The History of desks is very much linked to the rise of literacy during the last 500 years. The first were portable boxes with a sloping lid which gave somewhere to read and annotate the valuable books they contained. And as more people gained access to their own books and learned to write, so the need for personal desks rose. Some of these writing boxes were given legs turning them into static pieces of furniture for the home, and during the 18th Century there also arose a far more elegant writing table called an Escritoire. As the fashion for letter writing increased so too did the complexity of the desk. Then during the second half of the 19th Century Office design was given a much needed make over and the desk took on a new role within the business world.
Today we still love the practicality and craftsmanship of our antique and vintage desks with the twin Pedestal design remaining the most popular followed perhaps by the Roll Top. For those wanting plenty of desk surface, drawers, and an air of presence, then the double-sided Partners Desk is ideal. In contrast for those looking for a more homely effect then the Davenport and Ladies Desk work well.
Whatever your desk needs at LoveAntiques you will find a fine selection of Antique and Vintage examples to choose from.
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Napoleon 3rd Ebonised Writing Table Engraved Diehl Paris Circa 1850
£ 3,250
Napoleon 3rd Ebonised Writing Table Engraved Diehl Paris Circa 1850
£ 3,250
Beresford Antiques Ltd
£ 695
Antique Library Table Oak with Leather Inlay with Double Pen Trough Circa 1937
£ 695
Bentleigh Antiques
Harmony Antiques
French Bleached Oak Extending Dining Table
£ 695
£ 4,950
Founders Antiques
Antique Georgian Mahogany Writing Desk
£ 525
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 695
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Oak Pedestal Desk
£ 695
Trade Antiques
Cylinder Desk Large Country Oak Lions Head 1860
£ 1,485
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Partners Desk
£ 2,750
Rawlings Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 595
Founders Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
£ 495
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Inlaid Bureau Plat Desk
£ 1,450
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Burr Walnut Kidney Shaped Writing Table Desk
£ 380
Richie Perrott Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Partners Writing Desk
£ 1,495
Vintage House
Antique Ships Desk in Three Parts
£ 895
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Chinoiserie Pedestal Desk 19th Century
£ 4,350
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk by Edwards & Roberts - Fine Quality
£ 2,995
Antique Victorian Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk by Edwards & Roberts - Fine Quality
£ 2,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique 19th Century Burr Walnut Writing Desk - Fine Quality Library Table
£ 3,495
Antique 19th Century Burr Walnut Writing Desk - Fine Quality Library Table
£ 3,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
FB Antiques
Antique Figured Walnut Escritoire
£ 795
Camden Antiques
Fine Quality Brass Inlaid Pedestal Desk
£ 3,450
Richie Perrott Antiques
Early 20th Century Oak Partner's Desk
£ 1,395
£ 485
£ 415
£ 535
Beresford Antiques Ltd
19th Century Walnut Estate Desk in Original Condition
£ 595
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Twin Pedestal Desk
£ 695
Philip Hunt Antiques
Good Quality Georgian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 1,150
Vintage House
Antique Oak Green Man Desk
£ 695
Richie Perrott Antiques
Early 20th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
£ 795
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 695
Treehouse Antiques
Victorian Walnut Roll Top Desk
£ 675
Millers Antiques
Large Partners Kneehole Desk
£ 1,650
Antique & Decorative
William IV Mahogany Writing Table
£ 720
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Freestanding Kingwood Ornate Ormolu Mounted Partners Bureau Plat-desk
£ 4,950
Large Antique Victorian Quality Freestanding Kingwood Ornate Ormolu Mounted Partners Bureau Plat-desk
£ 4,950
London City Antiques
FB Antiques
Victorian Figured Walnut Pedestal Desk
£ 1,250
Driscolls Antiques Ltd
Edwardian Antique Kidney Shaped Writing Desk
£ 1,295
Founders Antiques
Victorian Leather Topped Mahogany Library Centre Table
£ 565
LT Antiques
Rare Georgian Mahogany Architects Table Desk
£ 1,275
Kernow Furniture
Antique Yew Wood Escritoire
£ 1,195
LT Antiques
Large Mahogany Oval Partners Writing Table
£ 3,650
Closely examine the way the antique desk was constructed, especially its joinery. A desk created prior to 1860 in the United Kingdom, the year machines were first used to craft furniture, had hand cut dovetails that were fewer compared to the modern ones and were slightly uneven. If you find imperfections on some of the parts of a writing desk or a pedestal desk, for example, and when a desk had oil, wax, milk paint and shellac, and wooden pegs, dowels and even square nails were used, then the desk is indeed an antique piece. It's also essential to get familiarised with the popular time periods of antique furniture styles, which include Queen Anne, Baroque, Rocco, Georgian, Edwardian, William and Mary, Victorian, and Chippendale, and the materials popular at that time, like oak, mahogany, leather, and even brass. These antiques often have a reasonably high price, which a lot of first time buyers are puzzled at. The high quality types of wood like mahogany and oak, used in them results in durability that can last for centuries, if maintained properly. The material alone could contribute to the high price these pieces are usually associated with if created in the modern times.
Take note of the style of the antique desk, but don't base your judgment solely on it. Identifying certain features that were popular for antique desks in a certain period, such as the bracket feet, wouldn’t be enough to tell you how old the antique desk is, as styles can be reproduced over time. Determining the style of a kneehole desk, a pedestal desk, a regency writing table, or any other antique desk, would just be among the many things that help you determine the date they were constructed. You need to check the back, inside, and the bottom for signs that the desk was hand cut. Some antique desks have elements like chair spindles having slight differences, which would mean that these were likely created before 1860. Another way of knowing if it’s an antique desk is if there are nicks and elbow grease. There were also certain types of timber that were popular during different periods. For example, an oak desk was popular in the 1700s, the mahogany writing desk and the walnut desk were widely used in 18th century England, the Victorian boxwood table gained attention in the 19th century, and there was a brass and leather table from 1960 England. A type of wood that remained popular among table and cabinet makers past the 19th century is the burr walnut. Don’t forget to check the upholstery materials, which would often have damasks and brocades, among many different yet recognisable patterns. Also, screws weren't completely created by machine until 1848, so if you find ones with uneven appearance, the item would most likely be an antique.
These desks can be sold for a price of £125 to £36,500 in the United Kingdom, especially when in great condition. Figuring out the value of a vintage desk isn't easy; there are many factors you have to consider when determining the price of an old piece of furniture. The age of an old writing desk or a library table, for example, won't be enough to fetch a good price, especially when not in good condition. What could drive the price up for an antique desk is if it was crafted by a popular manufacturer, belonged or crafted for someone important in society or belonged to a well-known clan. Take note that the most valuable vintage desk is rare, so you have to check if the piece of furniture has an unusual size, shape or created for a certain purpose. Another thing to watch out for that could increase the price of the item is a unique carving motif and less common glass colour. You can find fine examples of these pieces for sale at the Love Antiques site.
Love Antiques is an online marketplace where dealers can display their antique and vintage pieces. Whether you’re looking for a vintage writing table or a pedestal desk, among many others, the site connects you to trusted genuine vintage dealers. The transaction happens between the customer and the dealer. If you are interested in an item or have questions regarding an item listed on our site like its price, you can contact the antique dealer directly. Along with details such as the type of wood like mahogany and oak or other materials like brass and leather, and the date of manufacture, the dealer’s telephone number is included on the item's page. There’s also a section on the page that gives you an option to send an email to the dealer. If there’s a particular furniture you’re interested in, be it vintage or from periods such as Victorian and Georgian, simply type your preferences on the search bar and you’d be shown results containing the desks you’re interested in. You can also add materials in your search like leather, brass, mahogany and oak. For the finest vintage desk for sale UK collectors go after, visit Love Antiques.
Love Antiques offers antique desks for sale from the most popular periods of history: the regency periods Victorian and Georgian, the Edwardian, the 19th century, and the 20th century. We have further subdivided the 19th century into mid, and late. We have also put emphasis on periods early 20th century as well as the late Victorian period. Love Antiques has a wide selection of vintage and antique desks on offer at competitive prices from the most reputable dealers in and outside England. Whichever type of wood, purpose, or style period you’re going for, we’re sure you’ll find it here. We are confident there is something for all tastes and budgets at Love Antiques. Figuring out the authenticity of a writing or pedestal desk, for example, isn’t easy. Even harder to determine is its price, especially if you’re someone who’s new in antiques collection. You would need the guidance of a reputable antiques expert. Rest assured, here at Love Antiques, we have checked each of the antique furniture dealers you’ll be getting your vintage or antique desk from, so you wouldn’t have to worry about whether the antiques for sale that you’re looking at are authentic or not.