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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1910s
Swedish Country 3 Drawer Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish country 3 drawer desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1880s Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Cherry Side Table or Small Desk, One Drawer
Located in Port Chester, NY
A simple handsome side table or smaller writing table/desk in vibrant cherry. Classic tapered legs and a single drawer. We have put this table in the writing table or desk category b...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Table. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This exceptional Biedermeier single drawer table was made during the early Viennese Biedermeier period, circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticat...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1800s French Antique Patinated Ecritoire
Located in High Point, NC
This antique ecritoire was crafted in 19th century France. A heavily distressed wooden ecritoire, this desk organizer flaunts a spacious case with an elegant slant top and a subtle c...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Writing Table Carved Oak Desk Lion Mask Louis XIII Style
Located in Labrit, Landes
Writing table or desk Henri II (also named Louis XIII style) 19th century with lion masque drawer handle Table height: 27.56 in. (70 cm) Hand carved oak R...
Category

1880s French Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique Partner Desk
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique teak partners desk that can be used from 2 sides. Entirely in very good condition. Green gold-edged leather top. The desk has no drawer in the middle and therefore ...
Category

1850s Indian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Fine Quality Antique Victorian Freestanding Maple & Co. Inlaid Writing Desk
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine quality Victorian freestanding Maple & Co. inlaid writing desk having original pierced brass galleries, mirror to the centre with a pretty inlaid rail above flanked by two faux ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique La
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Exquisite English lap traveling desk portable. Countryside writing bureau in good condition considering the usage of the period in quality warm walnut wood. Rising on a later brass s...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Zierlicher Jugendstil Schreibtisch, Vogelaugenahorn, Wien um 1910
Located in Wien, AT
Objekt: Schreibtisch Entwurf: unbekannt, Wien um 1910 Modell-Nummer: - Ausführung: unbekannte Kunstmöbeltischlerei, Wien um 1910 Maße in cm (H x B x T): 76 x 90 x 55 Material: Vogela...
Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

Beautiful Victorian Oak Pedestal Desk Made By Howard&Sons
Located in Crawley, GB
Beautiful small oak pedestal desk made be Howard&Sons between 1860-1890 , with brown leather and gilt tooled inset top above an arrangement of ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Antique French Cherry Wood Kitchen Table or Small Desk or Writing Table Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Country French Small kitchen table or nice size small writing table or desk. Single drawer on one-side with hand-cut dovetail construction....
Category

1890s French Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry

Antique French Desk Writing Table Renaissance Wide Drawer Oak Barley Twist
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS 19th century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Desk or Writing Table with Wide Drawer, 3" Barley Twist Legs, Stretcher and Up Finial ~~circa 1880s With so many p...
Category

1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique 19thC English Victorian Hobbs Kneehole Cylinder Roll Writing Bureau Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century Hobbs & Co London kneehole cylider writing desk. Made of oak featuring seven drawers with roll top that opens to multiple compartments and cubbies, three more dr...
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Black Gustavian Writing Desk with 5 Drawers, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish office writing desk in Gustavian black paint with five drawers, red leather embossed top and the original brass hardware.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine, Leather

Antique Ladies Writing Desk, English, Correspondence Table, Victorian, C.1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ladies writing desk. An English, mahogany and leather correspondence table, dating to the early Victorian period, circa...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1800s Antique French Oromlu-Mounted, Burlwood, 3-Piece Set, Desk, Office Suite!!
Located in Austin, TX
Extraordinary Set, truly outstanding quality, monumental! Antique Desk, Office Suite, French Ormolu-Mounted Burlwood, 3-Piece Set, 1800's, 19th Century!! This set is made in classic...
Category

19th Century French Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Inlaid Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
An absolutely exquisite antique French inlaid bureau plat desk. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1880-1890 period. It is one of ...
Category

1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Walnut Writing Table or Desk with Drawer
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French Henri II Renaissance style hand pegged walnut writing table or side table is finished on all sides, allowing it to be placed in the center of a room. It...
Category

Late 19th Century French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

English Pine Two Drawer Table
Located in Wilson, NC
English pine two drawer table in England, they refer to this as ''pitch pine'', here we call it ''heart pine'', by whatever term, it is beautiful wood...
Category

1870s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

George III Style Mahogany And Brass Inlaid Carleton House Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with central leather liner hinged writing surface surrounded by drawers and doors. The back finished Frieze drawers all with brass inlays. Raised on square tapered le...
Category

1850s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Desk circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Desk circa 1880
Category

1880s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Davenport Desk, Germany, 1870
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a delightful German Davenport desk dating back to 1870. This small and narrow desk showcases a distinctive design with an inclined top table and a convenient box with a lid. Its unique shape corresponds to the renowned typology known as the Davenport desk, named after Captain Davenport...
Category

1870s German Louis Philippe Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French mahogany and marble top centre table
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century French mahogany and marble top centre / occasional table in the manor of Francois Linke (1855 – 1946) having the original inset rouge marble top, with a single oak lined...
Category

1890s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Rosewood 'Collapsible' Campaign Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
An Ingenious 'Collapsible' Campaign Pedestal Desk Constructed from rosewood, each pedestal supported on tapering feet, one enclosing two drawer...
Category

19th Century English Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Wooden Partners' Desk
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very handsome 19th century partners' desk with five drawers. The finish is natural wood, with smoothly rounded corners and sturdy turned legs terminating in brass sabots. The recta...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes This is a very r...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

A Regency Rosewood Kidney Shaped Writing Table
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A regency period rosewood lyre eneded kidney shaped writing table, with brass lyres and leathered top.
Category

19th Century European Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Biedermeier Ash Table. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine Biedermeier ash table was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design, exce...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash

Antique Louis XV Provincial Style Fruit Wood Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XV style fruit wood writing table / desk, 19th century with alterations. With a rectangular top with slightly beveled edges and canted corners, two frieze drawers with ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquered Louis XV Style Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A French Louis XV style black lacquered writing table or bureau plat. With three working drawers, including original key and blind drawers at the front. Fitted throughout with fine g...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Swedish 3 Drawer Country Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Country Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1880s Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Provençal Hand-Carved Walnut Knee Hole Desk with 5 Drawers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
French 19th century Provençal hand-carved walnut knee hole 5 drawer desk with cabriole legs.
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

19th Century walnut desk by Gillows
Located in Martlesham, GB
An exhibition quality 19th Century walnut Bonheur Du Jour / desk by Gillows, the top having a brass gallery running along all three sections, a cupboard at the centre with a glazed d...
Category

1860s British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Rustic Neoclassic Faded Walnut 1-Drawer Table, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a three board top slightly overhanging the rectangular case, the case housing one drawer missing bottom left corner, the opposite side with decorative shaped wooden corners at...
Category

1810s Spanish Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Rustic Wabi Sabi Desk, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Populaire; Rustic; Monoxylite; Console; Dining Table; Table; France; Auvergne; Wabi Sabi; Naive; Folk Art; Travail Populaire; Desk; Console Table; 19th-century writing table or...
Category

19th Century French Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Irish Regency Mahogany Drum Table in the Manner of Williams & Gibton
Located in Belfast, IE
A superb Irish Regency period mahogany drum table in the manner of Williams & Gibton- Dublin. The leather lined circular top within a crossbanded border with an arrangement of 2 lon...
Category

Early 19th Century Irish Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Rococo Style Venetian Hand Painted Vanity Desk & Side Tables, Set of 3
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Rococo Style Venetian Hand Painted vanity desk with 2 Single-Drawer Side Tables - 3 Piece Set Rare & Unique Antique Venetian Hand-Craft...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Biedermeier Writing Desk/ Side Table, Austria
Located in Antwerp, BE
This small Lady desk was crafted in Austria. The top is wonderfully smooth and displays the woodgrain beautifully in walnut veneer. The apron houses three drawers, all with quality brass banding inset into the paneling. The two side drawers and middle drawer have drop ring pulls...
Category

1870s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1800s Antique Desk, French Empire Style, Mahogany, Gilt, Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous antique secretaire a abattant, desk, French Empire style, mahogany, gilt, 1800s, 19th century! This stunning French Empire style marble-top mahogany fall-front desk, 19th century, projecting frieze drawer, with gilt metal crossed sword pulls, turned column supports flanking the fall-front panel, opening to gilt embossed leather writing surface, mirrored interior gallery, over dual cabinet doors, opening to reveal three drawers, above lower apron drawer, approximately 56.5" height 37.25" width, 17" depth. Dominated by Greco-Roman models, the Empire style - spare, noble, massive - had a studied dignity consistent with Napoleonic majesty. The characteristic furniture types were a bit stiff but imposing: their flat surfaces and sharp corners, together with their lack of moldings, produced an effect of grandeur that was not without beauty as per Timothy Corrigan The Empire style was deliberately propagandistic, and embraced what was most monumental in ancient art as suitable analogies to the new French Empire. Napoleon imposed a tyrannical centralization on artistic production, decreeing that it would be subject to control from Paris and overseen by the architects Percier and Fontaine...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Very Fine 19th Century Nine Drawer Pedestal Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century mahogany nine drawer pedestal desk, finely hand carved, of fabulous quality and in excellent condition with rich patination and grain. The moulded top of rec...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Solid Oak Baroque Trestle Desk Writing Table or Console
Located in Miami, FL
An 19th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid oak with lyre shaped legs joined by solid wood stretched. Two drawers with original iron drawer pulls. The top is...
Category

1890s Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Walnut Davenport or Ship Captain's Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A walnut davenport or ship captain's desk with marquetry inlay; lift-up compartment with fitted interior, small gallery. Handsome old worn tooled leather ...
Category

19th Century Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Writing Desk or Table of Mahogany with Leather Top from England
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English writing table or desk of mahogany from the 19th century, featuring a leather top embossed with gilt edge, with shaped gallery back, over a frieze of two fitted dra...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Exceptional Louis XV 19th Century Ormolu Mounted Secretaire By Befort Jeune
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 42 3/4 in Width: 29 3/4 in Depth: 16 1/2 in This exceptional Befort Jeune Louis XV style 19th century marble top mahogany sceretaire desk with bronze mounts is ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Fine Quality Francois Linke Style Bronze Mounted Petite Ladies Desk, 1870s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1870s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Victorian Carlton House Painted Library Writing Desk Vinyl Top
Located in Dayton, OH
"A lovely antique late Victorian Carlton House writing desk or library table. Features a ""D"" form with seven drawers, lockable hutch compartment and green vinyl work surface. Ornately designed with a putti or cherub carving a long the knee-hole and tassel / ribboned medallion backing. The desk is supported by four reeded and tapered legs leading to peg feet. Front corners have a neat wrap around leaf motif. Finished in an Antique White that was painted in the 1940s. Hardware is brass. A Carlton House desk is a specific antique desk form within the more general bureau gradin...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Large Victorian Partner Desk, England, 19th Century, Mahogany with Leather
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Victorian Partner Desk, England, 19th Century, Mahogany with Leather England, 19th century. Mahogany. Rectangular writing tablet with rounded corners and embossed leather cove...
Category

1870s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Louis XVI-Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
a Louis XVI-style ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat / desk with rectangular blue-grey leather inset top (new / recently installed) and brass mounted molded edge above three drawers...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Neoclassical Style English Oak Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic 19th century English library table, writing table, or desk hand-crafted from oak. The table features a trestle style base with Greco-Roman corinthian columns in the neoclass...
Category

19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Louis XV Inlaid Palisander Ladies Desk with Brass Ornaments
Located in Sofia, BG
French elegant small desk in palisander veneer, decorated with floral marquetry, revealing drawers, 66X92X43, Louis XV style.
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Palisander

Cylinder Desk, Victorian Period, Flamed Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Magnificent English made cylinder desk in flamed mahogany, Victorian period. Period : 19th century Dimensions : Height : 121cm x length : 138cm x depth : 79cm It has a small support on the top to hold candles or files in progress and a large barrel-fronted desk compartment with a quality interior. Once the cylinder is opened, it reveals the interior of the desk with 10 maple veneer drawers and 6 pigeon holes to hold letters or any type of document to be sent or awaiting processing. This desk has a slide at the front which has three compartments covered with original leather allowing on each side to leave the writings in progress for the left part, the inkwell and the writing utensils for the right part and a slope of writing which can be raised for the central part.  This first part rests on two pedestal bases, each composed of a series of three lockable drawers, equipped with original mahogany handles. Both bases are still equipped with their original brass castors, making the desk easy to manoeuvre. The desk is therefore divided into three individual sections, making it easy to transport and reassemble. The originality of this piece of furniture lies in its closing mechanism.  A cylinder is a movable flap that folds down or up over a series of compartments and drawers, closing the top box of the desk to protect personal documents. In the early models, the cylinder consisted of a relatively fragile system of slatted curtains. This was soon replaced by a rigid quarter-circle panel...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

English Writing Table or Desk with Embossed Leather Top in the William IV Style
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English writing table or desk of patinated mahogany in the William IV style - featuring a moulded rectangular top with a handsome embossed leather writing surface, over a frie...
Category

19th Century English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and petite antique Arts & Crafts period writing bureau in oak. This was made in England, it dates from around 1880-90’s. The size of the pull...
Category

1880s British Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare No.49 Art Nouveau Desk from Finland
Located in Munich, DE
wonderful light and elegant desk from finland by suomen tuoli-, kalusto- ja sorvaustehdas. from the area of jyväskylä & muurame. this small and rare desk will be an wonderful additio...
Category

1910s Finnish Art Nouveau Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Swedish Genuine Country Console Table or Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique console table from the 1820s. The table is a genuine Swedish country furniture made by hand in solid pine. The table has the or...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique Victorian Leather Top Knee Hole Desk
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique Victorian leather top knee hole desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1860-1880. It is of superb quality and is a lovely size. This is all one pie...
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Bureau Plat, French, Walnut, Writing Desk, Louis XV Revival, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bureau plat. A French, walnut and boxwood writing desk in Louis XV revival taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 19...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Boxwood, Walnut

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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