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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
18th Century Painted Oak Bureau Bible Box on Stand
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A wonderful characterful late 18th century portable painted carved oak bureau or bible box on a stand. There is carved detail throughout, in a mainly fl...
Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Fine 18th Century Mahogany Free Standing Library Desk
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine quality late 18th century mahogany free standing library desk, the flame mahogany cupboards with ebony fluting to the sides of the kneehol...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

A rare French Louis XIV large pewter and fruitwood inlaid marquetry desk
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare French Louis XIV large pewter and fruitwood inlaid marquetry desk called “bureau Mazarin” attributed to Pierre Gole (1620 – 1684) Dimensi...
Category

Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Pewter

Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Amaranth Bureau Plat
By Philippe Claude Montigny
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the style of Montigny (Philippe-Claude Montigny, mai^tre in 1770), the rectangular tooled leather-lined top surrounded with a later ormolu border, above two frieze drawers and sim...
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique quality late 18th Century mahogany writing side dressing table desk
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality late 18th Century mahogany writing side dressing table desk. Lovely age colour and patina. No loose joints. Full of age, character...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Circa 18th Century English Unusual Size Painted Knee Hole Desk or Side Table
Located in London, GB
A charming diminutively sized English kneehole desk. It was not originally made for a child but could be used as such as well as for an adult. Repainted sympathetically in a dark blu...
Category

Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique English Georgian Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique slant front secretary desk with graduated drawers (one over two short, over two long) with retracting supporting brackets...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

18th Century French Boulle Louis XVI Style Mazarin
Located in Houston, TX
The 18th Century French Boulle Louis XVI Style Mazarin exudes timeless elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. Adorned with intricate detailing characteristic of the Boulle style, this...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

"Roller" desk Louis XVI from the late 1700s with floral inlays
Located in Cesena, FC
Emilian "roller" writing desk of great quality, the manufacture is along the lines of Rolo, late 1700s Louis XVI. Entirely veneered in walnut, with beautiful floral inlays, Bois de ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI writing desk with pull-out surface, featuring an inlaid compass rose
Located in Cesena, FC
Elegant Louis XVI writing desk with pull-out writing surface, inlaid on the top with a compass rose. Elegant writing desk with pull-out writing surface, inlaid on the top with a com...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Maple

Late 18th Century Mahogany Veneered Architect's Table, Stamped
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 18th Century Mahogany Veneered Architect's Table, Stamped France, 1790-1800 A late 18th century Directoire mahogany architect's table also called as table Tronchin...
Category

1790s French Directoire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

ANTIQUE 1684 DATED HAND CARVED 17TH CENTURY LIFT TOP WRITiNG TABLE DESK BIBLE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, late 17th century, hand caved 1684 lift top writing work table traditionally used for bible s...
Category

1680s English Charles II Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

18th Century Louis XVI desk with sheath legs.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Beautifully scaled mahogany and mahogany veneer bureau plat from the Louis XVI period Double-sided decoration, with lateral pulls., resting on elegant tapered legs, with brass beadin...
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Leather Top Cocobola Wood Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable Louis XV style ladies writing desk handcrafted in exotic cocobola wood with a leather top on a one drawer case over elegant cabriole legs with ormolu front feet.
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cocobolo

18th Century Louis XVI Style Blue Painted Table / Desk from France
Located in Houston, TX
The 18th Century Louis XVI Style Blue Painted Table from France embodies the spirit of the era with its symmetrical and balanced design. Each detail, from the delicate floral motifs ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Paint

George III Period Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Montreal, QC
George III Period Mahogany Desk two drawer resting on on square tapered legs castors and the top inset with gold-tooled red leather. England: circa 1790
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Scottish, George III Mahogany and Sycamore Banded Cylinder Bureau
Located in Woodbury, CT
Scottish George III mahogany and sycamore banded cylinder bureau / desk. The revolving cover encloses a leather inset, articulating writing surface and an arrangement of pigeon hole...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Sycamore, Satinwood, Yew, Burl

Late 17th Century Catalan Oak Console Table or Writing Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Late 17th century Catalan oak console table, or writing desk, from Spain. Hand-carved in oak circa 1680-1709. Constructed with mortise and tenon joints. Thick plank top resting upon ...
Category

Late 17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Bureau Having Well Figured Fall Flap Above Four Long Drawers With Original Water Gilt Handles Raised On Original Bracket Feet (Typical of the lat...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Tulipwood Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive late 18th century French writing desk with a tooled black leather top, probably original, on a case with three drawers in front, having wreath escutcheons, and reverse of ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tulipwood

George III Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with old brown leather top and cross banded edge. Three drawer and false drawers on reverse. String inlay and brass bail handles on the drawers. Raised on square tapered ...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th century walnut knee Hole desk
Located in Penzance, GB
This is a really nice 18th century figured walnut Knee Hole desk .This desk has oak linings, cock beaded drawers and is sitting on bracket feet ,the veneer is well figured and is a good colour .The top has a two piece mirrored...
Category

Early 18th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italy Late 18th Century Regency Walnut Console or Wall Desk Hand Carved
Located in Brescia, IT
This an elegant piece with an untimeless beauty. The dimensions, the proportions, the wavy edge and the slender legs are elements of value. It can be useful as console or desk; in...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

George II Irish Mahogany Rent Table
Located in New York, NY
George II Mahogany Rent table with lettered inlaid drawer front & swiveling leather top ( see video) raised on carved cabriole legs terminating in carved scroll feet. with key leathe...
Category

Early 18th Century Irish George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th-C. French Louis XV Style Carved Oak Tooled Leather & Bronze Writing Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a special piece! It is a late 18th century carved oak and gilt bronze writing desk. It has two drawers and two identical faux drawers. Each foot is capped in bronze. The felt...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

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

18th C. Continental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat W Gilt Bronze Ormolu
Located in Southampton, NY
18th C. Continental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat with Gilt Bronze Ormolu sourced by designers Parish Hadley. Black lacquer with fine gilt bronze ormolu. Chinoiserie decorati...
Category

18th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Walnut Writing Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Queen Anne era Walnut writing table, with bordered edge and book matched burl walnut veneer with mixed wood inlays to the top with rounded corners to the front, shaped inlay apron,...
Category

Mid-18th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Regence Ebonized And Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top with inset black tooled leather surrounded by a brass inlaid ebonized border with brass edge. The frieze with three drawers with cast bronze handles and three ...
Category

1730s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Circa 1790 George III Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This George III table has gold embossed trim around a beautifully weathered dark green-blue leather tabletop. The square body has been made entirely from mahogany with a mahogany ven...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

17-1800's Antique Italian Walnut Trestle Library, Carved, Border Table / Desk!!
Located in Austin, TX
Outstanding Antique Table / Desk, Italian Walnut Trestle Library, Carved, Border, 18th /19th Century, 1700's-1800's! This antique library table/desk is a stunning example of Italian...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Early 18th Century Italian Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very handsome early 18th century Italian Side Table - Writing Table. Beautifully constructed from walnut with a wonderful solid board top, a single drawer and slightly splayed leg...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Circa 1780 English George III Patinated Oak Antique Writing Table
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III PROVINCIAL PATINATED OAK THREE-DRAWER WRITING TABLE England, circa 1780 with scrolled cupid's bow apron Item # 312EKH07Q A beautifully patinated writing table from the G...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare 18th Century Georgian Period Mahogany Architect Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
This rare and elegant Georgian Architect’s desk has a ratchet top, extending drawer front, as well as storage compartments. Architect desks, m...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine and rather unusual 18th century Swedish rococo desk in it's original finish with one lid to the interior compartment. Ca 1760 Sweden
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Fruitwood Secretary 1770
Located in Pomona, CA
French Fruitwood Bureau/ Secretary c1770. The desk has a secret storage area behind the removable center pigeonhole"
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

17th Century Spanish Writing Table - Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An outstanding and very handsome 17th century Spanish Writing Table - Desk from the Catalan region of Spain. Beautifully constructed from stunning walnut & chestnut with drawers, a ...
Category

17th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chestnut, Walnut

Georgian Regency Octagonal Library Table with Green Leather Top
Located in London, GB
An elegant late George III – early Regency period octagonal library drum table with aged green leather lined top and four drawers English, circa 1800. Why we like it Unusual and ele...
Category

Late 18th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

18th Century Poudreuse and Ladies Desk - Table d'Accouchée, France, circa 1760
Located in Greven, DE
18th Century Coiffeuse and reading table - so-called Table d'Accouchée France Rosewood around 1760 Dimensions: H x W x D: 72 x 63 x 39 cm Description: Rare, two-part and multifunctional little table with neatly arranged grain patterns in light rosewood...
Category

1760s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood, Rosewood

17th Century Italian Writing Table - Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very beautiful 17th century Writing Table - Side Table from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully constructed from walnut with a single drawer and cross stretchers. A minimal...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Regence Walnut Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 18th century French Regence Bureau Plat. Four drawers, with pieced leather top with carved design in the center and around the edges. Wa...
Category

18th Century French Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century in vine wood. Cut-out and wavy top, framed by a recess, waist with a drawer, cut-out and notched skirts, curved legs with notched knees, claw-and-ball...
Category

18th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

17th Century Italian Carved Walnut Table or Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
17th century Italian walnut library table or writing desk. Desk features three drawers amongst beautifully floral carved apron. Legs are carved in an old style swirl-twist shape on b...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century in walnut wood with a vine top, wavy front with two drawers and cut-out skirts. Metal hardware. Small defects Dim.: 89 x 120 x 66 cm
Category

18th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

A very fine and rare 18th desk by Important Parisian ebeniste Pierre Migeon
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare 18th century Secretaire desk by Pierre Migeon Sr. . A family of Important Parisian ebenistes in the early to mid 18th century . Three generations of very fine c...
Category

Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Porcelain, Mahogany, Walnut

Spanish Table From The 17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Spanish table with lyre legs from the Spanish Renaissance of the 17th century large table which has a very beautiful chestnut top in one piece with a beautiful patina It rests on a ...
Category

17th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chestnut

18th Century Spanish Colonial Baroque Walnut Two Drawer Table
Located in Milford, NH
A good example of a Spanish Colonial Baroque solid walnut two drawer table with original lock hardware, pegged construction, bobbin turned legs, and strong base stretchers. Dates to ...
Category

18th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique George III Banded Satinwood Lady's Writing Desk with Rosewood Inlay
Located in Morristown, NJ
18th c., England, a delightful George III cheveret lady's writing desk in two parts. The upper five-drawer cabinet with conforming guard over fitted drawers, resting on a table with ...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ivory, Satinwood, Rosewood, Leather

Spanish Renaissance Desk In Walnut-17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Spanish Renaissance table in walnut from the beginning of the 17th century Exceptional quality table. Museum quality Elegant desk or display table that has two drawers. The t...
Category

Early 17th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French 18th Century Poplar & Oak Writing Table Louis XV Period
Located in Labrit, Landes
Writing table or desk made of poplar in the french 18th century, Louis XV period. Height between the roof and the belt 20.87 in. (53 cm). Totally authentic, this piece of furniture w...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Poplar

17th Century Italian Oak Wood Antique Fratino Table or Desk with Lyre Legs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Important antique solid oak wood table from the mid 17th century. Oak wood has acquired a beautiful antique patina presenting the signs of all the past centuries. This type of table ...
Category

Mid-17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk
Located in IT
18th Century, Franch Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk Measures: cm H 94 x W 83,5 x D 46; D with the open panel 82 cm, H of the desk top 69,5 cm This elegant desk was made in France ...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Spanish Charles IV Walnut Marquetry Writing Desk Side Table c. 1790
Located in London, GB
A fine Charles IV walnut writing desk/side table with decorative inlaid marquetry work in blonde wood and ebony. Featuring forged iron hardware to the single large drawer, with worki...
Category

Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Louis XV Walnut Table or Ladies Desk
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This antique French Louis XV side table, or ladies desk, is a real 18th century gem. Crafted from walnut, and opening with a single apron drawer, it would make a fabulous end table, ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Louis XVI Solid Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian writing desk of the period Louis XVI, 18th century. Rare and precious solid walnut wood. Comfortable size for a practical use. The desk has elegant turned leg...
Category

1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Barocchetto da Viaggio walnut writing desk, northern Italy 18th century
Located in Milano, IT
Walnut travel desk with scarab concealing twelve drawers, the six smaller side ones. Small desk pulls on front, large drawer below. Removable movable legs with external locking screw...
Category

Early 1700s Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Baroque Period Dark Walnut and Iron Center or Writing Table, ca. 1675
Located in Atlanta, GA
In its day a portable table these sometimes referred to as “guard room tables” have hinges atop the trestle supports and fold up when the iron stretch...
Category

1670s Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

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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