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.

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

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

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

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H 1 in W 22 in D 15 in

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

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Italian "Deco" Desk with Black Leather Blotter

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Italian "Deco" Desk with Black Leather Blotter

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

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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

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Handsome English Vintage Fruitwood Writing Desk with Leather Blotter

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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Gucci Leather and Brass Trimmed Fold-Out Writing Desk Blotter

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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

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1940's French Style Marquetry Writing Desk

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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

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Italian Leather Six-Piece Desk Set

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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

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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 Andreas Hansen, Hadsten Traeindustri

Located in Brooklyn, NY

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

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Gucci Brown Leather Brass Bucket Desk Stationary Set Pen Pad Write, circa 1960s

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Antique Brown Crocodile-Embossed Leather Desk Pad.

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Antique Brown Crocodile-Embossed Leather Desk Pad.

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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.