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 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 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 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 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.

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19th Century Paul Sormani French Miniature Cylinder Writing Desk

$7,950

H 34 in W 27 in D 17 in

19th Century Paul Sormani French Miniature Cylinder Writing Desk

By Paul Sormani

Located in Los Angeles, CA

19th century French walnut miniature cylinder writing desk with brass mountings and velvet writing surface.

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Antique 19th Century French Desks

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Brass

Antique Victorian Miniature Travelling Inkwell Brown Wood Metal Glass Writing

$329

H 1.78 in Dm 1.58 in

Antique Victorian Miniature Travelling Inkwell Brown Wood Metal Glass Writing

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Victorian Miniature Travelling Inkwell Brown Wood Metal Glass Writing Continental Wood, metal, glass Late 19th Century Dimensions: H x D: 4.5cm x 4cm This miniature ant...

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Trade Furniture Forming a Miniature Secretary Writing Table, 19th Century

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H 13.39 in W 18.12 in D 10.24 in

Trade Furniture Forming a Miniature Secretary Writing Table, 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

19th century miniature secretary-miniature writing desk, 2 drawers in belt Measures: H 34cm, W 46cm, D 26cm.

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19th Century French Kingwood Miniature Partners Desk

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19th Century French Kingwood Miniature Partners Desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century French kingwood and gilt mounted miniature partners desk, with a middle storage section with a long lid decorated with a lovely ormolu gallery dividing a pair of lifting...

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Monteverdi young miniature desk sale sample from showroom

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H 5 in W 15 in D 8 in

Monteverdi young miniature desk sale sample from showroom

By Monteverdi-Young

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Rare showroom miniature desk sample of Monteverdi and young furniture, this one doesn't have the return as it shows in the picture. This piece was aquired directly from Mrs Montever...

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Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables

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Antique Mahogany Miniature Bureau

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H 9.5 in W 8.5 in D 4.5 in

Antique Mahogany Miniature Bureau

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A delightful late 18th century mahogany miniature bureau having attractive interior and original brass wear.

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19th Century French Miniature Inlaid Louis XVI Bonheur Du Jour or Writing Desk

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19th Century French Miniature Inlaid Louis XVI Bonheur Du Jour or Writing Desk

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This rare 19th century miniature Louis XVI style model writing desk or bonheur du jour features an upper cabinet and fold out leather top writing surface.

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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Models and Miniatures

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Bronze

Mid-Century Swedish Teak Miniature Rolltop Desk

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Mid-Century Swedish Teak Miniature Rolltop Desk

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This beautiful and uniquely sized roll top desk features plenty of space for organized storage, and creates a compact and usable workspace perfect for home or business. Please confir...

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Swedish Miniature Birch Secretary Writing Desk, 19th Century

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H 13.78 in W 11.42 in D 7.49 in

Swedish Miniature Birch Secretary Writing Desk, 19th Century

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A Swedish 19th Century Biedermeier 3-drawer chest and writing desk with drop down top and a series of small drawers inside.

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Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Models and Miniatures

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Birch

19th Century French Paul Sormani Cylinder Writing Desk in Walnut

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H 34 in W 26.75 in D 15.75 in

19th Century French Paul Sormani Cylinder Writing Desk in Walnut

By Paul Sormani

Located in Miami, FL

19th century French Paul Sormani cylinder writing desk in walnut Offered for sale is a 19th century French walnut miniature cylinder writing desk with brass mountings and a tool...

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Antique Late 19th Century French Desks

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Brass

20th Century Sterling Silver Writing Desk Miniature

Sold

H 7.49 in W 5.52 in D 3.94 in

20th Century Sterling Silver Writing Desk Miniature

By Argenteria Sacchetti

Located in VALENZA, IT

Miniature of antique writing desk made entirely by hand in briar with details in sterling silver.

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Vintage 1970s Italian Other Sterling Silver

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Sterling Silver

Miniature Mahogany Partners Desk

Sold

H 18.5 in W 31.5 in D 19 in

Miniature Mahogany Partners Desk

Located in Stamford, CT

Salesman sample sized desk. George III style mahogany and leather miniature partners desk.

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Early 20th Century George III Desks and Writing Tables

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$4,314

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By Limoges

Located in Newark, England

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18th Century Chinoiserie Table Mirror, Yellow Lacquered Wood, France

$780

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Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

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Renaissance Style Oak Tester 4 Poster Bed Armorial Tapestry Bedspread King Size

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$1,450

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$425,000

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Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage

Located in Queens, NY

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Top Quality 19th Century Jewelry, Treasure Box, Cabinet w Drawers & Mirror Doors

$2,233

H 16 in W 11.6 in D 8.8 in

Top Quality 19th Century Jewelry, Treasure Box, Cabinet w Drawers & Mirror Doors

Located in Lisse, NL

A beautiful antique and all handcrafted jewelry box with a striking velvet lining. This rare and larger size jewelry box or casket makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye...

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Antique Travelling Vanity Case, English, Coromandel, Jewellery Box, Victorian

$2,848Sale Price|20% Off

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Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.

$3,761

H 5.52 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in

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By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Sèvres porcelain box, gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period box, 19th century, Sèvres porcelain and gilt brass mount. Dimensions : H: 14cm, ...

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Maison Jansen Stamped Sofa, Louis XV Style, France

$8,900

H 39.5 in W 70 in D 32 in

Maison Jansen Stamped Sofa, Louis XV Style, France

By Maison Jansen

Located in Montreal, Quebec

Rare Maison Jansen stamped French Louis XV style sofa with original grey patina, and clean lined cream upholstery. Lovely classical Louis XV shape, good width, seats three comfortabl...

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Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Sofas

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Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage

$19,850

H 6 in W 12 in D 9 in

Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage

Located in New Orleans, LA

A work of extraordinary craftsmanship, this exquisite English vanity case is as much an item of luxury as it is of necessity. Known as a nécessaire de voyage, the case features a lux...

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Miniature Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the miniature writing desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every miniature writing desk was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer miniature writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A miniature writing desk, designed in the Arts and Crafts, Georgian or Regency style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made miniature writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Paul Sormani and Maitland Smith are consistently popular.

How Much is a Miniature Writing Desk?

Prices for a miniature writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $519 and can go as high as $16,725, while the average can fetch as much as $2,995.

Questions About Miniature 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 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 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 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 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.