3/28/2024, 9:51:32
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Vintage & Antique Desks For Sale

(1,012 items)

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.      

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Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Writing Table Desk

£ 595

€695
$748
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Writing Table Desk

Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Writing Table Desk

£ 595

€695
$748

Mersham Manor Antiques

Mahogany Partners Desk

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Mahogany Partners Desk

£ 2,850

€3,329
$3,585
Mahogany Partners Desk

Mahogany Partners Desk

£ 2,850

€3329
$3585

Salisbury Antiques Centre

17th Century Spanish Walnut Vargueno

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

17th Century Spanish Walnut Vargueno

£ 3,950

€4,614
$4,969
17th Century Spanish Walnut Vargueno

17th Century Spanish Walnut Vargueno

£ 3,950

€4614
$4969

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Antique 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

£ 595

€695
$748
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

Antique 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

£ 595

€695
$748

Penderyn Antiques

Large Antique Oak Twin Pedestal Partners Desk

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
Large Antique Oak Twin Pedestal Partners Desk

Large Antique Oak Twin Pedestal Partners Desk

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Penderyn Antiques

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Philip Hunt Antiques

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

£ 1,820

€2,126
$2,289
Regency Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Mahogany Writing Table

£ 1,820

€2126
$2289

Philip Hunt Antiques

Queen Anne Style Walnut Pedestal Desk c.1930

£ 1,930

€2,255
$2,428
Queen Anne Style Walnut Pedestal Desk c.1930

Queen Anne Style Walnut Pedestal Desk c.1930

£ 1,930

€2255
$2428

Philip Hunt Antiques

Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Pedestal Desk

£ 1,575

€1,840
$1,981
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Pedestal Desk

£ 1,575

€1840
$1981

Marylebone Antiques

Antique Georgian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk

£ 1,450

€1,694
$1,824
Antique Georgian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk

Antique Georgian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk

£ 1,450

€1694
$1824

Marylebone Antiques

Victorian Library Writing Table by Hindley

£ 620

€724
$780
Victorian Library Writing Table by Hindley

Victorian Library Writing Table by Hindley

£ 620

€724
$780

Antique & Decorative

Mahogany Carlton House Desk

£ 2,200

€2,570
$2,767
Mahogany Carlton House Desk

Mahogany Carlton House Desk

£ 2,200

€2570
$2767

Athey Antiques

Victorian Library Writing Table by Heals

£ 640

€748
$805
Victorian Library Writing Table by Heals

Victorian Library Writing Table by Heals

£ 640

€748
$805

Antique & Decorative

Limed Oak Dressing Table Attributed to Heals

£ 695

€812
$874
Limed Oak Dressing Table Attributed to Heals

Limed Oak Dressing Table Attributed to Heals

£ 695

€812
$874

Millers Antiques

Large Pedestal Desk in Mahogany - 19th Century

€ 3,800

£3,253
$4,092
Large Pedestal Desk in Mahogany - 19th Century

Large Pedestal Desk in Mahogany - 19th Century

€ 3,800

£3253
$4092

Alain Michel Antiques

Antique Burr Walnut Desk

£ 995

€1,162
$1,252
Antique Burr Walnut Desk

Antique Burr Walnut Desk

£ 995

€1162
$1252

FB Antiques

Quality Antique Victorian Rosewood Freestanding Davenport

£ 1,885

€2,202
$2,371
Quality Antique Victorian Rosewood Freestanding Davenport

Quality Antique Victorian Rosewood Freestanding Davenport

£ 1,885

€2202
$2371

London City Antiques

Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Free Standing Kneehole Desk

£ 2,650

€3,096
$3,333
Victorian Oak Pedestal Desk

£ 395

€461
$497
Victorian Oak Pedestal Desk

Victorian Oak Pedestal Desk

£ 395

€461
$497

Rawlings Antiques

Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Desk

£ 975

€1,139
$1,226
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Desk

Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Desk

£ 975

€1139
$1226

Marylebone Antiques

Regency Painted Mahogany Clerks Desk

£ 395

€461
$497
Regency Painted Mahogany Clerks Desk

Regency Painted Mahogany Clerks Desk

£ 395

€461
$497

Old Painted Furniture

Edwardian Mahogany Kneehole Desk

£ 795

€929
$1,000
Edwardian Mahogany Kneehole Desk

Edwardian Mahogany Kneehole Desk

£ 795

€929
$1000

FB Antiques

Fine Quality Antique Victorian French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour

£ 2,485

€2,903
$3,126
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Kidney Desk

£ 975

€1,139
$1,226
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Kidney Desk

Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Kidney Desk

£ 975

€1139
$1226

Camden Antiques

Victorian Burr Walnut Twin Pedestal Desk

£ 795

€929
$1,000
Victorian Burr Walnut Twin Pedestal Desk

Victorian Burr Walnut Twin Pedestal Desk

£ 795

€929
$1000

Richie Perrott Antiques

19th Century French Walnut Bureau Plat

£ 6,800

€7,943
$8,554
19th Century French Walnut Bureau Plat

19th Century French Walnut Bureau Plat

£ 6,800

€7943
$8554

Lee Wright Antiques Ltd

Georgian Mahogany Writing Table

£ 975

€1,139
$1,226
Georgian Mahogany Writing Table

Georgian Mahogany Writing Table

£ 975

€1139
$1226

Philip Hunt Antiques

Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Leather Top Desk

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Leather Top Desk

Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Leather Top Desk

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Marylebone Antiques

Antique Military Campaign Desk

£ 2,875

€3,358
$3,616
Antique Military Campaign Desk

Antique Military Campaign Desk

£ 2,875

€3358
$3616

Hingstons Antiques

Antique George III Quality Mahogany Knee Hole Desk

£ 2,250

€2,628
$2,830
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Knee Hole Desk

Antique George III Quality Mahogany Knee Hole Desk

£ 2,250

€2628
$2830

London City Antiques

Antique Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk

£ 595

€695
$748
Antique Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk

Antique Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk

£ 595

€695
$748

Kernow Furniture

Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Writing Table

£ 775

€905
$975
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Writing Table

Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Writing Table

£ 775

€905
$975

Marylebone Antiques

Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Sovereign Antiques

Antique Victorian Library Table Desk

£ 399

€466
$502
Antique Victorian Library Table Desk

Antique Victorian Library Table Desk

£ 399

€466
$502

Planet Antiques

19th Century Rosewood Davenport Desk

£ 950

€1,110
$1,195
19th Century Rosewood Davenport Desk

19th Century Rosewood Davenport Desk

£ 950

€1110
$1195

LT Antiques

Antique Walnut Pedestal Writing Desk

£ 490

€572
$616
Antique Walnut Pedestal Writing Desk

Antique Walnut Pedestal Writing Desk

£ 490

€572
$616

Town House Traders Ltd

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.