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
French Neoclassical Style Leather Top Desk by Baker Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
Exquisite Baker Furniture writing desk with banded leather top, three dovetailed drawers & working lock & key. Elegant simplicity with war...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Lacquered Neoclassical Style Desk or Library Writing Table
By John Hall
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke library table or desk crafted in the neoclassical taste by John Hall Designs, Los Angeles, CA. The desk is constructed from beech and features an intentionally weathered, dis...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Beech
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
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
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
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
1980s Curved Mahogany Century Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s with this exquisite curved desk. The ultra rare desk exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibi...
Category
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
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
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, P...
Category
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
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
Asa Pingree Physalia Desk in Walnut, White Oak, Ebonized Maple or Fog Gray Ash
By Asa Pingree
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The soft curves of the Physalia desk will feel equally smooth under your pen or your stockinged heels. The tabletop’s sturdy planks are joined together with loose tenons that will ma...
Category
2010s American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Ash, Maple, Walnut
John Vesey Stainless Steel Bronze Neoclassical Desk
By John Vesey
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
Classic by Carpanelli Zebrano Writing Desk
By Carpanelli
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
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
Exceptional John Vesey Stainless Steel and Bronze Desk
By John Vesey
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
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
Italian Neoclassic Oval Walnut Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Amazing Italian neoclassic oval walnut dining table, recalling the glory days of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, this stunning dining t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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
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
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
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
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
Antique Early American Country Farmhouse Slant Top School Student Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique early American schoolhouse / country / farmhouse writing desk. Made of poplar featuring a slanted top and dovetailed joinery.
Dimension...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Poplar
Antique 19th Century Greek Key Mahogany Console Sideboard with Green Marble Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A rare beauty in a handsome mahogany base console or sideboard having neoclassical timeless Greek key design around the periphery, two recessed drawers, carved acanthus leaves on the...
Category
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
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
John Vesey Style Bronze Mounted Steel Library Table
By John Vesey
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic neoclassical design steel library table or desk made in the manner and style of John Vesey (American 1924-1992). The imposing desk features a heavy steel frame with a patin...
Category
20th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Steel
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
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
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
Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Viterbo, VT
Neoclassical writing desk handmade in Italy in the late 1700s using walnut and peg construction. The writing desk features three overlay drawers with ogee edges and each drawer front...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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
Gustavian Neoclassical Mahogany Writing Chest / Bureau on High Stand, 1800s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Swedish Gustavian mahogany writing cabinet. The writing part is covered with a black patent leather, with visible traces of use. The inner drawers have bone handles. The upper part i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
Vintage Neoclassical Dressing Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage neoclassical dressing table, vanity, desk or night table has gilt detailing, fluted legs, brass pulls and curved stretchers. Dr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Desk, Germany, around 1930.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Desk, Germany, around 1930.
Very good condition, after professional renovation.
Wood: oak
Dimensions:
desk height 80 cm width 177 cm depth 86 cm
Category
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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
Antique French Neoclassic Two Drawer Inlaid Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century French Restoration period writing desk handcrafted in exotic woods including mahogany and walnut having a top with four elmwood panels on a case with two drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Danish 18th Century Writing Desk By Royal Architect C. F. Harsdorff
By Caspar Frederik Harsdorff
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th Century writing desk with five drawers. The desk is designed by the Danish royal neoclassical architect Caspar Frederik Harsdorff.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Walnut
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
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
Walnut Davenport Desk, England, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
English "Davenport" walnut wood desk, 19th century.
Desk with four drawers on the side, inkwell with closure at the top and folding tabletop with key lock. This typology is known as...
Category
19th Century European 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
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
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
18th Century Neoclassical Italian Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Carmine, TX
Stunning writing desk hand-made in Italy in the mid 1700s using walnut. This really is the mother of all Italian scrivanie (writing desks): its lines, details and overall look make i...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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
Wood Console with Solid Top and Shaped Cylindrical Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Warren console shown is with solid wood top and shaped base - and can be utilized as a desk during these work at home times. All hand carved and finished in our shop in Brooklyn....
Category
2010s American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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
French Neoclassical Parma Console Table Hand Carved Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Parma Console, Neoclassical Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
A French Neoclassical style console table, Parma is han...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble, Marble
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
Wood Console Table with Solid Top and Round Base with Posts
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Tilden console shows form and function at it's best. A solid wood top with solid wood side opposite to a cylindrical base with posts - all carefully crafted and finished in New Y...
Category
2010s American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Roll-Top Desk Attributed to P. Bernard
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in London, GB
After the model by Jean-Henri Riesener (French, 1734-1806).
Of the Napoleon III period, in the Louis XVI style, with fruitwood and ebony inlaid in bois de citronnier, mahogany and amaranth, with a three-quarter galleried rectangular top above a roll-top, opening to reveal a leather-lined writing slide with four short drawers and five pigeon holes, the frieze centred by a push button drawer...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Bureau or Desk, Rosewood, Wood, Metal, Jeanselme Fils Godin et Cie, 19th Century
By Jeanselme Pere & Fils
Located in Madrid, ES
Bureau or desk. Rosewood, wood, metal. Jeanselme Fils Godin et Cie, Paris, France, 19th century.
Stamped (signed).
Cover sample desk designed perhaps to go near a wall that has two...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Russian Walnut Marquetry Kidney Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Russian style (18/19th Century) walnut kidney shaped desk with marquetry inlay and open design pedestal sides with a stretcher and drawer.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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 Neoclassical Marquetry Partner Desk, 1800
Located in El Monte, CA
This is a handsome Italian Neoclassical partner desk, crafted circa 1800, that features detailed marquetry work. The desktop features a central foliate inlay medallion that is framed...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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.