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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Antique French Louis XIII Style Draw Leaf Dining Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique French Louis XIII style oak draw leaf extending dining table with barley twist legs. This table has been lovingly restored...
Category
1920s French Louis XIII Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Chippendale Style Walnut Drop Front Secretary Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Miami, FL
An antique early 20th century ladies' secretary desk. Made from walnut with a maple writing surface. Features a drop front with neoclassical brass hardware over large central drawer ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Red Lacquer Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer desk with three drawers with pierce carvings motif.
Category
1920s Chinese Ming Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Spanish Colonial Narrow Console Table with Two Drawers with Iron Hardware
By Valenti
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish colonial narrow console table with two carved drawers
This piece has a two-pedestal legs with an awesome carved.
We have a matching piece you can see in the last picture...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Carved Floral Back 18th Century Country French Carved Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare form of Country French desk. The desk features what appears to be oak and walnut construction and a parquet top with antique age cracks in the top. WE CAN REPAIR THIS ...
Category
1780s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Adjustable Drafting Table in Cast Iron
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this 19th century adjustable drafting table in cast iron. The top of the table are original and made in solid oak, supported by a finely cast iron base with a pair of wheels...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
20th Century Spanish Baroque Style Cabinet on Stand, Bargueno or Varqueno
Located in Miami, FL
This Bargueno is a portable desk. The base is typically a Spanish table and dates from 19th Century. The upper part was added in the 20th century in England and dates from the Arts a...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Antique Industrial Cast Iron Drafting / Drawing Table by Keuffel and Esser Co. 1
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920s American eagle drawing table by Keuffel & Esser Co.
Overall dimensions: 32″ x 51″
Height range when top is flat: 37″ – 48″
Materials: Cast Iron &...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Iron
Limbert Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts library table or writing desk
By Charles P. Limbert Co.
USA, Circa 1910
Solid quartersawn oak, with original copper hardware.
Meas...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Louis XIV Walnut Writing Table Or Occasional Table From The17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb walnut table from the 17th century Louis XIV period and style
Good quality table resting on a very elegant base with turned legs connected by spacers and ending with balls.
Th...
Category
17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial partners desk hand crafted in mahogany with a brown tooled leather top, two drawers on either side and elegant turned legs on brass casters.
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Hepplewhite Mahogany Three Drawer Writing Table. Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English Hepplewhite mahogany three drawer writing table with circular brasses and terminating on squared tapered legs. Late 18th Century
Category
1790s English Hepplewhite Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Walnut Barley Twist Library Table
Located in High Point, NC
18th century walnut library table from France. The top is made from two planks and is banded with a beveled edge, following down to a simple apron, which contains a single drawer in the front. The table is supported on hand turned barley and vine twist...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Oak Roll Top Secretary Desk with Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
Oak secretary / writing desk from circa 1900's. Featuring a roll-up flap with underlying writing board, shelf interior and two drawers. Below the writing desk there are two pull-out ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
18thc Walnut Tavern Table with Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 18thc tavern table is made from Walnut and with Queen Ann legs and pad feet. This table has wood pegs and dovetailed drawers. The table has a fine patina and condition.
Category
Early 18th Century American Adirondack Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Edwardian Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English writing table or desk of mahogany from the Edwardian Era, featuring an inset embossed leather top, with moulded edge around the circumference, over a frieze of two dra...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Danish Art Nouveau, Dining / Desk Table made in Oak, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Introducing a striking rectangular dining or desk table that summarizes the essence of Danish Art Nouveau craftsmanship, hailing from the early 20th century. Crafted with meticulous ...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Keuffel & Esser Drafting Table With Iron Base
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Antique Keuffel & Esser Drafting Table with Iron Base.. this table goes from 30 inches tall to 38 inches tall maybe a little bit more if you push it 24 inches wide original oak top. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
French Chestnut and Oak Desk from Le Grand Monarque À Chartres, circa 1720
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved, circa 1720, using chestnut and oak woods, this desk was recently part of Le Grand Monarque hotel in Chartres, France. The desk has been stripped at some point, allowing the beautiful wood grain and round dowel construction to become focal points.
The stunning desk has a shaped top with quarter round molding. A 23 ½” W seat opening is topped by a concave front drawer with a bronze drop handle affixed by a pair of rosette mounts. Similar handles can be seen on each of the four main drawers, which are surrounded by thick cavetto molding. These drawers also have a scalloped keyplate and mounts of two putti hunting dragons hidden amongst foliage. Interestingly, the sides are comprised of four rectangular panels, with the two nearest to the straight back side being functional drawers.
Known as a bureau caissiers (“cashier’s desk...
Category
1720s French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Antique French European Scallop Edge Dining Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful handcrafted piece with nice patina. This antique table has all the character a piece of this nature should. Constructed out of solid wood with a plank top, bobbin turned le...
Category
Early 20th Century Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period writing desk or library table
By Gustav Stickley
USA, Circa 1910
Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware.
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Lifetime Furniture Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk With Built-In Bookcases
By Lifetime
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases
By Lifetime Furniture
USA, Circa 1900
Beautiful quarter sawn oak, with original ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
George II Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine George II mahogany writing table, the leather-lined top with gilt tooling and banded edge, the edge with rich gadroon carving, over three drawers, standing on boldly carved...
Category
18th Century English George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Oak
English Mahogany Tambour Satinwood Inlaid Writing Desk, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, 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 and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Stickley Brothers Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Drop Front Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts slant front writing desk or secretary desk
In the manner of Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1900
Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper h...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Shanghai Deco Chinese Reeded Leg Dining Table, c. 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
In the 1920-30s, Shanghai, China was swept up in the Art Deco design movement. Design, architecture, art, fashion, and furniture were all influenced by this modern movement, permeati...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th Century Tyrolean Farmhouse Dining/ Kitchen Table in Fruitwood from Austria
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptionally beautiful farm house table from the Tyrolean region of Austria in fruitwood with the rich patina of age acquired from its 250 year history! A multipurpose table, it would have served as a dining table as well as a table used in the preparation of food. Utensils and bread would have been stored in its deep and long drawers, which are decorated with small etched field flowers on the fronts. The box stretcher would have provided a footrest in addition to rendering the table stronger. Offers pegged construction, dovetailed drawers and original wooden pulls. This Alpine table...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique L. & J.G. Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak writing desk, library table, or center table.
By L. & J.G. Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Measures: 40" W x 26" D ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Early 20th Century French Walnut Venner Desk, 1940s
Located in Miami, FL
20th Century French walnut veneer and marquetry dressing table with wooden drawers crest and bronze handles.
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Japanese Antique Table, Desk, Double-sleeved desk, Wabi-Sabi, Early 20th Century
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This antique Japanese table was produced in the Taisho period (1912-1926).
This is a double-sleeved desk whose lacquer has gained a deep flavo...
Category
Early 20th Century Taisho Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Elegant Little Mid-18th Century George II 'Lady Desk'
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant little 'Lady Desk', George II, in walnut with original brass fittings.
Top with leather.
England, circa 1750.
Beautiful patina.
Category
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Small Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau
Located in Folkestone, GB
A most enchanting Queen Anne period burr walnut bureau of highly desirable small proportions and superb colour. The herringbone and cross-banded fall enclosing a fully fitted stepped interior with small drawers and central cupboard door all cross...
Category
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
French Art Deco Writing Table
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
French Art Deco Writing Table
A very elegant and well proportioned ladies writing table produced in France in the 1920’s, the top has octagonal form with a single dovetail jointed dr...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Lifetime Furniture Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
By Lifetime
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Lifetime Furniture
USA, Circa 1900
Beautiful quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Fine Antique American Chippendale Slant Front Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully crafted late 18th Century Slant Front Desk with dovetailed top and drawers, fine graining, great color and solid traditiona...
Category
Late 18th Century American Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Art Nouveau / Jugendstil Desk, Carved Wood, Germany, Circa 1910
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Features:
Style: Art Nouveau / Jugendstil
Material: Carved wood
Origin: Germany, circa 1910
Sculptures: Elegant floral carvings
Functionality: A large drawer and two niches / booksh...
Category
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Vintage Mission Oak Desk Arts and Crafts
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mission Oak Desk, attributed to Stickley Brothers, unsigned, American, circa 1910s. This piece is well made with beautiful graining to the oak.
Category
1910s American Mission Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Antique Rare Jacobean Style Tapestry Covered Desk on Barley Twist Base
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Unusual and magnificent trunk shaped desk covered in gorgeous rich tapestry needlepoint and brass nailheads. The top piece opens to reveal a drop down writing surface with red leath...
Category
1920s English Jacobean Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Tapestry, Oak
Pair of Early 20th Spanish Mobila Country Farm Desk with Two Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
A charming early 20th century Spanish pine farm table with four legs and back side trestle and a wonderfully well-worn finish from a century of use.
Height from to the drawers : 23...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Lifetime Furniture Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Lifetime Furniture
USA, Circa 1900
Beautiful quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardw...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table
Located in West Hollywood, CA
18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table. Beautiful Hand Carved Circa 1700’s Provençal Continental table in walnut and Fruitwood with center dra...
Category
18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Süe & Mare rosewood and amboyna burl desk 1921
By Sue et Mare
Located in Paris, IDF
This walnut, rosewood, and amboyna burl veneer desk dates from the early 1920s and was created by Louis Süe and André Mare. It takes us straight to the height of the Art Deco period....
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Amboyna
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Gustav Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hard...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Italy Mid-18th Century Olive Root Wood Desk with Drawings in Regency Style
Located in Brescia, IT
This Italian desk, was manufactured circa 1750 in Tuscany Italy by master cabinet makers in a pregiate wood, the olive root; the fine proportion and the ele...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Olive
Art Nouveau desk with armchair Robert Fix Josef Hoffmann Portois & Fix ca. 1901
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Table dimensions: H 79 x L 154 x D 82 cm (legroom: depth 44 x knee height 62 x leg width 51 cm) Armchair: seat height 45 x total height 82.5 x width 56 x total depth 58 x seat width ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Louis XVI Writing Desk, Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs.
Three dovetail drawers with brass details.
The locks wo...
Category
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Newcraft Ltd English Wooten Style Home Office Foldaway Modern Desk Work Station
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage English Wooten Style Home Office Foldaway Modern Desk Work Station by Newcraft Ltd. Item features a wooden case, ornate brass corner accents, fully fitted interior with pull ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Small Antique Kneehole Desk, English, Writing Table, Georgian Revival, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique kneehole desk. An English, mahogany writing table with Georgian revival taste, dating to the Edwardian period, circ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Bureau en Pente, attributed to Migeon
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The hinged fall front opening to reveal a fitted interior with drawers above a slide enclosing a concealed well with two drawers, raised on cabriole legs headed by scrolling chutes r...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Mahogany Art Nouveau Writing Desk Signed Louis Majorelle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Signed ‘Louis Majorelle’ Art Nouveau desk with the sinuous lines and curves typical of the style. Four curved-front drawers retaining their original ormolu Art Nouveau pulls...
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Regency Louis XV Bureau De Pente Ladies Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique French Regency Louis XV style bureau de pente roll top ladies writing desk
In the manner of Vernis Martin
France, Circa 1920s
Mahogany, with hand-painted scene,...
Category
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Stickley Brothers Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
In the manner of Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered cop...
Category
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
18th c. English Gadrooned Reading Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
An 18th century English mahogany pedestal desk with gilt tooled leather inset three-section top over central drawer with two banks of four drawers to either side, featuring fine deta...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Victorian Soapstone Laboratory Writing Desk Bohemian Rustic Farmhouse Steel Fire
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful example of 19th century Laboratory (Institutional, Academia) Furniture. Writing desk with pullout vulcanized surfaced writing board and single drawer.
Estimated weight: ...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Soapstone, Brass, Steel
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian bureau made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk features man...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th - 19th Century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire i...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Bentwood writing table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood writing table by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Ca. 1910, Limberts Dutch Arts & Crafts Furniture Co. Writing Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Limbert Furniture Co. of Holland, Michigan quarter sawn white oak classic Arts & Crafts style writing desk circa 1910. The desk features a rectangular top overhanging three drawers w...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
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.
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