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Swedish Painted Writing Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pretty early 19th century Swedish painted pine writing desk. 1820.
Kneehole: 20.5-inches x 26
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Mid 19th Century Swedish Black Painted Writing Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid 19th-century Swedish writing desk in pine with elongated cabriole legs and delicate carved
Category
Antique 19th Century Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A late 18th Century Folk Art Baroque Scandinavian original painted writing desk secretary. This
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Writing Desk In Gustavian Style Painted In Grey From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Grey painted writing desk in the style Gustavian from the 1840s. The desk is freestanding and
Category
Antique 1840s Danish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th c. Dutch Louis XVI Black Painted Writing Desk with Original Brass Casters
Located in Wichita, KS
An exceptional Dutch writing desk from the Louis XVI period wearing aged black paint. Shaped top
Category
Antique 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
French Louis XV Style Distressed Painted Desk Writing Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Louis XV style distressed painted desk writing table is a stunning example of antique
Category
1990s Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
$2,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Rococo Revival Writing Desk, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Italian Rococo Revival Writing Desk, Late 19th Century
This charming Italian Rococo Style painted
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Venetian Painted Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare, Venetian, serpentine painted writing desk/coiffure table. Six drawers with 4 original keys
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
$29,800
Antique Hand-Painted Floral Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful and unique writing desk is rustic yet utilitarian, and would work well as either a
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Regency Hand Painted Gladiator Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic Vintage Regency writing desk. Beautiful hand painted detail with scenes of gladiators
Category
Late 20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint
Black Painted Chinoiserie Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique chinoiserie painted writing desk with red interior.
early-19th century
Category
Antique 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Provincial Louis XV Style Paint Decorated Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and spacious French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk with two drawers and white
Category
20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1900's Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint-Decorated, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Charming 1900's Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint Decorated, Writing Desk!
Desk, Writing, Adam
Category
20th Century Unknown Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
1900's Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint Decorated, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Charming 1900's Vintage / Antique Adam Style, Paint Decorated, Writing Desk!
Desk, Writing, Adam
Category
Mid-20th Century European Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Magnificent English 19th Century Faux Painted Marbleized Pedestal Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
British desk with faux painted original surface and hand painted marbleized green banding. The
Category
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Swedish Painted Writing Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 19th century Swedish painted three drawer pine writing table/ desk with a faux marble top
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
A MId-Century Modern Style Painted Iron and Leather Writing Desk.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking contemporary writing desk inspired by the minimalist elegance of the mid century. The
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Argentine Mid-Century Modern Desks and Wri...
Materials
Iron
Paestum Writing Table / Desk
Located in Banbury, GB
A finely carved and simulated cork decorated large writing table or desk with a thick glass top.
Category
2010s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
$25,050 / item
20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Beautifully proportioned and beautifully crafted
Category
Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Painted Satinwood Writing Desk with Sterling Silver Mounts
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very finely painted satinwood desk with Sterling silver pulls. Each pull is hallmarked. This
Category
Antique 19th Century English Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Sterling Silver
20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood Italian Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian writing desk from the mid-20th century. Baroque-style furniture, finished for the center
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Important French Brass Inlaid Paint Decorated Rolltop Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This important French brass inlaid paint decorated rolltop ladies writing desk is a rare and
Category
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
$3,720 Sale Price
60% Off
Antique Edwardian Satin wood & Floral Painted Carlton House Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
known as a Carlton House writing table.
The desk is like a normal writing table but the small drawers
Category
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
20th Century Swedish Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century Swedish writing desk exudes the timeless simplicity and elegance of Scandinavian
Category
20th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Antique Swedish Gustavian Writing Table / Desk Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
from the area.
Nice Gustavian desk scraped to its beautiful original paint.
Stable in construction
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
French Provincial Writing Desk 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century painted French Provincial style desk. The desk stands on four cabriole legs that
Category
Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Stunning Black Lacquered Polychrome Painted Writing Table Desk Birds Flowers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
paint
This is a writing table or desk, it has a good sized work area and would fit almost any setting
Category
20th Century English Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Bonheur-Du-Jour Ladies Writing Desk, Hand-Painted, Artist Signed, c. 1880
Located in Doylestown, PA
A special antique paint decorated French Louis XV style Bonheur-Du-Jour, ladies' writing desk
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Decorated Writing Desk, dating circa 1760s. A true antique treasure, this desk is a rare example of Italian
Category
Antique 1760s Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Pine
$3,996 Sale Price
42% Off
Antique Swedish Writing Table Desk, Genuine Red and Blue Painted Folk Art
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish folk art writing table from the village of Alfta in Hälsingland in northern Sweden
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Louis XV Style Writing Desk with Serpentine Legs Painted with Gold Highlights
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV style writing desk made by La Maison London.
Painted in a French grey with gold
Category
2010s British Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Small Ladies’ Writing Desk, 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small oval ladies' writing desk in Baroque style, featuring hand-painted floral decoration on a
Category
20th Century German Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Painted Writing Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 19th century English painted five drawer kneehole desk/ writing table. 1890.
Kneehole
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
French Rococo Louis XV Distress Paint Dressing Table Vanity Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Rococo Louis XV Style Distress Painted Dressing Table / Writing Desk. Item features
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Contemporary Desk French Writing Desk Luxury Wood Handmade Executive Desks
Located in København N, DK
True White
People say that the color white does not exist. That our eye just perceives it that way. I don't want to believe that. White to me is the color of purity, the color that i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing...
Materials
Steel
18th Century Black Rococo Writing Desk Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A beautifully crafted French Rococo writing desk from the Late 18th Century or Early 19th Century
Category
Antique 1780s French Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Venetian Painted Italian Louis XV Style Writing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming vintage, circa 1960, Italian Venetian writing table (desk - vanity - console) with
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Emerald Green Lacquer Chinoiserie Desk Writing Table Console & Chair MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Emerald Green Lacquer Chinoiserie Desk Writing Table Console & Chair MINT
Chair measures
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
A.R.P. Writing Desk Edition Minvielle France, 1955
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare and collectible desk designed by A.R.P. (Atelier de Recherches Plastiques) and manufactured by
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Swedish Freestanding Painted Writing Table Created for Queen Alexandrine
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish freestanding painted writing table from the 20th century with single drawer, created for
Category
20th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinoiserie Multiple Compartments Asian Writing Table Desk Rounded Bach MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chinoiserie Multiple Compartments Asian Writing Table Desk Rounded Bach MINT
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
19th Century French Renaissance Sculptural Leather Top Writing Table ~ Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance Sculptural Leather Top Writing Table ~ Desk is a spectacular
Category
Antique 1850s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Sheepskin, Oak, Paint
Mid Century French Provincial Style Writing Desk with 4 Drawers
By Sears, Roebuck & Company
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century French provincial style writing desk features pressed wood construction, white
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer, Paint
19th Century Swedish Travelling Writing Desk Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century writing desk from Lulea Norrbotten, North of Sweden.
Untouched original painting with
Category
Antique 1810s Swedish Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Carved and Painted Louis XVI Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century Carved and Painted Louis XVI Writing Table is a lovely piece of antique furniture
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1960s Vintage Painted Italian-Style Desk
Located in Augusta, GA
Vintage painted desk
Made in the 1960s
Stylish and functional
This vintage writing desk is painted
Category
Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Giltwood
$2,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk
By Amy Howard
Located in Chicago, IL
Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Paint Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk
The Amy
Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paint
French 18th Century Louis XV Style Painted Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This archetypal 18th century Louis XV-style desk was given a distinguishing update in the 20th
Category
Antique 18th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Maison Jansen attr., Ebony and Parcel-Gilt, Writing Desk, France, 1940s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Hollywood Regency desk. An ebony and parcel-gilt decorated three drawer desk or writing table. This finely
Category
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
The Bi Writing Desk. Handcrafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia wood.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Bi writing desk brings modernity and lightness combined with a classic touch. It's crafted from
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French, Painted, Leather Top Desk Circa 1920
Located in Southampton, GB
Pretty, French Painted Desk with Leather Top.
One long dummy drawer to centre, with two working
Category
Vintage 1920s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Czech, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic writing desk from the 1930s is a remarkable example of Bauhaus design. Designed by
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
19th Century English Regency Painted Gesso Gilded Distressed Small Writing Table
Located in Norwich, GB
19th Century English Regency painted & gilt gesso distressed small writing table. Circa 1820.
The
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Gesso, Pine, Paint
Rare Early 19th Century American Baltimore Federal Parcel Gilt Writing Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and rare early 19th century American Baltimore Federal painted writing table with
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Writing Desk with Flaps, Brass Ornaments, Late 19th Century France
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique writing desk in black lacquered wood, with adjustable flaps on the sides, rich ornaments in
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$1,439 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Boulle Style Inlaid Brass Ormolu Mount Ebonized Writing Table Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Complete your work space with this elegantly painted and carved writing desk. Store your office supplies in
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Baroque Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Louise Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables Fine Hammered Antique Bronze
By Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
experience the finish first hand.
Louise Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables Fine Hammered Antique Bronze by
Category
2010s American Other Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
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Painted Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic painted writing desk available at 1stDibs. A painted writing desk — often made from wood, metal and paint — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a painted writing desk, we have 622 options in-stock, while there are 23 modern editions to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer painted writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A painted writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Louis XVI and Louis XV styles are sought with frequency. A well-made painted writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Ale Preda, Miduny and John Widdicomb are consistently popular.
How Much is a Painted Writing Desk?
A painted writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,262, while the lowest priced sells for $325 and the highest can go for as much as $78,500.
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.
Questions About Painted Writing Desk
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In 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.
- Can I paint a leather desk top?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021Yes, you can paint a leather desk top. You can transform an old leather desk top and add visual appeal with easy-to-use leather paint. If you don’t feel confident in trying this by yourself, get in touch with a furniture restorer or related professional for help. Find a variety of leather desk tops on 1stDibs.
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