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The emergence of leather topped desks in the 18th to early 19th Centuries occurred as the craze for writing among the general masses really took off. Before this period desks were usually humble tables or converted boxes. As you know any raised wood grain of the surface can interfere with an elegant flowing script, but it was found the softer cushioning effect of a leather Skiver (name for the leather used on a desk) to be a great solution. It also helped protect the expensive leather bound books being viewed on them. Soon thin tanned leathers in various colours with gilt tooled detailing were be used on desks to great effect and we have never looked back since. Since Skivers require careful preparation and fitting they are usually a sign of a quality desk. One can find them on grand Knee Hole desks, Library tables or elegant Davenports. As a cheaper alternative people did use first Oil Cloth and then Vinyl, but down through the years nothing has ever compared to leather for comfort and durability. Today modern Skiver replacements are common and often preferred on older desks.
At LoveAntiques we have a great selection of quality antique leather top desks as well as vintage leather top desks for sale as well.
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Sheraton Revival Leather Top Library Table
£ 3,350
Marylebone Antiques
Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 1,150
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Walnut Leather Top Desk / Writing Table
£ 795
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
François Linke French Louis XVI Ormolu Kingwood Bureau Plat Desk, c.1889
£ 45,000
François Linke French Louis XVI Ormolu Kingwood Bureau Plat Desk, c.1889
£ 45,000
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Kidney Shaped Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Rosewood Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,250
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Mahogany Davenport Desk by Gillows of Lancaster
£ 2,500
Antique Mahogany Davenport Desk by Gillows of Lancaster
£ 2,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Marylebone Antiques
Mahogany Military Campaign Desk / Writing Table
£ 995
£ 3,650
Antique Estate Manager's Kneehole Desk, Scottish, Oak, Country House c.1900
£ 3,650
London Fine Ltd
Georgian Antiques
Georgian Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk c.1880
£ 2,400
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk – 9 Drawers, Tooled Leather & Cupboard
£ 1,950
Antique Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk – 9 Drawers, Tooled Leather & Cupboard
£ 1,950
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Fine Mahogany Library Writing Table
£ 1,295
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Partners Desk
£ 4,750
Harry Raine Antiques
Edwardian Satinwood Desk / Writing Table
£ 650
Harry Raine Antiques
Good Quality Heals of London Walnut Pedestal Desk
£ 895
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 2,450
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Georgian Style Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,375
Antique Georgian Style Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,375
Marylebone Antiques
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Green Man Carved Oak Desk
£ 1,837.50
Marylebone Antiques
Georgian Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 1,450
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Fine French Burr Walnut Bureau Platt Desk
£ 1,100
£ 895
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super Kidney Shaped Mahogany Desk
£ 995
Marylebone Antiques
Antique William IV Walnut Partners Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,525
Philip Hunt Antiques
Impressive Georgian Style Burr Walnut 18 Drawer Partners Desk
£ 4,750
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Early Victorian Leather Top Writing Table
£ 2,995
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Desk / Writing Table
£ 750
£ 19,500
Regency Mahogany Partners Writing Table in The Manner of George Smith
£ 19,500
Loveday Antiques
Merchant House Antiques
Edwardian Kidney Shaped Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,695
LT Antiques
Large 19th Century Rosewood Davenport Desk
£ 1,450
Marylebone Antiques
Large Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Partners Desk
£ 3,650
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Late Georgian Mahogany & Leather Architects Desk
£ 3,750
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Early 20th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk by Hobbs & Co
£ 2,495
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Superb Adams Inlaid Desk
£ 3,500
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Freestanding Maple & Co Inlaid Writing Desk
£ 4,850
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Freestanding Maple & Co Inlaid Writing Desk
£ 4,850
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Walnut Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,500
D and A Binder LTD
Antique Oak Writing Desk with Leather Top
£ 570
£ 4,750
Philip Hunt Antiques
Late Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 1,180
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 675
£ 2,450
Antique Edwardian Louis XVI Style Mahogany Writing Desk by Spillman & Co. c.1910
£ 2,450
Founders Antiques
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