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Portable Desk Box

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Antique Lap Desk
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French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An original black painted portable desk from the end of the 18th century. With owner initials, the
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk
French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk

French Original Black Painted Portable 18th Century Writing Desk

H 18.9 in W 22.05 in D 24.02 in
Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box
Located in Casteren, NL
integrity while maintaining its rich, historical character. Perfect as a writing slope, portable desk, or
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Desks

Materials

Steel

Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box
Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box

Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box

H 8.39 in W 27.37 in D 20.08 in
NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba
By Napoléon III
Located in Miami, FL
An antique Napoleon III traveler portable writing-desk box. This is a gorgeous portable writing
Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather, Shell, Wood

NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba
NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba

NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba

H 5.5 in W 13 in D 8.75 in
Large Dutch Colonial Amboyna and Ebony Indonesian Writing Desk, 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
made portable writing desks and document boxes indispensable items of furniture for VOC officials in
Category

Antique 18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Desk Sets

Materials

Ebony, Amboyna

Large Dutch Colonial Amboyna and Ebony Indonesian Writing Desk, 18th Century

Large Dutch Colonial Amboyna and Ebony Indonesian Writing Desk, 18th Century

H 9.45 in W 28.75 in D 22.05 in
Rare English Regency Writing Desk With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe
By John Lambe
Located in Reading, Berkshire
desks (writing boxes, as we know them today) and dressing cases. Antique lap desks had hinged writing
Category

Antique 19th Century British Regency Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Rare English Regency Writing Desk With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe
Rare English Regency Writing Desk With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe

Rare English Regency Writing Desk With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe

H 4.93 in W 14.18 in D 9.85 in
Rare Complete Early 19th Century Indian Sadeli Work and Writing Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
fittings. H. 12.6 x W. 43.2 x D. 28.5 cm Note: Workboxes, portable writing desks, inkstands and
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Indian More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture

Materials

Bone, Wood

Rare Complete Early 19th Century Indian Sadeli Work and Writing Box
Rare Complete Early 19th Century Indian Sadeli Work and Writing Box

Rare Complete Early 19th Century Indian Sadeli Work and Writing Box

H 4.97 in W 17.01 in D 11.23 in

Recent Sales

Vizagapatam Anglo Indian Miniature Sandalwood and Ivory Panels Cabinet, 1750
Located in Paris, ile de france
foliate decoration, This engraved bureau-cabinet, serving as portable desk jewel-case and dressing-box
Category

Antique 18th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Cabinets

Materials

Sandalwood, Ivory

Vizagapatam Anglo Indian Miniature Sandalwood and Ivory Panels Cabinet, 1750
Vizagapatam Anglo Indian Miniature Sandalwood and Ivory Panels Cabinet, 1750

Vizagapatam Anglo Indian Miniature Sandalwood and Ivory Panels Cabinet, 1750

H 16 in W 16 in D 8 in
19th Century Chinese Export Camphorwood Brass Inlaid Portable Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Chinese export solid camphorwood brass inlaid and banded writing slope, the tambour activated by retracting the central drawer to reveal a rising section containing a variety of sm...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Chinese Export Camphorwood Brass Inlaid Portable Desk
19th Century Chinese Export Camphorwood Brass Inlaid Portable Desk

19th Century Chinese Export Camphorwood Brass Inlaid Portable Desk

H 9.5 in W 19.25 in D 15.25 in
Vintage Royal Typewriter Co Quiet Deluxe Portable Typewriter in Box Case
By Royal Typewriter Company 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Royal Typewriter Co quiet deluxe portable typewriter in box case. Circa early 20th century
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Desk Sets

Materials

Metal

Vintage Royal Typewriter Co Quiet Deluxe Portable Typewriter in Box Case
Vintage Royal Typewriter Co Quiet Deluxe Portable Typewriter in Box Case

Vintage Royal Typewriter Co Quiet Deluxe Portable Typewriter in Box Case

H 7 in W 13 in D 13 in
Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Portable Postage Scale in Original Box
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver portable postage scale, ca 1930. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Desk Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Portable Postage Scale in Original Box
Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Portable Postage Scale in Original Box

Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Portable Postage Scale in Original Box

H 4 in Dm 0.5 in
Charming Antique Portable Box Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
CHARMING ANTIQUE PORTABLE BOX DESK. ORIGINAL HARDWARE AND PAINT.
Category

Antique 19th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Charming Antique Portable Box Desk
Charming Antique Portable Box Desk

Charming Antique Portable Box Desk

H 10 in W 22.5 in D 18 in
Rosewood portable writing desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rosewood portable writing desk with decorative burled yew inlay banding set in around the top
Category

Antique 19th Century English Boxes

Materials

Brass

Rosewood portable writing desk
Rosewood portable writing desk

Rosewood portable writing desk

H 7 in W 19.75 in D 10 in
Antique English Victorian Coromandel and Brass Portable Lap Desk or Slope
By Howell James & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique English Victorian Coromandel and Brass Portable Lap Desk or Slope, circa 1880, of
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Victorian Coromandel and Brass Portable Lap Desk or Slope
Antique English Victorian Coromandel and Brass Portable Lap Desk or Slope

Antique English Victorian Coromandel and Brass Portable Lap Desk or Slope

H 16 in W 16 in D 8 in
An 18th Century English Portable Writing Box
Located in New York, NY
A late 18th century English mahogany and burr yew wood portable writing box with brass carrying
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George III Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

An 18th Century English Portable Writing Box
An 18th Century English Portable Writing Box

An 18th Century English Portable Writing Box

H 5.5 in W 13.5 in D 11 in
Georgian Irish Writing Box
Located in Northampton, United Kingdom
Fashionable Cabinets, Portable Writing Desks, Dressing boxes, Work boxes, Gardevines, Medicine Chests
Category

Antique 19th Century British Boxes

Materials

Brass, Steel

Georgian Irish Writing Box
Georgian Irish Writing Box

Georgian Irish Writing Box

H 7 in W 22 in D 11 in
Chinese Lacquer Chinoisere Desk Antique
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese black and gilt chinoisere decorated desk with removable portable writing box with a
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Secretaires

Chinese Lacquer Chinoisere Desk Antique
Chinese Lacquer Chinoisere Desk Antique

Chinese Lacquer Chinoisere Desk Antique

H 62 in W 29 in D 25 in
Antique Anglo-Indian or British Colonial Ebony Desk Box
Located in Singapore, SG
An elegant British Colonial portable desk box, made from beautifully carved ebony. The box has a
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Furniture

Materials

Ebony

Antique Anglo-Indian or British Colonial Ebony Desk Box
Antique Anglo-Indian or British Colonial Ebony Desk Box

Antique Anglo-Indian or British Colonial Ebony Desk Box

H 6.5 in W 17 in D 9.5 in

People Also Browsed

Antique Dutch Colonial VOC Batavian Tortoise Shell Silver Sirih Casket 1750
Located in Portland, OR
A rare, Dutch Colonial, Batavian (now Jakarta) Dutch East Indies silver and tortoise shell Sirih casket, circa 1750. The casket was used for storing highly prized betel nut, which wa...
Category

Antique 1750s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Metalwork

Materials

Silver

Antique Dutch Colonial VOC Batavian Tortoise Shell Silver Sirih Casket 1750
Antique Dutch Colonial VOC Batavian Tortoise Shell Silver Sirih Casket 1750

Antique Dutch Colonial VOC Batavian Tortoise Shell Silver Sirih Casket 1750

H 2 in W 4.5 in D 3 in
Dutch Colonial Indonesian Hardwood Four Chair-Back Settee, Late 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An Indonesian Javanese rosewood (sono keeling) four chair-back settee Java, probably Jakarta (Batavia), late 17th century The massive bench on ten turned connected legs, with f...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Hardwood

Dutch Colonial Indonesian Hardwood Four Chair-Back Settee, Late 17th Century

Dutch Colonial Indonesian Hardwood Four Chair-Back Settee, Late 17th Century

H 42.52 in W 85.04 in D 27.96 in
19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th century Sri Lankan Trunk made of jakwood with ebony trim. Bright hardware and handles on squat feet.
Category

Antique 19th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ebony

19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim
19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim

19th Century Sri Lankan Trunk with Ebony Trim

H 23.5 in W 45.5 in D 20.5 in
A Dutch-colonial Sri Lankan coromandel wood miniature chest of drawers
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Dutch-colonial Sri Lankan coromandel wood miniature chest of drawers with silver mounts Sri Lanka, 18th century, circa 1750 H. 35 x W. 48 x D. 32 cm Apart from being a highly d...
Category

Antique 18th Century Sri Lankan Dutch Colonial Furniture

Materials

Silver

A Dutch-colonial Sri Lankan coromandel wood miniature chest of drawers
A Dutch-colonial Sri Lankan coromandel wood miniature chest of drawers

A Dutch-colonial Sri Lankan coromandel wood miniature chest of drawers

H 10.83 in W 15.36 in D 9.45 in
19th Century Dutch Colonial Mahogany Chest on Stand with Brass Hardware and Key
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Dutch Colonial mahogany chest. Fine Dutch Colonial chest with original brass work and surviving key. Peg work joinery, vase turned feet and drawer at base. Solid and sturdy construc...
Category

Antique 19th Century Blanket Chests

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Dutch Colonial Mahogany Chest on Stand with Brass Hardware and Key
19th Century Dutch Colonial Mahogany Chest on Stand with Brass Hardware and Key

19th Century Dutch Colonial Mahogany Chest on Stand with Brass Hardware and Key

H 31 in W 32.5 in D 18 in
Dutch-colonial five-foot 18th century amboyna wood VOC chest with brass mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Dutch-colonial five-foot amboyna wood VOC chest with brass mounts Batavia (Jakarta) or Sri Lanka, 18th century H. 80.5 (including bun-feet) x W. 153 x D. 64.5 cm The many moves...
Category

Antique 18th Century Sri Lankan Dutch Colonial Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Dutch-colonial five-foot 18th century amboyna wood VOC chest with brass mounts
Dutch-colonial five-foot 18th century amboyna wood VOC chest with brass mounts

Dutch-colonial five-foot 18th century amboyna wood VOC chest with brass mounts

H 31.7 in W 60.24 in D 25.4 in
Dutch-Colonial 18th Century Small Children's or Ladies Bureau with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Dutch-colonial Indonesian small Albizia adoratissima, Nangka and Ambalo wood Lady’s tambour bureau with silver mounts Batavia (Jakarta) or Palembang, late 18th century H. 129...
Category

Antique 18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Children's Furniture

Materials

Wood

Dutch-Colonial 18th Century Small Children's or Ladies Bureau with Silver Mounts
Dutch-Colonial 18th Century Small Children's or Ladies Bureau with Silver Mounts

Dutch-Colonial 18th Century Small Children's or Ladies Bureau with Silver Mounts

H 50.99 in W 27.56 in D 15.36 in
Dutch-Colonial Sri Lankan Coromandel Wood Document Box with Silver Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Dutch-colonial Sri Lankan coromandel wood document box with silver mounts Probably Galle, 18th century H. 19 x W. 49 x D. 33 cm The chest with waving sides and front has a...
Category

Antique 18th Century Sri Lankan Dutch Colonial Furniture

Materials

Silver

Dutch-Colonial Sri Lankan Coromandel Wood Document Box with Silver Mounts
Dutch-Colonial Sri Lankan Coromandel Wood Document Box with Silver Mounts

Dutch-Colonial Sri Lankan Coromandel Wood Document Box with Silver Mounts

H 7.49 in W 19.3 in D 13 in
A large Dutch colonial ebony cabinet with brass mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Dutch colonial ebony cabinet with brass mounts on contemporary black steel frame Batavia (Jakarta), 2nd half 17th century The cabinet has two massive ebony doors opening to revea...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antiquities

Materials

Brass

A large Dutch colonial ebony cabinet with brass mounts
A large Dutch colonial ebony cabinet with brass mounts

A large Dutch colonial ebony cabinet with brass mounts

H 31.7 in W 35.91 in D 21.38 in
Fine Dutch Colonial Indonesian Casket with Silver Mounts, circa 1706
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A fine Indonesian Ambonya burl, ebony and teak casket with silver mounts Jakarta (Batavia), circa 1706 (year letter W (1705-1710), marked DV, probably Dirck Vooght The outer ri...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fine Dutch Colonial Indonesian Casket with Silver Mounts, circa 1706
Fine Dutch Colonial Indonesian Casket with Silver Mounts, circa 1706

Fine Dutch Colonial Indonesian Casket with Silver Mounts, circa 1706

H 5.99 in W 9.85 in D 6.07 in
18th Century Sri Lankan Satinwood Trunk
Located in San Marino, CA
A striking Sri Lankan satinwood trunk from the 18th Century. The trunk's edges are decorated with a scalloped design at the front and sides. The top of this trunk opens at one side a...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Sri Lankan Dutch Colonial Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Satinwood

18th Century Sri Lankan Satinwood Trunk
18th Century Sri Lankan Satinwood Trunk

18th Century Sri Lankan Satinwood Trunk

H 25.5 in W 51.5 in D 23 in
A 17th century Dutch-colonial ebony two-door VOC cabinet with silver mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Dutch-colonial ebony two-door cabinet with silver mounts Coromandel Coast, probably Masulipatnam, circa 1650-1680, the silver later H. 64.5 x W. 75 x D. 46 cm The present cabinet...
Category

Antique 17th Century Indian Dutch Colonial Antiquities

Materials

Silver

A 17th century Dutch-colonial ebony two-door VOC cabinet with silver mounts
A 17th century Dutch-colonial ebony two-door VOC cabinet with silver mounts

A 17th century Dutch-colonial ebony two-door VOC cabinet with silver mounts

H 25.4 in W 29.53 in D 18.12 in
Dutch Walnut Writing Box with Brass Mounts, Early 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Dutch walnut writing box with brass mounts Early 18th century Measures: H. 20 x W. 47 x D. 28 cm The interior is divided in various compartments for an inkpot, sand dispen...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Dutch Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Dutch Walnut Writing Box with Brass Mounts, Early 18th Century
Dutch Walnut Writing Box with Brass Mounts, Early 18th Century

Dutch Walnut Writing Box with Brass Mounts, Early 18th Century

H 7.88 in W 18.51 in D 11.03 in
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Portable Desk Box For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the portable desk box you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each portable desk box for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and brass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect portable desk box — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. Each portable desk box bearing Georgian, Victorian or Art Nouveau hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made portable desk box over the years, but those crafted by Cooper Brothers & Sons, Alfred Daguet and James Watt are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Portable Desk Box?

Prices for a portable desk box start at $444 and top out at $128,500 with the average selling for $2,303.