Skip to main content

Desks and Writing Tables

9
1,077
to
153
591
433
1,077
1,077
1,077
103
82
78
70
53
38
34
19
17
14
10
9
8
7
5
3
1,806
3,971
1,760
2,227
717
88
32
92
197
162
593
640
395
138
31
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,021
376
259
191
183
878
291
229
170
115
10
10
6
6
5
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Lovely Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Writing Table with Original Stool Leather Top
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning small Chinese Chinoiserie hand painted and lacquered writing table with black leather writing surface and matching stool. This is ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Very Fine 1920s Leather Top Desk or Sofa Table
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 1920s mahogany desk or sofa table finely carved and of fabulous quality with rich patination and fine grain. The moulded top with reeded edge of rectangular form fitted w...
Category

Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Restored Black Bauhaus Beech Writing Desk, Mücke-melder, Czechia, 1930s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Completely restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Maker: Mücke - Melder Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia Material: beech, chrome-plated steel. Complet...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Antique Mahogany Writing Desk Dressing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality C1910 mahogany writing desk or dressing table. Stamped W.FOWKES. Solid heavy, no loose joints and no woodworm. Full of age, character and charm. The drawers s...
Category

1910s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Quality Mahogany Desk Writing Side Occasional Table C1900
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality mahogany desk writing side occasional table C1900. Neat compact dimensions. Possibly European continental origins. No loose joi...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style 1900s Sideboard or Desk with Single Drawer and Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style bow front painted wood sideboard or desk from the early 20th century, with single drawer, two doors and tapered legs. Creat...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique English Burled Walnut Leather Top Desk, circa 1900
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English burled walnut leather top desk, circa 1880.
Category

Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pine and Oak Table, 1920's
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Table from the 1920s with one drawer. The table is made of pine with a top of oak. The top has a star inlay.
Category

1920s French Rustic Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Pine

Art Deco Pagoda Walnut Brass Writing Desk Side Table Hugo Gorge, C.1925, Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco pagoda like a writing desks, side tables or home office desks attributed to Hugo Gorge circa 1925 Vienna. Hugo Gorge ( 1883 - 1934 ) was a pop...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple, Walnut, Spruce, Plywood

Modernist Dressing Table attributed to Maison Desny, circa 1925
Located in London, GB
This supremely rare early Modernist dressing table by Maison Desny, with its novel use of clear and opaline glass, and nickel-plated and paint...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Nickel

Wood & Hogan English Bench-Made Chippendale Style Mahogany Writing Table
Located in North Salem, NY
Fine Wood & Hogan English bench-made mahogany Chippendale style three drawer writing table with tooled leather shaped top and pull out slides on each end. Each fitted drawer with sol...
Category

18th Century English Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

George III Mahogany Roll-Top Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular writing table fitted with two frieze drawers and with pull-out candle slides to the sides; raised on square tapering legs ending in brass caps and casters; surmounted...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk with Burled Wood & Single Drawer
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. early 20th century. Desk with burled wood & single drawer, ball & claw feet and cabriole legs.
Category

Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Reception Desk Larch Glass Vinyl Italy Early '900
Located in Milano, IT
Reception desk, larch wood, decorated glass on the front and on one side, vinyl material on the top and in the lower part.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Large and Impressive Early 20th Century Mahogany Desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
A large and impressive early 20th century mahogany desk, the moulded edge top having a green leather writing surface divided into three shaped sections, the front of the desk having ...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Tambour Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Nice old piece very nicely polished and tuned up in good working order. Rectangular top with tambour roll top opening to expose a pull out writing surface with adjustable ratcheted c...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk Designed by Jindrich Halabala, 1930s, Czechia
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Restored Bauhaus oak writing desk designed by Jindrich Halabala. Period: 1930-1939. Source: Czechia. Maker: UP Zavody. Material: oak, chrome-plated steel. Colour: black. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Antique George III Quality Mahogany Knee Hole Desk
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany knee hole desk having a quality mahogany rectangular shaped crossbanded top with a moulded edge above one long and six small cockbeeded oak lined drawers with original brass handles, secret drawer to the knee hole and a single panelled door...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

Edwardian English Marquetry Side Table, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
William and Mary style burl walnut table with exquisite marquetry detailing, circa 1900. The top is banded and has a beveled edge surrounding a profuse floral and bird design marque...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Boxwood, Olive, Walnut

Important Esherick Table from The Hedgerow Collection
Located in Chicago, IL
Important Esherick Table from The Hedgerow Collection. Crafted by Esherick in 1924. The table is thought to have been used by Esherick at the family's home Sunekrest prior to 1938. That year Esherick enhanced the table's form by reshaping its legs, thus simplifying the design. The table found it's way to Hedgerow Theatre in 1940 in the Theatre's Green Room for many years. Provenance: Made by the artist for the artist's home, Sunekrest, Paoli, Pennsylvania, 1924 Re-designed by the artist, 1938 Sold to Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley...
Category

1920s American American Craftsman Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique French Renaissance Walnut Desk ~ Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Renaissance walnut desk ~ Bureau plat was found along the southern coast of France, and emulates the styles of Italian...
Category

Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Regency Mahogany Work / Sewing Table
Located in New York, NY
Regency mahogany work / sewing Table.
Category

Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany and fruitwood inlaid ladies writing desk. The superstructure with central shelf flanked by sloped lidded piers, each with a single drawer. The shaped molded edge top with in...
Category

Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Fine and Unusual Edwardian Inlaid Leather Top Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine and unusual Edwardian mahogany ladies leather top desk, with gorgeously rich patination and grain. Line inlaid, cross banded and with exquisite marquetry detail, depicting scrolling foliate and flowerhead motif detail throughout. The moulded upper section surmounted with curved 3/4 gallery rail with turned finial detail and centred sloping drawer with decorative pierced brass grille detail, opening to reveal a fitted interior. The moulded desk top below with curved canted corners is fitted with a gorgeous green gilt embossed tooled leather writing skiver surface, raised over frieze with single centred long drawer with decorative brass pulls. The sides and rear of the desk are fabulously detailed with a curved, wrap around section of a beautifully carved pierced panel...
Category

Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Mahogany Georgian Architect's Drafting Drawing Desk Table Chest 1780
Located in Portland, OR
A rare George II mahogany architect's desk/chest, circa 1750. The desk/ top slides forward, thus allowing the sitter to work, the top having a drafting table that has an easel support to place the top at three different heights, the highest being 47" floor to top. The chest having a plan drawer which is flanked by two pen drawers...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Bureau Bookcase, Slant Front Desk, Bookcase Top, Scotland 1910, H244
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Bureau bookcase, Slant front desk, bookcase top, Scotland 1910, H244 Scotland 1910 Solid oak Original finish The top with glass doors and stitched interior The fall front op...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

18th Century, Louis XV Provencal Center Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Louis XV table from Provence. Made of solid walnut with deep hand-carved apron and thick cabriole legs. Two dovetailed dr...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

A Fabulous Edwardian Desk attributed to Edward and Roberts
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous Edwardian mahogany desk attributed to Edward and Roberts, richly patinated, line inlaid and with exquisite marquetry detail throughout depicting Neoclassical motifs compri...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

ANTIQUE FLAMED HARDWOOD DESK FROM PRINCESS DIANA'S FAMiLY HOME SPENCER HOUSE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal house antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime antique Edwardian circa 1910-1920 Flamed Mahogany twin pedestal desk with green leather writing surface from Princess Diana Spencer’s London family home Spencer House...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Georgian Solid Mahogany Desk Says Knee, Late 18th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
A small Georgian period mahogany knee-hole desk with blue leather sliding writing surface. It has a single full width central drawer topped by a hinged cupboard door in the knee ho...
Category

18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Ebonized Pine Pedestal Desk
Located in Batley, GB
An attractive ebonised pine pedestal desk with green baize top. Handy pull out tray drawers and nicely worn throughout. In good solid order. Early 20th cen...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with copper hardware. Measures: 36" W x...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Solid Walnut Spanish Baroque Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
An 18th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid Walnut Wood with turned legs joined by a Two drawers with original iron drawe...
Category

18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century English Vernacular Oak Work Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1780. 18th century English vernacular oak work table We can also customise existing pieces to suit your scheme/requirements. We have our own workshop, restorers and finishers...
Category

18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Elm Desk with Two Drawers and Ornate Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty period Chinese elm wood desk from the early 20th century, with two drawers, brass hardware and carved spandrels. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty per...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Art Nouveau Beech Writing Table, Desk or Side Table, circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
French writing table, little desk or side table, circa 1900. Made in the art Nouveau period : the carving of the drawer and its handle is typical of the lines of this artistic movem...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Czech Art Deco Oak Writing Desk Made in the 1930s, Restored
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Czech Art Deco oak writing desk made in the 1930s, restored Revived polish. Leg space: height: 62.5 cm (24.6 in) width: 71.5 cm (28.1 in)
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

French 18th Century Bleached Desk
Located in Seaford, GB
A stunning 18th Century Desk. Made from solid Cherry having 2 cupboards and a central drawer, key present. Finished round the back so can be free st...
Category

Late 18th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Art Deco Writing Table and Chair by Sue et Mare
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
DESK AND CHAIR BY SUE ET MARE A French Art Deco ladies writing desk and chair of exceptional quality by Louis Sue and Andre Mare produced...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Country French Double-Faced Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French Double-Faced Desk was crafted by master artisans creating a superlative choice for any office! Finished on all four sides, it can be placed anywhere in the ro...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique American Industrial Iron and Maple Childs School Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American industrial iron and maple childs school writing desk. Item features a lower cubby storage to side, iron frame, pivoting backrest, very nice antique item, quality Ame...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Walnut Double Pedestal Desk, Writing Table, Leather Top, Scotland 1930
Located in Vancouver, BC
Vintage Walnut Double Pedestal desk, writing table, leather top, Scotland 1930, H736 Scotland 1930 Solid walnut Original finish 3 leather se...
Category

Early 20th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany Wall Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI mahogany wall desk is ideal as an ancillary desk in the office, or at home in the library, study or as a student's desk! Drawers and cabinets provide the per...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk, Jindrich Halabala, UP Zavody, 1930s, Czechia
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Restored Bauhaus oak writing desk designed by Jindrich Halabala. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia Maker: UP Zavody. Material: Oak, chrome-plated steel Color: Brown The chr...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Art Nouveau Freestanding Writing Table, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
Art Nouveau freestanding desk with 5 drawers. Very good condition according to age. Only minimal scratches, surface gently restored.
Category

1920s European Art Nouveau Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk Designed by Jindrich Halabala, Czechia, 1920s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Art Deco walnut writing desk designed by Czech Architect Jindrich, 1920-1929. Maker: UP Zavody. Completely professionally restored. The...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Sicilian Writing Desk in Ebony Embellished with Tortoiseshell Inserts and Silver
Located in Barletta, IT
Writing desk in ebony embellished with tortoiseshell inserts and silver finishes. Drawers along with a sliding and folding top. Origin: Southern Italy, Sicily Period: mid-1700s Di...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Silver

Antique French Louis XVI Neoclassical Double Faced Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI Neoclassical Double Faced desk has captured the essence of the architecture and embellishment of ancient Greece and Rome! Han...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style giltwood carved center gall table with marble top. The rectangular shaped frame intricately carved frame with an "X" stretcher centered...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

18th Century Country French Child's Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 18th century Country French child size desk, made of solid cherry. Beautifully crafted with turned legs and carved stretcher with center finial. Candle stand on the right, att...
Category

Late 18th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

20th Century White-Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pinewood Bureau, Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed with two upper doors, three large drawers and many small storage spaces, enhanced by detailed wood carvings. The doors have the original window panes in glass. The secretary writing table, desk represents the Neoclassical Greek style with the original bronze hardware and key. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1910-1920...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique Georgian early 18th Century cross banded walnut bureau desk writing tabl
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian walnut and fruitwood drop well bureau desk writing table early 18th Century. This is a lovely bureau, that is full of age, charm and charac...
Category

18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mahogany Desk by Thomas Chippendale
Located in New Orleans, LA
This writing desk from the highly esteemed Thomas Chippendale is exceptionally rare and unique. The renowned cabinetmaker was the first craftsman to exhibit such a strong following that an entire style bears his name and not that of a monarch. He was famous for using the highest quality timbers, the finest quality mounts and for striving for perfection in every piece of furniture he created. Chippendale's clients included Catherine II of Russia, famed actor David Garrick...
Category

18th Century English Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1920s United States Roll Top Office Desk with Drawers and Wheels
Located in Marbella, ES
1920 United States roll top office desk with drawers and wheels.
Category

Early 20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

George III Green Japanned Table
Located in Essex, MA
With possible later painted decoration. With a great look and nice appearance. The rectangular top with a fold over top to form a writing surface over a frieze with a single drawer,...
Category

1770s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

18th Century Painted Lamp Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
18th C English painted oak lamp table on cabriole legs. 1780. Reference: 7727 Dimensions 34 inches (86 cms) Wide 20 inches (51 cms) Deep 30.5 inches (77 cms) High
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Swedish Art Deco Axel E Hjorth "Roma" Desk
Located in Uccle, BE
Produced by Bodafors in Sweden. Stained flamed birch desk "Roma" for Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, SMF. Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Axel Einar Hjorth (1888-1959) was an importa...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

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