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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Late 19th Century
Period: Early 1900s
Louis XVI style French bureau plat after Zweiner
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality, elegant late 19th century French Louis XV style Kingwood serpentine shaped bureau plat, having an inset suede covered writing surface, a single frieze drawer, wonderful gilded ormolu mounts with entwined leaf decoration, the central mount representing a military helmet and flag. Raised on elegant cabriole legs terminating in scrolling ormolu feet. Attributed to Joseph- Emmanuel Zweiner. Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener (b. 1849) was a preeminent cabinetmaker (ébéniste) of German descent, who became one of the most famous furniture...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Art Populaire Writing Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Populaire; Folk Art; Monoxylite; Wabi Sabi; Writing Desk; Rustic; Travail Populaire; Antique; 19th Century; Writing Table; 19th-century folk art writing desk, a timeless piece ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Style Ladies Desk, after Francoise Linke, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century French Louis XVI style ladies writing desk, having an inset leather top, wonderful Fine gilded ormolu mounts, a single frieze drawer opening to revea...
Category

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

Materials

Kingwood

French, Oak Child's School Desk c. 1900's
Located in London, GB
This French 1900's Oak child's school desk is a rare find that exudes immense character. The desk bears the markings of many children who have used it over the years, adding to its c...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Small 19th century writing table with 3 drawers
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful small antique mahogany writing table with 3 drawers. The top is inlaid with green gold-edged leather. Writing table has inlay work. This is done with ebony and satinwood. T...
Category

1870s British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

Antique Estate Desk, Scottish, Oak, Library Table, Gothic Revival, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique estate desk. A Scottish, oak library table with leather skiver in Gothic revival taste, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. W...
Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Walnut Figural Library Table Writing Desk 52
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Neo-Renaissance Revival parlor / library table or writing desk, circa 1870s Made of walnut featuring Neoclassical styling with high relief figural carvings of cherubs / putti...
Category

1870s Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Sheraton Revival Satinwood Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique Sheraton Revival Satinwood desk. This dates from around the 1890-1910 period, and it was made in England. The quality is fantastic, this has beautiful brass handl...
Category

1890s British Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Satinwood

Louis XV Style Rocaille Side Table In Walnut
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
This table is molded. Its scalloped belt opens to a drawer. The drawer is dovetail mounted to ensure perfect solidity. The drawer can be opened daily and hold many objects. It slide...
Category

1870s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Victorian late 19th century carved oak pedestal desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Victorian late 19th century carved oak pedestal desk circa 1890. Good quality pedestal oak desk, comprising of 3 sections.  Shaped top with original leather insert.  Single drawer a...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Louis XIV Style Carved Walnut Library Table Writing Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A finely carved French Louis XIV style walnut writing table. circa 1870 Hand carved in France in the late 19th century, exceptionally executed in grand King Louis 14th taste, hand-c...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Rare 19th century carved mahogany Swedish pedestal desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare 19th century carved mahogany swedish pedestal desk circa 1880. Beautiful desk and rare to be made from mahogany for a swedish piece, believed to be from skottorp castle in the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Desk ~ End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance Writing Desk ~ End Table is a work of the sculptor's art, that also serves as a convenient student desk, writing table or library table. Hand-carved ...
Category

1870s French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Gorgeous quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardwa...
Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Arts & Crafts American Oak Library Table Desk With Barley Twist Legs
Located in Southampton, NJ
American antique Arts & Crafts solid quarter sawn Oak library table with original finish. Unusual in its distinct Mission & English influences. Boasts a single drawer with impressive...
Category

1890s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

English Edwardian Writing Table Bureaux
Located in Leicester, GB
Stunning English Edwardian slim cabinet bureaux in Mahogany. Beautiful inlay decoration. The writing table can be opened and closed with a key and a lock. Inside the writing table th...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

White Painted Gustavian Style Table Writing Desk With One Drawer, circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian style table with single fluted drawer and tapered legs. Restored, later professionally painted in layered shades of white now distressed to add to the character and...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Louis XV Bureau Plat Desk or Writing Table with Embossed Leather
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV desk having embossed leather top and a faux front on its back so will look lovely in the center of any room. The writing desk has three spacious drawer...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic original antique Victorian leather top desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1880-1900. The quality i...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Leather

Antique French Walnut Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French walnut bureau plat desk, dating from around the 1900-1910 period. It is of outstanding quality, this has fantastic gilt metal ormolu mounts all over, inclu...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Original Jugendstil Herrenschreibtisch+Armlehnstuhl, J. W. Müller (Wien um 1905)
By J.W. Müller
Located in Wien, AT
Objekt: Jugendstil Herrenschreibtisch (freistehend, 9 Schubladen) + Armlehnstuhl Entwurf: J. W. Müller (K.u.K. Hoftischlerei, Wien um 1905) Modell-Nummer: - Ausführung: J. W. Müller ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Carved Tiger Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
HANDSOME Antique French Tiger Oak Renaissance Revival Library Office Desk with Double Drawers, Barley Twist Legs and Stretcher ~~c. 1880s-1900 With so many people working from home,...
Category

1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique Fine Quality C1900 Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Table Desk Dressing
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Fine Quality circa 1900 Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Table, versatile as a desk, dressing, or side table, boasting a simple yet elegant classical design. This remarkable p...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique French Louis XV Style Bureau
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French bureau, dating from around the 1890-1910 period. It is of extremely fine quality, standing on slender yet sturdy cabriole legs and with gorgeous inlaid flo...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Writing Table with Iron Stretcher
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale late nineteenth century Spanish Renaissance style table features a 29-inch wide oak top joined to its elegantly curved legs by means of two splines that run the enti...
Category

Late 19th Century French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Pine Standing Desk with Slant Top, Denmark, 1890s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Antique Danish slant top desk, circa 1890s. Made for a rural schoolmaster, this pine desk retains its original character with minor mars and stains, protected by a smooth finish. Fea...
Category

1890s Danish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique Chippendale Style Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic antique Chippendale style leather top desk in the Chippendale style. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1890-1910 period. It is very well made, sitting o...
Category

1890s British Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Trestle Library Table or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts trestle library table or writing desk By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 48"W x 30"D x 29"H. Professionally res...
Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century Oak Lawyer's Secretary Step Back Flat Top Desk
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a great looking antique desk with plenty of organizing space and storage but there is enough room to work on a laptop. The top is a separate piece and can be removed leaving ...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare Victorian Burr Oak & Walnut Merryweather London 1885 Stamped Desk, Leather
By Merryweather and Sons 1
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian Merryweather Holloway London 1885 stamped burr walnut and oak twin pedestal desk A very fine desk indeed, made ...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut

Gothic Revival Hand-Carved Oak Pedestal Desk, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Gothic Revival pedestal desk. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s The craftsmanship of this impressive piece of furniture is outstanding! Executed in so...
Category

Early 1900s Dutch Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

19th Century French Desk
Located in Nashville, TN
This is an amazing 19th century French desk! The piece has a simple design with smooth clean lines but still has so much character! The curved stretcher design of the legs adds a uni...
Category

1880s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Antique mahogany campaign desk
Located in Salisbury, GB
Military campaign desk This large Military campaign desk was made in the last quarter of the 19th century. It is made of mahogany with brass inset corners and flush brass handles. Th...
Category

1890s English Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th century carved Iitalian walnut and pine occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved italian walnut and pine occasional table circa 1890. An italian multi purpose pine and walnut occasional table. Here we have a table that could used as a small d...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Antique Edwardian Desk / Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A lovely antique Edwardian desk / writing table, made in England and dating from around the 1890-1910 period. It is of superb quality, with a beautiful and elegant design. The top h...
Category

1890s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Victorian Oak Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
An impressive antique Victorian oak leather top writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1870-1890 period. It is of superb quality, solid oak through...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique European Hardwood Desk / 71" Long
Located in thousand oaks, CA
This large antique hand-crafted solid wood desk from Belgium is a stunning piece of furniture that will add a touch of old-world charm to any office or study. Carved and built from s...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Tiger Oak Overmantle Oval Beveled Mirror Mission, America 1920, H700
Located in Vancouver, BC
Tiger Oak Overmantle Oval Beveled Mirror Mission, America 1920, H700 America 1920 Solid Tiger Oak Original finish Large oval beveled glass mirror With platform below Supports on the...
Category

1890s American Mission Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

A fine 19th century French Louis XVI writing desk signed by Maison Krieger
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French Louis XVI Kingwood and gilt bronze mounted writing desk
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Antique Large Victorian Shaped Ornamental Bevelled Mirror Scotland 1890, H607A
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Large Victorian Shaped Ornamental Bevelled Mirror, Scotland 1890, H607A Solid Oak Original finish Carved pediment on top Moulded cornice below Bevelled edge mirror to the ce...
Category

1890s Scottish Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th C Louis XVI Style Ebonised Desk with Brass Mounts and New Leather Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this Louis XVI style desk dates from the 1880s. We had this mahogany desk professionally ebonised in Europe and the leather writing surfaces were also replaced. Lock...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Workshop Desk, England circa 1900
Located in Culver City, CA
England circa 1900 Pine workshop desk with original period paint. Two doors with interior shelving and single drawer. 69.75”L x 16.25”d x 33.5”h
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Pine Writing Desk with Five Drawers, Denmark circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful antique desk is known as a "Hans Christian Andersen" desk. One similar to this can be viewed in the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark which was home t...
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Folk Art Side Table or Desk, Scandinavia
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish Rectangular Folk Art Table or Desk. The table has tonnes of charm, wear and tear to the finish that gives us table an unbeatable patina. Most of the original paint to the si...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique 1900's Rosewood Empire Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
28” x 15.5” x 38.5”H; desk height 28” Gorgeous Empire-style rosewood secretary desk from the turn of the century with Biedermeier influences. • four-way matched rosewood veneer •...
Category

Early 1900s American American Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk, Writing Table, Leather Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI style mahogany desk features a gold tooled red leather top surrounded by a bronze trim border. The corners are detailed with bronze striated plaques. Two drawers of dovetail construction are fitted with bronze square drop handles. The table rests...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Antique Georgian Style Kidney Shaped Desk
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique kidney shaped desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1890-1910 period. This actually has a brass plaque in the top drawer from when it was pres...
Category

1890s British Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Desk by Maison Léger
By Maison Léger
Located in London, GB
Antique French Louis XV style ormolu mounted marquetry desk by Maison Léger French, c. 1880 Height 80cm, width 185cm, depth 98cm This very impressive desk was crafted around 1880 by...
Category

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

Materials

Ormolu

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

Louis XV-inspired Writing Table Stamped H. Nelson, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Stamped H. Nelson Charming Louis XV-inspired scalloped-shaped writing table in kingwood veneer and decorated with a fine gilded and chiseled bronze mount. The tray, surrounded by a ...
Category

1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Porphyry, Bronze

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

Antique Tiger Oak Double Pedestal Free Standing Desk, Scotland 1900, H936
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Tiger Oak Double Pedestal Free Standing Desk, Scotland 1900, H936 Scotland 1920 Solid oak Original Finish Rectangular moulded top With tambour front Opening to reveal numer...
Category

Early 1900s Scottish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Late 19th Century Kidney Shaped Desk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Fine Quality Late 19th Century Mahogany Kidney Shaped Desk, or Dressing Table, Having Attractive Replacement Tooled Leather Inset Top Over Nine Drawers With Original Brass Handles,...
Category

Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique quality large inlaid mahogany kidney shaped desk writing dressing table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique, high-quality large circa 1900 inlaid mahogany kidney-shaped JAS Shoolbred twin pedestal desk, suitable for use as a dressing or writing table. It boasts a delightful age, co...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very well made antique Victorian period writing desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1860-1880. It is of great quality and is a very useful size. The ins...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

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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