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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1920s
Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Carved Oak 2 Drawers
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful antique French oak renaissance revival library office desk with double drawers, barley twist legs and stretcher
~~circa 1880s
With so many people working from home, des...
Category
1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique late 19th Century mahogany writing side dressing table desk
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique late 19th Century mahogany writing side dressing table desk. Lovely age colour and patina.
No loose joints and no woodworm. Full of age, c...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Cherry Wood Veneer, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This beautiful Secretary comes from Germany and was made in 19th century. The piece is made of pine wood, veneered with cherry wood veneer. When opening the main section the doors tr...
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Pine
Antique Walnut Kidney Shaped Desk, Writing Table, Scotland 1920, H949
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Walnut Kidney Shaped Desk, Writing Table, Scotland 1920, H949
Scotland 1920
Solid Walnut and veneer
Original finish
Kidney shaped top with original hand tooled leather wirin...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Writing Desk With Inlay Works, Austria ca. 1835
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional, rare 19th century nutwood/ walnut writing desk from the famous Biedermeier period in Austria. Elaborately handcrafted around 1835, this elegant Biedermeier so-called "la...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Walnut 4 Door Glass Front Bookcase, Scotland 1870 , H990
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian Walnut 4 Door Glass Front Bookcase Display Cabinet, Scotland 1870, H990
Solid walnut
Original finish
Having a moulded cornice with a dentil frieze
Pair of original...
Category
1870s North American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic antique Victorian leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-1880 period.
It is of superb qua...
Category
1860s British Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
William IV Rosewood Library / Writing Table with Green Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
a William IV rosewood library table / writing desk with gilt embossed decoration and border on green leather work surface, two drawer...
Category
19th Century English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Antique William iv Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A lovely original antique William IV period writing table or side table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840s.
It is of superb quality, the top has beautifu...
Category
1830s British William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Gustavian White Painted Side Table Small Writing Table, Sweden circa 180
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian style side table, may also be used as a small desk.
Lovely turned and carved legs with elongated leaf motif and carved skirt with scallops add to the romantic gra...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Neoclassical Style Parcel Gilt Carved Mahogany Library or Center Table
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of a neoclassical style rectangle parcel gilt carved mahogany library, writing or center table with figured mahogany veneer top with rounded corners, two small do...
Category
19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
George IV Mahogany Firescreen Secretary
Located in New York, NY
George IV Mahogany firescreen secretary, ca. 1835, of tall rectangular form, the drop front writing surface opening to reveal a fitted interior with letter rack and drawers, support...
Category
Mid-19th Century George IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Walnut Kitchen Table / Writing Desk
Located in Carmine, TX
Kitchen table hand-crafted in Central Italy in the early 1800s using walnut and pegged construction. The table has a beautiful warm, deep amber color and features a single drawer ins...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Oak Art Deco Modernist Desk by Jan Brunott, 1920s
By Jan Brunott
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco Modernist small desk.
Design attributed to Jan Brunott.
Striking Dutch design from the 1920s.
Solid oak and original oak veneered base with new faux leather writing section.
Original macassar ebony veneered door and drawer.
Inside there are five solid oak drawers.
In very good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Height of the writing section is 76 cm or 29.92 in.
We will ship this stunning piece of furniture in a custom made wooden crate for safe transport when purchased by overseas buyers.
The Modernist look of this Art Deco desk attributed to Jan Brunott is also known in the Netherlands under the name Haagse School.
The Haagse...
Category
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Faux Leather, Macassar, Oak
Chinoiserie Imperial Red English Writing Partners Desk / Library Table, 19th C
Located in Charleston, SC
This Elegant English Chinoiserie Partners Writing Desk / Library Table with Exotic Scenes is Japanned in Imperial Red Lacquer. The Chinoiserie Library...
Category
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer
Charming 19th Century Pine Country Side Table or Desk with Original Blue Paint
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming handmade side table or desk found in Maine and could be earlier than the 19th century. It retains its faded lovely blue original chalk paint with pale patina on the base and...
Category
19th Century American Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
French Neo-Renaissance Hand-Carved Wooden Desk Henri II Style circa 1870 France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Important neo renaissance oak desk from the second half of the 19th century. The lower part, alternating with twisted columns reminiscent of the Louis XIII style, is entirely hand carved and has three drawers on each box and three drawers in the belt. The top is covered with a red imitation leather. The upper part, made up of four drawers and two mail boxes, is surmounted by an openwork pediment, carved with foliage motifs. The back of the desk is entirely decorated with low relief sculpture...
Category
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Wooden Desk
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden writing desk from 19th century France. The top of this desk opens up to reveal three storage compartments and a writing surface, below which sit two drawers. A sunny aura em...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century, Regency Period Rosewood Partners Writing Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
An exceptional quality, early 19th century, Regency period rosewood partners library writing table. The moulded rectangular top with a superb quality and original light green tooled ...
Category
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Louis XIV Red Marble Top Carved Bleached Oak Table Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or office with this elegant antique side table from the Perigord region of France. Built of oak and heavily carved, the sma...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Magnificent Flat Desk in Blackened Wood and Bronzes, Napoleon III Style
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Magnificent flat desk in blackened wood, Napoleon III style, made by the house "Gouffé".
The Gouffé company is a great French furniture manufacturer whose quality of manufacture i...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Mahogany French Louis XVI Style Bureau Plat with Ormolu Cast Mounts
Located in Central England, GB
A superb French Louis XVI style Bureau plat.
This exceptional French decorative bureau plat is made of a high-quality solid mahogany c...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Victorian Walnut Pedestal Desk, Writing Table, Scotland 1880, H022
Located in Vancouver, BC
Victorian walnut pedestal desk, writing table, Scotland 1880, H022
Scotland 1880
Solid Walnut
Original Finish
Rectangular moulded top with original leather inset
Has an arrangement ...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Walnut & Parquetry Bureau De Dame Desk, 19th C
Located in London, GB
A superb Victorian burr walnut parquetry and ormolu mounted Bureau De Dame, circa 1870 in date.
The fall front features a decorative Jasperware ormolu mounted plaque and opens to...
Category
1870s French Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Bauhaus Desk in Black Piano Laquer from an Old Print Shop
Located in Greven, DE
Impressive Bauhaus desk in elegant black piano lacquer. The high-gloss stainless steel strips have been polished and give the desk a very special grace. The entire desk has been rest...
Category
19th Century German Bauhaus Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Antique Quality 19th Century Mahogany Writing Side Table Desk
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality 19th Century mahogany writing side table desk. Lovely age colour and patina.
No loose joints and no woodworm. Full of age, character and charm. The mahogany lined ...
Category
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
A Fine Anglo-Indian Carved Padouk Writing Table, Ceylonese
Located in New York, NY
The solid rectangular top with carved gadrooned edge; over two frieze drawers with drop handles flanking an arched kneehole ,rope detail and further linear, raised on boldly turned a...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Important Early 19th Century Marquetry Table with Concealed Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
An early nineteenth century marquetry table, with a variety of exotic woods inlaid to create a central medallion design, circled by an intertwining vine border, in turn bordered by a variegated star motif. The table top tilts to reveal a hidden writing desk...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
English Leather Top Campaign Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century British colonial campaign desk with a brown tooled leather top, brass hardware, keys to the top and side drawers, and sits on porcelain casters.
Category
19th Century English Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
George III Carlton House Desk Mahogany United Kingdom XIX Century
Located in Milano, IT
English desk supported by truncated pyramidal legs with brass feet, has three drawers in the band; the top in the center has a Moroccan insert that can be lifted like a lectern and i...
Category
19th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Writing Table with Drawers, Walnut and Briar, 19th Century Naples, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique writing table, complete with removable top and drawers veneered in walnut briar, turned and very wavy legs, built entirely by hand in precious walnut and briar wood, built in...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
English Regency Mahogany Leather Top Reading Table with Flanking Drawers, C 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency mahogany partner's reading table with a ratcheted leather top, flanking triangular compartmentalized side drawers with original brasses, supported by four reeded ringed...
Category
Early 1800s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Fruitwood Side Table or Small Writing Table
Located in Port Chester, NY
A simple and elegant fruitwood side table or small writing table/desk. The top has lovely grain and patina. Classic tapered legs, pegged at the ap...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century Library Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
eautiful antique library table with 2 drawers on both sides. Beautiful leather sheet. Entirely in good condition.
Origin: England
Period: ca. 1840-1860
Size: 117cm x 103cm x h.77cm.
Category
1840s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Circa 1900s Partners desk with original tooled leather top - Swedish birch
Located in London, GB
A very handsome and well proportioned partners desk from the 1900s. It is Swedish and made from a lovely warm honey coloured birch.
It has drawers on both sides so will free stand i...
Category
1920s Swedish Neoclassical Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desk with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian desk from Buddbyn Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden.
The desk is handscraped to its original color.
Hardware pe...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
English 1820s Mahogany Architect's Table with Tilt Top, Single Drawer and Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English mahogany architect's table from the early 19th century, with tilt top, single drawer and shelf. Created in England during the first quarter of the 19th century, this mahogany architect's table features a rectangular top that lifts up, resting on a back support, to reveal a narrow storage...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Biedermeier Desk in Walnut Veneer, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This is a beautiful desk from the Biedermeier period. It comes from Germany and was made in 19th Century. A very elegant and functional piece of furniture, veneered with walnut. The ...
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
French 1850 Writing table with Curvy Top, Single Drawer and Cabriole Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Louis XV style mid-19th century wooden desk / writing table features a beautifully curvy three-plank top over a simple apron with a single drawer. The table is raised on ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Rosewood Library or Dressing Table
By John Mclean
Located in Charleston, SC
An early 19th century English Regency rosewood library/dressing table attributed to John McLean. This table is kidney shaped with floral designed inlaid brass (Boulle inlay). Marble ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Bureau Desk Davenport 19th Century Country House-Carved Wood Gothic Revival 1860
Located in Mimizan, FR
Bureau desk Davenport 19th century carved wood Gothic Revival, circa 1860.
Country house carved dark oak
In very good condition with minor signs of use full of character
Worthy of...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
Russian Empire Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Russian Empire leather top mahogany desk with two slides, brass trim, and mounts on square tapered legs.
Category
19th Century Russian Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
French Writing Table with Three Drawers
Located in Hudson, NY
French writing table with three drawers
Gilt embossed leather top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather
Rare Art Deco Amsterdam School Writing Table and Chair by Paul Bromberg
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rare Art Deco Amsterdam School writing table and chair by Paul Bromberg for
Pander 1920s.
Solid oak, wicker and solid Macassar ebony knob on ...
Category
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Macassar, Oak, Wicker
Late Regency Rosewood Sofa Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with carved beaded edge with a plain frieze over a trestle support and turned stretcher raised on carved scrolled feet.
Category
1820s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Other
19th C China Trade Roll Top Lap Desk on Stand
Located in Charleston, SC
A early-19th century Asian hardwood lap desk on stand. A similar one is pictured in "The Decorative Arts of The China Trade," page 248. The stand is a replacement made from pearwood.
Category
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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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