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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.
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Kidney Shaped Desk
£ 1,190
Worboys Antiques
Large Mahogany Writing Table
£ 775
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Ormolu Mounted Escritoire Desk
£ 675
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Walnut & Sycamore Desk with Integrated Lamp
£ 4,150
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Partners Desk
£ 4,850
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Desk / Writing Table
£ 675
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Leather Top Desk
£ 3,250
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Writing Desk by Maple & Co
£ 495
Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Writing Desk by Maple & Co
£ 495
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Leather Top Military Campaign Pedestal Desk
£ 1,250
LT Antiques
Victorian Walnut & Leather Pedestal Desk
£ 1,750
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Kidney Shaped Desk
£ 1,650
Marylebone Antiques
Antique William IV Mahogany Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,250
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Kingwood Parquetry & Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat in the Louis XV Style
£ 17,500
Antique Kingwood Parquetry & Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat in the Louis XV Style
£ 17,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Town House Traders Ltd
Quality Walnut Partners Pedestal Desk (5ft Wide)
£ 750
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,450
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 2,500
Marylebone Antiques
Antique William IV Walnut Partners Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,450
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Freestanding Pedestal Kneehole Desk With Fitted Stationery Drawers & Writing Slides
£ 2,850
Antique Victorian Mahogany Freestanding Pedestal Kneehole Desk With Fitted Stationery Drawers & Writing Slides
£ 2,850
London City Antiques
London City Antiques
Antique French Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Freestanding Writing Desk Bureau Plat Leather Top
£ 2,285
Antique French Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Freestanding Writing Desk Bureau Plat Leather Top
£ 2,285
London City Antiques
LT Antiques
Victorian Figured Walnut Desk
£ 1,950
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Figured Walnut Leather Top Desk
£ 2,500
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Table / Desk
£ 975
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Georgian Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 950
£ 2,750
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Walnut Pedestal Desk by Laszlo Hoenig
£ 3,250
London City Antiques
Antique Georgian Mahogany Partners Library Writing Desk with Leather Slide
£ 4,250
Antique Georgian Mahogany Partners Library Writing Desk with Leather Slide
£ 4,250
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Antique William IV Mahogany Leather Top Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,150
Town House Traders Ltd
Quality Mahogany Brass Bound Military Campaign Pedestal Desk
£ 650
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Desk
£ 1,450
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Louis XVI Style Mahogany, Satine & Parquetry Desk by François Linke, No. 484
£ 29,500
Louis XVI Style Mahogany, Satine & Parquetry Desk by François Linke, No. 484
£ 29,500
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Wick Antiques Ltd
Fine French Late 19th Century Kingwood & Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat / Writing Table in the Manner of Leon Message c.1890
£ 8,800
Fine French Late 19th Century Kingwood & Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat / Writing Table in the Manner of Leon Message c.1890
£ 8,800
Wick Antiques Ltd
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Figured Walnut Leather Top Desk
£ 750
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Mid 19th Century Davenport Writing Desk
£ 1,950
Marylebone Antiques
Georgian Style Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,450
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Late Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk with Original Leather Top
£ 1,250
Late Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk with Original Leather Top
£ 1,250
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Church Street Antiques
Late Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Writing Desk by Maple & Co
£ 1,250
White’s Antiques
Late 18th / Early 19th Century English Sheraton Revival Kidney Desk - Original Leather Top
£ 1,795
Late 18th / Early 19th Century English Sheraton Revival Kidney Desk - Original Leather Top
£ 1,795
White’s Antiques
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