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Small 19th Century English Victorian Burr Walnut Bureau
Small 19th Century English Victorian Burr Walnut Bureau

Small 19th Century English Victorian Burr Walnut Bureau

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good 19th century burr walnut bureau of small proportions. The top having walnut

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Desk in the style of Hans Wegner Denmark
Mid Century Desk in the style of Hans Wegner Denmark

Mid Century Desk in the style of Hans Wegner Denmark

By Hans J. Wegner

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A very nice simple smaller sized writing desk with two drawers having bent wood handles and upper

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Small Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Library Table
Small Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Library Table

Small Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Library Table

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Regency period mahogany library table circa 1820. Original leather top with gold tooling. Drawer in each end with original swan neck handles. Standing on 4 turned legs and brass c...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small Art Deco Cabinet Made in 1930s Czechia, Restored
Small Art Deco Cabinet Made in 1930s Czechia, Restored

Small Art Deco Cabinet Made in 1930s Czechia, Restored

Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj

The cabinet has been fully restored by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. Sold individually This item features classic Art Deco e...

Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Rare Small Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bureau Plat or Side Table
Rare Small Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bureau Plat or Side Table

Rare Small Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bureau Plat or Side Table

Located in Berlin, DE

A rare and small 19th century, Louis XVI style bureau plat veneered in burr mahogany on an oak

Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Oakwood and Cast Iron Adjustable Small Drafting Table Attributed to Hamilton
Oakwood and Cast Iron Adjustable Small Drafting Table Attributed to Hamilton

Oakwood and Cast Iron Adjustable Small Drafting Table Attributed to Hamilton

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage oakwood and cast iron adjustable small drafting table attributed to Hamilton. Listing

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple, Oak

Coen de Vries for Devo The Hague 1954
Coen de Vries for Devo The Hague 1954

Coen de Vries for Devo The Hague 1954

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Small Original Coen de Vries Writing Desk with Small Cubby and Little Yellow Drawer and Formica Top

Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Set 1960s
George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Set 1960s

George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Set 1960s

By George Nelson

Located in Handewitt, DE

1970s - roll-top desk: H. 83 cm / W. 126.5 cm / D. 81 cm / writing height: 72.5 small desk: H. 71 cm / W

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

19th Century Marquetry Table with Drawer Baroque Revival, Austria, circa 1850
19th Century Marquetry Table with Drawer Baroque Revival, Austria, circa 1850

19th Century Marquetry Table with Drawer Baroque Revival, Austria, circa 1850

Located in Lichtenberg, AT

, elegant writing desk, decorative side table or coffee table, this exceptional maquetry table comes with a

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Baroque Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Nutwood, Walnut

Early 1900s French Bistro or Cafe Table with Stone Top and Wrought Iron Base
Early 1900s French Bistro or Cafe Table with Stone Top and Wrought Iron Base

Early 1900s French Bistro or Cafe Table with Stone Top and Wrought Iron Base

Located in Hopewell, NJ

writing desk. Good for either indoor or outdoor garden or patio use. Measures: H skirt 29 5/8” #4596.

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Wrought Iron

Post-Modern & Vintage, Stainless Steel Console Table Desk
Post-Modern & Vintage, Stainless Steel Console Table Desk

Post-Modern & Vintage, Stainless Steel Console Table Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

small writing desk. A vintage quality piece with seamless construction, heft and stability, blends style

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Dutch Colonial Teak Side Table, Early 20th Century
Dutch Colonial Teak Side Table, Early 20th Century

Dutch Colonial Teak Side Table, Early 20th Century

Located in New York, NY

with metal pull, turned legs. High enough to serve as a small writing desk, as a console or as a end

Category

Vintage 1920s Indonesian Dutch Colonial End Tables

Materials

Teak

Small Walnut Writing Desk in the Manner of Carl Bissman
Small Walnut Writing Desk in the Manner of Carl Bissman

Small Walnut Writing Desk in the Manner of Carl Bissman

By Carl Bissman

Located in Topeka, KS

Handsome walnut writing desk in the manner of Carl Bissman’s mid-century modern pieces. It is in

Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Inlaid Writing Desk in Rosewood
20th Century Inlaid Writing Desk in Rosewood

20th Century Inlaid Writing Desk in Rosewood

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

chiselled brass, inlaid with geometric patterns in rosewood. Writing desk of small size ideal for a room or

Category

Mid-20th Century French Desks

Materials

Brass, Bronze

English 19th Century Walnut Table
English 19th Century Walnut Table

English 19th Century Walnut Table

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

small writing desk. The walnut top rests upon a wooden apron which houses one large drawer over

Category

Antique 19th Century English William and Mary Tables

Materials

Walnut

George III Leather Top Mahogany Writing Desk or Library Table
George III Leather Top Mahogany Writing Desk or Library Table

George III Leather Top Mahogany Writing Desk or Library Table

Located in Rio Vista, CA

hardware and keys. Supported by elegant tapered legs ending with brass casters. small-scale writing desk

Category

Antique 19th Century English George III Desks

Materials

Brass

Theodore Alexander French Louis XV Writing Desk Bureau Houses Laptop
Theodore Alexander French Louis XV Writing Desk Bureau Houses Laptop

Theodore Alexander French Louis XV Writing Desk Bureau Houses Laptop

By Theodore Alexander

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

with drawers Wellington small bank of drawers Writing beuro desk Most of the other pieces are

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Desks

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Tommy Parzinger Charak Modern Small Desk Writing Table Console
Tommy Parzinger Charak Modern Small Desk Writing Table Console

Tommy Parzinger Charak Modern Small Desk Writing Table Console

By Tommi Parzinger

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern solid mahogany writing table entry console table desk. All solid mahogany

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquer Ebonized Finish Mid-Century Modern Desk Writing Table
Black Lacquer Ebonized Finish Mid-Century Modern Desk Writing Table

Black Lacquer Ebonized Finish Mid-Century Modern Desk Writing Table

By Dunbar Furniture, James Mont

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern five drawers black lacquer petit small writing table desk. Heart shape silver

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dessert Tables and Tilt-top Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Lovely 19th Century French Writing Desk Console or Side Table
Lovely 19th Century French Writing Desk Console or Side Table

Lovely 19th Century French Writing Desk Console or Side Table

Located in Hopewell, NJ

A wonderful small size writing desk, finished on all sides with beautiful mahogany inlaid marquetry

Category

Antique 19th Century French Console Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Henredon Scene Two Burl Wood Console Table or Small Desk
Henredon Scene Two Burl Wood Console Table or Small Desk

Henredon Scene Two Burl Wood Console Table or Small Desk

By Henredon

Located in Cincinnati, OH

writing desks for that special compact space .

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Period Regency Metamorphic Library Steps and Writing Table
Period Regency Metamorphic Library Steps and Writing Table

Period Regency Metamorphic Library Steps and Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

as a small writing or library table In desk form, it can also be considered a mechanical desk

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Ladders

Materials

Brass

French Oak Bistro or Restaurant Table, Mid-1900s
French Oak Bistro or Restaurant Table, Mid-1900s

French Oak Bistro or Restaurant Table, Mid-1900s

Located in Dallas, TX

Made from French oak, this table is the perfect size for a small eating area or as a small writing

Category

Mid-20th Century French Side Tables

Materials

Oak

French Oak Bistro or Restaurant Table, Mid-1900s
French Oak Bistro or Restaurant Table, Mid-1900s

French Oak Bistro or Restaurant Table, Mid-1900s

Located in Dallas, TX

Made from French oak, this table is the perfect size for a small eating area or as a small writing

Category

Mid-20th Century French Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Verdigris Aluminum and Thassos Porcelain Dining Table
Verdigris Aluminum and Thassos Porcelain Dining Table

Verdigris Aluminum and Thassos Porcelain Dining Table

Located in Chicago, IL

piece. Never used outdoors, it would make a striking small dining table or writing desk.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Tables

Materials

Cast Stone, Aluminum

Italian Modern Neoclassical Walnut and Black Onyx Glass Console, Paolo Buffa
Italian Modern Neoclassical Walnut and Black Onyx Glass Console, Paolo Buffa

Italian Modern Neoclassical Walnut and Black Onyx Glass Console, Paolo Buffa

By Paolo Buffa

Located in New York, NY

and allows great functionality as a writing table, small desk or console for living room, bedroom or

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Early 19th Century Louis XIII Style Side Table
Early 19th Century Louis XIII Style Side Table

Early 19th Century Louis XIII Style Side Table

Located in Winter Park, FL

as a writing table or small desk and has good proportions for use as a side table or nightstand. Note

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XIII Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Brazilian Rosewood Dressing Table Vanity Denmark
Brazilian Rosewood Dressing Table Vanity Denmark

Brazilian Rosewood Dressing Table Vanity Denmark

Located in Miami, FL

drawer pulls push in to pull. Would make a great writing table or small desk as well.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Vanities

Materials

Mirror

18th Century French Louis XV Mahogany Occasional Table with Marble Top
18th Century French Louis XV Mahogany Occasional Table with Marble Top

18th Century French Louis XV Mahogany Occasional Table with Marble Top

Located in Dallas, TX

France, circa 1780, the small, delicate side table or writing desk stands on cabriole legs ending with

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Side Tables

Materials

Marble

18th Century Bleached Louis XIII Table With Barley Twist Legs
18th Century Bleached Louis XIII Table With Barley Twist Legs

18th Century Bleached Louis XIII Table With Barley Twist Legs

Located in Carmine, TX

piece, that can be used on a daily basis. It is large enough to be a writing desk, but small enough to

Category

Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIII Tables

Materials

Walnut

Baker Furniture White Lacquered Small Writing Desk or Entry Table, Refinished
Baker Furniture White Lacquered Small Writing Desk or Entry Table, Refinished

Baker Furniture White Lacquered Small Writing Desk or Entry Table, Refinished

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional small writing desk or entry table By Baker Furniture Milling Road "West Indies

Category

1990s American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer

Small Writing Desk by Gio Ponti for Schirolli in Walnut and Brass, Italy, 1950s
Small Writing Desk by Gio Ponti for Schirolli in Walnut and Brass, Italy, 1950s

Small Writing Desk by Gio Ponti for Schirolli in Walnut and Brass, Italy, 1950s

By Schirolli, Gio Ponti

Located in Uithoorn, NL

Small writing desk / side table by Gio Ponti for Schirolli in walnut and brass, Italy, 1950s. One

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Adams Style Small Writing Desk
19th Century Adams Style Small Writing Desk

19th Century Adams Style Small Writing Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Most charming antique Bonheur Adams style desk with beautiful painted accents and architectural

Category

Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

19th Century Italian Solid Poplar Wood Antique Small Writing Desk
19th Century Italian Solid Poplar Wood Antique Small Writing Desk

19th Century Italian Solid Poplar Wood Antique Small Writing Desk

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Rustic and essential antique Italian small writing desk. The desk is made of solid poplar wood

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Desks

Materials

Poplar

Mid-Century Small Writing Desk Made in Italy, 1950s
Mid-Century Small Writing Desk Made in Italy, 1950s

Mid-Century Small Writing Desk Made in Italy, 1950s

Located in Milan, IT

Manufactured in the 50s, this writing desk stands out thanks to its elegant yet funcitional lines

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Italian Small Writing Desk Black Lacquer, Brass by Silvio Cavatorta
Midcentury Italian Small Writing Desk Black Lacquer, Brass by Silvio Cavatorta

Midcentury Italian Small Writing Desk Black Lacquer, Brass by Silvio Cavatorta

By Silvio Cavatorta

Located in Salzburg, AT

Small desk by Silvio Cavatorta, Italy, 1950s. Re-painted in black high-gloss lacquer. Stainless

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Antique Gustavian Side Table or Small Writing Desk, Sweden, circa 1800s
Antique Gustavian Side Table or Small Writing Desk, Sweden, circa 1800s

Antique Gustavian Side Table or Small Writing Desk, Sweden, circa 1800s

Located in Round Top, TX

Swedish Gustavian style side table, may also be used as a small desk. Traditional tapered legs

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Bauhaus-Style, Tubular Metal Desk with Single Drawer
Bauhaus-Style, Tubular Metal Desk with Single Drawer

Bauhaus-Style, Tubular Metal Desk with Single Drawer

Located in Surrey, BC

Very nice, small writing desk in tubular metal. Characteristic of Kem Weber designs for Lloyd

Category

Vintage 1940s American Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Regency Writing Desk Receiving Table Rosewood & Bronze Michael Taylor for Baker
Regency Writing Desk Receiving Table Rosewood & Bronze Michael Taylor for Baker

Regency Writing Desk Receiving Table Rosewood & Bronze Michael Taylor for Baker

By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration: Elegant Regency finely crafted small writing desk in rosewood and bronze

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Walnut Little Desk by Vittorio Valabrega, Italy, 1930s
Walnut Little Desk by Vittorio Valabrega, Italy, 1930s

Walnut Little Desk by Vittorio Valabrega, Italy, 1930s

By Vittorio Valabrega

Located in Rivoli, IT

Beautiful small writing desk made by the designer and cabinetmaker Vittorio Valabrega. Small

Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Black Lacquered Wood Desk with Tubular Steel Frame, circa 1935
Black Lacquered Wood Desk with Tubular Steel Frame, circa 1935

Black Lacquered Wood Desk with Tubular Steel Frame, circa 1935

Located in Madrid, ES

Small writing desk with black lacquered wooden top and drawers, tubular steel frame. Made in Europe

Category

20th Century European Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Wiring Desk Swedish 19th Century Original Paint Sweden
Wiring Desk Swedish 19th Century Original Paint Sweden

Wiring Desk Swedish 19th Century Original Paint Sweden

Located in New York, NY

Wiring desk Swedish 19th century original paint, Sweden. A smaller writing desk made during the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Italian mid-century modern wooden writing desk with a small drawer, 1950s
Italian mid-century modern wooden writing desk with a small drawer, 1950s

Italian mid-century modern wooden writing desk with a small drawer, 1950s

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century modern wooden writing desk with a small drawer, 1950s Desk or small writing

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Art Nouveau Folding Secretary in Solid Mahogany
French Art Nouveau Folding Secretary in Solid Mahogany

French Art Nouveau Folding Secretary in Solid Mahogany

Located in Waalwijk, NL

originality. When closed this seems to be a normal small writing desk, but in fact it automatically completely

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Leather, Mahogany

Small vintage Chinese writing desk
Small vintage Chinese writing desk

Small vintage Chinese writing desk

Located in Milano, IT

Small Chinese writing desk in black lacquered wood, dating back to the 1940s-50s, an example of

Category

Vintage 1940s Central Asian Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Small Floating Kidney Shaped Writing Desk
Small Floating Kidney Shaped Writing Desk

Small Floating Kidney Shaped Writing Desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Small floating kidney-shaped writing desk. Great for a small desk space in the living room or the

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Fruitwood

18th Century Small Gustavian Writing Desk
18th Century Small Gustavian Writing Desk

18th Century Small Gustavian Writing Desk

Located in Copenhagen, K

Lovely small Gustavian writing desk with one drawer.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Lady’s Writing Desk from the 1940s
Small Lady’s Writing Desk from the 1940s

Small Lady’s Writing Desk from the 1940s

Located in Brussels, BE

Small lady’s writing desk from the 1940s.

Category

Vintage 1940s Belgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Italian Mahogany Writing Desk with Drawers
Small Italian Mahogany Writing Desk with Drawers

Small Italian Mahogany Writing Desk with Drawers

Located in Madrid, ES

Small Italian writing desk made of mahogany and root wood, brass handles and mirrored colored glass

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

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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

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 Small Writing Desks
  • 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 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 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.