Skip to main content

Regency Writing Desk

to
64
933
451
1,377
27
20
855
206
26
21
11
9
4
4
4
4
3
16
820
541
47
52
220
167
9
4
12
12
25
37
59
47
34
21
1,147
514
476
385
343
928
794
628
265
242
1,424
1,411
1,411
50
23
12
10
10
Sort By
Mastercraft Style, Hollywood Regency, Writing Desk, Burl, Brass, USA, 1960s
Mastercraft Style, Hollywood Regency, Writing Desk, Burl, Brass, USA, 1960s

Mastercraft Style, Hollywood Regency, Writing Desk, Burl, Brass, USA, 1960s

By Mastercraft

Located in Manhasset, NY

Mastercraft Style, Hollywood Regency, Writing Desk, Burl, Brass, USA, 1960s A wonderful burl and

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Modern Regency Writing Desk or Bureau Plat Desk
Baker Furniture Modern Regency Writing Desk or Bureau Plat Desk

Baker Furniture Modern Regency Writing Desk or Bureau Plat Desk

By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Vanderbyl

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional modern Regency style writing desk or bureau plat desk By Michael Vanderbyl for

Category

1990s American Modern Desks

Materials

Nickel

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

By John Lambe

Located in Reading, Berkshire

writing desks (writing boxes, as we know them today) and dressing cases. Antique lap desks had hinged

Category

Antique 19th Century British Regency Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

English Regency Mahogany Writing Desk with Pierced Sides and Casters
English Regency Mahogany Writing Desk with Pierced Sides and Casters

English Regency Mahogany Writing Desk with Pierced Sides and Casters

Located in Atlanta, GA

This early 19th-century English Regency writing desk exemplifies the refined elegance of the period

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Rare Antique Regency Travelling Writing Box, English c 1810-1820
Rare Antique Regency Travelling Writing Box, English c 1810-1820

Rare Antique Regency Travelling Writing Box, English c 1810-1820

Located in Kastrup, DK

A rare Regency writing desk box made in solid ebony. Original leather with natural age-related

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Fine Regency Walnut Writing Desk
Fine Regency Walnut Writing Desk

Fine Regency Walnut Writing Desk

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer for sale this stunning Regency Rosewood Library table in the manner of Gillows

Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Potters Bar, GB

A handsome mahogany pedestal desk of classic English form in the Regency style, combining elegance

Category

Antique Early 1900s Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Desk Writing Table Mahogany 1880
Regency Desk Writing Table Mahogany 1880

Regency Desk Writing Table Mahogany 1880

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Sheraton Revival Mahogany Writing Desk. The term "Sheraton Revival" typically refers to a style of

Category

Antique 1880s Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Regency brass inlaid writing desk
19th Century Regency brass inlaid writing desk

19th Century Regency brass inlaid writing desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century regency brass inlaid writing desk circa 1925. Beautifully made regency period writing

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk
Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk

Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Fine quality Regency davenport, circa 1820. Spindle gallery to the top leading to the original

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Palisander

Antique Regency Style Leather Top Desk / Writing Table
Antique Regency Style Leather Top Desk / Writing Table

Antique Regency Style Leather Top Desk / Writing Table

Located in London, GB

A gorgeous antique Regency style leather top desk / writing table. This was made in England, it

Category

Vintage 1930s British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

English Regency Desk with Foldable Desk / Writing Table 20th Century
English Regency Desk with Foldable Desk / Writing Table 20th Century

English Regency Desk with Foldable Desk / Writing Table 20th Century

Located in Berlin, DE

Extraordinary English regency desk with hinged sides and red leather top. 5 drawers in the front

Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

English Regency Style Tolled Leather And Walnut Writing Desk Table
English Regency Style Tolled Leather And Walnut Writing Desk Table

English Regency Style Tolled Leather And Walnut Writing Desk Table

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a late 20th century English regency style writing desk or table. It is walnut and has three

Category

Late 20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table
French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table

French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table

By Maison Jansen

Located in Manhasset, NY

French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table A spectacular

Category

2010s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Regency Gonçalo Alves Library Writing Table Desk 19th Century
Antique Regency Gonçalo Alves Library Writing Table Desk 19th Century

Antique Regency Gonçalo Alves Library Writing Table Desk 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a fabulous antique Regency Period Gonçalo Alves library table, circa 1820 in date. The

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Style Mahogany Writing Desk with Leather Top, UK Craftsmanship
Regency Style Mahogany Writing Desk with Leather Top, UK Craftsmanship

Regency Style Mahogany Writing Desk with Leather Top, UK Craftsmanship

Located in Woodbury, CT

This Regency style writing desk with a tooled saddle leather top and beaded edge has three

Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Free Standing Mahogany English Regency Tambour Roll Top Writing Desk
Free Standing Mahogany English Regency Tambour Roll Top Writing Desk

Free Standing Mahogany English Regency Tambour Roll Top Writing Desk

Located in Kastrup, DK

An elegant 19th century freestanding mahogany roll top writing desk. Tambour top rolls back to

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Bonheur de Jour or Ladies Writing Desk
Regency Bonheur de Jour or Ladies Writing Desk

Regency Bonheur de Jour or Ladies Writing Desk

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Regency Bonheur de Jour or Ladies Writing Desk This is a rare piece indeed has a drop leaf in

Category

Antique Early 1800s Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Regency Period Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top
Regency Period Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top

Regency Period Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top

Located in Austin, TX

A fine period English writing table or desk of mahogany from the Regency Era, circa 1825, featuring

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

reverse, all working so can function as a partners desk with brass ring handles. raised on circular

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

Rectangular top with inset red leather over two drawers with wood knobs. and raised on turned tapered reeded legs.

Category

Antique 1830s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Baker Furniture English Regency Banded Mahogany Writing Desk or Console Table
Baker Furniture English Regency Banded Mahogany Writing Desk or Console Table

Baker Furniture English Regency Banded Mahogany Writing Desk or Console Table

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional English Regency or Georgian style drop leaf writing desk, console table, or sofa

Category

Vintage 1940s American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Style Writing Table
Regency Style Writing Table

Regency Style Writing Table

Located in Hudson, NY

A very nice mahogany and crotch mahogany veneered writing table raised up on marble columns with

Category

20th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Maitland Smith Mahogany Regency Style 3 Drawer Writing Desk w/ Brass Gallery
Maitland Smith Mahogany Regency Style 3 Drawer Writing Desk w/ Brass Gallery

Maitland Smith Mahogany Regency Style 3 Drawer Writing Desk w/ Brass Gallery

By Maitland Smith

Located in Philadelphia, PA

. Maitland Smith Mahogany Regency French Louis XVI Style 3 Drawer Writing Desk w/ Brass Gallery, Finished

Category

Late 20th Century Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

19th Century English Regency Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Table or Desk
19th Century English Regency Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Table or Desk

19th Century English Regency Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Table or Desk

Located in Troy, NY

19th Century English Regency Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Table or Desk. Elegant Regency writing

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

handles and opposing working drawers so can work as a partners desk. Raised on circular tapered legs

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

With a rectangular top with rounded ends. Black inset leather with banded edge and brass edge. Conforming frieze with two drawers and opposing false drawers. Cast bronze star form kn...

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Baker Furniture Regency Rosewood Drop Leaf Writing Desk or Console, Refinished
Baker Furniture Regency Rosewood Drop Leaf Writing Desk or Console, Refinished

Baker Furniture Regency Rosewood Drop Leaf Writing Desk or Console, Refinished

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Regency or Georgian style drop leaf writing desk, console, or sofa table By Baker

Category

Late 20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Rosewood, Satinwood

Regency Writing Table
Regency Writing Table

Regency Writing Table

Located in London, GB

A FINE REGENCY ORMOLU-MOUNTED, BRASS-INLAID AND PARCEL-GILT WRITING TABLE, CIRCA 1810. The frieze

Category

Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

With a rectangular top with new inset brown leather and cross banded edge over a frieze containing one long drawer , raised on circular tapered reeded legs ending on brass casters. P...

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Regency Diminutive Writing Table
Regency Diminutive Writing Table

Regency Diminutive Writing Table

By John Mclean

Located in Greenwich, CT

Very fine English Regency period bonheur du jour attributed to John McLean & Son, the rectangular

Category

Antique 19th Century Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

With inset tooled brown leather top with cross banded edge over a frieze containing three drawers and on the reverse three working drawers. False drawers on ends. All with brass knob...

Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Located in Kittery Point, ME

The shaped rectangular top fitted with hinged side compartment‚ above a reeded frieze drawing and a leather inset slide‚ raised on turned columnar supports joined by two baluster-tur...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

Rectangular top with inset tooled red leather top and cross banded edge over three drawers front and back. Raised on circular tapered legs. Casters. Sold Bonhams , London, February 1...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Baker Writing Desk
Vintage Baker Writing Desk

Vintage Baker Writing Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in North York, ON

This vintage Baker writing desk, America circa 1960’s, has been meticulously restored in a rich

Category

Vintage 1960s American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

A fine Regency period satinwood and leather top writing desk . Parcel gilt
A fine Regency period satinwood and leather top writing desk . Parcel gilt

A fine Regency period satinwood and leather top writing desk . Parcel gilt

Located in Dallas, TX

A fine 19th century Regency satinwood and parcel gilt two drawer writing desk . Original leather

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

Superb Regency Writing Sofa Table
Superb Regency Writing Sofa Table

Superb Regency Writing Sofa Table

Located in Swadlincote, GB

A excellent quality Regency rosewood writing or sofa table in lovely original condition, original

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table

Located in Altrincham, GB

Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table with Mahogany Lined Drawer, Octagonal End Supports, and Blind

Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

19th Regency Brass-Inlaid Portable Writing Desk on Later Stand, Secret Drawer
19th Regency Brass-Inlaid Portable Writing Desk on Later Stand, Secret Drawer

19th Regency Brass-Inlaid Portable Writing Desk on Later Stand, Secret Drawer

By Thomas Lund

Located in Morristown, NJ

Regency Brass-Inlaid Portable Writing Desk on Later Stand, with Secret Drawer, Possibly by Thomas

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Late Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Late Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Late Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

With a tooled olive green leather writing surface with wood border and molded edge over two drawers

Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Fine Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Fine Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

drawer fronts on each end of desk.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Style Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Style Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Style Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

Height to underside 24.75. Rectangular top with new inset tooled olive green leather and banded edge. Three frieze drawers and three false drawers on the opposite side, with brass kn...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Regency Lacquered Writing Table
Rare Regency Lacquered Writing Table

Rare Regency Lacquered Writing Table

Located in Kittery Point, ME

The Japanese lacquered box hinged to open to an adjustable fabric-inset writing surface, inset in a

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage Scorched Bamboo Writing Desk
Vintage Scorched Bamboo Writing Desk

Vintage Scorched Bamboo Writing Desk

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

Striking vintage writing desk crafted in scorched bamboo with dramatic tortoiseshell pattern and

Category

Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Wood, Paint

Regency Style Desk
Regency Style Desk

Regency Style Desk

$6,957 / item

Regency Style Desk

Located in Westwood, NJ

A fine inlaid Regency style writing table with two frieze drawers, turned and fluted legs that have

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

English Late Regency Oak Writing Table
English Late Regency Oak Writing Table

English Late Regency Oak Writing Table

Located in Queens, NY

English Late Regency (mid-19th Century) parcel ebonized & oak writing table with black leather

Category

Antique 19th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Leather

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk
Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style writing desk or console table By Baker Furniture

Category

Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk
Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style writing desk or console table By Baker Furniture

Category

Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Mahogany & Brass Partners Writing Table
Regency Mahogany & Brass Partners Writing Table

Regency Mahogany & Brass Partners Writing Table

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

An Exceptional Quality Regency Period Mahogany And Brass, Square, Partners Writing Table, Having

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany Regency Writing Table
19th Century Mahogany Regency Writing Table

19th Century Mahogany Regency Writing Table

Located in Solebury, PA

An exquisite writing table featuring a figured mahogany top adorned with charming clover-leaf

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Regency Desk Writing Table and Chair
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Regency Desk Writing Table and Chair

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Regency Desk Writing Table and Chair

By Melchiorre Bega, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Ico & Luisa Parisi

Located in Carimate, Como

Beautiful and neoclassical midcentury Regency Italian writing table or desk with its paired newly

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Leather Top Desk
Regency Leather Top Desk

Regency Leather Top Desk

Located in Westwood, NJ

Crafted from exquisite acacia and oak, this grand writing table is inspired by an antique original

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Regency Mahogany And Inlaid Writing Table
Regency Mahogany And Inlaid Writing Table

Regency Mahogany And Inlaid Writing Table

Located in Essex, MA

. With rectangular top with 3/4 brass gallery and black leather writing surface. Frieze with two drawers

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Style Walnut Desk
Regency Style Walnut Desk

Regency Style Walnut Desk

Located in Westwood, NJ

desk’s timeless character. Drawing upon the historic forms of Regency-era England, this desk is

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Regency Writing Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Regency Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the regency writing desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and metal, every regency writing desk was constructed with great care. Find 598 options for an antique or vintage regency writing desk now, or shop our selection of 14 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer regency writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A regency writing desk made by Regency designers — as well as those associated with Hollywood Regency — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made regency writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Maitland Smith, Maison Jansen and Baker Furniture Company are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Regency Writing Desk?

Prices for a regency writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $10 and can go as high as $110,000, while the average can fetch as much as $5,600.

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 Regency Writing Desk
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.