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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.
Harper Baxter
Large Oak Partners Desk Victorian Leather
£ 3,600
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Walnut and Oak Leather Top Desk
£ 775
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Carlton House Desk
£ 2,650
£ 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
Marylebone Antiques
Burr Walnut Leather Top Concave Desk / Side Table
£ 575
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Swedish Elm & Birch Escritoire Writing Desk
£ 2,795
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk
£ 885
Harper Baxter
Victorian Library Writing Desk Mahogany Leather
£ 1,100
Harper Baxter
Carved Oak Library Desk Flemish Leather
£ 1,200
Marylebone Antiques
French Kidney Shaped Leather Top Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Writing Table
£ 675
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Burr Walnut Leather Top Desk
£ 3,500
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk
£ 1,450
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Figured Walnut Leather Top Desk
£ 2,200
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 1,500
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Mahogany Leather Top Military Campaign Pedestal Desk
£ 1,525
Marylebone Antiques
French Mahogany Leather Top Desk / Writing Table
£ 795
Trade Antiques
Writing Desk / Table Oak Tan Leather Carved 1860-1880
£ 995
Richie Perrott Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Traditional Writing Desk
£ 695
Marylebone Antiques
1960’s Sycamore & Walnut Bureau by Peter Hayward for Vanson
£ 675
Founders Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Red Leather Writing Table Desk
£ 495
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Satinwood Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Mahogany Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Bentwood Desk by Jacob & Josef Kohn Austria
£ 1,250
LT Antiques
Freestanding Oak Kneehole Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Leather Top Kidney Shaped Desk
£ 1,450
Worboys Antiques
Victorian Mahogany Writing Desk
£ 750
Worboys Antiques
Late 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk
£ 775
Worboys Antiques
Substantial Walnut Writing Desk
£ 875
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Partners Desk
£ 2,750
Founders Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
£ 495
Richie Perrott Antiques
Early 20th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
£ 795
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Freestanding Kingwood Ornate Ormolu Mounted Partners Bureau Plat-desk
£ 4,950
Large Antique Victorian Quality Freestanding Kingwood Ornate Ormolu Mounted Partners Bureau Plat-desk
£ 4,950
London City Antiques
LT Antiques
Large Mahogany Oval Partners Writing Table
£ 3,650
Richie Perrott Antiques
A 19th Century French Kingwood Parquetry Ladies Desk
£ 1,495
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Writing Table
£ 575
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Amboyna and Rosewood Escritoire Writing Desk
£ 1,250
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Fine Quality Mahogany Writing Dressing Table 19th Century Desk Side X-frame
£ 1,746
Antique Fine Quality Mahogany Writing Dressing Table 19th Century Desk Side X-frame
£ 1,746
Prior & Willis Antiques
£ 850
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