Leather Top Desks
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1930s British Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s British Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Vintage 1930s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Vintage 1970s Swedish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1990s American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1830s British William IV Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Desks
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Gothic Revival Desks
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1990s Desks and Writing Tables
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Yew
Mid-20th Century Dutch Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s French Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique 19th Century English British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
20th Century American Egyptian Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
20th Century English Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century Georgian Desks
Leather, Yew
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English George I Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Egyptian Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Irish Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 1770s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Ormolu
20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Paint
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Leather Top Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Leather Top Desks?
Finding the Right Desks And Writing Tables for You
Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.
Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.
Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.
Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.
The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.
From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The leather top on a desk is usually just called a leather top. However, some people refer to it as a leather insert or leather writing surface. The thin pieces of leather that go into making leather-top desks are known as skivers. Shop a variety of desks from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Can I paint a leather desk top?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021Yes, you can paint a leather desk top. You can transform an old leather desk top and add visual appeal with easy-to-use leather paint. If you don’t feel confident in trying this by yourself, get in touch with a furniture restorer or related professional for help. Find a variety of leather desk tops on 1stDibs.
- What is a roll top desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A roll top desk is a piece of furniture that has a wooden cover that can be pulled down when the desk is not in use. Shop a collection of roll top furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A roll top desk kept small essentials and paperwork organized. The roll top design was ideal for business people to secure their desks at the end of the day without filing away their work. Browse a variety of roll top desks on 1stDibs.
- What is a roll top desk called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sometimes, roll-top desks are called tambours, sliding roll desks or roll-up desks. However, roll-top is the most commonly used name. The style of desk became popular during the 19th century. You can find a range of roll-top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Roll-top desks are originally from the late 18th century in the Georgian era of England. By the middle of the Victorian era, they were found in most offices and produced on a large scale. Shop a range of antique roll-top desks on 1stDibs.
- Is top grain leather good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, top grain leather is good and considered the second-highest-quality leather on the market. Top grain leather, or leather with a buffed top layer, is commonly used to make handbags and appropriate for luxury goods.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To clean a leather desk blotter, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Tackle heavy stains with a cleaning product designed specifically for leather. Applying leather conditioner to the blotter regularly can help to minimize cracking. You'll find a collection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A roll top desk can be worth anywhere between $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the condition, materials used and time of manufacturing. Roll top desks are expensive, as they are very popular on the antique furniture market and are considered timeless collectibles. Shop a range of antique and vintage roll top desks on 1stDibs.
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