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.
Kernow Furniture
Victorian Walnut Desk
£ 375
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Victorian Mahogany Writing Table
£ 1295
Victoria Antiques
Twin Pedestal Victorian Oak Writing Desk.
£ 495
Kernow Furniture
George III Mahogany Writing Desk & Stand
£ 1095
Mabel Rose Interiors
19th Century Mahogany Desk
£ 375
Kernow Furniture
Elm Table Top Clerks Desk
£ 185
£ 4950
French 19th Century Gilt-bronze Mounted Writing Table of Fine Quality
£ 4950
Loveday Antiques
£ 4250
Unusual Early 20th Century French Thuya Wood Metamorphic Writing Table
£ 4250
Loveday Antiques
Thakeham Furniture ltd
Edwardian Satinwood Sheraton Style Carlton House Desk
£ 3450
Philip Hunt Antiques
Early Victorian Mahogany Partners Desk
£ 2595
Philip Hunt Antiques
Georgian Style Walnut Pedestal Desk c.1920
£ 1795
Prior & Willis Antiques
Mahogany Desk Writing Side Occasional Table c.1900
£ 1195
Loveday Antiques
Rare Chinese Export Amboyna & Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk
£ 16850
Prior & Willis Antiques
Inlaid Burr Walnut Bonheur de Jour Bureau Desk Writing Table 19th Century
£ 3995
Inlaid Burr Walnut Bonheur de Jour Bureau Desk Writing Table 19th Century
£ 3995
Prior & Willis Antiques
LC Antiques
Victorian Walnut Pedestal Desk
£ 575
£ 14500
Exceptional Early 17th Century Spanish Walnut Vargueno Desk on Stand
£ 14500
Loveday Antiques
Thakeham Furniture ltd
18th Century Mahogany Partners Library Table
£ 5250
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Victorian Mahogany Writing Table with Green Leather Hide Top c.1870
£ 1295
Victorian Mahogany Writing Table with Green Leather Hide Top c.1870
£ 1295
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Joseph Riley Furniture
Walnut Serpentine Shaped Writing Desk c.1920
£ 475
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Burr Walnut Dressing Table or Desk
£ 895
NP & A SALT ANTQUES
Antique Walnut Pedestal Desk
£ 325
Camden Antiques
Maple & Co Mahogany Partners Desk
£ 2350
Joseph Riley Furniture
Lovely Mahogany Writing Desk With Gallery Top Made By Redman & Hales
£ 375
Lovely Mahogany Writing Desk With Gallery Top Made By Redman & Hales
£ 375
Joseph Riley Furniture
Georgian Antiques
Neat Sized Pedestal Desk
£ 1150
Antique Furniture Direct
Art Deco Oak Desk / Writing Table
£ 350
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Victorian Bleached & Limed Oak Writing Table
£ 1800
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Victorian Burr & Figured Walnut Davenport
£ 1150
Marylebone Antiques
Burr Walnut Antique Leather Top Writing Desk
£ 1250
Windsor House Antiques
A Late 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 1780
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Victorian Walnut Davenport Desk
£ 450
Driscolls Antiques Ltd
High Quality Victorian Mahogany Antique Cylinder Desk
£ 1650
Pughs Antiques
1960s Large Mahogany Pedestal Desk with Red Leather Top
£ 595
Pughs Antiques
1960s Large Mahogany Pedestal Desk with Red Top Plus Key
£ 450
£ 575
Fontaine Decorative
Mahogany Kneehole Desk
£ 1150
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Mahogany Dressing Table or Desk
£ 695
Pughs Antiques
1920's Quality Mahogany Writing Desk- 1 Piece
£ 350
Pughs Antiques
1920's Oak Writing Desk- 1 Piece
£ 350
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Victorian Satinwood Crossbanded Writing Table
£ 695
Millers Antiques
Neat Ash 19th Century Kneehole Desk
£ 850
Antique Desk & Vintage Desk FAQs
How do I identify the age and style of an antique desk?
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.
How can I date my antique desk?
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.
How much do vintage desks cost?
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.
Can I contact dealers directly to discuss vintage desk items through Love Antiques?
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.
What are the most popular periods for antique desks offered by 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.