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.
Harper Baxter
18th Century Oak Writing Table Georgian Desk
£ 740
£ 750
Harper Baxter
Irish Oak Desk Carved Leather Victorian 19th Century
£ 750
Harper Baxter
Large Oak Partners Desk Victorian Leather
£ 3,600
Barnaby's of Battle
Antique Oak Ornately Carved Bureau Mid 19th Century
£ 695
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Walnut and Oak Leather Top Desk
£ 775
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Carlton House Desk
£ 2,650
Harry Raine Antiques
Neat Inlaid Walnut Writing Bureau
£ 295
£ 1,150
Harper Baxter
Small Antique Desk Kneehole Petite 19th Century
£ 950
Bedsteads
Writing Table with Nice Parquetry
£ 950
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 695
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Carved Figured Mahogany Serpentine Shaped Partners Desk
£ 18,850
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Carved Figured Mahogany Serpentine Shaped Partners Desk
£ 18,850
London City Antiques
£ 2,250
Antique Clerk's Desk, English, Leather, Partner, Home Office - Edwardian c.1910
£ 2,250
London Fine Ltd
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 795
D & J Hunt Antiques Ltd
Great Antique Pine Victorian Office Desk to paint / wax
£ 845
Stalham Antique Gallery
Extremely Fine "Carlton House" Writing Desk in Satinwood
£ 3,500
Camden Antiques
Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk
£ 895
Harper Baxter
Georgian Mahogany Writing Table
£ 980
Marylebone Antiques
Burr Walnut Leather Top Concave Desk / Side Table
£ 575
Loveday Antiques
Extremely Fine Rosewood & Brass Inlaid Writing Table Attributed to Gillows Oxford Street Workshop
£ 12,500
Extremely Fine Rosewood & Brass Inlaid Writing Table Attributed to Gillows Oxford Street Workshop
£ 12,500
Loveday Antiques
Millers Antiques
19th Century Kneehole Desk
£ 495
Harper Baxter
Biedermeier Desk Carved Walnut 19th Century
£ 1,550
£ 850
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Swedish Elm & Birch Escritoire Writing Desk
£ 2,795
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Secretaire Desk
£ 2,685
Harper Baxter
Victorian Oak Carlton House Desk
£ 3,200
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Late Victorian Mahogany Library Desk
£ 795
Millers Antiques
Fine Chamber Writing Table Att. to Gillows
£ 1,750
Timeless Furniture UK
Victorian Mahogany Two Drawer Side Table
£ 235
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Walnut Kneehole Desk
£ 2,850
Antique & Modern Living
A Superb Cylinder Desk In The Manner Of John Mclean
£ 5,950
Harper Baxter
Regency Rosewood Library Desk Leather Top
£ 1,100
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk
£ 885
Harper Baxter
Victorian Library Writing Desk Mahogany Leather
£ 1,100
House of Clarnold
19th Century Parquetry Writing Cabinet Desk
£ 995
Harper Baxter
Carved Oak Library Desk Flemish Leather
£ 1,200
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 795
Michael Johnson Antiques
Rosewood Writing Slope William IV
£ 280
Harper Baxter
Rosewood Writing Table
£ 1,850
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.