Antique Desks
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Large French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk
$6,995.0030"H x 65"W x 31.50"D
Dimensions: 30” H x 65” W x 31 ½” D
An impressive early 19th Century Louis XVI style ebonized desk made in France. This large desk has an ebonized wood frame with a worn inset leather top embossed with brass tooling. A leather topped slide with a brass ring pull extends 12” from the both sides, giving the desk an 86 ¼” width when extended. Below the writing surface you’ll find four drawers including a center drawer. On the left side are two stacked drawers and on the right is a single double-stacked drawer to mimic the design. Louis XVI style gilt bronze escutcheon plates are featured on the drawer fronts and one key is present to work all of the functioning locks. The desk is raised on tapered legs with brass capped feet. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax, this antique is ready for your immediate use. The worn leather writing surfaces have patina and marks consistent with age and use, be sure to look at the detailed images to see the current condition of this desk. Knee clearance: 23 ½”
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English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
$4,200.0099.50"H x 47.75"W x 20.25"D
Dimensions: 99 ½” H x 47 ¾” W x 20 ¼” D
A mahogany secrétaire made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass front doors that open with a working lock and key. Inside are three adjustable shelves at 8” deep. A drop front desk opens to a wine colored leather writing surface with gold tooling and is fitted with nine open storage cavities, and eight drawers with brass knobs. The base below includes five easy-to-use drawers with brass pulls. All the drawer locks are in working condition and use the same key as the glass doors. Cleaned and polished with a paste wax, this antique is ready for your immediate use. Be sure to view the detailed images to see the current condition of this secrétaire. Note: The drop front desk lock is not in working order and uses a blank key as a pull.
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French 19th Century Writing Desk
$3,995.0038.75"H x 56.75"W x 33.50"D
Dimensions: 38 ¾” H x 56 ¾” W x 33 ½” D
A French writing desk made of rosewood and mahogany. This desk has an upper console containing four drawers and a center open cavity with a scalloped shelf. The writing surface has an inset leather top and has a pull out slide on its right side for additional surface area, measuring 28 ¼”H x 24 ¾”W x 15 ¾”D. Below the writing surface you’ll find a center drawer with a knob for opening. On the left side are two stacked drawers, the lock is missing in the top drawer, and the bottom drawer’s lock is functioning. Mimicking the design of the left is a single double-stacked drawer on the right. The interior is fitted with removable storage compartments and has a functioning lock. One key is present to work the bottom left drawer and the desk’s right drawer. This desk is supported on turned mahogany legs. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax. Be sure to view the detailed images of this exceptional desk. Knee clearance in the center of the desk is 24”.
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French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
$3,995.0055"H x 38.50"W x 17.50"D
Dimensions: 55” H x 38 ½” W x 17 ½” D
A handsome 19th century Empire secrétaire à abattant made of rich bookmatched and figured walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a drawer, accessible with a hidden pull. Below is a fold front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked with empirical styled columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers with brass round knobs. You’ll find four functioning locks all surrounded with decorative ormolu escutcheon plates, 1 key works all the locks. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax, this antique is ready for your immediate use. Be sure to view the detailed images to see the current condition of this antique secrétaire á abattant. Circa 1810. The writing surface is 30”H x 28 ½”W x 21”D. Total depth with the writing surface being used is 33 ½”D.
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French 18th Century Directoire Roll Top Desk
$5,995.0049"H x 55.75"W x 25.50"D
Dimensions: 49” H x 55 ¾” W x 25 ½” D
A handsome and classically designed French Directoire “D” roll top desk. The desk is topped with a polished piece of St. Anne gris marble. Directly beneath the marble are three drawers with beautiful bookmatched burl mahogany drawer fronts and brass escutcheon plates with an impressive steel key and locking system. The D shaped roll top is quite impressive with its burl bookmatched design and brass handles. The top opens to a fitted interior including three open cavities, three drawers and two spring loaded hidden compartments. The leather top writing surface extends forward making the total depth of the desk 37 ¼”D. The main writing surface is 29 ½”H x 48 ¾”W x 20”D. On each side of the desk you’ll find a slide out leather top writing surface, each measuring 28 ½”H x 19 ⅜”W x 18 ⅜”D. Below the center writing surface you’ll find a center drawer, two stacked drawers on the left side and a single double stacked drawer on the right. The interior of the right drawer is fitted with removable compartments. This desk is supported with squared off tapered legs ending in brass caps. The desk has been cleaned and polished with a French paste wax. Be sure to view the detailed images of this exceptional desk.
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French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk
$6,500.0039.50"H x 51.38"W x 29.75"D
Dimensions: 39 ½” H x 51 ⅜” W x 29 ¾” D
A wonderful mid-19th century French Louis XVI style mahogany desk hand-crafted in France circa 1850. A beautiful, smooth top of flame mahogany is surrounded by a three quarter decorative brass gallery following down to two open center storage spaces and four roomy drawers in a removable riser. This top piece easily lifts off the base for transport and is affixed with circular, recessed brass escutcheon plates surrounded by Louis XVI style brass bellflower pulls. A second three quarter brass gallery surrounds the writing surface which measures 30” H and is adorned with new black leather with gold gilt tooling. Two sliders on each side of the writing surface are covered with the original leather and extend the desk out 17 ¾” on either side. The apron showcases the handsome veneer and gorgeous colors of the wood and contains four drawers of the same design that open easily. The right side has a singular large drawer that opens to contain a notched wooden privacy slide and a four compartment pull out wooden tray for excellent organization. The whole is raised on regal turned, tapering fluted legs with brass capitals and capped feet. Showcasing an attractive polished mahogany, this desk has fine features, many storage options, and is fully finished on all sides making it a supremely practical piece. Be sure to view all the images to see every detail of this unique antique desk.
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French 19th Century Inlay Lady’s Desk
$4,200.0052.13"H x 31.50"W x 17.25"D
Dimensions: 52-⅛”H x 31-½”W x 17-¼”D
This is a darling petite lady’s writing desk from France circa 1850. Sleek and uncluttered design, typical of its Louis XVI style. A wonderful white marble top is encircled by an elegant breakfront pierced brass gallery. The body of the desk has been crafted from a combination of vibrant mahogany and rosewood; showcased throughout with tasteful inlay work and thoughtful bookmatching. The glass in both doors is original and features a wavy texture and delightful bubbles. The locking doors house a display or storage space with a single removable shelf. Just below the doors are two small drawers with brass pulls. The desk top folds open to reveal a green leather writing surface with gold tooling in good antique condition; wear consistent with use where the surface hinges. The apron houses a single locking drawer flanked by two pull-out support bars for when the writing surface is open. Two keys are included. The whole is raised on tapered legs. Make sure to view the detailed images for a closer look at its fine condition and see below for specific measurements.
Open desk depth: 24-¼”D // Apron clearance: 24-⅜”H // Open desk clearance: 28-⅝”H
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French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
$4,500.0053.75"H x 37"W x 16.50"D
Dimensions: 53-¾”H x 37”W x 16-½”D
A statley 19th century mahogany secrétaire à abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal marble top resting above a single drawer disguised into the apron. Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling. The leather is in great antique condition making this a comfortable place to work. When open, you can see the theatre is equipped with five drawers and a large, arched top cubby flanked with column forms. With the desk down the maximum depth is 32”; the writing surface is 28-½” heigh. The desk front and lower doors each feature a decorative brass escutcheon depicting intersecting torches among floral garland forms; one key is included for all four functioning locks. A pair of simple, round brass pulls on each drawer allow easy access. This Empire-style secretary features eye-catching bookmatched mahogany and traditional Empire columns down each side with brass capitals and bases. There have been professional repairs made to the marble top which are nearly invisible to the eye, see detailed pictures for condition.
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English Mahogany & Ebony Desk
$4,150.0030.5"H x 45"W x 21.88"D
Dimensions: 30-½”H x 45”W x 21-⅞”D
This is an English pedestal desk with two faux drawers just under the ebonized top. All sit on a curved pedestal atop a plinth base with bun feet on top of metal casters. The base is connected by a flat stretcher. A pretty little table! Circa 1880.
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English 19th Century Writing Desk
$4,800.0028.63"H x 47.88"W x 23.5"D
Dimensions: 28-⅝”H x 47-⅞”W x 23-½”D
We love the design of this simple yet sophisticated mahogany desk! There is no storage in this desk which is perfect for today’s office which usually consists of just a laptop. The trestle base gives way for ample leg room, the turned mahogany stretcher ends through the legs with a round end cap, and the feet end with brass casters.
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French 19th Century Walnut Secretary
$6,500.0071"H x 44.75"W x 24.75"D
Dimensions: 71”H x 44-¾”W x 24-¾”D
A wonderful walnut secretary desk. The desk can be separated into two bodies: the lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The writing surface is covered in beautiful black, tooled leather and can be pulled out for additional work space. The writing surface has a height of 29-½”H and the knee clearance is 26-⅝”H. The base also contains two drawers with working locks and a single key. Above the writing surface is a little cubby with a whimsical scalloped frame flanked by two drawers on each side. The drawers all have a round brass knob. The top has two glass-front bookcase doors with original glass and working lock and latch. The cabinet has two adjustable shelves. The secretary is lifted by four brilliantly turned legs.
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French Early 19th Century Transitional Drop Front Desk
$4,650.0035.25"H x 44.38"W x 22.5"D
Dimensions: 35-¼”H x 44-⅜”W x 22-½”D
This amazing walnut desk has a slanted front that drops to reveal an interior writing surface and storage. A single key works the lock to open the top and once opened, the writing surface is lined with tooled, green leather. The interior is outfitted with four drawers, three cubbies and a couple hidden compartments. The lower portion of the secretary has two small top drawers and a large, bottom drawer. Each drawer is outfitted with drop ring pulls. Two escutcheon plates are placed down the center creating symmetry but do not have locks. A uniquely shaped skirt wraps around the three exposed sides of the desk. The whole is raised on square, tapering legs with shaped feet. Open Dimensions: 24-¾”H (to writing surface) x 38-⅞”D and floor to desk top is 24”H. C. 1800
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English 19th Century Mahogany Kingwood Desk
$4,500.0041.75"H x 54"W x 21.5"D
Dimensions: 41-¾”H x 54”W x 21-½”D
This is an elegant, 19th century, c. 1850, inlaid writing desk. Inlay graces every surface of this beautiful desk, most notably around the frieze apron. Two drawers with small brass escutcheon plates are well disguised in the frieze. A single key works both locks and acts as a pull for both drawers. The four tapered legs are connected with an inlaid stretcher shelf and are finished with shaped feet.
Work surface height: 31-5/8″
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French 19th Century Barley-Twist Fold-Down Desk
$6,995.0048.625"H x 58.25"W x 27.125"D
Dimensions: 48-5/8″H x 58-1/4″W x 27-1/8″D
A handsome, impressive carved mahogany desk with gem-cut decorations and fitted birds-eye maple interiors and original black leather writing surface. A very interesting key unlocks the top part of this fine desk, folding down to an interior fitted with 9 storage areas. The top of the desk slides forward reveling the writing surface which is pulled out and then dropped down for a very functional and useable writing surface. Below the writing surface are three large drawers (one is a faux front, one large drawer with a hidden locked compartment) The whole sits on impressively carved barley twist legs. 1840’s
Shop Vintage & Antique Desks
Antique desks are a classy addition to homes, offices, or the now popular hybrid, home offices. They create a centerpiece in any room, and antique desks have unparalleled style and durability you won’t find in their modern counterparts. The allure of this type of vintage furniture lies in its elegance, as well as its traditional and cultural appeal.
At Fireside Antiques, we have a diverse inventory of antique desks guaranteed to suit your preference and home design. We typically source our collection of on buying trips to England and France. Currently in stock, we have old pieces made by skilled artisans from as far back as the early 19th century.
Unparalleled Appeal and Function
Historically, people used desks as surfaces for writing and reading scrolls, parchment, or other manuscripts. They often had inclined surfaces for optimal use, and they had several compartments, slots, and hooks for storing pens, ink, and other writing implements.
Due to the bulk of scrolls and other manuscripts from centuries past, most antique desks were typically large so that they could accommodate these documents and materials. More recently, desks have gone beyond their practical function and are now considered hallmarks of quality interior decoration.
Artisans typically made them with different woods, including mahogany, birch, oak, cherry, and walnut. The styles of the antique desks we stock vary and include pedestals, fold ups, fold downs, foldouts, roll tops, and more. All of them come in different dimensions, colors, and finishes, and often feature storage compartments.
Find an Antique Desk for Your Home
Whether you collect antique furniture and are looking for a new addition to your collection or you want to purchase a desk for its practical uses, we have a perfect fit for your living space. We carry pieces of superb quality, each one carefully carved to fit your unique taste.
Our desks come in attractive colors with gorgeous finishes. Apart from being works of art, they are durable and can serve you for years to come. As much as our pieces are antique, they’re perfect for studying and exploring the modern world. Relax at your desk in the comfort of your home or office and allow these pieces to inspire you.
Antique desks from Fireside Antiques connect you to the past and allow you to enjoy the present. Antique desks are useful in all homes, offices, and anywhere else you want to experience an old-world feel while you work. We have an extensive collection of antique desks, and you can browse them all on our website.