Skip to main content

Shell Desks

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
4
2
5
1
2
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
2,804
2,746
1,144
590
556
2
2
2
1
1
6
6
6
2
1
1
Material: Shell
Mid-Century Pen Shell Desk or Writing Table by Maitland-Smith
Mid-Century Pen Shell Desk or Writing Table by Maitland-Smith

Mid-Century Pen Shell Desk or Writing Table by Maitland-Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Chic sleek Mid-Century Modern desk crafted in a pen shell mosaic with three drawers in the case having brass highlights on elegant legs with ball feet. Signed Maitland-Smith in drawer.

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Shell Desks

Materials

Shell

"Japonisme" Cylinder Desk Att. to G. Viardot, France, circa 1880
"Japonisme" Cylinder Desk Att. to G. Viardot, France, circa 1880

"Japonisme" Cylinder Desk Att. to G. Viardot, France, circa 1880

By Gabriel Viardot

Located in PARIS, FR

Rare Japanese style cylinder desk in tinted and carved wood, richly engraved on all sides with foliage, cherry branches and geometric interlacing. Surmounted by two asymmetrical shelves, the cylinder is decorated with an engraved dragon. Opening this cylinder reveals many compartments with adjustable dimensions, a drawer with engraved decoration and letter storage. The cylinder sides can open laterally, allowing a larger area for working and writing. The lower part of the desk is formed on the left by five superimposed drawers decorated with geometric interlacing and carved branches, as well as Japanese characters, deer and mother-of-pearl foliage. On the right, there is a drawer and a door decorated with carved leaves and mother-of-pearl interlacing, revealing four drawers forming compartments. An ingenious mechanism makes it possible, when the cylinder is closed with a key, to completely lock the desk. Gabriel Viardot career began as a wood carver and he produced small furniture, sculpturally carved with naturalistic motifs and animals. In the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, his finely sculpted objects were well received. However, with the increasing importation of similarly produced Swiss and German articles, he found less opportunity for these and decided to innovate. G. Viardot succeeded to his father’s business in 1861 installed rue Rambuteau in Paris. Around 1870 he turned to the idea of producing « Meubles genre Chinois et Japonais ». The taste in Europe for exotic furniture, incorporating sometimes authentic Chinese or Japanese objects...

Category

1880s French Japonisme Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Antique English Tunbridge Inlaid Walnut Rare Triple fold Jewelry Box Lap Desk
Antique English Tunbridge Inlaid Walnut Rare Triple fold Jewelry Box Lap Desk

Antique English Tunbridge Inlaid Walnut Rare Triple fold Jewelry Box Lap Desk

Located in CHARLESTON, SC

Superb and Rare Antique English Tunbridge Inlaid Walnut rare triple folding Jewelry Box and Lap Desk Please note extraordinary "Tunbridge" inlaid burr walnut exterior, mother of pea...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Adam Style Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Satinwood, Velvet, Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut

Art Deco Style Maitland-Smith Faux Ostrich Leather Writing Desk
Art Deco Style Maitland-Smith Faux Ostrich Leather Writing Desk

Art Deco Style Maitland-Smith Faux Ostrich Leather Writing Desk

By Maitland Smith

Located in Dallas, TX

This outstanding Art Deco style desk is crafted by Maitland-Smith, circa 1970s. The company is well known for its use of unusual materials. This desk is beautifully covered in faux o...

Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Shell Desks

Materials

Brass

Pedestal Desk with MOP Inlay
Pedestal Desk with MOP Inlay

Pedestal Desk with MOP Inlay

Located in London, GB

This beautifully Cerejeira veneered mahogany and mother of pearl inlaid pedestal desk is indeed a show stopper. It features a moulded edge top inset with a central leather writing su...

Category

2010s Indonesian Shell Desks

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Credenza by Florence Knoll for Knoll International With Carrara Marble
Credenza by Florence Knoll for Knoll International With Carrara Marble

Credenza by Florence Knoll for Knoll International With Carrara Marble

By Florence Knoll

Located in Dallas, TX

Credenza designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1961. This example is in excellent condition, constructed with teak featuring ten drawers, chromed steel base, and the or...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Desks

Materials

Teak

Superb Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Superb Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Superb Mahogany Pedestal Desk

$2,049

H 30 in W 60 in D 35 in

Superb Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in Swadlincote, GB

A fine quality solid mahogany double pedestal desk, with curtesy panel, nine drawers with brass swan necked handles, slides above side drawers, panelled sides, blue leather top, in ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Chippendale Shell Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss
Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss

Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss

$6,012 / item

H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in

Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss

By Renats Kotlevs

Located in Riga, LV

Refined elegance and classic design characterize the Kanttari Writing Desk. The definition of rich furniture design, this beautiful writing desk is handmade with soft to touch black ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Shell Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

$1,875Sale Price|25% Off

H 28.5 in W 34.5 in D 23 in

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from fruitwood with a warm patina and lovely wood grain patterns. Fronted by a single s...

Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Fruitwood

Custom 1950s Wall Mounted Modernist Writing Desk
Custom 1950s Wall Mounted Modernist Writing Desk

Custom 1950s Wall Mounted Modernist Writing Desk

Located in San Diego, CA

Unique handmade custom wall-mounted writing desk made in the 1950s. Solid birch construction with patinated brass accents and a smooth black laminate desk surface that folds up when ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Desks

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Writing Desk
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Writing Desk

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Writing Desk

By Kipp Stewart, Drexel

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration mid-century walnut writing desk. The desk measures: 60 wide x 24 deep x 29.25 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches. All pieces of fur...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shell Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith
19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality, unusual, Victorian mahogany kneehole desk by Francis and James Smith, Glasgow. The top, having three leather writing surfaces, each decorated with gold an...

Category

19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Large French Campaign Style Desk Iron w Leather Top & Apron by Maitland Smith
Large French Campaign Style Desk Iron w Leather Top & Apron by Maitland Smith

Large French Campaign Style Desk Iron w Leather Top & Apron by Maitland Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous large iron desk with embossed leather top and apron by Maitland Smith. Iron with arrow decoration as side supports along with gilt brass accents on the legs. The iron is lac...

Category

1970s Philippine Neoclassical Revival Vintage Shell Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

Extra-Large Gordon Bunshaft Credenza by De Coene Frères, 1960s
Extra-Large Gordon Bunshaft Credenza by De Coene Frères, 1960s

Extra-Large Gordon Bunshaft Credenza by De Coene Frères, 1960s

A rare and exceptional extra-large credenza designed by Gordon Bunshaft and crafted by De Coene Frères for the Lambert Bank in Belgium, circa 1960. This monumental piece exemplifies ...

Category

1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shell Desks

Materials

Chrome

English Mahogany Pedestal Desk
English Mahogany Pedestal Desk

English Mahogany Pedestal Desk

$14,200

H 31 in W 60 in D 36 in

English Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in Woodbury, CT

This Georgian styled desk with raised panel sides and three-piece leather top with gilded tooling is generously sized without being overly dramatic. At 60” by 36”, there is enough su...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Shell Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Vintage Custom-Made Walnut Credenza
Vintage Custom-Made Walnut Credenza

Vintage Custom-Made Walnut Credenza

$7,500

H 32.75 in W 82 in D 22 in

Vintage Custom-Made Walnut Credenza

Located in North Hollywood, CA

This custom-built mid-century modern credenza offers a refined balance of clean lines, warm wood tones, and functional storage. Thoughtfully designed and tailor-made, it features a s...

Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Shell Desks

Materials

Chrome

Previously Available Items
French Inlay Slant Front Writing Desk
French Inlay Slant Front Writing Desk

French Inlay Slant Front Writing Desk

Sold

H 36 in W 28.75 in D 16 in

French Inlay Slant Front Writing Desk

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

Early 20th C. Lady's Desk. Mahogany. Slant Lid Embellished With Mother-Of-Pearl And Colored Wood Inlay In Foliate Design. Curbside to NYC/Philly $300

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown French Provincial Shell Desks

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany

Antique Italian Kingwood, Satinwood, Burl & Ormolu Ladies Desk, 18th/19th C
Antique Italian Kingwood, Satinwood, Burl & Ormolu Ladies Desk, 18th/19th C

Antique Italian Kingwood, Satinwood, Burl & Ormolu Ladies Desk, 18th/19th C

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Italian ladies desk or dressing table offers kingwood, satinwood and burl construction in serpentine form having cast ormolu mounts and bande...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Biedermeier Figured Walnut Secretary
Biedermeier Figured Walnut Secretary

Biedermeier Figured Walnut Secretary

Sold

H 62 in W 42.25 in D 21.5 in

Biedermeier Figured Walnut Secretary

Located in Essex, MA

Rectangular finished top over a drawer and a fold down desk opening to compartments and a writing surface over the other graduated drawers. Plinth base.

Category

1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut

Early 20th Century Lacquered Wood Chinoiserie Desk with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Early 20th Century Lacquered Wood Chinoiserie Desk with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Early 20th Century Lacquered Wood Chinoiserie Desk with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Early 20th century beautiful writing desk. This desk is unique on 1stdibs! You won't find another with such fantastic mother of pearl inlay work. I invite you to take a good look at all the images. Made of black lacquered wood with refined hand painted decorations a floral taste. The top is the true masterpiece of this desk, a river landscape with Asian boats...

Category

1920s French Vintage Shell Desks

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Antique 19th Century French Henry II Style Walnut Trestle Table Library Desk
Antique 19th Century French Henry II Style Walnut Trestle Table Library Desk

Antique 19th Century French Henry II Style Walnut Trestle Table Library Desk

Located in Dayton, OH

French library table in Henry II style, circa 1890s. Made from walnut with a long carved central drawer over turned legs and trestle base. Brass drawer pull features two delphins (do...

Category

Late 19th Century French Renaissance Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Abalone

Seashell Encrusted Grotto Vanity / Desk
Seashell Encrusted Grotto Vanity / Desk

Seashell Encrusted Grotto Vanity / Desk

Sold

H 50.63 in W 41.5 in D 18.75 in

Seashell Encrusted Grotto Vanity / Desk

Located in Denton, TX

Wooden frame encrusted with multiple variety of sea shells in the Grotto style, 1980s.

Category

20th Century Philippine Organic Modern Shell Desks

Materials

Shell, Wood

Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk France, 19th Century
Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk France, 19th Century

Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk France, 19th Century

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Paris, FR

Louis XV style secretary in faux weekly (fake 7 drawers style) made in Boulle Marquetry with a doucine, with brass marquetry threads and uprights with Queen style inlay decoration wi...

Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze

French Napoleon III Drop-Front Desk
French Napoleon III Drop-Front Desk

French Napoleon III Drop-Front Desk

Sold

H 48 in W 22 in D 23 in

French Napoleon III Drop-Front Desk

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A French, ebonized and mother of pearl-inlaid, drop-front writing desk, the interior with fitted drawers, glass inkwells and a gilt-tooled leather writing surface. The exterior is...

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Shell Desks

Materials

Leather, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony, Giltwood

Carlo Furniture Yellow Sea Penshell Writing Table Desk
Carlo Furniture Yellow Sea Penshell Writing Table Desk

Carlo Furniture Yellow Sea Penshell Writing Table Desk

By Carlo Furniture

Located in Culver City, CA

Another stunning design by Carlo Furniture, this Yellow Sea penshell dining table is just as beautiful as it is functional. With a top completely clad in penshell (which has a simila...

Category

2010s Modern Shell Desks

Materials

Shell

French Style Horner Bros Marquetry and Mother-of-Pearl Partners Desk, circa 1900
French Style Horner Bros Marquetry and Mother-of-Pearl Partners Desk, circa 1900

French Style Horner Bros Marquetry and Mother-of-Pearl Partners Desk, circa 1900

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique French style partners desk by Horner Bros. features mahogany construction with floral and acanthus satinwood banding and marquetry accented with mother-of-pearl, carved cabri...

Category

Early 20th Century American Shell Desks

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Satinwood

Early Art Deco Executive Office Set by Gauthier Poinsignon Circa 1920
Early Art Deco Executive Office Set by Gauthier Poinsignon Circa 1920

Early Art Deco Executive Office Set by Gauthier Poinsignon Circa 1920

By Atelier Gauthier Poinsignon

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

As at home in a 21st Century office as it would have been in the early 1920's, this custom-built transitional Art Nouveau-to-Art Deco executive office set is impressive in the photos...

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Shell Desks

Materials

Abalone, Mahogany