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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
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

$3,355
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

$2,264
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Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany Solid mahogany, partially veneered. Baluster-shaped and grooved/channelled legs ending with brass castors. Frame bo...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany
Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany

Classic English Partner Desk/Writing Desk 20th Century, Mahogany

$4,552
H 32.29 in W 44.1 in D 70.87 in
Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Upgrade your workspace with the Vintage MCM Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk. This iconic mid-century modern piece combines sleek lines an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk
Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk

Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk

$1,350
H 30 in W 44 in D 22 in
Small Ladies’ Writing Desk, 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small oval ladies' writing desk in Baroque style, featuring hand-painted floral decoration on a cream-colored base. Fitted with one wide central drawer and three narrow drawers in ea...
Category

20th Century German Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Ladies’ Writing Desk, 20th Century
Small Ladies’ Writing Desk, 20th Century

Small Ladies’ Writing Desk, 20th Century

$1,917
H 30.71 in W 40.16 in D 28.35 in
20th Century French Writing Table Hand Carved and Painted in Louise xvi Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French wooden hand painted table with cognac velvet top. The table is hand carved with typical details for Louise XVI style like the gilt wood ribbons at the front and the fluted leg...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century French Writing Table Hand Carved and Painted in Louise xvi Style
20th Century French Writing Table Hand Carved and Painted in Louise xvi Style

20th Century French Writing Table Hand Carved and Painted in Louise xvi Style

$1,179 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.53 in W 35.44 in D 23.63 in
Vintage Satinwood Marquetry Carlton House Writing Desk 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Here we have a very attractive Carlton House Desk which has been hand crafted from the very finest satinwood and decorated with inlaid marquetry and dates from the late twentieth cen...
Category

1990s English Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

Vintage Satinwood Marquetry Carlton House Writing Desk 20th Century
Vintage Satinwood Marquetry Carlton House Writing Desk 20th Century

Vintage Satinwood Marquetry Carlton House Writing Desk 20th Century

$3,779
H 30.71 in W 63 in D 32.29 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
Category

1790s English Antique Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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
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 Antique Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Palisander

Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk
Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk

Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk

$3,154
H 34 in W 22.5 in D 21.5 in
19th Century Style Michael Taylor Ebony & Mahogany Dafne Writing Table Desk
By Michael Taylor
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th century Style Michael Taylor Ebony & Mahogany Dafne writing table desk. Chair and computer not included. Priced each. Additional informati...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony

19th Century Style Michael Taylor Ebony & Mahogany Dafne Writing Table Desk
19th Century Style Michael Taylor Ebony & Mahogany Dafne Writing Table Desk

19th Century Style Michael Taylor Ebony & Mahogany Dafne Writing Table Desk

$7,800
H 30 in W 72 in D 31 in
19th Century Chippendale Burl Walnut Partner's Writing Desk
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Hixson, TN
19th century Chippendale burl walnut partners writing desk This desk has functional drawers on both sides, a true partner's desk. This desk is...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut, Burl

19th Century Chippendale Burl Walnut Partner's Writing Desk
19th Century Chippendale Burl Walnut Partner's Writing Desk

19th Century Chippendale Burl Walnut Partner's Writing Desk

$18,000
H 32.5 in W 67 in D 42.5 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...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

$10,185
H 29.93 in W 38.98 in D 19.3 in
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Maplewood Writing Table - Vintage Ebony Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A freestanding, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian writing table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Maplewood with a large black Ebony table top, in good condition. Each ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Maplewood Writing Table - Vintage Ebony Desk
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Maplewood Writing Table - Vintage Ebony Desk

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Maplewood Writing Table - Vintage Ebony Desk

$13,520 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.75 in W 73.25 in D 36.5 in
20th Century French Louis XVI Style Desk Writing Table Marquetry
Located in Madrid, ES
An elegant writing table, made in Sweden in the Louis XVI style, decorated with marquetry in a neoclassical Greek design in various fruit and walnut woods. Stipe legs, finished in a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Chesterfield Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

20th Century French Louis XVI Style Desk Writing Table Marquetry
20th Century French Louis XVI Style Desk Writing Table Marquetry

20th Century French Louis XVI Style Desk Writing Table Marquetry

$5,931
H 31.11 in W 59.06 in D 29.93 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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