Skip to main content

Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.

Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.

The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.

Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.

Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns.

As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.

Find authentic neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.

77
21
2
to
11
63
36
100
87
91
1,771
738
396
355
300
252
228
195
153
107
96
62
51
48
42
30
11
9
40
28
23
7
11
4
2
1
1
4
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
96
41
28
24
24
63
26
21
18
11
3
2
1
1
1
Style: Neoclassical
French Late Neoclassic Walnut 1-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a large rectangular nearly square top with canted corners, the apron with a kneehole opening and a single locking drawer, raised on tapering legs.
Category

1830s Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Stamped Maurice Hirsch Louis XVI Ebonized Desk Bureau Plat, 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful Louis XVI style ebonized desk stamped Maurice Hirsch has been made in the early 1960s with black varnished mahogany wood, cognac leather top, and brass decor and accen...
Category

1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Parquetry, Ormolu and Leather Bureau Plat by Ross
Located in London, GB
Antique parquetry, ormolu and leather bureau plat by Ross English, 19th Century Height 76cm, width 120cm, depth 69cm Made by the renowned English furniture maker Donald Ross, this desk is a demonstration of some of his finest work. The desk is decorated with the iconic dotted parquetry trellis, and the centre is inset with a brown leather panel. Gold, debossed detailing adorns the border of the leather panel, its soft texture providing a smooth surface on which to write. An ormolu border frames the desk table top, the four edges mounted with motifs of male bearded masks among acanthus leaves. Below are two lockable drawers, each one decorated in a similar manner to the desk table top. The pair of storage compartments are separated by a central ormolu mount cast in the form of flowing acanthus leaves and foliage garlands. Four tapering legs support the desk, each one terminating in socket castors marked ‘JC’. Ross’ masterpiece is also labelled with a brass label ‘KG 8913’. In the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is a bedside table by Donald Ross of a very similar design to the desk in Mayfair Gallery...
Category

19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Classic French Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic French Black Desk with a tooled inset leather top writing surface, the ebonized and polished finish with brass trim and capitals, with frieze drawer and raised on square tape...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Bureau Plat 'Writing Table'
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century French neoclassical style bureau plat (writing table). Extensive gilt bronze mounts. Raised on square, tapered legs. Single central drawer. Replaced black tooled le...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Baker Neoclassical Rosewood Petite Desk, Manor House Collection
Located in New York, NY
Baker Neoclassic style rosewood petite writing desk purchased from the Baker-Furniture in NYC in 1969. It is one of the pieces Baker selected for th...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1960s Hollywood Regency Neoclassical Revival Karges Writing Desk
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency desk for sale. Manufactured by Karges in the 1960s, and in beautiful vintage condition. Really special writing desk that ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Neoclassical Style Gitwood & Ebonized Walnut Desk, Modern
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Neoclassical Style Gitwood & Ebonized Walnut Desk, Modern.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Mahogany Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A Neoclassical flamed mahogany and green leather top desk. Sweden, late 19th Century.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Traditional Hand Carved Solid Wood Executive Desk
Located in Naperville, IL
Hand-carved executive desk. New – Brand-new, unused item, not previously owned. Shows absolutely no signs of wear. Dimensions H 31.89 in. x W 87.40 in. x D 37 in. H. 81 cm x W...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Harden Furniture Executive Solid Wood Office Desk
Located in Naperville, IL
New/Brand-new, unused item, not previously owned. Shows absolutely no signs of wear. Dimensions H 35.82 in. x W 86.61 in. x D 39.37 in. H. 91 cm x W 220 cm x D 100 cm Date ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Style Parcel Gilt Carved Mahogany Library or Center Table
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of a neoclassical style rectangle parcel gilt carved mahogany library, writing or center table with figured mahogany veneer top with rounded corners, two small do...
Category

19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th-Century Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid with Brass
Located in Opole, PL
Early 20th-Century Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid with Brass We present you a Neoclassical writing desk from the early 20th century. It is...
Category

Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Neoclassical Style Mahogany-Stained Wood and Leather-Lined Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
The tan leather-lined rectangular top over a frieze fitted with three drawers with brass pulls; raised on spiral-fluted tapering legs.
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Neoclassical Style Ebonized Writing Table Console
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa late 20th century Neoclassical style ebonized writing table or console with brass accents on castors. The table is also constructed with three drawers and carved drawer fronts....
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

North Italian Neoclassical Walnut and Inlaid Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular top with a geometric pattern inlay over a long drawer over two smaller drawers , back and sides with same fine inlays, raised on square tapered legs. Excellent condi...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Elegant Black Lacquer Desk Bureau Plat Attributed to Jacques Quinet France 1950
Located in Brussels, BE
French fourties neoclassical bureau plat writing table. Black lacquer with brass details, sabots "à l'antique", two drawers and two keys. Litt...
Category

1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Small Neoclassical Desk, Northern Germany, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This small Neoclassical Desk or side table dates back to around 1810-20. the rectangular table has one drawer. It has a pretty mahogany veneer ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century American Birdseye Maple Desk
Located in New York, NY
American 19th Century Birdseye Maple Desk attributed to H. Stowell & Son Cabinet Makers, (1828-98) Vermont 1850-60. Beautiful writing desk consisting of three stepped upper panels (...
Category

1860s American Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Maitland Smith Neoclassical Black Leather and Bronze Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A very unique Neoclassical Maitland Smith desk of gold embossed black leather with gilded bronze lion paws and seraphim on each leg. There are two ...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Three Tiered Mahogany Leather Embossed Lectern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American mahogany three tiered standing lectern The embossed leather top writing surface opens for storage. There is also plenty of space on the shelv...
Category

1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Roller Blind Writing Desk Jerry, 1930s, Bohemia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This so-called “American” roller blind desk was made in Bohemia by Jerry company in the 1930s. It is made of stained oak wood. This is one of the most interesting variants of this ta...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

French Neo Classic Inspired Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
French neo classic inspired modern desk, enjoy your workspace as never before with this exquisite desk crafted of Fumed Figured Tiger Maple. The desktop is distinguished by an inset ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

"Universal" Table from Thomas Sheraton's Design Book
Located in Stamford, CT
A "universal" table documented in the Thomas Sheraton's Design book. This mahogany table has two pullout leaves with a central tabletop that drops down. There are two drawers, one ha...
Category

19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Traditional English Leather Top Black Lacquered Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
Traditional English leather top black lacquered writing desk. Newly made in the USA with iconic English traditional styling. Featuring imported Italian burgundy leather top with a po...
Category

2010s American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 1940s Mahogany Desk
Located in Buchanan, NY
Unusual and handsome French desk from the 1940s-1950s. The desk in made of mahogany with a distressed leather top. There is one large central drawer as well as 2 side drawers on eit...
Category

1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Exceptional John Vesey Stainless Steel and Bronze Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Reminiscent of neoclassical French Louis XVI style with fluted columns-as-legs, bronze acanthus feet and corners embossed with gilt swag, this extraordinary and rare writing table is...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Stainless Steel

Gorgeous Custom Bennetts Desk with Antiqued Painted Finish and Walnut Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning custom Discoveries writing desk by Bennetts Furniture having an off-white antiqued painted dragged finish offset with rich walnut inlay ha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

1800s Hancrafted Tall Slant Top Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
1800s Hancrafted tall slant top secretary desk. Wood appears to be flame maple. Solid dove tail joints. Turned legs and carved apron. Some wea...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Vintage American Mahogany Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful and timeless 1970's American escritoire desk. The writing desk is made of solid mahogany and is sturdy. The desk shows fine carving details and offers 5 regular drawers a...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Fine 19th Century French Neoclassical Style Amboyna and Gilt Bronze Mounted Writ
Located in Benington, Herts
An extremely fine and unusual French Amboyan and gilt bronze bureau plat - writing table inspired by the Neoclassical designs. French circa 1880-1900. A superb amboyna writing ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italian NeoClassic Oak Parquetry Desk, Natural
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Italian NeoClassic style starburst pattern parquetry desk with tapered legs. It has one center drawer flanked by two smaller drawers with Verde Bronze finished handles. Shown in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian Neoclassical Writing Table, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fine quality 19th century Italian writing table of elegant proportions with amazing neoclassical details. A near-square burled walnut top is the perfect work surface and has a beauti...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Directoire style writing table desk with 2 drawers in solid cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is part of the Mélanie collection, a modern interpretation of the French Directoire style of the late 18th century. This style is famous for its straight, classic...
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

1930s Larkin Soap Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique oak, slant front secretary made by Larkin. Measures 30.5" in width x 16" in depth x 46.5" in height. Good vintage condition with three functional drawers. Some wear and tear ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Directoire Desk in Solid Cherry with a Leather Pad and a Covered Storage Space
Located in Landivy, FR
This desk belongs to the MELANIE collection that proposes handcraft modernized reinterpretated pieces of furniture from the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. T...
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Lacquer, Wood, Cherry, Oak

Neoclassical Marquetry Bureau De Dame in the Style of Giuseppe Maggiolini, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Italian Neoclassical style freestanding slant front desk, in the manner of Giuseppe Maggiolini, late 19th c. Exquisite marquetry veneer in rosewood, satinwood and other decorative wo...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Table for Spanish Desk, Pine and Beech Tree Wood, Iron, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bargueñera table with spiral leg. Pine and beech wood, iron. Century XVIII. Rectangular board table made of pine wood and turned beech wood legs in the shape of spiral columns, whi...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron, Other

French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 drawers
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeless...
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

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 neoclassic...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Birch

Austrian Neoclassic Parquetry Pedestal Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top over a long drawer flanked by small drawers over pedestals each with two drawers. Bracket feet. Finished all around in a design of inlay that gives a striped effect.
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italian NeoClassic Oak Parquetry Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Italian Neo-Classic style oak parquetry desk with a starburst patterned oak parquetry top to bottom. It has a central drawer flanked by two further additions. It rests on tapered ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small French Directoire Cherry Secretary, Cherry Stained, Cream Leather Pad
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretary is a handmade modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timel...
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Early American Raise Top School Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
An American raise top school desk with great aged wear. Make a wonderful stand for an entry hallway, kitchen or mud room stand to hold miscellaneous keys an...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Style Lacquered Burl Wood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
20th century lacquered burl wood desk with three drawers supported with black columns and gilded capitals. Measure: Leg clearance height 25".
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Burl

18th Century Neoclassical Italian Marquetry Cherry Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 18th century Italian marquetry Cherry table with a single drawer. Exquisitely handcrafted writing or gaming table, inlaid from it's top down it's legs that are slender and tapered...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Neoclassical Style Mahogany Card, Dressing, and Writing Table
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style mahogany card, dressing, and writing table French, 19th century Measures: Height 75cm, width 70cm, depth 45cm This charming table is an ingenious piece of des...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Circa 1900s Partners desk with original tooled leather top - Swedish birch
Located in London, GB
A very handsome and well proportioned partners desk from the 1900s. It is Swedish and made from a lovely warm honey coloured birch. It has drawers on both sides so will free stand i...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Maison Jansen Attributed Neoclassical Steel Quartz Marble Top Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent stainless steel mahogany writing table, bureau plat, or desk attributed to Maison Jansen, France. The desk features a thick slab of quartz Carrara style marble on top with thick polished brass trim. The case is crafted from rich radiant grained mahogany and covered with stainless steel. Fronted by three drawers and two large, locking storage...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Quartz, Brass, Steel

French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
French 19th century mahogany travel writing desk French, 19th century Measures: Height 94cm, width 53cm, depth 18cm This fine and delicate des...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French neoclassic style mahogany, cerejeira veneered and crossbanded writing desk, the rectangular burnished leather inlaid top above one long and one short frieze drawers, and an ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mahogany Wood “Architect Desk” Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mahogany wood “architect desk” table, France, 19th century. On four solomonic legs with a central knot stands the table, which has two drawers on the skirt, some boards on the sides...
Category

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

Classic by Carpanelli Zebrano Writing Desk
Located in Desio, IT
The structure of this elegant writing desk is solid wood plated with cherry-wood, zebrano, briar-wood and other precious woods. In the cylindrical...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique English Victorian Marquetry Writing Desk by Donald Ross
Located in London, GB
Antique English Victorian marquetry writing desk by Donald Ross English, c. 1890 Measures: Height 75cm, width 108cm, depth 64cm This superb mahogany writing desk by Donald Ross ...
Category

1890s English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Baroque Figuerd Office Desk with Gold Leaf Details and Veneer by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Furnish your presidential office with a top quality Italian desk from Modenese Gastone Luxury Interiors. This solid wood presidential desk features drawers with Blumotion soft-closin...
Category

2010s Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique English Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Desk by Donald Ross
Located in London, GB
Antique English gilt bronze and marquetry desk by Donald Ross English, c. 1890 Measures: Height 75cm, width 108cm, depth 63cm This elegant mahogany writing desk by Donald Ross f...
Category

1890s English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Maison Jansen Diminutive Bronze Mounted Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant mahogany and bronze mounted writing table by Maison Jansen. Features a diminutive size leather topped case covered with a pane of ...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Directoire Style Small Computer Desk, shelf and Leather pad, Basalt grey finish
Located in Landivy, FR
This computer desk is a craft-handed re-interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The design of this period is rema...
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer

Neoclassical desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, 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, storage furniture and cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Donald Ross, John Vesey, Adam Weisweiler, and Asa Pingree. 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 £557 and tops out at £109,373 while the average work can sell for £4,593.

Recently Viewed

View More