What is a small writing desk called?

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.

What is a writing desk?

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.

What is a writing desk with drawers called?

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.

What is an old-fashioned writing desk called?

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.

What's the difference between a desk and a writing table?

Desks typically include drawers or storage compartments, while writing tables (and secretary desks) offer a flatter surface with little to no built-in storage.

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

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.

What's the difference between a mid-century modern desk and a writing table?

Desks typically include drawers or storage, while writing tables are a flatter, more minimal work surface; check the listing description for storage details.

Small Writing Desks

Small White Metal Table

19th Century Mahogany Writing Table

Aluminum Leg Table

Glass Top Desk

French Louis Xv Desk

Mid Century Modern Desk Brass Legs

Bespoke Desk

Linoleum Desk

English Country Oak Chest of Drawers with Raised Back and Small Drawers, 1930s

$2,704

English Country Oak Chest of Drawers with Raised Back and Small Drawers, 1930s

Located in BÉTERA, ES

Charming chest of drawers crafted in oak, featuring a practical and elegant layout with two small upper drawers set into a raised back shelf, above multiple graduated drawers below. ...

Category

Vintage 1930s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

"Tecnica" Walnut Top Desk with Tie Rods Designed by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'

$22,134 / item

"Tecnica" Walnut Top Desk with Tie Rods Designed by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'

By Jaime Tresserra, Dessie Studio

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A collection, including tables, small tables, writing desks, console tables, bedside tables, chairs, bookcases, dressers, cabinets, cupboards, upholstered pieces of furniture and lam...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Nickel, Metal, Stainless Steel

Restored Bauhaus Small Dissociative Table, by Mücke-Melder, Chrome, Czech, 1930s

$2,349

Restored Bauhaus Small Dissociative Table, by Mücke-Melder, Chrome, Czech, 1930s

By Mücke & Melder

Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj

Dissociative: 95 cm / 37.4″ It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. The chrome p...

Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Antique French Provincial Bureau, Solid Wood with Brass Accents, 1700s

$8,251Sale Price|20% Off

Antique French Provincial Bureau, Solid Wood with Brass Accents, 1700s

Located in Milano, IT

You can see the top and higher still stand 4 beautiful secret compartments, represented by 4 small drawers with handles. This writing desk is suitable for high-class studies or eleg...

Category

Antique 1890s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Bureau Antique Cartonnier Sliding Top for Hidden Storage

$4,290

Late 19th Bureau Antique Cartonnier Sliding Top for Hidden Storage

Located in Miami, FL

An Italian smaller-sized writing desk with storage hidden beneath top from the 19th century.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Small Victorian 1880 Solid Walnut Knee Hole Writing Desk Lots of Drawers Storage

$1,155

Small Victorian 1880 Solid Walnut Knee Hole Writing Desk Lots of Drawers Storage

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian walnut knee hole desk with lots of drawers and storage A fantastically well made desk, ideally suited for a location where s...

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th C. Italian Lacca Povera Accent Table or Petite Desk w/its Original Finish

$4,760

18th C. Italian Lacca Povera Accent Table or Petite Desk w/its Original Finish

Located in Atlanta, GA

This 18th century Italian lacca povera table is decorated on all sides, making it a great option to be floated within as an accent table or perhaps a small writing desk.

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Hand Carved Wood Writing Desk / Center / Side Table Rustic Farm

$12,000Sale Price|20% Off

Antique French Hand Carved Wood Writing Desk / Center / Side Table Rustic Farm

Located in West Hollywood, CA

It can be used as a night table as well. Or as a small bureau writing desk . End table , farm table , console , game table , serving table , or a sofa table.

Category

Antique 18th Century French Farm Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Outstanding 17th Century Italian Walnut Writing Table

$10,625

Outstanding 17th Century Italian Walnut Writing Table

Located in Round Top, TX

A wonderful occasional table perfect as a smaller dining table or writing desk.

Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Tables

Materials

Walnut

"Brown" Pc/Laptop Unit Cabinet or Desk Designed by Stephane Lebrun for Dessie'

$19,614 / item

"Brown" Pc/Laptop Unit Cabinet or Desk Designed by Stephane Lebrun for Dessie'

By Dessie Studio, Stephane Lebrun

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A collection, including tables, small tables, writing desks, console tables, bedside tables, chairs, bookcases, dressers, cabinets, cupboards, upholstered pieces of furniture and lam...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cabinets

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Architectural French Oak Center or Game Table

$2,700

Architectural French Oak Center or Game Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very sturdy. Great as a small desk or writing table as well.

Category

Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Center Tables

Materials

Oak

Architectural French Oak Center or Game Table

$2,700

Architectural French Oak Center or Game Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very sturdy. Great as a small desk or writing table as well.

Category

Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Center Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century Lombardy Louis XV Style Center Table

$950Sale Price|20% Off

19th Century Lombardy Louis XV Style Center Table

Located in Encinitas, CA

Wonderful modern line, clean and elegant. Stylish for a small entry table or writing desk. Measures: 47" wide 23.5" deep 32" high

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Louis XV Sofa Tables

Materials

Walnut

Architectural French Oak Center or Game Table

$2,700

Architectural French Oak Center or Game Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very sturdy. Great as a small desk or writing table as well.

Category

Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Center Tables

Materials

Oak

Sunset Dining Table, 8 ft, in Dark Walnut by August Abode

$16,200 / item

Sunset Dining Table, 8 ft, in Dark Walnut by August Abode

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Dimensions: 96" W x 44.5" D x 30” H Also available in our new, longer 9-ft length, as well as our smaller Sunset Writing Desk (48" x 24" x 30"). All of our pieces are bench made in...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Sunset Dining Table, 9 ft, in Natural White Oak by August Abode

$15,400 / item

Sunset Dining Table, 9 ft, in Natural White Oak by August Abode

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Dimensions: 108" W x 44.5" D x 30” H Also available in our original 9-ft length, as well as our smaller Sunset Writing Desk (48" x 24" x 30"). All of our pieces are bench-made in L...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

"Brown" Wooden Top and Metal Base Table Designed by Stephane Lebrun for Dessie'

$10,771 / item

"Brown" Wooden Top and Metal Base Table Designed by Stephane Lebrun for Dessie'

By Stephane Lebrun, Dessie Studio

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A collection, including tables, small tables, writing desks, console tables, bedside tables, chairs, bookcases, dressers, cabinets, cupboards, upholstered pieces of furniture and lam...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Iron, Nickel

Jules Leleu, Lady's Writing Desk, France, circa 1930

$32,000

Jules Leleu, Lady's Writing Desk, France, circa 1930

By Jules Leleu

Located in New York, NY

A small and unfussy writing desk with three drawers, its two gently flared legs and top in richly veined walnut.

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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Small Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of small writing desks available for sale. Each of these unique small writing desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and hardwood. We have 725 antique and vintage small writing desks in-stock, while there are 39 modern editions to choose from as well. Small writing desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of small writing desks to choose from, but at 1stDibs, mid-century modern, Art Deco and Victorian small writing desks are of considerable interest. Vittorio Dassi, Matthias Demacker and Gio Ponti each produced beautiful small writing desks that are worth considering.

How Much are Small Writing Desks?

Small writing desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,512, while the lowest priced sells for $83 and the highest can go for as much as $495,000.

Finding the Right Desks And Writing Tables for You

Vintage desks and writing tables span centuries of design. The writing table came first, a simple surface built for correspondence, while the drawered desk followed as record-keeping at home and in the office grew more demanding.

Styles to Know

Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader vintage category. If you want a tapered-leg, mid-century look specifically, browse mid-century modern desks; Louis XVI and Art Deco secretary desks bridge the writing-table and desk forms. A vintage table lamp adds task lighting to either.

How to Choose the Right Vintage Piece

Writing tables often carry little to no storage of their own, so a separate file cabinet or desk organizer may be worth planning for, alongside a close look at the surface dimensions against the space available. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and every purchase is covered by the 1stDibs Promise.

Questions About Small Writing Desks

What is a small writing desk called?
1 Answer
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.
What is a writing desk?
1 Answer
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.
What is a writing desk with drawers called?
1 Answer
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.
What is an old-fashioned writing desk called?
1 Answer
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.
What's the difference between a desk and a writing table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Desks typically include drawers or storage compartments, while writing tables (and secretary desks) offer a flatter surface with little to no built-in storage.
What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?
1 Answer
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.
What's the difference between a mid-century modern desk and a writing table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Desks typically include drawers or storage, while writing tables are a flatter, more minimal work surface; check the listing description for storage details.

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