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Desks

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Desks For Sale
Period: 1970s
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Georgian Mahogany Slant Front Bureau / Desk
Located in Woodbury, CT
George III figured mahogany slant front bureau/desk. Fall has moulded edge and mahogany crossbanding above four graduated drawers with original lock...
Category

18th Century British George III Antique Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Mid 18th Century French Louis XVI Period Tulipwood and Ormolu Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period tulipwood and ormolu bureau plat desk. The three drawer desk is raised by four fine square tapered legs with beautifu...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Early 18th Century English Walnut Veneered Stepped Interior Georgian Bureau Desk
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional condition for this English secretaire/chest/desk of George I period. The finish in figured burl walnut adds aesthetic beauty to the history of this piece acquired by Cosu...
Category

Early 18th Century English George I Antique Desks

Materials

Metal

Lovely George III circa 1780 Double Sided Walnut Partner Desk Original Handles
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning very rare original George III circa 1780 walnut twin pedestal double sided partner desk with period handles and green leather surface...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Ostrich Leather, Walnut

Table Desk, Roman Travertin, Glass and Gold Brass, circa 1970, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Table desk, Glass top, The Roman travertine base decorated with gilded brass bars, Visible nuts, circa 1970, France. Measures : Width 160 cm, depth 80 cm, height 71 cm.
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Travertine

Vargueno, Bargueno, Escritorio, Taquillon, Spanish, Baroque, Walnut, Velvet
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Spanish writing desks of this period are the most distinctive pieces of Spanish furniture conceived as visual displays of incredible virtuosity. The characteristic decoration of the ...
Category

Early 17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

Early 18th Century George I Figured Walnut Bureau Bookcase
By Peter Miller
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb and exceptionally well proportioned early 18th century figured walnut ‘pagoda topped’ double dome bureau bookcase, circa 1720 England. The upper section is surmounted with what is believed to be the original solid walnut finials and soft bevelled mirror plates, opening to a removal bank of walnut veneered and feather banded drawers, cantered by pigeonholes below two shelves. Candle slides are neatly stowed below the bookcase doors to reflect the light. To the moulded bureau, the fall opens to reveal pigeonholes, long and short asymmetric drawers each beautifully veneered in figured walnut and feather banded, cantered by a cupboard door which neatly conceals an open compartment and drawer. Below the fall, two short and two long graduating oak lined drawers are each book-matched in superb sections of hand-cut figured walnut veneers over bun feet. It should be noted that this exceptional desk and bookcase, is not only of the finest cuts of figured walnut veneer but exquisitely made at the pinnacle of design which had gradually evolved predominantly in London, during the late 17thand early 18thcentury. The actual description 'desk-and-bookcase' appears to be first recorded in the accounts of the Royal cabinet-maker Gerrit Jensen (fl.1680-d.1715) who supplied several for the Royal Household from 1710 (Bowett, op. cit.), and another described as 'a walnut writing desk, the top for books and patons and glass in the doors asked' for the 5th Earl of Salisbury, Hatfield House.  Another maker of this form of desk was the London cabinet-maker John Gumley (1691-1727) who advertised in Richard Steele's Lover on April 24 1714 that he 'hath taken for a Ware-house, and furnished all the upper part of the New Exchange in the Strand' continuing with an extensive list of his stock including 'Desks and Bookcases.' In 1714 he supplied one of these in walnut to James 1st Duke of Montrose for the sum of £11. Russian cabinetwork of this period was strongly influenced by Tsar Peter I return to Russia after his studies in London. He subsequently sent twenty-four cabinetmakers who were working in Amsterdam to London to train as furniture makers. One of these cabinetmakers named Fedor Martynov made furniture for the Empress Anna Ioannovna. Martynovs drawings are almost identical to the present piece. Literature Mallett’s Great English Furniture, London: Bullfinch Press 1991, p.248, fig 287, by Lanto Synge, English Furniture 1660-1714 From Charles II to Queen Anne, by Dr Adam Bowett, Woodbridge: Antique Collector’s Club, 2002 Chapter 7 Case Furniture 1689–1714 pp.221-223 fig. 7:53 A walnut bureau bookcase of the same form and period sold from the private collection of Patricia Kluge...
Category

Early 18th Century British George I Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

George III Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in Essex, MA
In one piece, with rectangular top with inset red leather top with ratcheted additional writing surface, over three short drawers over two banks of three drawers , the reverse with false matching...
Category

1760s English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI /Directoire Cylinder Desk with Bookcase Top, France, 1790-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Directoire cylinder desk with a book case on top, France 1800, mahogany veneer. The desk has its original brass fittings. The leather on the writing surface is original as well. The surface of the desk will be carefully refinished, without touching the original patina. It will be shipped from Europe...
Category

1790s French Directoire Antique Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French 18th Century Louis XV Period Fruitwood and Ormolu Library Table/Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and large-scale French 18th century Louis XV period ebonized fruitwood and ormolu library table/desk. The desk is raised by elegant cabriole ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Orfeo's Desk, the Senses and the Elements
Located in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Orfeo's desk, the senses and the elements Mexican School of Villa Alta of San Ildelfonso, Oaxaca Technique sumac paste, lignaloe, granadillo, lemon wood and...
Category

17th Century Mexican American Colonial Antique Desks

Materials

Wood

English George III Slant Front Desk
Located in Wilson, NC
English George III slant front desk is inlaid with boxwood line and crossbanded in mahogany. The interior has inlaid pilasters with secret ...
Category

1780s English Antique Desks

Materials

Brass

Original George III circa 1780 Double Sided Walnut Partner Desk Lion Head Handle
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning very rare original George III circa 1780 walnut twin pedestal double sided partner desk with Lion head handles and brown leather surf...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Drexel Sandia Collection Jacobean Drop-Front Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Drexel drop front desk from the Sandia Collection, circa 1960s. Interesting writing desk marrying the form of a Govenor Winthrop drop front desk with early English Jacobean...
Category

1970s American Vintage Desks

Materials

Brass

Console, Attributed to Michel Ducaroy, circa 1970
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Console - Attributed to Michel Ducaroy, circa 1970. Rosewood and stainless steel Measures: L 130 x P 43.5 x H 63 cm Good condition!
Category

1970s European Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Stainless Steel

Italian 18th Century Northern Italian Walnut Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome Italian 18th-century walnut, burl walnut, and iron desk. The desk is raised by fine bun-shaped feet below impressive turned baluster-shaped legs each connected by an ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Desks

Materials

Wrought Iron

English Mahogany 18th Century Slant Top Desk
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a Classic George III mahogany slant top desk. The slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments over ...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Burl Walnut Venetian Rococo Slant Front Desk, 18th Century
Located in CH
Italian burl walnut Venetian Rococo slant front desk, 18th century. A Louis XV period walnut and burl walnut veneered Bureau. The inside of the s...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Satin Mahogany and Rosewood Secretary
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a secretary / bureau/ desk made in England, circa 1780. The top and the fall have a rosewood banding with a string inlay of satinwood and Satin Mahogany in the interior of th...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Satinwood

18th Century Walnut Inlaid Dutch Bureau Secrétaire
Located in Roma, RM
Dutch Bureau, in walnut root, finely inlaid with floral motifs in fruit wood. Side shapes moved like the front, original hardware. In excellent state of ...
Category

1770s Dutch Louis XVI Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut, Fruitwood

French 18th Century Louis XVI Period Mahogany and Ormolu Desk/Writing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very high quality French 18th century Louis XVI period mahogany and ormolu desk or writing table, signed C. Mauter. The desk is raised by elegant circular tapered fluted legs with fine fitted ormolu sabots and richly chased fitted foliate chandelles. Above each leg are lovely fluted block reserves with additional finely detailed fitted chandelles. The scalloped shaped apron displays three drawers, each decorated with most attractive ormolu keyhole escutcheons. Each side displays a recessed panel while the back showcases the beautiful mahogany grain. Above is the tan colored fitted leather writing surface with a fine foliate gold tooled band...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks

Materials

Ormolu

English Mahogany Partners Desk of the Georgian Period
Located in London, GB
Constructed in a well patinated San Domingo mahogany of rectangular form, rising from a plinth base, the pedestals with laterally opposed banks of four oak lined lockable drawers, fi...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

French 18th Century Louis XV Period French Desk in Kingwood and Tulipwood
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely high quality French 18th century Louis XV period kingwood, tulipwood and ormolu desk, signed ‘Bernard Ebeniste’. This most elegant desk is raised by slender cabriole leg...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Multi Laminated and Lacquered Wood Bureau, Argentina, circa 1970
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Multi laminated and lacquered wood bureau. Argentina, circa 1970. Attributed to Stilka.
Category

1970s Argentine Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Wood

Faux Malachite Bronze French Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
French desk with faux malachite paint and bronze ormolu mounts.
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Desks

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Oak and Leather Desk by Lydia dePolo for Dunbar
Located in Pasadena, TX
Lydia dePolo and Jack Dunbar started the firm of DePolo Dunbar back in the 1970s after working together at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Vintage book...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Oak

John Widdicomb for Mastercraft Black Lacquered and Brass Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
This Classic writing table or desk by John Widdicomb for Mastercraft. Composed of a large black lacquered wood top with canted corners that sits atop a brass frame. Brass legs swoop ...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Brass

Chippendale Secretary/Desk
Located in New Haven, CT
George III period mahogany Chinese Chippendale secretary bookcase, England, circa 1790. The original ogee bracket feet and the broken arc...
Category

1790s English Chippendale Antique Desks

Materials

Mahogany

William and Mary Walnut Burl Slant Front Desk
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
An early 18th century William and Mary Burled walnut veneer desk with book rest and side handles for transport. Pulls were replaced early on as styles changed and are early 18th cent...
Category

Early 18th Century English William and Mary Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Transformation Secretary circa 1795 by Johann Michael Vetter, Neuwied, Mahogany
Located in Epfach, DE
Transformation secretary circa 1795 by Johann Michael Vetter, Neuwied, Mahogany Secretary with in height adjustable standing desk different ...
Category

Late 18th Century German Directoire Antique Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Chinese Export Lacquer Bureau on Stand and Toilet Glass Dressing Table
Located in London, by appointment only
A Chinese export lacquer bureau on stand decorated with an unusual polychrome flower design This Chinese lacquer bureau on stand was made in ...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Desks

Materials

Lacquer

18th Century Dutch Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet Scriban Desk library Antique LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An important and rare 18th century Dutch burl walnut secretaire cabinet Scriban desk Enclosing fitted interior incorporating pigeonholes, hinged compart...
Category

18th Century Dutch Antique Desks

Materials

Wood, Walnut

French Fruitwood Regence Bureau Slant Front Desk, Early 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Regence fruitwood bureau slant front desk with fitted interior, shaped apron with shell carving ending cabriole legs.
Category

Early 18th Century European Régence Antique Desks

Materials

Fruitwood

Design Institute of America Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An elegant vintage modern maroon colored console table with unique brass drawer pulls and sculpted feet. The three hefty drawers ensure plenty of...
Category

1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Brass

Faux Malachite Bronze French Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
French desk with faux malachite paint and bronze ormolu mounts.
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Desks

Materials

Bronze

18th Century, Fall Front Desk
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Richly colored, circa 1790, three-drawer, serpentine, fall front desk from Sicily. The whole covered in decoupage featuring panels of fruits, boughs of...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Desks

Materials

Wood

English Satinwood and Patera Inlaid Knee Hole Desk. Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English satinwood and ebony string patera inlaid seven-drawer knee hole desk with original brasses, prospect door, and terminating on original bracket feet. Late 18th century.
Category

1780s English George II Antique Desks

Antique Bureau, Mahogany, English, Georgian, Desk, 18th Century, circa 1770
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bureau in light mahogany. An English, Georgian desk dating to the mid-18th century, circa 1770. Quality craftsmanship in polished mahogany Good color and grain interest throughout Crossband decoration held in tramline ebony and boxwood stringing Generous and comfortable working height to the fitted desk interior Raised on splayed bracket feet with serpentine apron Featuring four, full width, graduated drawers lined with paper Cockbeaded, original brass locks and escutcheons, key absent Drawers dressed with the original pressed brass, oval plate loop handles A pair of stout lopers withdraw to support the fall Fitted interior desk space with quality, olive green, blind tooled leather skiver A suite of eight stationery drawers over eight cubby holes The smooth sliding drawers in flame mahogany dressed...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Bergwood White Desk
By Atelier Bergwood
Located in Brussels, BE
Bergwood white desk.
Category

1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Wood

Vintage Embossed Leather Desk by Karl Springer
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An elegant vintage leather desk designed by iconic designer Karl Springer in the United States, circa 1970s. Standing out for its minimalist design, this desk has 2 large drawers that are great for storing documents and office supplies...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

English Hepplewhite Mahogany Tambour Writing Desk. Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English five drawer Hepplewhite tambour writing desk with fitted interior, satinwood string inlay, original brasses, and terminating on satinwood...
Category

18th Century and Earlier British Hepplewhite Antique Desks

18th Century Dutch Marquetry Bureau Bookcase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very imposing good quality 18th century Dutch Marquetry bureau bookcase, having wonderful flowers, birds, classical scull and urn decoration. ...
Category

18th Century Dutch Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Piemonte Commode Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Traditional 18th century Italian secretary desk from the Piemonte region made from solid walnut. A fine Italian walnut and inlaid bu...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

Bureau Bookcase Oak German Serpentine Front Original Brassware Working Locks
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A large, museum quality, 18th century, German, oak bureau bookcase with a serpentine front, original brassware and working locks As fine an example of this model of German cabinet f...
Category

1740s German Rococo Antique Desks

Materials

Oak

Writing Cabinet Scrittoio Escritoire Desk Walnut Italy Florence Renaissance
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An exceptionally rare, late-Renaissance, Florentine, walnut, writing cabinet, scrittoio, escritoire or desk in two parts This striking, writing cabinet has a classical form, ornam...
Category

Early 1600s Italian Renaissance Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Spanish Walnut Marquetry, Chest of Drawers with Flap
Located in Miami, FL
18th century Spanish walnut marquetry bureau. This is an exquisite antique Spanish bureau, circa 1780 in date this elegant bureau will soon become th...
Category

Late 18th Century Spanish Colonial Antique Desks

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Rare 1794 George III Gillows of Lancaster Double Sided Postmasters Sorting Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare 1794 George III Gillows Lancaster twin pedestal double sided postmasters desk i...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Hardwood

George III Inlaid Slant Top Desk
Located in Wilson, NC
George III inlaid slant top desk, the top and fall board crossbanded with satinwood and ebony, the fall board also inlaid with quarter fans and shell, the drawers are also banded wit...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Bureau Desk in Walnut Cartonnier Writing Office Table Provencal Rustic
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Antique Bureau Desk in Walnut Cartonnier Writing office Table Provencal Rustic . An exquisite French Provencal antique campagne Campaign High-end ...
Category

18th Century French Antique Desks

Materials

Metal

Federal Mahogany and Birch Inlaid Secretary/Desk sq
Located in Water Mill, NY
Federal Mahogany and Birch inlaid secretary/desk with contrasting veneers and bone pulls.
Category

1790s American Federal Antique Desks

Materials

Birch, Mahogany

Guido Faleschini Mariani L-Shaped Executive Desk-Black Leather, Italy 1970s
Located in Den Haag, NL
An Italian midcentury L-shaped executive desk by Guido Faleschini by Mariani with a black leather top and very dark blue faux velvet sides and chrome accents. This desk also features a file sorter that slide within a unique recessed channel. A three drawer filing cabinet...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Stainless Steel

English Chippendale Mahogany Carved Floral Desk With Bookcase. Circa 1770
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale mahogany desk / bookcase on stand with flanking book matched doors, gadrooned molded edge, fitted interior pigeon holes o...
Category

1770s English Chippendale Antique Desks

Materials

Mahogany

18th C. Louis XV Bureau Scriban Bibliotec Secretary Cabinet Mahogany Antiques LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
18th century Louis XV Bureau Scriban Bibliotic Secretary Cabinet Mahogany Antiques LA. An important rare and Tall Scribing bibliotic secre...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks

Materials

Wrought Iron, Metal, Metallic Thread

Farsø Stolefabrik For Maurice Villency Brazilian Rosewood Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern desk made by Farsø Stolefabrik and sold by Maurice Villency in New York made of rosewood with five drawers.
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Antique 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Burr Walnut Bombe Slope-Front Bureau
Located in Charleston, SC
Finest antique Dutch marquetry inlaid burr walnut bombe' shape slope-front bureau with exceptional fitted interior and baize writing surface Please note extraordinary cast brass h...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Dutch Satinwood Marquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An 18th century Dutch satinwood abbatant or drop front desk, with gilded beading and inlaid brass stringing. The case also has various exotic woods inlaid into the satinwood. There i...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Desks

Materials

Satinwood

Provincial Louis XV Walnut Desk or Vanity
Located in Buchanan, MI
Great looking Louis XV Provincial walnut desk. Two doors flanking center drawer, all up on cabriole legs. Very good color and patination. Would work well as a number of items includi...
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Desks

Materials

Walnut

English Mahogany Tambour Satinwood Inlaid Writing Desk, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany tambour desk with sliding leather writing surface, interior satinwood compartmentalized drawers with the original bone knobs, five lower drawers with the original br...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage and Antique Desks for Sale — Shop Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Desks, Art Deco Desks and Other Desks and Tables on 1stDibs

There’s no reason that the corner of your home you’ve dedicated to work shouldn’t also reflect your personality and sense of style. A collection of unique vintage and antique desks can be found on 1stDibs today.

The right desk can be a good fit for your space and help keep you organized when you need it most. For many, the word “desk” can have a negative connotation. Derived from the Latin desca, meaning “table to write on,” the word can understandably evoke memories of stuffy classrooms or monotonous workdays.

As working from home has become more widespread for part of the workforce, many professionals who work remotely park themselves at the dining-room table or at the kitchen countertop to do so. If you’ve got the space, it's healthy to set aside an area in your home designated for work. A good desk can keep you on track and keep your newly minted home office free of clutter and distractions. 

Within your own walls, an office area can be both personal and productive, decorated exactly to your taste or just an unobtrusive addition that aligns with the energy of the space as is. When shopping for a desk, keep height, space and specs in mind. It’s helpful to know if you’ll need the desk to offer storage, such as drawers or a hutch, or if it should fit alongside your bedroom wall as cleanly as possible.

An antique writing desk, for example, will offer a spacious, streamlined work experience with a desktop that affords real estate for your notebooks, pens, laptop and research materials. Secretary desks reveal small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — when their hinged leaves are folded out.

Maybe you'd prefer a vintage mid-century modern desk that seamlessly incorporates drawers for storage.

Nebraska-born designer Don S. Shoemaker became inspired by Mexico’s tropical woods, such as cocobolo, a Mexican rosewood, and he decided to work with the material in the postwar years to create desks and other furnishings. Elsewhere, made according to the same high standards as the company’s chairs, celebrated mid-century manufacturer Herman Miller produced desks over the years in a number of versions, created by designers like George Nelson, Gilbert Rohde and Bruce Burdick.

Whether you want a dramatic rolltop-style furnishing akin to the 18th-century secretary commissioned by Louis XVI or a contemporary piece made of everything from linoleum to fallen trees, a new desk and clever arrangement of desktop accessories can brighten the workday in any home. 

For every passion project, year-end report or spontaneous million-dollar app idea, find the desk you need on 1stDibs.

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