aprons and sabre legs lend a regal standing to this piece. Additio...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Louis XV Style Desk, 19th century

$5,719

H 30.32 in W 41.34 in D 23.23 in

Louis XV Style Desk, 19th century

Located in Leimen, DE

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat, France, 19th Century This elegant Louis XV style bureau plat was crafted in France during the 19th century and exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and g...

Category

Antique 1860s French Louis XV Desks

Materials

Kingwood

Elegant Little Mid-18th Century George II 'Lady Desk'

$3,889

H 19.69 in W 32.29 in D 26.78 in

Elegant Little Mid-18th Century George II 'Lady Desk'

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant little 'Lady Desk', George II, in walnut with original brass fittings. Top with leather. England, circa 1750. Beautiful patina.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassical Desk, Louis XVI Period 1780

$7,900

H 30.12 in W 48.04 in D 22.84 in

Neoclassical Desk, Louis XVI Period 1780

Located in Belmont, MA

This original Louis XVI Desk stands out for its beautiful walnut veneer which is additionally embellished with intarsia. The desk stands on four tapering square legs. It has three dr...

Category

Antique 1780s German Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Louis XV Cherrywood Desk with Parquetry Top

$7,450

H 31.75 in W 60.75 in D 29 in

18th Century French Louis XV Cherrywood Desk with Parquetry Top

Located in Dallas, TX

Elegant from every angle, this antique Louis XV writing desk offers the sculptural presence and refined craftsmanship associated with provincial furniture from the late 18th century....

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Louis XIV Style Desk 19th Century

$1,006Sale Price|20% Off

H 29.73 in W 29.73 in D 19.49 in

Louis XIV Style Desk 19th Century

Located in Beuzevillette, FR

Beautiful 19th century Louis 14 desk. Beautiful solid wood, whose legs are carved in a baluster and are joined by an "H" brace. There is also a drawer along the length below the top...

Category

Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century French Empire Desk

$2,640Sale Price|51% Off

H 30 in W 39.25 in D 19.75 in

Early 19th Century French Empire Desk

Located in Nashville, TN

Mahogany veneered French Empire desk. Leather insert top. Brass hardware on column legs and bun feet. Very unique and good quality period French desk. Highly French polished.

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

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Mazarin Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the mazarin writing desk you’re looking for. Each mazarin writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and bone. Your living room may not be complete without a mazarin writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A mazarin writing desk, designed in the Regency style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt each produced at least one beautiful mazarin writing desk that is worth considering.

How Much is a Mazarin Writing Desk?

A mazarin writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $24,419, while the lowest priced sells for $4,000 and the highest can go for as much as $222,482.

Finding the Right Desks-writing-tables for You

Vintage desks and writing tables span centuries of design. The writing table came first, a simple surface built for correspondence, while the drawered desk followed as record-keeping at home and in the office grew more demanding.

Styles to Know

Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader vintage category. If you want a tapered-leg, mid-century look specifically, browse mid-century modern desks; Louis XVI and Art Deco secretary desks bridge the writing-table and desk forms. A vintage table lamp adds task lighting to either.

How to Choose the Right Vintage Piece

Writing tables often carry little to no storage of their own, so a separate file cabinet or desk organizer may be worth planning for, alongside a close look at the surface dimensions against the space available. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and every purchase is covered by the 1stDibs Promise.

Questions About Mazarin Writing Desk

What is a writing desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs 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.
What is a writing desk with drawers called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
A 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.
What is a small writing desk called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
A 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.
What is an old-fashioned writing desk called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
What 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.
What's the difference between a desk and a writing table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Desks typically include drawers or storage compartments, while writing tables (and secretary desks) offer a flatter surface with little to no built-in storage.
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.
What's the difference between a mid-century modern desk and a writing table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Desks typically include drawers or storage, while writing tables are a flatter, more minimal work surface; check the listing description for storage details.

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