What are desk blotters used for?

Desk blotters are used to protect the top of a table or desk. It helps prevent scratches and absorbs dripped or spilled ink and paint. Desk pad is another name for a blotter. You'll find a selection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.

How do I clean a leather desk blotter?

To clean a leather desk blotter, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Tackle heavy stains with a cleaning product designed specifically for leather. Applying leather conditioner to the blotter regularly can help to minimize cracking. You'll find a collection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.

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 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 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 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.

Writing Desk Blotter

Brass Letter Holder

Leather Blotter

Mille Fleur

Gucci Leather Desk Set

Cloisonne Inkwell

Fold Out Desk

Ink Blotter

Imperial Russian Silver Inkwells

Handsome English Vintage Fruitwood Writing Desk with Leather Blotter

$4,800

H 30.5 in W 59 in D 31.5 in

Handsome English Vintage Fruitwood Writing Desk with Leather Blotter

Located in Hopewell, NJ

English style beautiful fruitwood writing desk having black leather blotter on top. Distressed

Category

Vintage 1980s British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

Writing set with blotter, inkwell, opener, seal, pen and original case

$700Sale Price|30% Off

H 7.09 in W 4.34 in D 2.68 in

Writing set with blotter, inkwell, opener, seal, pen and original case

Located in Porto, PT

Description: Writing set with blotter, inkwell, letter opener, seal and embossed silver pen with

Category

20th Century European Letter Openers

Materials

Silver

Custom Leather Writing Desk Pad by PARIONE, Gilt Embossed, Italy, 1990

$1,250

H 1 in W 22 in D 15 in

Custom Leather Writing Desk Pad by PARIONE, Gilt Embossed, Italy, 1990

By Hermès

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Custom luxury tooled leather writing desk pad with silver gilt embossed made in Firenze Italy

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Desk Sets

Materials

Leather

Recent Sales

Italian "Deco" Desk with Black Leather Blotter

Unavailable

H 29.5 in W 57 in D 31 in

Italian "Deco" Desk with Black Leather Blotter

Located in Birmingham, AL

Italian "Deco" Desk with Black Leather Blotter

Category

20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Art Deco Brass Table Lamp and Writing Set with Ink Well and Blotter Rocker

Unavailable

H 19.69 in Dm 12.21 in

Art Deco Brass Table Lamp and Writing Set with Ink Well and Blotter Rocker

Located in Vienna, AT

This lot is a complete desk set. Beside the table lamp it consists of a pen tray, a blotter rocker

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Antique Desk Pad, English, Leather, Silver Plate, Writing Blotter, circa 1920

Sold

H 0.6 in W 18.12 in D 12.01 in

Antique Desk Pad, English, Leather, Silver Plate, Writing Blotter, circa 1920

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

plate writing blotter, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Wonderfully appointed pad

Category

Early 20th Century British More Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Antique Russian Imperial Silver & Onyx Desk Writing Pen Set Inkwell Blotter Seal

Sold

H 6 in W 12 in D 8 in

Antique Russian Imperial Silver & Onyx Desk Writing Pen Set Inkwell Blotter Seal

Located in Portland, OR

A good antique Russian Imperial silver and onyx four piece desk set, circa 1896. The set having

Category

Antique 1890s Russian Baltic Desk Sets

Materials

Onyx, Silver

Austrian Jugenstil Silver-Plated Inkstand & Rocker Blotter Desk Set, circa 1900

Sold

H 6 in W 9 in D 6 in

Austrian Jugenstil Silver-Plated Inkstand & Rocker Blotter Desk Set, circa 1900

Located in New York, NY

the one thing that could be found on every office or writing desk was an ink blotter. Ink blotters

Category

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Art Nouveau Brass Writing Desk Letter Portfolio Blotter Holder, circa 1900

Sold

H 11.25 in W 9.75 in D 1 in

Art Nouveau Brass Writing Desk Letter Portfolio Blotter Holder, circa 1900

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Art Nouveau brass writing desk letter blotter holder, C.1900. The holder with front brass depicting

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Qing Enamel Mille Fleur Cloisonné Desk Writing Set Inkwell, 1900

Sold

H 3.5 in W 4 in D 2.75 in

Antique Chinese Qing Enamel Mille Fleur Cloisonné Desk Writing Set Inkwell, 1900

Located in Portland, OR

condition and is ready to grace any desk or writing table. Measures: Blotter: 5" wide x 2.5" deep x 2.5

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Desk Sets

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Gucci Leather and Brass Trimmed Fold-Out Writing Desk Blotter

Sold

H 1 in W 27.5 in D 20 in

Gucci Leather and Brass Trimmed Fold-Out Writing Desk Blotter

By Gucci

Located in Miami, FL

logo on top and gold leafed logo on underside. Blotter folds over revealing the firm black writing

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

1940's French Style Marquetry Writing Desk

Sold

H 32 in W 60 in D 33 in

1940's French Style Marquetry Writing Desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1940's French Style Marquetry Writing Desk w/ Leather blotter and ornate escutcheons

Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italian Leather Six-Piece Desk Set

Sold

H 6 in W 38 in D 23 in

Italian Leather Six-Piece Desk Set

Located in Austin, TX

features a removable writing pad inside the desk blotter, double pen holder, calendar, ink blotter, letter

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Andreas Hansen Cherry Desk for Hadsten Traeindustri

Sold

H 41.25 in W 58 in D 31 in

Andreas Hansen Cherry Desk for Hadsten Traeindustri

By Hadsten Traeindustri, Andreas Hansen

Located in Brooklyn, NY

, and deep red leather writing blotter. The desk is freestanding as the back is finished.

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

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Architectural Glass #1

$250 / item

H 0.25 in W 24.5 in D 9 in

Architectural Glass #1

Located in Oakville, CT

Handmade Glass Panels Multiples Available Dimensions: 9" x 24 1/2" x 1/4" thick

Category

Mid-20th Century American Glass

Materials

Glass

Peter Løvig Nielsen Rosewood Partners Desk

$7,500

H 28.75 in W 64 in D 29 in

Peter Løvig Nielsen Rosewood Partners Desk

By Peter Løvig Nielsen

Located in New York, NY

Amazing 1970's Peter Løvig Nielsen rosewood partners desk, lightly restored with some wear and patina due to age and use, there is some wear to the rosewood veneer.

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

The Albert, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

$5,035 / item

H 31.5 in W 33.47 in D 43.31 in

The Albert, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Linen

Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

$3,187 / item

H 14.97 in W 46.46 in D 14.97 in

Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen

Located in London, England

Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...

Category

2010s British Scandinavian Modern Tables

Materials

Mohair, Oak

Bureau Plat Louis XVI Style in Marquetry and Gilt Bronze

$6,713

H 29.14 in W 51.58 in D 27.56 in

Bureau Plat Louis XVI Style in Marquetry and Gilt Bronze

Located in BARSAC, FR

Elegant Louis XVI style Bureau Plat in mahogany and marquetry in rosewood frieze. Beautiful ornamentation of very finely chiseled gilt bronze. Moroccan leather top surrounded b...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

$10,190 / item

H 31.5 in W 106.3 in D 39.38 in

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection. An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Sofas

Materials

Linen

French Jansen Style Verre Eglomise Mirror with Beautiful Border, France

$7,500

H 51 in W 39.5 in D 1 in

French Jansen Style Verre Eglomise Mirror with Beautiful Border, France

Located in New York, NY

Incredible verre eglomise mirror, with beautiful border. In lovely vintage condition. Imported from France. Same era as: Ruhlmann, Jean Dunand, Maurice Dufrene, Jacques Adnet, Dupr...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Wall Mirrors

Materials

Glass

Antique Roll Top Desk Mahogany Bureau, 1880

$1,987

H 50 in W 31 in D 17 in

Antique Roll Top Desk Mahogany Bureau, 1880

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Classy French Empire roll top desk in mahogany Plenty of storage with all the cubby holes and drawers Writing surface revealed by opening up the roll top section Circa 1880 on thi...

Category

Antique 1880s Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Stunning Art Deco Blonde figured walnut veneered Desk

$5,140

H 29.75 in W 54.25 in D 28 in

Stunning Art Deco Blonde figured walnut veneered Desk

Located in Barnstaple, GB

Absolutely stunning Art Deco desk in the most beautiful blonde figured walnut veneers. Comes in 3 pieces for ease of moving. A single curved pedestal one side and the other side capa...

Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Roman Column 6 Panel Architectural Incised Privacy Screen Room Divider

$5,000Sale Price|28% Off

H 84 in W 96 in D 1 in

Vintage Roman Column 6 Panel Architectural Incised Privacy Screen Room Divider

Located in Wayne, NJ

Large decorative 6 Panel Architectural privacy screen room divider. Will go well with style decor . From Traditional to Modern. This is a heavy in weight piece. Many details are inc...

Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Brass

Antique Derby Oak Raised Panel S-Roll Top Desk with Carved Pulls c1920

$3,160Sale Price|20% Off

H 50.5 in W 55.25 in D 35.75 in

Antique Derby Oak Raised Panel S-Roll Top Desk with Carved Pulls c1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Derby Oak Raised Panel S-Roll Top Desk with Carved Pulls c1920. 50 3/8" x 55 1/8" x 35 5/8...

Category

Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Edwardian Mahogany Carlton House Desk

Sold|~~$3,084~~

H 40.16 in W 42.13 in D 24.41 in

Edwardian Mahogany Carlton House Desk

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality Edwardian mahogany Carlton House desk, having an inset leather writing surface, above an arrangement of seven drawers, each with brass handles, standing on...

Category

Early 20th Century Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

$82,500

H 29.75 in W 71 in D 32.5 in

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Queens, NY

French 1940s brass mounted black lacquered bureau plat /writing desk with tan leather inset top above a range of frieze drawers (attributed to Jacques Adnet).

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

A Good Quality Arts & Crafts Oak Drop Leaf Side Table by Liberty and Co.

$2,056

H 24.5 in W 24 in D 30 in

A Good Quality Arts & Crafts Oak Drop Leaf Side Table by Liberty and Co.

By Liberty & Co.

Located in London, GB

Liberty and Co. A quality Arts & Crafts oak drop-leaf table with subtle curves to the flaps and a lower shelf. With original Liberty Ivorene label. Measures: Height 24 1/2&q...

Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy

$62,338Sale Price|20% Off

H 104.34 in W 153.55 in D 19.69 in

Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy

Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)

Complete antique pharmacy cabinet, with 3 open bookcases on the sides, 1 bookcase with drawers and 2 original doors with glass and enameled mirror sign. Built in the mid-19th century...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer Cabinet

$347,200

H 71 in W 85 in D 18 in

Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer Cabinet

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

A Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer cabinet, c. 1750 (Regence Period) A truly magnificent, monumental, and one of a kind cabinet, painted throughout with gi...

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Decorative Objects Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Decorative Objects

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Writing Desk Blotter For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal writing desk blotter for your home. A writing desk blotter — often made from wood, metal and animal skin — can elevate any home. There are 114 variations of the antique or vintage writing desk blotter you’re looking for, while we also have 18 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the writing desk blotter you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A writing desk blotter made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with modern — is very popular. A well-made writing desk blotter has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Aymeric Lefort, Osvaldo Borsani and Gregory Clark are consistently popular.

How Much is a Writing Desk Blotter?

The average selling price for a writing desk blotter at 1stDibs is $4,200, while they’re typically $150 on the low end and $94,020 for the highest priced.

Questions About Writing Desk Blotter

What are desk blotters used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Desk blotters are used to protect the top of a table or desk. It helps prevent scratches and absorbs dripped or spilled ink and paint. Desk pad is another name for a blotter. You'll find a selection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.
How do I clean a leather desk blotter?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To clean a leather desk blotter, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Tackle heavy stains with a cleaning product designed specifically for leather. Applying leather conditioner to the blotter regularly can help to minimize cracking. You'll find a collection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.
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 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 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 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.