Our London showrooms
Open Mon to Fri 10am - 5pm
Open Saturdays by appointment

Antique Desks & Writing Tables

Shop antique desks and writing tables from one of the UK's premier furniture dealers. Different styles and sizes available. There are very many …

Shop antique desks and writing tables from one of the UK's premier furniture dealers. Different styles and sizes available. There are very many styles and sizes of desks and writing tables available and we try to offer as many different options as possible to our clients including pedestal desks, partners desks, writing tables, Bonheur de Jour, (typically a “ladies writing desk”), bureau plat, secretaire desks, and many more - all available to browse and buy from this website or from our London showrooms.

When you are choosing a desk there are many things to consider such as the size and shape of the room into which it is to be placed, whether you need a lot of storage options or will a single drawer option be sufficient for your needs? Many desks, antique and contemporary, offer the comfort and convenience of having a leather writing surface and these are often embellished with tooled design work to enhance the appearance of the desk.

How much desk space do you need? If you are only going to use it occasionally then maybe it doesn’t need to be as large as you first thought. On the other hand, if it is to be your place of confinement between the hours of 9 and 5, or even longer, then perhaps a bit more space would be a good thing and make the working day more pleasurable.

Also give thought to what actually needs to be on your desk. Nowadays it is usually necessary to accommodate a laptop or desktop computer and probably a large screen, not to mention a printer. All of these items take space and it is a certainty that, in the case of an antique desk, there are not going to be any convenient cable management facilities to help keep the operation tidy.

Consider a Partners Desk for All Round Visibility

If you want a desk that can be placed anywhere in a room and not necessarily against a wall, then a partners desk could be right for you as these are finished on both sides, whereas for more occasional use, a more straightforward writing table may well be sufficient. There are usually several antique partners desks to be seen and tried at our showroom and we also have a range of vintage and contemporary partners desks as well.

Not All Great Desks Are Antique Desks

We do have a wide range of antique desks and antique writing tables plus several vintage examples as well. However, an antique desk, with its higher cost, is not always viable for all customers and to give those customers another option we offer our beautiful range of contemporary period style desks made by craftsmen from the finest of materials using traditional techniques.

A Fine Antique Desk Needs A Fine Desk Chair

It’s a fact that you won’t get the best from a desk if you cannot sit comfortably at it and work, often for quite a long period. Don’t make the mistake of finding a superb desk and then spoiling the experience with a chair that isn’t really designed for the job. There’s a great range of antique desk chairs and contemporary desk chairs - including the ever popular “Captains Chair” - and other antique chairs elsewhere on our website to complete the set.

Come and See For Yourself - Antique Desks are Best Seen in Person

We know that not everyone will be able to visit our showrooms, which are located in London, UK, in order to buy the desk of their dreams - but we do encourage you to do so if you can. There you will be able to inspect all of our stock of antique desks, desk chairs, bureaux, and writing tables at your leisure with the added bonus of being able to actually sit at the desk and try it out. Our experts will be on hand to answer your questions and provide additional information if required.

If you are not a UK resident, never fear. Worldwide packing and expert shipping are available, so if you see something you like just contact us for a shipping quote to your part of the world. UK mainland shipping is free of charge. Please take a close look at the photo gallery included with every product listing to satisfy yourself that the desk you are interested in is exactly what you are looking for. Also take note of the dimensions that are supplied with all products in both centimetres and inches.

Show more
Ref: A3643
Antique Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Architects Desk by Edwards & Roberts 19th C

Antique Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Architects Desk by Edwards & Roberts 19th C

This is a superb antique Victorian mahogany satinwood and Goncalo Alves marquetry inlaid and satin wood crossbanded Architects desk by the renowned Victorian retailer and cabinet makers Edwards & Roberts, circa 1880 in date.   The desk features a hinged crossbanded lift-up architect's top with ratchet adjustment above three short frieze drawers. The centre drawer is fitted with the original inset  gold tooled black leather writing slope, and it is stamped EDWARDS & ROBERTS.   The drawers above a recess with a pair of doors with artist trophy inlaid oval marquetry reserves enclosing deep shelves and flanked by doors with urns inlay enclosing folio compartments.  The desk is raised on a substantial breakfront plinth base.   Instill the elegance of a bygone era to a special place in your home with this fabulous antique  desk.   Complete with working locks and original keys and brass handles.     This desk will soon become the centrepiece of your furniture collection, there is no mistaking the sophisticated quality and design and it is certain to enhance the style and elegance of any living area, bedroom, or reception.     Condition:   In really excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 82 x Width 122 x Depth 76

Height 69 x Width 75 x Depth 13 - Knee Hole

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 8 inches x Width 4 foot x Depth 2 foot, 6 inches

Height 2 foot, 3 inches x Width 2 foot, 5 inches x Depth 5 inches - Knee Hole

£7,500.00
Ref: 08543
Bespoke Large Oval Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk

Bespoke Large Oval Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk

We are proud to be able to offer this impressive and imposing large bespoke oval partners pedestal desk in top quality flame mahogany. As you can see from the photographs, this is a beautiful flame mahogany partners desk that will quickly become a favourite place to work in your home office but which would be equally at home in a commercial environment. This substantial partners pedestal desk has been skilfully accomplished in the much admired and sought after Georgian style. It has been wonderfully crafted from fine quality mahogany and the writing top has been skilfully lined with an inset hide writing surface which has been hand-tooled with attractive gilded decoration. The drawers are all oak-lined and offer plenty of storage space for your office requisites and stationery items. As you will no doubt know, originally, partners desks were made to be shared. Accordingly, this partners pedestal desk has been skilfully finished to the same visual standard on both the front and the back. It can confidently be placed anywhere in a room and unlike other desks, it does not have to be placed against a wall to hide an unfinished back. The oval sides of this partners pedestal desk are finished with smart dummy drawers. One side of the desk has three drawers in the frieze above three drawers in one pedestal whilst the other pedestal includes a drawer situated above a double-depth filing drawer. The other side of the partners pedestal desk also has three drawers in the frieze with a cupboard with a central shelf in each pedestal, the cupboard doors are made to look like banks of drawers. We would suggest that this desk would partner very nicely with one of our range of leather desk chairs. Condition Of This Partners Pedestal Desk This partners pedestal desk is in a great condition as can easily be seen in the images we have included in our gallery. Please take a few seconds to have a look at them and satisfy yourself of this. Arrange An Appointment To View This Partners Pedestal Desk We're confident you will agree that it's a wise decision to view precious items such as this partners pedestal desk in person before you buy. With this thought, we are really happy to encourage shoppers to pay a visit to our North London showroom to have a look at this splendid partners pedestal desk. Whilst you are here you can examine our extended variety of other delightful collectibles and also talk about any questions or problems that you have. Our in-house advisors are readily available to address queries, not merely about this partners pedestal desk but also regarding antiques and collectibles more generally. They've got a great deal of experience and are always delighted to advise. Please ring ahead of time so that we can be certain we have the right specialist around to support you. We sporadically open on Saturdays, so if you want to come at a weekend, please get in touch ahead of time to confirm we will be open. We would not like you making a wasted journey. When contacting us please be certain you've got the item reference number handy so we can be sure which specific item you want to speak about. Regent Antiques Showroom Opening Hours Our London salesroom is open Mon to Fri 10am – 5pm for you to look at this partners pedestal desk. We also open occasionally on Saturdays – but kindly ring ahead of time before doing the visit on a Saturday to check we’ll be here. To Get More Information About This Partners Pedestal Desk If you're unable to visit us, then we are always glad to reply to any queries you have about this partners pedestal desk by email or phone. We have in-house specialists who will be pleased to guide you through any aspect of your proposed purchase, so why not take the opportunity to get more information. When you get in touch please don't forget to quote the item reference number so we know which of our many objects you are speaking about. You will find both our email address and our telephone number on this page. Shipping, Delivery and Returns Wonderful objects such as this partners pedestal desk call for skilled packing and transport to ensure they arrive in the exact same condition that they left us. We take great satisfaction in our shipping competence and can deliver to almost any destination worldwide. However, we ask you to contact us to review shipping plans and obtain an estimate before making any purchases, as we need to be certain that we can meet all your transportation expectations. As you will recognize, some articles need delicate handling and we will need to make sure that everything is in position to get it to you safely. Please quote the item reference number for this partners pedestal desk when getting in touch so we know exactly what the shipping requirements will entail. You will be pleased to know that shipping is free to any mainland UK destination. If you are not pleased with this partners pedestal desk, we supply a 14 day money-back guarantee in conformance with the Distance Selling Regulations. If you do wish to return it, you will need to pay the return shipping charges, unless we sent you something materially different to what you were anticipating or have mis-described it in some material way. You must send the article back in its' original condition and packaging. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 76 x Width 168 x Depth 108

Height 60 x Width 66 - Kneehole

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 5 foot, 6 inches x Depth 3 foot, 6 inches

Height 2 feet x Width 2 foot, 2 inches - Kneehole

£4,500.00
Ref: 07981
Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Bureau Plat

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marquetry Bureau Plat c.1860

This is a very fine French antique bureau plat with ormolu mounts which features fine quality floral marquetry and which dates from around 1860. This beautiful piece of furniture has been made with artistic marquetry requiring the highest level of craftsmanship. The surface of the table top of this antique ormolu mounted bureau plat features very intricate floral marquetry decoration. Using a number of different and exotic veneers which include Kingwood, rosewood, satinwood, burr walnut, and purpleheart, the level of detail present here can only be described as extraordinary. The central panel is worthy of particular attention, it being inlaid with a representation of an urn on a flower filled satinwood background together with a decorative border of foliage which has been rendered in mahogany and burr walnut. As you can see from the images provided the imposing table top is completed with a highly decorative ormolu border which adds an additional level of elegance to this antique bureau plat in addition to providing protection for the edges of this fine piece. A beautiful trellis pattern ormolu border over inset green mica crystal decorates the frieze which also features a large frieze drawer. One of the most striking features of this beautifully crafted antique ormolu mounted bureau plat is the ormolu mounted and turned reeded tapering legs which are joined by X-stretchers. These have a striking central gilded turned finial. Please also take note of the intricate and striking ormolu mountings to be found on the legs. Condition As you can tell by looking at the images we have supplied, this antique bureau plat is in truly excellent condition. It has been fastidiously cleaned and polished in our own workshops. Will it Fit? This wonderful antique ormolu mounted bureau plat should to be given pride of place in the room. To make sure it will fit in the space you have in mind please check the measurements as below. Somewhere to Sit? May we suggest that you also take a look at our range of leather desk chairs and other chairs suitable for use with this antique bureau plat. More Information and To View You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this antique bureau plat. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this table at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which bureau plat you are referring to. The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday. Shipping, Delivery and Return This antique bureau plat is a very special piece of antique furniture and requires careful packing and shipping. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with the item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this antique bureau plat unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 76 x Width 129 x Depth 77

Height 54 - Kneehole

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 4 foot, 3 inches x Depth 2 foot, 6 inches

Height 1 foot, 9 inches - Kneehole

£7,750.00
Ref: 08143
Antique Victorian Amboyna Inlaid Bonheur Du Jour

Antique Victorian Amboyna Inlaid Bonheur Du Jour c.1860

Believed by our experts to date from around 1860, this Antique Victorian Bonheur Du Jour is an imposing and functional item of furniture that is so typical of the Victorian era. We are pleased to be able to offer for sale, in excellent condition, this Victorian Bonheur Du Jour, or Ladies Writing Desk at an excellent price and complete with free delivery to any mainland UK destination. Our experts have dated this item to around 1860 and it really is in extraordinary condition considering its age. It has, of course, been expertly restored by our own team of restorers in our own workshops. To the top of the piece are decorative pierced brass galleries. The Bonheur du jour is made from amboyna and thuya wood – both very rare and expensive timbers. The piece is decorated throughout with Sevres porcelain plaques which have been hand painted and depict Madam Dubarry and Madam De Montesson along with floral sprays and cherubs. There are also a number of very fine ormolu mounts. Please also note the use of kingwood crossbanding. This is surely an exceptional example of quality and design. This ladies writing desk has a large central drawer which has a slide for writing. This is still fitted with the original inset gold tooled navy blue leather writing surface. There are two further drawers situated over a mirror backed two-shelf under tier. It is all raised on strong yet elegant turned feet. Viewing & Further Information To find out more about this item or to ask any questions that you may have please feel free to call our experts or send us an email using the contact details shown above. When contacting us please quote the item reference. You are most welcome to visit our north London showroom and view this item, along with many more that we currently have in stock. If making a long journey, please telephone or email us to ensure that the item you want hasn’t already been sold as we do have a rapid turnaround. The showroom is open 10am to 5pm weekdays and on occasional Saturdays - please call before travelling on a Saturday. Please be aware that any items used to stage this piece, e.g. the clock and urns, are not included in the sale but may be available separately. Shipping, Delivery and Return This is a very special antique Victorian bonheur du Jour and it requires careful packing and shipping. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with the item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this antique bonheur du jour, unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 145 x Width 132 x Depth 53

Height 64 - Kneehole

Dimensions in inches:

Height 4 foot, 9 inches x Width 4 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches

Height 2 feet, 1 inch - Kneehole

£8,750.00
Ref: 07105
Antique French Bureau Plat Parquetry Writing Table

Antique French Bureau Plat Parquetry Writing Table c.1860

This is an Antique Bureau Plat Parquetry Writing Table of French Manufacture Dating From Around 1860 and offered for sale in fully restored condition. We are delighted to offer for sale this very attractive French ormolu mounted rosewood and kingwood parquetry antique bureau plat, which is alternatively known as a centre table and which our antique furniture experts have dated to around 1860. It being priced realistically this is a rare opportunity to acquire a very special focal point for your office at a reasonable cost. As you can see from the photographs, this delightful French writing table features a very attractive kingwood parquetry top which is banded in rosewood and has stylish ormolu borders. This is a very attractive writing surface and working on such a table is something you will never tire of. For storage of your stationery and other items there are two very useful and capacious drawers, located in the frieze, together with a centralised lock that secures both of the drawers at once. A key is supplied. The French writing table with its eye-catching writing surface is ably supported by four elegant cabriole legs, each of which has decorative ormolu mounts and beading. The legs terminate with elegant ormolu sabots. This is one of those pieces that can be placed anywhere and looks good in any room you care to put it into. Condition This attractive yet functional antique writing table has been carefully restored in our own workshop to a high standard of craftsmanship. You are very welcome to inspect the item in person at our London warehouse and showroom or please contact us to fill in any gaps that there may be in the information you need – our experts are always on hand and are happy to help you to find your desirable desk. More Information and To View You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this French writing table. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this antique bureau plat at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which antique writing table you are referring to. The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 71 x Width 140 x Depth 100

Height 55 - Kneehole

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 4 inches x Width 4 foot, 7 inches x Depth 3 foot, 3 inches

Height 1 foot, 10 inches - Kneehole

£4,250.00
Ref: 07094
Antique French Writing Side Table Porcelain Plaques

Antique French Writing Side Table Porcelain Plaques c.1780

This fine piece is an Antique French Writing Table or Side Table with Porcelain Plaques and which dates from around 1780. This late 18th century antique French kingwood writing table (or side table) has been beautifully decorated with lovely ormolu mounts and also features a number of attractive Sevres style hand painted porcelain plaques as shown in the photographs we have provided. The writing table top is rectangular and has been fashioned in kingwood. It is fitted with a very attractive three quarter brass gallery. Furthermore it has line inlay, rosewood crossbanding, and a delightful, centrally mounted porcelain plaque. This French writing table has a frieze drawer fitted to one side but please note that it is finished all round, with all four sides being similarly decorated with the Sevres porcelain plaques which are set in attractive ormolu mounts. The all-round finish means, of course, that this writing table does not need to be placed against a wall, instead it can be situated anywhere in a room and admired from any direction. A versatile, and very practical, item of furniture we are sure you will agree. The writing table is mounted on elegant and very sturdy cabriole legs each of which having ormolu mounts situated on the knees and terminating in ormolu sabots. This antique French writing table is in truly excellent condition as the photographs confirm. It is offered for sale at a very reasonable cost and is sure to attract attention wherever it is placed. This antique French writing table is a compact and elegant item of antique furniture that does not take up too much space yet which provides a lovely space in which to work. The storage space is also very welcome, even on a fairly small piece such as this.  More Information and To View You are very welcome to email us or call us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this very large dining table. We would also be delighted to arrange a viewing of this table at our North London warehouse, just email or call for an appointment quoting our reference as shown above so we know which large dining table you are referring to. The showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday. Shipping, Delivery and Return This is a very old and fine piece of furniture and, as such, it requires careful, specialist, packing and shipping. We can ship to any destination worldwide and will take care of the packing for you, but please do call or email for a quotation before purchasing the item so that we can fully discuss your requirements. We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with this antique French writing table we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this antique writing table, unless we have erroneously described the item in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return the item in its original packaging and condition. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the United Kingdom.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 74 x Width 81 x Depth 49

Height 59 x Width 66

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 5 inches x Width 2 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 7 inches

Height 1 foot, 11 inches x Width 2 foot, 2 inches

£3,600.00

Follow Us