Antique Desks
A Georgian Period Bureau Bookcase in Mahogany
An antique English Georgian Period Bureau Bookcase in Mahogany with Two Serpentine Shape Mirrored Doors above a Slant Top Desk enclosing Drawers and Pigeon Holes. Beneath the doors are two pull out slides for holding candles thus the mirrors on the doors would reflect light into the ... Find out more
Mahogany cylinder top desk, circa 1850.
A molded wood frieze, above fall enclosing a pull out slant writing surface with tooled leather insets, incorporating fitted pigeonholes and drawers, all over three frieze drawers, on two pedestals each with three graduated drawers, on plinth bases. Stamped: "James Winter & Sons 01 Wardour St. Soho London." ... Find out more
An antique 19th century period mahogany inlaid kidney-shaped desk,
An antique kidney shaped desk in mahogany. The desk is profusely inlaid and is in very good orignal condition. ... Find out more
A fine quality Antique French 19th C. Bureau Plat
This magnificent desk is lavishly fitted with superb gilt bronze mounts throughout. The mahogany on the legs and apron has also been inlaid with brass. The desk is fitted with a crimson full hide leather writing surface, each end of the writing surface is fitted with a pull-out writing slide ... Find out more
An exhibition quality antique mahogany partners desk, circa 1860
By Wright and Mansfield. Rectangular top with original leather inset, above five oak lined drawers on either side, all with original mercury-gilt hardware, the center drawers being stamped "WRIGHT & MANSFIELD 104 NEW BOND ST." Four carved and fluted baluster columns support the desk.
Provenance: Supplied to Prestwold Hall, home to ... Find out more
A Rosewood English antique Writing Table, William IV period
A Rosewood English antique Writing Table, William IV period with green leather top, stamped ... Find out more
A French 19th Century Antique Desk in Kingwood
A French 19th Century Bureau Plat in Kingwood with three drawers to the apron, finished on all sides. Fitted with original leather insert ... Find out more
A 19th century English antique mahogany partners desk
The desk is fitted with 18 oak lined drawers, 9 to each side. This desk represents the very finest standards of 19th century cabinet ... Find out more
A fine quality English antique kidney shape ladies writing table
A 19th century English kidney shape ladies writing table, attributed to Gillows. The table is fitted with one drawer. ... Find out more
An English, late Georgian period antique mahogany partners desk
A good English, late Georgian period mahogany partners desk with drawers and cupboards to both ... Find out more
An English 19th Century antique Carlton House Desk in Mahogany
A very fine quality English 19th Century antique Carlton House Desk in Mahogany.The piece is rare in its design, having 3 adjustable writing surfaces. The back of the desk has oval inlaid panels of feather grained ... Find out more
An English Mid 19th Century Antique Oak Desk of Rare Design
An English Mid 19th Century Oak Writing Table of Rare Design, having canted corners and standing on turned and carved legs, the desk has six drawers and is fitted with a full hide leather top. The table is signed "Maples of London." Maples of London were a renowned London Retailer ... Find out more
An English late Regency antique desk.
An English late Regency Pollard Oak desk or Library Table smaller in size and of superb ... Find out more
A 19th century inlaid mahogany roll-top desk
A 19th century inlaid mahogany roll-top desk, possibly Bedermeir, beautiful shell inlays, secret ... Find out more
An English 19th century Campaign chest with fitted desk.
An English 19th century Campaign chest. The chest is in 2 sections the upper piece being fitted with a secretaire drawer which is fitted with drawers. ... Find out more
A 19th century English antique writing table.
A 19th century English antique writing table in mahogany fitted with 4 working drawers and leather ... Find out more
An English Antique George III Architects Desk, attributed to Gillows
An English Antique George III Architects Desk, attributed to Gillows.
A superb original example.
Fitted with 2 secret ... Find out more
A very decorative 19th century Dutch marquetry escretoire.
A very decorative 19th century Dutch marquetry escretoire. The escretoire is in very good original condition, there are 2 shrinkage marks on either side, this is not unusual to find on a piece of this ... Find out more
An overview of antique partners & pedestal desks and writing tables
Antique desks and writing tables are without doubt one of the most sought after trophies for the antique furniture collector. From the most simple of tables with space to write on to the desk owned by the family of the Lord Mayor of London, we keep a very interesting collection.
Our antique desks mostly cover the Georgian, Regency, William IV, and Victorian periods of English furniture design. And the desks come in a variety of shapes from a rectangular partners desk with room for two decision makers to a more diminuitive kidney-shaped desk for a lady to use that often would have been made with very fine veneers. The desks come in a variety of woods, but most commonly used are mahogany, walnut, oak and rosewood. A circular desk was often used by landlords and is commonly known as a drum table.
Nowadays, with the computer being the source of storage the use of library tables and writing tables has become very common. This sort of desk gives a lighter feel to a room while the drawers of the desk are fitted into the desk apron rather than the typical pedestals of a partners desk. Writing tables either come fitted with end supports or rest on four leg supports.
Leather tops on writing tables, library tables, and desks have not always been the norm. In the 18th and 19th centuries with the use of bottled ink the writing surface took a lot abuse and so it was often more economic to use felt rather than leather.
Even in today's hi tech world there is something magical about the charm and character of an antique desk or writing table.