$3,848
H 47.25 in W 51.19 in D 29.53 in
Edwardian Oak Roll Top Secretary Desk, Circa 1900, UK, Brass Accents
Located in Madrid, ES
Oak secretary / writing desk from circa 1900's. Featuring a roll-up flap with underlying writing board, shelf interior and two drawers. Below the writing desk there are two pull-out ...
Brass
$2,295
H 38.75 in W 35.5 in D 18 in
Egon Ostergaard for SMI Sweden Bookmatched Teak Roll Top Desk or Secretary
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the 1960s by Egon Ostergaard, this desk was made by SMI, a somewhat nebulous figure in MCM production. We've had a number of SMI pieces, and the quality is always excelle...
Brass
$12,850
H 35 in W 74.57 in D 28 in
Rosewood Roll top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452. All Original
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452 Rosewood Tambour Door Executive Desk in very good completely original condition. Two rolltops, one on each side and three drawers. Large work se...
Brass
Roll Black Desk
By Garbarino Collections
Located in Milan, IT
The black stained oak frame is raised on two legs in dark tempered glass and features a cylinder hutch with a roll-top lid of Ebony (also in Walnut Canaletto) that conceals fixed she...
Ebony, Glass, Leather, Oak
Rolltop desk Italy c1950
By Bernini
Located in London, GB
Beautifully restored mid century roll top desk. Italy c1960 Lovely warm patina to the wood.
Glass, Acrylic, Walnut
$1,575Sale Price|81% Off
H 55.5 in W 35.5 in D 22.5 in
Antique Mahogany Petite Rolltop Desk with Leather Surface, 1860
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful antique English mahogany petite roll top desk having all the bells and whistles including working curved roll top that reveals cubbies and little drawers with a pull out dr...
Leather, Mahogany
Art Deco Ebonized Pearwood Two-Tier Tambour Top Writing Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco ebonized pearwood writing desk with a tambour roll top upper section concealing four Pairs of interior drawers with diamond pattern inlaid burl wood fronts surrounding a bro...
Wood, Leather, Fruitwood
Wonderful and Extremely Rare Frattini Secretary for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
By pulling the drawer the tambour roll top opens automatic. Then you can double the size of the writing surface.
Wood
French Louis XVI Bureau a Cylindre, Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Houston, TX
19th century desk with a Cylindre roll top opening to a leather top that pulls out for ease In use.
Mahogany
Sheraton Revival Satinwood Cylinder Bureau
Located in Cheshire, GB
Sheraton revival satinwood and rosewood crossbanded cylinder bureau, the raised three-quarter galleried superstructure above a roll top with marquetry inlaid floral decoration, enclo...
Satinwood
George III Mahogany Tambour Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Nice old piece very nicely polished and tuned up in good working order. Rectangular top with tambour roll top opening to expose a pull out writing surface with adjustable ratcheted c...
Mahogany
Writing Desk by Gianfranco FRATTINI for BERNINI, 1961
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Elegant modular walnut Desk, mod. 807 with black leather and aluminium detail. The roll top tambour-door opens by pulling out the leather writing surface.
Aluminum
No. 804 Rolltop Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
Rare and unusual desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. By pulling the desk top out you open the rolltop. This desk cabinet has a lot of storage space, 10 drawers at the f...
Wood
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 48 in D 24 in
Robert Propst For Herman Miller Action Office Stand-Up Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
This mid century modern classic is wall mounted (mounting brackets included) permitting an adjustable height and features a teak roll top, ebonized side panels, wooden work surface, ...
Metal
$2,995
H 47.75 in W 43 in D 23.25 in
Superb Rare Flame Mahogany Russian or Baltic Cylinder Desk Leather Surface
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
The brass-mounted accents and intricate ormolu details on the upper corners elevate its regal appeal. The roll-top opens to reveal a leather writing surface, blending practicality wi...
Bronze
$5,800
H 28.75 in W 66 in D 32.5 in
Action Office Writing Desk by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Lockable hinged cover with a black synthetic leather coating and a gray laminated work surface with vinyl edging, equipped with three sliders under the table top. Back panel and inte...
Metal, Aluminum
$45,500
H 38.5 in W 33.25 in D 18.25 in
French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The roll top opens to reveal the original pull out writing surface with its original fitted gold tooled leather top and four drawers each displaying fine circular ormolu pulls.
Ormolu
Charak Furniture Co. Federal Revival Inlaid Tambour Desk
By Charak Furniture Company
Located in Norwood, NJ
Executed in richly figured satinwood and mahogany veneers, the desk is accented with delicate Federal-style string inlay, oval and geometric motifs, and refined line detailing throug...
Marble
$1,914,804
H 59.45 in W 74.81 in D 39.38 in
Antique French Marquetry, Ormolu and Jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley
By Emmanuel-Alfred Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
The upper section consists of three panels, with the tambour roll-top inlaid with intricate mythological motifs.
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany Lady’s Cylinder Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The roll top cylinder is flanked by additional reeded plaques and also displays a beautiful recessed panel showcasing the wood grain framed within a mottled wrap around band with lov...
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
$9,500
H 44.25 in W 51.5 in D 24.25 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Located in Forney, TX
Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, most likely Parisian work, dating to the early 19th century, the large antique cylinder desk features a tambour roll top, opening to reveal an int...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Revival Cylinder Bureau 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An Empire Revival mahogany and parcel gilt cylinder bureau, Circa 1880 in date. The panelled roll top enclosing a green inset leather writing surface and an arrangement of drawers a...
Mahogany
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 46 in W 65 in D 31 in
Monumental Inlaid French Bronze Mounted Louis XVI Cylinder Desk Circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Crafted in richly grained mahogany, the desk features exquisite geometric inlay work across the roll-top surface and drawer fronts, showcasing meticulous artistry.
Bronze
$6,492
H 30.71 in W 59.85 in D 31.11 in
Rare Mauser B65 desk after Marcel Breuer, Bauhaus tubular steel tube, Germany
By Mauser Werke
Located in Berlin, DE
A fixed left-hand container with a functional tambour roll-top door is balanced by a floating drawer on the right, creating a dynamic interplay between visual lightness and structura...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
18th Century Mahogany Cylinder Desk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very good quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany cylinder desk having well figured roll top, enclosing baize sliding writing surface with ratcheted slope and interior drawers,...
Mahogany
$10,034
H 47.25 in W 61.82 in D 33.08 in
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
By Robert Propst, George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Renens, CH
The idea behind the AO1 was that one could leave unfinished work on the desk in the evening, and simply continue the following day by opening up the roll-top. Here available are t...
Metal
Louis XV Style Writing Desk by François Linke
By François Linke
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superior craftsmanship and elegant bronze work characterize this tambour front roll top writing desk by François Linke, the most important French ébéniste of his time.
Bronze
$5,800Sale Price|47% Off
H 46.5 in W 74.75 in D 28 in
Rosewood and Mahogany Receptionist Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This spectacular fully restored and sought-after model #452 'Roll Top' desk was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and features beautifully grained Rosewood and Ebonized Mahogany,...
Mahogany, Rosewood
$78,042
H 85 in W 72 in D 36 in
Rosewood Regency Kneehole Bureau Cabinet Attributed to Seddon and Morel
By Morel & Seddon
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An impressive and monumental rosewood Regency kneehole bureau cabinet with ormolu mounts of exceptional quality, attributed to Seddon and Morel, the central roll-top opening to revea...
Ormolu
$9,509
H 41.54 in W 51.97 in D 31.3 in
With Certificate Antique Shannon File Co Victorian Walnut Tambour Desk Must See
By The Shannon File Cabinet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
“This oak wooton rotary tambour roll top desk, has been examined and authenticated by the British Antique Exporters Limited of Queen Elizabeth Avenue Burgess Hill in the county of We...
Walnut
Bronze Age Desk by Mark Zeff
By Mark Zeff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bronze Age desk by Mark Zeff, hot rolled steel with wood tanned top. Bronze Age collection by Mark Zeff Bronze Age is a furniture collection designed by Mark Zeff.
Steel
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.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
Fans of the French film star may be surprised to learn that he had a flair for furniture with sleek lines and disco-era flash.
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.