Writing Desks

It's true that almost any surface can be used as a writing desk, from a dining table to a kitchen counter. Most people, however, find it crucial to have separate work and living spaces, especially at home. So regardless of where your desk is located, you can be more productive and focused by just having a writing desk. Among all antique items within a household, a writing desk or table is one of the most frequently used items. Bidsquare features a variety of designs and forms on antique writing desks. 

The writing was the province of educated gentlemen and ladies and would have been constructed by skilled cabinet makers for wealthy clients. The finest timbers were used in the construction of these antique pieces of furniture. In the 18th century, some of the finest antique desks and writing tables were produced by William Vile, Holland & Son, Thomas Chippendale, John Syers, John McLean, and Gillows of Lancaster. Such desks have always been regarded with great distinction. This can be seen in the choices of woods used, the elaborate construction, and the intense burnishing and lacquering of the metalwork. Early forms were quite large and were used in libraries and offices in the late 18th century. Smaller sizes were introduced in the early 19th century to accommodate regular homes. Decorative embellishments and fine inlay were not used on writing desks until the Victorian era. In this case, cabinet makers took into account not only the writing design but also the aesthetic angle for display.

Antique and Vintage Writing Desks

The vast collection of new, antique, and vintage writing desks featured on Bidsquare is perfect for getting your creativity flowing. Aside from serving as a simple vanity for jewelry, hair styling, and make-up, an antique writer's desk can be a beautiful addition to any traditional study or office. Our selection of antique writing desks includes a wealth of pieces featuring classic styles such as Edwardian, Georgian, and Louis XVI. Browse our selection of small writing desks to find the ideal piece to place beside your bed or set up in a small space. Discover pieces made of walnut, mahogany, and oak woods. Aside from that, we carry executive desks, roll-top desks, and secretary desks. Shop for desks with elegant details, such as cabriole legs, and glass-doored hutches with marble tops. The teak-based mid-century Scandinavian design is also extremely popular. Furthermore, we offer desks made from a variety of specialty woods such as rosewood, maple, and burl wood. Explore European desks, as well as desks from Asia. You're sure to find the perfect antique office desk to suit your style and your space at online auction on Bidsquare

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1725 Results
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  • 19th C. French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $6,500 - $8,500

    19th C. French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk

    Est.
    $6,500 - $8,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $4,500
  • 19th Century French Sevres Hand Painted Porcelain Mounted Lady's Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $8,000

    19th Century French Sevres Hand Painted Porcelain Mount...

    Est.
    $4,000 - $8,000
    Antique Kingdom Inc.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $3,500
  • GEORGIAN OYSTER VENEERED DESK
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    GEORGIAN OYSTER VENEERED DESK

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Wiederseim Associates, Inc....
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • FRENCH RENAISSANCE REVIVAL CARVED OAK WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,200

    FRENCH RENAISSANCE REVIVAL CARVED OAK WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $600 - $1,200
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • LOUIS XV STYLE FALL FRONT TWO-DRAWER WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    LOUIS XV STYLE FALL FRONT TWO-DRAWER WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $350
  • FRENCH LOUIS XV STYLE EBONIZED BUREAU PLAT/ WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,200

    FRENCH LOUIS XV STYLE EBONIZED BUREAU PLAT/ WRITING DES...

    Est.
    $600 - $1,200
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • (2) FRENCH BAMBOO & RATTAN WRITING DESK & CHAIR
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    (2) FRENCH BAMBOO & RATTAN WRITING DESK & CHAIR

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • LOUIS XV STYLE INLAID MATCHED VENEER BUREAU PLAT/ WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    LOUIS XV STYLE INLAID MATCHED VENEER BUREAU PLAT/ WRITI...

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Fine Classical Figured Mahogany Cylinder Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Fine Classical Figured Mahogany Cylinder Writing Desk

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Venetian style painted writing desk or vanity
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Venetian style painted writing desk or vanity

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • ITALIAN RENAISSANCE REVIVAL CARVED  WALNUT DESK, 70.75"W
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,000

    ITALIAN RENAISSANCE REVIVAL CARVED WALNUT DESK, 70.75"W...

    Est.
    $500 - $1,000
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • SPANISH WALNUT SLANT FRONT WRITING BUREAU
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    SPANISH WALNUT SLANT FRONT WRITING BUREAU

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • ENGLISH GEORGIAN STYLE OAK WRITING BUREAU
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    ENGLISH GEORGIAN STYLE OAK WRITING BUREAU

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • FRENCH LOUIS XV STYLE ORMOLU BUREAU PLAT & CARTONNIER
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    FRENCH LOUIS XV STYLE ORMOLU BUREAU PLAT & CARTONNIER

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $800
  • FRENCH NAPOLEON III STYLE BOULLE-STYLE INLAID BUREAU PLAT
    Estimate
    $900 - $1,200

    FRENCH NAPOLEON III STYLE BOULLE-STYLE INLAID BUREAU PL...

    Est.
    $900 - $1,200
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $700
  • LOUIS XV STYLE ORMOLU MOUNTED MARQUETRY BUREAU PLAT
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,500

    LOUIS XV STYLE ORMOLU MOUNTED MARQUETRY BUREAU PLAT

    Est.
    $1,500 - $3,500
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,000
  • FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $350
  • FRENCH LOUIS XVI STYLE ORMOLU & MARQUETRY BONHEUR DU JOUR
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,500

    FRENCH LOUIS XVI STYLE ORMOLU & MARQUETRY BONHEUR DU JO...

    Est.
    $800 - $1,500
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • Peter & Molgaard Hvidt, rare rosewood secretary
    Estimate
    $700 - $1,000

    Peter & Molgaard Hvidt, rare rosewood secretary

    Est.
    $700 - $1,000
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $350
  • Louis XV style marble top Secretaire a Abattant
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Louis XV style marble top Secretaire a Abattant

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • CONTINENTAL GOTHIC REVIVAL BLACK PAINTED ARMORIAL FALL-FRONT SECRETARY
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,000

    CONTINENTAL GOTHIC REVIVAL BLACK PAINTED ARMORIAL FALL-...

    Est.
    $500 - $1,000
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • George III Style Inlaid and Crossbanded Satinwood 'Carlton House' Desk
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    George III Style Inlaid and Crossbanded Satinwood 'Carl...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Mid 20th Century
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Mid 20th ...

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Diminutive George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Mid 20th Century
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Diminutive George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase...

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $25 - $50

    WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $25 - $50
  • ITALIAN WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    ITALIAN WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Vintage Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Vintage Writing Desk

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • PORTUGUESE WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $100 - $300

    Writing Desk

    Est.
    $100 - $300
  • Ladies Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Ladies Writing Desk

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • Japanese Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Japanese Writing Desk

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • FRENCH PIANO FRONT WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    FRENCH PIANO FRONT WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

    Writing Desk

    Est.
    $150 - $250
  • Ladies Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    Ladies Writing Desk

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
  • Campaign Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    Campaign Writing Desk

    Est.
    $250 - $500
  • A zebra wood writing desk
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    A zebra wood writing desk

    Est.
    $300 - $400
  • Modern Inlaid Mahogany Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Modern Inlaid Mahogany Writing Desk

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • A MID-CENTURY WOODEN WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    A MID-CENTURY WOODEN WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Tambour Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    Tambour Writing Desk

    Est.
    $250 - $500
  • VINTAGE MAHOGANY WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    VINTAGE MAHOGANY WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Neoclassical Revival Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Neoclassical Revival Writing Desk

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Custom Mahogany Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Custom Mahogany Writing Desk

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • NEW ENGLAND WRITING DESK
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    NEW ENGLAND WRITING DESK

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Martin Nyrop, Writing Desk
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500

    Martin Nyrop, Writing Desk

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500
    5 Bids
    Sold for
    $2,750