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Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

CHESTERFIELD STYLE

The expansion of the British Empire brought Chesterfield sofas around the world, such as in Canada, where the word “chesterfield” refers to any type of sofa. Antique Chesterfield-style furniture now includes seating in a range of sizes and aesthetics, from velvet love seats and linen-upholstered club chairs to ottomans accompanying classic leather sofas.

Popular lore dates the Chesterfield sofa to Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield. The arbiter of taste and manners in 18th-century England was best known for publishing guides on how to behave in society to attain success. The story goes that he commissioned a sofa in the mid-1700s designed so he could sit on it while not wrinkling his clothes. He later bequeathed it to his godson, and the seating style spread in popularity, eventually becoming an icon of British interior design.

Although this origin is not recorded, it resonates with the iconic sofa’s urbane sophistication. Traditionally made with tall rolled arms the same height as the back, deep buttoning on dark brown leather upholstery, tacked trim and an imposing yet elegant profile, it evokes English estates and the gentlemen’s clubs of London. It became a staple amid the Victorian era’s embrace of comfort. Tartan versions were in Queen Victoria’s drawing room at Balmoral Castle, giving the space a Scottish flair.

Some Chesterfield sofas are slimmed down in shape, others have taller legs for a lighter appearance. And while leather Chesterfield sofas are a more common variant — and can easily elevate a workspace as luxury office furniture — a velvet Chesterfield sofa possesses a singular chameleonic property, softening and emboldening the spaces it inhabits. Whether it’s the focal point of a living room, hotel lobby or trendy restaurant, the Chesterfield remains a status symbol, channeling the sophisticated tastes of its namesake.

Find a collection of antique Chesterfield seating, including sofas, settees, armchairs and lounge chairs, on 1stDibs.

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Style: Chesterfield
Large original 20th Century Classical English Writing Desk, circa 1910-1920
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood and mahogany stained body. Leather-covered worktop. Freely adjustable in the room. Desk consists of three parts (2 containers + worktop). The desk is an absolute classic a...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Large original 20th Century Classical English Writing Desk, circa 1910-1920
Large original 20th Century Classical English Writing Desk, circa 1910-1920

Large original 20th Century Classical English Writing Desk, circa 1910-1920

$2,216
English Regency Desk with Foldable Desk / Writing Table 20th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Extraordinary English regency desk with hinged sides and red leather top. 5 drawers in the front and 5 panels on the back. The leather top is provided with very thick embossing. The ...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

English Regency Desk with Foldable Desk / Writing Table 20th Century
English Regency Desk with Foldable Desk / Writing Table 20th Century

English Regency Desk with Foldable Desk / Writing Table 20th Century

$3,284
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Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany
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Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany
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Antique Quality Early 20th Century Mahogany Writing Table - Desk Side Dressing
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H 32.29 in W 42.13 in D 20.87 in
Mid-20th Century Wood Bureau a Gradin/Writing Desk Table
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The piece's clean, rectangular silhouette and streamlined profile convey a refined elegance, expertly constructed from high-quality wood. Featuring six drawers - three on the front ...
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Mid-20th Century Wood Bureau a Gradin/Writing Desk Table
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H 38.19 in W 46.86 in D 22.45 in
20th Century Swedish Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 20th-century Swedish writing desk exudes the timeless simplicity and elegance of Scandinavian design. Crafted from pine, the desk features clean, minimalist lines and a lightly ...
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20th Century Swedish Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

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20th Century Swedish Writing Desk
20th Century Swedish Writing Desk

20th Century Swedish Writing Desk

$3,950
H 29.625 in W 44.875 in D 22.625 in
Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in west palm beach, FL
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Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk
Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk

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$1,080 Sale Price
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H 30 in W 44 in D 22 in
20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Table - Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large vintage Mid-Century modern Italian writing table made of hand crafted polished Rosewood designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, in good condition. The sculptural desk is compo...
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20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Table - Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Tecno
20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Table - Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Tecno

20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Table - Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Tecno

$11,900
H 28.5 in W 113.75 in D 35.5 in
20th Century Italian Rosewood Bernini Writing Table, Desk by Gianfranco Frattini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A freestanding, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian writing table made of hand crafted polished Brazilian Rosewood and Walnut, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in good cond...
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20th Century Italian Rosewood Bernini Writing Table, Desk by Gianfranco Frattini
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$16,700
H 30.25 in W 51 in D 32.25 in
20th Century Swedish Art Deco Jacarandawood Writing Table - Vintage Bronze Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A freestanding, vintage Art Deco Swedish writing table made of hand crafted polished Jacarandawood, in good condition. The rectangular Scandinavian desk has one large drawer in the c...
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Metal, Brass, Bronze

20th Century Swedish Art Deco Jacarandawood Writing Table - Vintage Bronze Desk
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20th Century Swedish Art Deco Jacarandawood Writing Table - Vintage Bronze Desk

$9,700
H 30 in W 56.75 in D 28.75 in
20th Century Ico Parisi Wooden Writing Desk with Two Drawers, 50s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Turin, Turin
Ico Parisi was born in Palermo, Italy, in 1916, but as early as 1925 with his family he moved to Como, where in 1936 he graduated as a building surveyor and served an apprenticeship at the Terragni studio. Discharged from the front in 1943, he returned to Como and resumed his design activity, dealing with the creation of individual furnishings, exhibition layouts and interior architecture. He collaborated with Luisa Aiani, whom he married in 1947 and with whom he opened the studio La Ruota. In the 50s he designed furniture, first in one-piece and later for Industrial Production with companies such as Cassina. In the 60s, with the "Contenitoriumani" he began a new path aimed at defining a utopian-existential IDEA of living. The culmination of his research is between 1974 and 1976 with "Operation Arcevia," aimed at designing an entire Community. Here we have a wooden desk designed...
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1950s Italian Vintage Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

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20th Century Ico Parisi Wooden Writing Desk with Two Drawers, 50s
20th Century Ico Parisi Wooden Writing Desk with Two Drawers, 50s

20th Century Ico Parisi Wooden Writing Desk with Two Drawers, 50s

$9,970
H 29.93 in W 38.98 in D 19.3 in
20th Century Louis Phillippe Writing Desk
Located in Tarry Town, NY
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20th Century Louis Phillippe Writing Desk
20th Century Louis Phillippe Writing Desk

20th Century Louis Phillippe Writing Desk

$3,900
H 32 in W 35.5 in D 20 in
Early 20th century English leather top desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century leather top mahogany desk circa 1910. Original red leather writing surface with gold tooling, with obvious signs of use.  Fitted with 3 drawers above the the knee...
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Early 20th Century English Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

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Brass

Early 20th century English leather top desk
Early 20th century English leather top desk

Early 20th century English leather top desk

$3,084
H 29.5 in W 52 in D 32.25 in
English Hepplewhite Mahogany Three Drawer Writing Table. Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English Hepplewhite mahogany three drawer writing table with circular brasses and terminating on squared tapered legs. Late 18th Century
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Materials

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English Hepplewhite Mahogany Three Drawer Writing Table. Circa 1790
English Hepplewhite Mahogany Three Drawer Writing Table. Circa 1790

English Hepplewhite Mahogany Three Drawer Writing Table. Circa 1790

$7,800
H 28 in W 33 in D 17.5 in
Previously Available Items
Large Classic 20th Century English Writing Desk mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Body made of solid wood and stained mahogany. Leather covered worktop. Freely adjustable in every room. Desk consists of three parts (2 containers + worktop). The desk is an absolute...
Category

20th Century Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Large Classic 20th Century English Writing Desk mahogany
Large Classic 20th Century English Writing Desk mahogany

Large Classic 20th Century English Writing Desk mahogany

H 29.53 in W 73.23 in D 42.92 in

Chesterfield desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chesterfield desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chesterfield desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,662 and tops out at $4,349 while the average work can sell for $3,005.

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