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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.
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
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
£ 885
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
Founders Antiques
Victorian Leather Topped Mahogany Library Centre Table
£ 565
LT Antiques
Large Mahogany Oval Partners Writing Table
£ 3,650
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Writing Table
£ 575
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Writing Table / Desk
£ 775
Marylebone Antiques
Antique French Amboyna and Rosewood Escritoire Writing Desk
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk
£ 1,375
Whites Antiques
Fine Mahogany Regency Pedestal Library/writing Table
£ 2,995
FB Antiques
Victorian Rosewood and Marquetry Desk
£ 3,950
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 1,500
Salisbury Antiques Centre
19th Century Mahogany Kidney Shaped Desk
£ 3,500
Antiques-Interiors
Edwardian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
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
Mahogany Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk
£ 1,250
Harry Raine Antiques
Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Kidney Shaped Writing Table / Desk
£ 325
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Swedish Mahogany Barley Twist Leg Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Satinwood Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 1,650
Marylebone Antiques
Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
£ 1,350
LT Antiques
Victorian Mahogany & Leather Desk
£ 1,850
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Mahogany Leather Top Desk / Writing Table
£ 1,250
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Freestanding Leather Top Writing Desk
£ 3,250
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Freestanding Leather Top Writing Desk
£ 3,250
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Yew Wood Leather Top Partners Desk
£ 1,650
Rawlings Antiques
Victorian Walnut Davenport
£ 695
Marylebone Antiques
Antique William IV Rosewood Writing Table / Desk
£ 1,750
Town House Traders Ltd
Quality Brass Bound Military Campaign Style Desk
£ 690
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Yew Carlton House Desk
£ 1,675
Story Antique Clocks
A Fine Example of a Georgian Davenport
£ 2,200
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