Skip to main content

Desks and Writing Tables

201
8
2
to
22
129
75
211
208
208
1,782
779
388
352
320
221
219
203
107
103
85
72
51
35
24
10
6
146
49
10
8
15
12
1
1
2
3
1
2
1
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
196
93
80
70
70
170
108
88
40
16
5
2
2
1
1
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Regency
Style: Empire
English Regency Mahogany and Ebonized Wood Lyre-End Sofa / Writing Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A striking English Regency mahogany sofa / writing table with lyre ends and ebonized detailing. Stretcher and desk top newly covered with leather, circa 1820. Measures: 29.75" H x...
Category

1820s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather

Exquisite Regency Period 1815 Hardwood Kneehole Desk with Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1815 Regency bow front kneehole partner desk in solid mahogany with Lion hairy paw feet A good looking and well-made ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Regency free standing Gonzalo Alves writing table or library table
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late Regency free standing Gonzalo Alves writing table or library table, the rectangular top set above two frieze drawers on one side and dummy drawers to the reverse, raised upon ...
Category

1820s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rosewood and Calamander Regency Library Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A Regency rosewood and calamander library table of exquisite form and execution.
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Gilt and Leather Pedestal Desks in the Regency Manner
Located in London, GB
Fine Pair of Antique Pedestal Desks in the Regency Manner Constructed in goncalo alves, with gilt bronze mounts and giltwood highlights, of freestanding form, with very gentle inver...
Category

20th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

English Regency Mahogany Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Regency (circa 1830) mahogany table desk with 3 beaded opposing drawers over a leather top with a molded edge and supported on carved cabriole legs (attributed to GILLOWS)
Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

English Regency 1820s Table with Red Lacquered, Gold and Black Chinoiserie Decor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Regency period writing table from the early 19th century, with red lacquered, black and gilt chinoiserie decor and cabriole leg...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Empire Style 19th Century Ebonized Mahogany Writing Table Desk
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ebonized mahogany writing table desk with a leather top & claw feet resting on a platform base. (after JACOB DESMALTER at Fonteainbleau Palace).  
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany. Completely restored, Shellac polish. Period: 1820-1829 Source: Austria, Wien. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air ...
Category

1820s Austrian Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

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

Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular green inset leather top with crossbanded brass inlaid edge over two drawers with brass inlays all around and false rear drawers raised on a trestle base with scrol...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rare English Regency Period Mahogany Adjustable Reading Table, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare English Regency period mahogany adjustable reading table. English, circa 1820.
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany and bronze trimmed table with single drawer and green (repaired) marble-top.   
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 drawer table desk with stretcher, griffins, and green marble top.
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany roll top desk with bronze trim.
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

English Regency Style Satinwood Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Regency style (circa 1850s) gilt metal mounted satinwood desk with inset brown leather top over drawers on legs joined by stretchers. (stamped ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Satinwood

Pair of English Regency Period Rosewood Writing Tables
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of English Regency period rosewood writing tables with gold tooled green leather tops. The pair were most likely formerly used as school desks for privately educated students.
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rare Regency Lacquered Writing Table
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The Japanese lacquered box hinged to open to an adjustable fabric-inset writing surface, inset in a Stand with twin supports in the Chinese taste. This exceptional desk is very much ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Lacquer

English 19th Century Painted Bamboo Style Table
Located in Southampton, NY
English 19th century painted bow front table with bamboo carved legs.
Category

1810s European Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Baltic writing or sofa table in the Empire style (and edging toward the Art Deco period that would follow.) In Cuban mahogany with carved trestle-base ending in carved li...
Category

1910s Baltic Empire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Stately Empire desk on four monopodia legs painted a dark verdis gris, joined by two stretchers. Top inset with a tooled black leather writing surface and slide outs (16.5 inches eac...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

English 19th century William IV bronze mounted Regency Writing Table or Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Elegant William IV writing table, top with an inset black leather writing surface framed with burlwood veneer and gilt bronze edge, on a giltwood base with a black leather foot rest...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Regency Period ormolu mounted, Library Table, circa 1820 36"(92cm) wide
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality Regency period rosewood crossbanded, end support, library table. Having two frieze drawers, dummy drawers to the reverse, ormolu mounts to each corner, ormolu mou...
Category

1820s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Writing or Occasional Table
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A good Regency mahogany occasional table or writing table on a four-splay base. The drawer pulls out and the top hinged section slants for writing on; there is also a small ink drawer
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

English Late Regency Oak Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
English Late Regency (mid-19th Century) parcel ebonized & oak writing table with black leather inset top above X-trestle legs joined by a stretcher on casters.
Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Leather

Regency Period Metamorphic Writing /Book Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine classical regency table shows all the signs of a London cabinet making firm. The proportions are great being not overly large but it carries weight and looks masculine and ...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Rosewood Writing Table with Later Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Regency rosewood writing table with later marble top.
Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Regency Style Writing Table
Located in Hudson, NY
A very nice mahogany and crotch mahogany veneered writing table raised up on marble columns with bronze bases. The writing surface is leather with gold tooling. This table though not...
Category

20th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A classically designed Empire style mahogany desk from France. This desk has a new inset green leather top embossed with brass tooling and banding around the perimeter. A more worn l...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Regency Period Library Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic antique Regency library table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1820-1840 period. It is of extremel...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Empire Style Table, Desk in Gilt Bronze, Mahogany and Marble.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style table, desk in gilt bronze, mahogany and marble. 19th century or early 20th century Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze table, desk, green marble top, 2 drawers.   H:...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire desk, France, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire desk, France, circa 1880. Currently under renovation. Wood: mahogany dimensions: height 80 cm x width 150 cm x depth 80 cm
Category

1880s French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Style Bamboo Turned Side Table
Located in Savannah, GA
A Regency style whitewashed side table with bamboo turned legs and green stenciling, having one frieze drawer. 20th century composed of earlier pa...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Regency Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Regency style leather top walnut carved writing table with brass lion heads, carved acanthus knees, three drawers, and Lion paw feet. Dimensions: 64"W x 30.25"D x 30.75"H.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

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

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.

Recently Viewed

View All