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Old World Desks

Italian Rococo Revival Writing Desk, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
floral designs complete the look, adding a touch of whimsy and old-world charm. The desk bears a "Made
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Superb Period 1780s era Italian Tombstone Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
-painted floral motifs and decorative trim, this desk exudes old-world charm and timeless elegance. The
Category

Antique 1780s Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Edwardian Maple & Co Pedestal Writing Desk Distressed Brown Embossed Leather
By Maple & Co.
Located in Pulborough, GB
with a classic, timeless design. Its distressed brown embossed leather top adds an old-world charm to
Category

Antique 19th Century British Edwardian Pedestals

Materials

Hardwood

Edwardian Maple & Co Pedestal Writing Desk Distressed Brown Embossed Leather
Edwardian Maple & Co Pedestal Writing Desk Distressed Brown Embossed Leather
$3,570 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.93 in W 48.04 in D 26.78 in

Recent Sales

19th Century Louis XV Hardwood Desk with Hidden Drawers
Located in Lakewood, NJ
This 1875 unique Antique executive desk with hidden drawers, is a superb example of old world
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century French Faux Leather Book Ink Well
Located in Antwerp, BE
desk. Perfect old world elegance. Also the perfect gift for the person who has everything.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Inkwells

Venetian Decoupage Table SATURDAY SALE
Located in West Palm beach, FL
of characters, landscapes and foliage Great table for library or old world table desk. .
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Center Tables

Materials

Wood

Garcia Natural Carved Pine Executive Office Desk Library Table Rustic Old World
Located in Dayton, OH
Garcia Imports executive desk. Made from pine with European architectural elements. Features fluted
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Brass Desk Globe
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique old world brass desk globe, circa 2000s. Made of solid brass for long lasting visual appeal
Category

Late 20th Century Indian More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Iron

Brass Desk Globe
Brass Desk Globe
H 11 in W 9 in D 8 in
Brass Desk Globe
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique old world brass desk globe, circa 2000s. Made of solid brass for long lasting visual appeal
Category

Late 20th Century Indian More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Iron

Brass Desk Globe
Brass Desk Globe
H 11 in W 9 in D 8 in
19th Century French Walnut Inkwell with Cut-Glass Bottles and Letter Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Add old-world elegance to your desk with this antique inkwell from France, circa 1860. The piece is
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Inkwells

English Made Mahogany Three-Drawer Writing Desk on Legs Library Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
it was hand crafted by a third generation furniture maker. Using Old World methods, this writing desk
Category

2010s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

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Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style
By Victor Horta
Located in Lisse, NL
Top condition and pure elegance Art Nouveau vase. For the collectors of museum quality and condition Art Nouveau ceramics. This stunning Art Nouveau vase is decorated with the mos...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Bronze

LOUIS XVI FRENCH CARVED GiLTWOOD DOUBLE CANED BERGERE SETTEE SOFA WINDOW SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptional sublime Louis XVI French Carved Giltwood and double Caned Bergère Window seat or Settee P...
Category

Antique 19th Century European Louis XVI Settees

Materials

Rattan, Giltwood

Juan Montoya Custom Daybed
By Juan Montoya
Located in Hanover, MA
***AUTUMN SALE*** Custom upholstered long divan or chaise lounge designed by Juan Montoya for a published interiors project completed in 1991 in Georgetown DC. Fabricated and uphols...
Category

1990s American Post-Modern Daybeds

Materials

Upholstery

Juan Montoya Custom Daybed
Juan Montoya Custom Daybed
$3,750 Sale Price
50% Off
H 30.5 in W 93 in D 32 in
French Marble and Iron Dessert Stand, Mid 20th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
Transport yourself to the enchanting world of 1940s French elegance with this exquisite marble dessert stand. Its opulent allure is matched by the delicately crafted iron scroll legs...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Pedestals and Columns

Materials

Marble

Hollywood Regency Bar and Stools in the Style of Willy Rizzo Brass Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar with bar stools, brass, suede, glass, smoked mirrored glass, chrome-plated steel, wood, plastic, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style of Willy Rizz...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Dry Bars

Materials

Brass, Steel, Chrome

Pair 19th Century Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century diminutive Italian Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère chairs composed of mahogany and gilded accents. and newly upholstered in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet.
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

hand painted pine cabinet, circa 1850
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Cupboard from the rural south of Germany, dating from around 1850. The cupboard was probably given as a wedding gift. This cupboard is made of solid pine and is hand-painted in sligh...
Category

Antique 1850s German Folk Art Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine

hand painted pine cabinet, circa 1850
hand painted pine cabinet, circa 1850
$1,735
H 63.78 in W 41.34 in D 18.12 in
Italian 17th 18th Century Carved Giltwood Baroque Angel Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful giltwood angelhead. Italy, circa 1650-1750 Weathered and small losses. Measurement here below inclusive the wooden base. H:18,5cm W:11cm D:11,5cm
Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Italian 17th 18th Century Carved Giltwood Baroque Angel Head
Italian 17th 18th Century Carved Giltwood Baroque Angel Head
$388 Sale Price
45% Off
H 7.29 in W 4.34 in D 4.53 in
1985 Rare Postmodern Porcelain & Silver Teapot by Borek Sipek for Driade
By Driade, B. Sipek
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and very rare very collectible porcelain and silver teapot coffee carafe designed by Borek Sipek for Driade excellent condition beautiful patina never used.
Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Porcelain

Materials

Silver

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marquise Bergere
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Louis XVI marquise bergère, better known as a chair and a half, from the 19th century. This example offers timeless sophistication, the lines and ornamentation are spare all...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Down

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marquise Bergere
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marquise Bergere
$2,200
H 35.75 in W 36.25 in D 26 in
French Nightstands In Carved Walnut Two Drawers And Shelf, Set Of 2
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of solid carved French nightstands with turned columns, two drawers and one low shelve. It has two carved drawers with original bronze pulls.
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Night Stands

Materials

Walnut

French Napoleon III Chaise in Red Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
This exquisite French 19th century Napoleon III chaise lounge features an extended left arm, and the interior of the back and arms have skillfully ironed diamond tufting, making this...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Longues

Materials

Upholstery

French Napoleon III Chaise in Red Velvet
French Napoleon III Chaise in Red Velvet
$2,624 Sale Price
45% Off
H 37.5 in W 30 in D 62 in
19th Century Painted Bibliotheque
Located in Houston, TX
19th century painted bibliotheque from France. Hand-carved and painted bibliotheque with three upper glass paneled doors that open to reveal two storage spaces with three removable s...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

19th Century Painted Bibliotheque
19th Century Painted Bibliotheque
$22,500
H 102.75 in W 106.5 in D 20.5 in
Japanese Lacquer and Cinnabar "Samurai" Cabinet, Inaba Family, Edo Period
Located in Troy, NY
Exceptionally large and rare lacquer cabinet. According to the heraldry, visible on the headgear in one of the panels, it was made for the Inaba family, a high ranking Daimyo family,...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Wood

Dark Gray Baroque Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque secretary cabinet featuring a two-door glazed display hutch above and a lower section with a slant-front writing desk and three drawers. The dark gray paint finish is newly a...
Category

Antique 18th Century French Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood, Softwood

Dark Gray Baroque Secretary, 18th Century
Dark Gray Baroque Secretary, 18th Century
$5,385
H 87.01 in W 51.19 in D 26.38 in
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Painted Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 18th century Swedish gustavian period two-part secretaire cabinet or bookcase crafted from pine and beech. The substantial case has a gracefully curved or arched pediment ...
Category

Antique 18th Century European Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Iron

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Old World Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of old world desks for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and walnut, all old world desks available were constructed with great care. We have 73 antique and vintage old world desks in-stock, while there are 78 modern editions to choose from as well. There are all kinds of old world desks available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of old world desks to choose from, but at 1stDibs, modern, mid-century modern and Baroque old world desks are of considerable interest. Dessie Studio, Stephane Lebrun and Jaime Tresserra each produced beautiful old world desks that are worth considering.

How Much are Old World Desks?

Old world desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $6,099, while the lowest priced sells for $68 and the highest can go for as much as $775,000.
Questions About Old World Desks
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The best way to refinish an old metal desk is to start by cleaning the desk. Ensure that the surface is free of dust and rust, then prime the desk with one to two coats of primer. And dependent upon its condition, a coat of any metal paint can freshen up an old metal desk. Browse a wide selection of vintage metal desks on 1stDibs.
  • 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.