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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. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

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 antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.

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Style: Neoclassical
Elegant Neoclassical Writing Table by Maison Jansen, France 1950.
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant Black lacquer writing table with brass details. Original green leather top. Two drawers and one key. Designed by maison Jansen, Paris. Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

John Vesey Style Steel Bronze Neoclassical Console Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive brushed steel and patinated bronze clad writing table, desk, or console made in the manner and style of John Vesey (American 1924-1992). The desk is fronted by two storage...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Stainless Steel

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 Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

English Neoclassical Style Mahogany Library Table or Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic English library table or writing table hand-crafted from solid mahogany. The table features a large trestle base with Greco-Roman style corinthian column legs in the neoclas...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Nancy Corzine Neoclassical Giltwood & Black Marble Top Executive Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Nancy Corzine Neoclassical Giltwood & Black Marble Top Executive Desk
Category

1990s Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Dennis & Leen Belgian Louis XVI Neoclassical Style Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite library table or desk designed by Dennis & Leen Los Angeles, CA. Known as the Belgian Louis XVI table it features neoclassical style motifs on the apron and legs. Decorated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Neoclassical Style English Oak Library Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic 19th century English library table, writing table, or desk hand-crafted from oak. The table features a trestle style base with Greco-Roman corinthian columns in the neoclass...
Category

19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Spanish Rustic Neoclassic Faded Walnut 1-Drawer Table, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a three board top slightly overhanging the rectangular case, the case housing one drawer missing bottom left corner, the opposite side with decorative shaped wooden corners at...
Category

1810s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Primitive Antique Early American Country Farmhouse Slant Top School Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Primitive early American schoolhouse / country / farmhouse writing desk. Made of poplar featuring a slanted top and dovetailed joinery. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Poplar

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

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

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

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

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 des...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antique Classical American Philadelphia Desk in Mahogany with Double Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome and functional classical American bureau desk in dark Cuban mahogany, likely from Philadelphia. Offers three drawers along the apron, o...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Late 18th Century Original Neoclassical Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Neoclassical desk from northern Sweden. The desk or table is in pine and from circa 1790. Original condition. Original and distressed paint from the late 1700s with marks of wear, se...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Directoire Style Small Bureau Plat
Located in Sheffield, MA
Directoire Maison Jansen style desk. Label inside drawer inscribed "A. Alavoine and Co., NY and Paris." Leather inset writing surface, drawer ...
Category

Early 20th Century American 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

John Vesey Stainless Steel Bronze Neoclassical Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary mid-century modern stainless steel and bronze writing table, desk, or bureau plat designed by John Vesey (American 1924-1992). Made in the grand neoclassical French Lou...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Writing Table, Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Rectangular board table decorated with a strip of vegetal motifs on the outer edge, waist enhanced with carved bands with oval and vegetable motifs of classicist influence and legs d...
Category

19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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 woods. The rectangular top with inlaid marquetry foliate sits above a sloping fall front centered by a foliate cartouche and corner cartouches, the kneehole. Open to reveal a nicely fitted interior with an arrangement of open compartments flanked by two short drawers and an inlaid hinged writing surface. Below this there are two large graduated drawers. Side panels inlaid with conforming scrollwork all rising on four elegant squared tapering legs finished with the original brass castor cups. The shape and the inlaid designs are similar to those on pieces of furniture produced by Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814), the foremost cabinet-maker in late 18th-century Milan. Maggiolini and his workshop specialized in marquetry scenes inspired by antiquity, based on drawings by late 18th-century artists and designers such as Andrea...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century Austrian Country Tyrol Writing Table Desk, Solid Fir, Restored
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-19th century Austrian country Tyrol writing table desk, solid fir, restored and wax-polished. Measures cm: H 74, W 102, D 56.
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fir

French Maison Jansen Style Steel and Bronze Table with Glass Top
Located in Houston, TX
French Maison Jansen style steel and bronze table, circa 1970. New glass top.
Category

1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Steel

19th Century Country Tirolean Desk, Solid & Turned Larch, Restored wax-polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century country Tirolean Desk in solid and turned larch, original painted wrought iron handles and hinges, restored and wax-polished Measures cm: H 72, W 122, D 50.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Custom 75" Table with Carved Lyre Mahogany Trestle Base and Inset Marble Top
Located in Miami, FL
Carved Honduran mahogany table with trestle base composed of two lyres embellished with acanthus leaves and joined by a stretcher, with inset Rosso Alicante marble...
Category

1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian Writing Desk in Solid Walnut and Weneer Walnut, Restored
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-19th century Italian writing desk in solid blond walnut and weneer walnut, restored and finished with shellac and wax; new top in real leather. Bottom of the drawers and back of ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Leather, Pine

Litchfield Writing Desk in Cherry with Leather Inlay Top and Cock Beaded Drawers
Located in Tiverton, RI
The solid cherry Litchfield writing desk has a gold embossed inlaid leather top with country farmhouse style legs and 3 cock beaded drawers with antique brass bail pulls. The leather...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Neoclassic Austrian Square Table Solid Walnut Restored Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-1800 neoclassic Austrian square table in solid walnut restored and polished to wax Measures cm: H 80, W 100, D 90 Suitable for furnishing any room in your home, kitchen, di...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Classical Faux Porphyry Library Table
Located in New York, NY
Classical faux porphyry library table Northern European, 19th century Measures: Height 31 1/4 in, width 47 1/4 in, depth 25 3/4 in. 2206.
Category

19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Maison Jansen Manner Brass & Leather Top Desk Writing Table 1950s
Located in Norwich, GB
Elegant Mid Century brass and ebonised three drawer desk with leather inset, in the Maison Jansen manner. French - Circa 1950. This Directoire style desk is made in bright solid bra...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1970s Italian Neo-Classical Style Patchwork Burl Writing Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1970s Neoclassical style Italian burl desk with ebonized x-base. The burl is beautiful, and it is finished on all sides. The cross stretcher is brass. The piece is unmarked...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique white desk in the style of classicism
Located in STRAČOV, CZ
Antique white desk in the style of classicism The elegant and practical desk from the period of the First Republic is a beautiful example of bourge...
Category

1920s Czech Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Harden Furniture Executive Ash 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 of manu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Traditional Hand Carved Ash 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 222 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Maison Jansen Carved Stone, Oak and Lacquered Vellum Dining Table, c. 1940
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Maison Jansen carved stone, oak and lacquered vellum dining table, circa 1940s, made in France. One base element marked "2184" in wax p...
Category

1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone

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

18th century Italian Paint Decorated Writing Desk with Drawer Circa 1760s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous smaller true gem of a desk from the middle part of the 1700s from Italy. The desk is made of walnut and pine and has a single drawer with all the traits one expect...
Category

1760s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Pine

French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted writing desk, leather top circa 1940
Located in Miami, FL
A French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted writing desk with leather top, circa 1940.
Category

Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Portable "Laptop" Desk with Storage Compartments and Inkwell
Located in Soquel, CA
Portable "Laptop" Desk with Storage Compartments and Inkwell Box with storage for paper, pens, ink, and other writing supplies. Multiple lids/compar...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Neo-Classical R.J. Horner Style Desk / Table Green Leather Top & Dolphin Base
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century Neo-classical R.J. Horner style ebonized desk with carved dolphin base and tooled green leather top. It has wonderful patina! The desk is very heavy and m...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Italian Neoclassical Bleached Walnut Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Italian neoclassical bleached walnut desk circa 1825-1845. 19th century walnut veneered desk with five drawers. Simple lines and squared legs in a...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf

Secretary Desk, Tambour Roll Top
Located in Clermont, FL
Secretary desk by Bombay Furniture Co. Beautiful veneer mahogany finish. Dated 2004. Table maintains it s sturdy structure, with good wood surface ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Empire Desk with Dark Green Leather and Light Walnut Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Experience the timeless elegance of our vintage Empire desk, expertly hand-crafted from wood and meticulously restored by our professional in-house team. This exquisite piece is in g...
Category

1970s European Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Neoclassical Console Table Exilis Hand Carved Handmade Portugal
Located in Lisboa, PT
Console Exilis Neoclassical collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. A French Neoclassical Style console table, Hand Carved in Linden Wood. An exclusive and sumpt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Silver Leaf

Custom Made Metal Vanity or Desk by BH&A
Located in Sheffield, MA
Custom made and designed by us. this versatile modern and traditional styled piece can be used as end table, vanity, desk or dressing table. Table has distressed metal top insert and a drawer. Matching vanity stool available. Can work well in neoclassica, Hollywood Regency, neoclassical revival or modern setting. Size and finish to your specifications. Check with us for quote for other top inserts. Matching custom vanity stool...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

An 19th Century Italian Desk with Beautiful Detail
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally beautiful Italian writing table with three drawers and a leather top pull-out writing surface. The desk is constructed in a walnut, with a lighter secondary wood. ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Rustic Neoclassical Executive Desk ~ Conference Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Rustic Neoclassical Executive Desk ~ Conference Table was crafted on a truly grand scale from dense, old-growth oak which has been painstakingly stripped by our expert...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

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

French 1940s Leather Top Mahogany Desk
Located in Buchanan, NY
Unusual and handsome mahogany French desk from the 1940s-1950s with a distressed leather top. There is one large central drawer as well as two side drawers on either side and the bac...
Category

1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

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, case pieces and storage 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, North America, and United States 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, GF Modern, Greenapple, and John Vesey. 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 $674 and tops out at $138,000 while the average work can sell for $5,693.

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