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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Antique William IV Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
An outstanding antique William IV writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840 period. It is of the utmost quality, this stands on bold legs wi...
Category

1830s British William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very useful antique Victorian writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-1880 period. I...
Category

1860s British High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th Century mahogany inlaid writing desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality 19th Century mahogany inlaid writing desk, the super structure comprising of three mahogany lined drawers either side with the original turned brass knob handles and...
Category

1890s British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn5445 Victorian mahogany pedestal desk, having original leather to the top above three frieze drawers and further three graduated cedar and mahogany lined drawers with figured mahog...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn5272 Fine quality 19th century mahogany writing desk of goods proportions, having new tooled black leather to the top flanked by...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Edwardian 1880s Stamped Maple & Co Brown Leather Sheraton Writing Desk Table
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Lovely Edwardian 1880s Stamped Maple & Co Writing Table With Brown Leather Top. This Edwardian 1880s writing desk table is a magnificent ...
Category

19th Century British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Ebonized Fruitwood Center or Writing Table, Napoleon III Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An imposing Napoleon III center table (or 'Table de Milieu') in ebonized fruit wood, rectangular in shape, with rounded sides. Its ornate top, which is bordered all around with a gilt bronze frieze and two further inner bands, features at its centre an intricate marquetry inlaid design of a foliage cartouche framing a vase of flowers. The smoothly curving belt of the table encloses a frieze drawer on one long side, with a repeat, inlaid design that echoes that of the top. The table rests on four turned, tapered and fluted legs, ending in toupie feet, and these are connected by two half-moon spacers...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Victorian Mahogany Dickens Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a Victorian mahogany dickens desk, having four drawers on each side of the top, locked with a side locker, with three green leather inserts an...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Swedish Neoclassical Satin Birch Desk
Located in London, GB
A magnificent antique satin birch Biedermeier leather top desk of the highest order. This was made in Sweden, it dates from around the 1880-1900 period. It has a strong neoclassical...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Birch

SALE 19th Century French Louis XVI Mahogany Inlaid Ladies Desk Brass Ornaments
Located in Sofia, BG
This is a beautiful antique French mahogany inlaid Ladies writing desk made circa 1890. The fall front opens to reveal an interior of leather writing surface, and bank of three drawe...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Knoll International Complete Office Warren Platner Desk and Sideboards
Located in Köln, NRW
Knoll International complete office by Warren Platner desk + sideboards Desk: frame steel columns with special cast iron foot brackets chrome-plated...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Bruce Talbert for Gillows Attributed Gothic Revival Two-Tier Library Table
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, Attributed, a Gothic Revival walnut library or serving table with turned gallery below the upper serving area, on turned legs with ebonized details united by a full si...
Category

Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Victorian Period Burr Walnut Davenport Desk
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning 19th century figured burr walnut Davenport desk. The piano top fall lifts to reveal 2 burr walnut veneered drawers and a pull out and ...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Alfred Waterhouse A Gothic Revival Oak Partners Desk With Two Drawers Each Side
By Alfred Waterhouse
Located in London, GB
Alfred Water House in the style of. A Gothic Revival oak Partners desk with a large open writing area and a pair of drawers to each side and a turned gallery to each end and below the drawers with a central opening for more leg room. The graduating turned legs united by conforming turned gallery to each end on original brass and ceramic castors. A well-designed architectural desk for two...
Category

Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality, unusual, Victorian mahogany kneehole desk by Francis and James Smith, Glasgow. The top, having three leather writing surfaces, each decorated with gold an...
Category

19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Stunning Antique Victorian Fully Restored Sheraton Revival Desk Oxblood Leather
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite fully restored Victorian Sheraton Revival partner desk with oxblood leather writing surface This is pretty much the fi...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Early 19th Century William IV Period Mahogany Library Writing Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A 19th century, William IV period mahogany library writing table. Rectangular green tooled leather top above frieze with geometric moulding to the centre, comprising two drawers with...
Category

Early 19th Century British William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century French Vernis Martin Cylinder Top Desks
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality rare pair of 19th century French Vernis Martin cylinder top desks, each having marble tops with brass gallery, above a hand painted cupboard, flanked by mi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century We present you an elegant and exquisite Victorian vanity table composed ...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1880 Victorian English oak antique knee hole 18 drawer desk A wonderful desk, ...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Small 19th Century French Boulle Bureau Plat
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality small late 19th century French Boulle inlaid bureau plat, having an inset leather top, brass inlay and tortoiseshell to the top, frieze and legs, gilded ormolu mounts, a single frieze drawer with a Bramah lock...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...
Category

19th Century American High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Victorian Carved Mahogany Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Selling is a top quality, unusual mid-Victorian copy of a Chippendale carved desk. The top drawer of the desk, when opened, reveals a rising writing panel and two lift up panels with...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Hardwood Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall Victorian, circa 1870 twin pedestal partner writing desk A very good looking well-made mahogany desk with a leather top made by the highly coveted Hampton & Son’s The top left and right drawers are fully stamped Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall, all other drawers have Hobbs & Co locks, the handles are all period correct and original The top has multiple patina marks and colour variations, the timber on the desk is in a similar order, we have deep cleaned hand condition waxed and hand polished it Dimensions Height 71.5 cm Width 137 cm Depth 80 cm Legroom Height 56 cm Width 60 cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point In 1830 William Hampton opened a shop for the sale of general household furniture in Cranbourn Street. He was subsequently joined by his two sons George and William Powell (the sons of George Hampton; Harold, Fred and Clarence also later entered the business). In 1869 the business expanded with new premises on the corner site comprising 8 Pall Mall East and 1-3 Dorset Place (now Whitcomb Street). Throughout its history the firm suffered a number of serious fires, the first of which occurred in 1890. As the firm continued to expand it took over control of a number of other firms, beginning with James Coulson and Co of Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1898, and in the early 1950's Goodall, Lamb and Highway of King Street, Manchester and Robson and Sons...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Oversized Victorian 1870 Burr Quarter Cut Walnut Knee Hole Pedestal Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1870 solid walnut twin pedestal oversized knee hole desk This desk is sublime, the walnut patina on the drawers is rich and ...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

William IV Mahogany Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A William IV mahogany writing table, with fine patinated to the top and sides, the frieze with geometric moulding to the centre, with...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany Writing or Side Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn5242 Attractive mahogany table, having original leather writing surface showing extensive usage and good antique character above frieze drawer fitted with original working lock and...
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian period pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1860-1880. It is of fantastic quality and has a lovely design. The top has an inverte...
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Regence Style Trellis Parquetry Bureau Plat by François Linke, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Magnificent Regence Style gilt bronze Mounted Trellis Parquetry Bureau Plat by François Linke. French, circa 1890. Linke Index No. 795. Signed to the gilt bronze border ‘F....
Category

Late 19th Century French Régence Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Dining Table of Mahogany with Extension Plates, 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table of mahogany with extension plates, in great antique condition from the 1840s. Fully extendend the table measurese 151 cm.
Category

1840s Danish Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat in the Manner of Charles Cressent, circa 1890
By Charles Cressent
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat in the manner of Charles Cressent. French, circa 1890. With one central frieze drawer and two shaped end drawers, on cabriole ...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Biedermeier Desk with Burl and Inlay
Located in Hudson, NY
Biedermeier desk with burl and inlay. Single drawer with key.
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

English Marquetry Inlaid Bureau De Dame
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Victorian gilt-bronze mounted marquetry inlaid Bureau De Dame. This richly decorated bureau de dame is of bombe shape beautifully inlaid overa...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Figural Griffin Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid walnut Renaissance Revival trestle table which features carved trestle ends depicting griffins with female busts, northwind fac...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

French Tulipwood Writing Desk
Located in Cheltenham, GB
"Hutton-Clarke Antiques is delighted to present a stunning French Tulipwood Writing Desk, dating back to approximately 1860. This exquisite desk stands as a testament to the timeless...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tulipwood

Antique Victorian Burl Walnut Inlaid Marquetry Carved Davenport Desk 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique burl walnut & inlaid marquetry Davenport desk, circa 1860. The davenport is made from the finest figured burl walnut, to the top is a lift up lid with a fitted interio...
Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl, Walnut, Satinwood, Maple, Leather

19th Century Louis XV Style Writing Desk or Center Table
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Extremely elegant Louis XV Style writing desk or center table, with a gracefully adorned floral marquetry and intricate borders on the tray, revealing a single drawer and elegantly c...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Satinwood & Marquetry Desk Stamped by Gillows
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A fine quality mid 19th Century well-figured satinwood and marquetry pedestal desk. Marquetry boxwood, rosewood & ebony line inlaid and satinwood throughout, having brass galleried t...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1800's Antique Breton, Highly Carved, Rare, 6 Drawers, French Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Antique Desk, Breton, Highly Carved, Rare, 6 Drawers, French, 19th C, 1800s!! Gorgeous Antique Desk, Breton. Highly Carved, Rare, 6 Drawers, French, 19th C, 1800s!! This antique des...
Category

19th Century French Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Spanish Baroque Chestnut writing table or desk with turned legs
Located in Casteren, NL
This beautiful antique late 19th-century Spanish Baroque desk or writing table is made of solid chestnut wood with bold-turned legs joined by wrought iron stretchers. The table featu...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Victorian Secretary Desk Circa. 1800's
Located in Fulton, CA
American Victorian secretary desk made of solid walnut. Circa. 1875. Drop-front desk with birdseye maple detail. Carved walnut pulls with "rac...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Walnut

Antique Petite French Carved Oak Dolphin Table Desk Renaissance Gothic 19th C
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique Petite French carved oak dolphin table desk Renaissance Gothic 19th c ~Direct from France~ An elegant antique French carved library table or "bure...
Category

19th Century French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Large Empire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat or Writing Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
A large Empire style mahogany bureau plat or writing desk with a dark green leather writing surface above a central long drawer, flanked to each side by a short drawer. The square ta...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Refined 19th century Louis XVI style desk featuring the original tooled leather top on a case with three drawers in the front and the reverse of the desk with false drawers, geometri...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Burr Walnut Carlton House Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique burr walnut Carlton House desk, made in England and dating from around the 1890-1910 period. This is of outstanding quality with many lovely features. It is a great...
Category

1890s British Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Unusual William IV Work and Writing Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn582A Excellent and very unusual William IV sewing table in rosewood, having 3 dummy drawers to frieze and one drawer which opens to reveal writing section with black leather and pe...
Category

1830s English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

French 19th Century Walnut Desk with Carved Apron and Lateral Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French walnut desk from the 19th century with carved apron and lateral drawer. This elegant French walnut desk from the 19th century is a splendid example of classic craftsmanship,...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Late Victorian Oak Writing Table This is a good solid quality piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Late Victorian Oak Writing Table This is a good solid quality piece made about 1900, with low stretchers and standing on turned legs, the table has 5 drawers the centre one having ...
Category

1890s Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Italian Late Neoclassic Walnut 2-Drawer Library Table / Kitchen Island, ca. 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large and tall in scale this table has a rectangular top with rounded corners atop a conforming frame housing two drawers and raised on turned and tapering legs, its size and storage...
Category

1840s Italian Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality regency davenport, circa 1820. Spindle gallery to the top leading to the original leather writing surface. Top opens to reveal a richly colored interior with 2 drawers....
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Palisander

Louis XV Style Small Writing Table, 19th C
Located in New York, NY
Louis XV / XVI transitional style leather topped mahogany veneered small writing table or "Table a ecrire" late 19th century, and with rectangular leather inset top with three-sided ...
Category

Late 19th Century Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Table en bois laqué noir à décor central marqueté de laiton, Napoléon III
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Table en bois laqué noir à décor central marqueté de laiton, Napoléon III elle ouvre à un tiroir en façade (serrure mais absence de la clé) Repose sur quatre pieds fuselés et cannelé...
Category

1870s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Bureau De Dame
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
19th Century French Bureau De Dame in good condition with brass gallery to the top and decorative inlay to the fall that pulls down to reveal three small drawers and fitted leather w...
Category

1890s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Writing Table Desk Side Dressing Bed
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Introducing an Antique Fine Quality 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Writing Table, which also serves as a desk, dressing lamp, or large bedside table, showcasing a classical Georgian ...
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

A George IV Chinese Amboyna Desk
Located in Conwy, GB
The shaped cornice above a fitted bureau-bookcase enclosed behind solid doors, the central desk drawer has a ratcheted writing slope and is flanked by three graduated drawers to each...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Amboyna

Antique Desk from maker Maple & Co
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful small mahogany desk in perfect condition. The desk has 9 drawers and a tan-colored gold-edged leather top. Original wooden knobs on the drawers. Nice warm color. Desk is fr...
Category

1850s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mazarin Style Center Desk with Drawers in Walnut -1X54
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your study or office with this exquisite Mazarin style center desk from the 19th century. Crafted from rich walnut wood, this desk features a clas...
Category

1850s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Late Victorian Dutch Marquetry Writing Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late 19th century Dutch Marquetry Writing Desk with 6 drawers. Intricately crafted with traditional marquetry techniques it is adorned with stunning inlay patterns of different color...
Category

19th Century American Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood, Oak

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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