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American Antique Desks

The corporate office layout is enormously different when compared to offices even twenty years ago. Effucuebt electronic recordkeeping and communications replaced copious amounts of paperwork and ergonomic cubicles took the place of traditional desks and chairs. Even so, antique desks remain popular choices in mid-level and C-suite corporate environments, as well as in home offices.

American antique desks generally fall into two categories: those intended for commercial use and those made for domestic spaces. Desks created for commercial use tended to be larger, simpler, and more utilitarian in design, though some featured gilt, tooled tops, or heavy-set legs. Domestic desks were usually smaller in size and more ornate, with inlays of exotic woods and sometimes gilded or brass accents.

Ranging from leather-topped to gilded, with reeded legs and built-in storage, American antique desks come with a rich history and are collectible classics in their own right.


Quick Facts

  • In 1989, an elaborately carved 18th-century desk by master Rhode Island cabinetmaker John Goddard sold at a Christie's New York auction for $1.2 million
  • In 1989, an 18th-century desk produced by fine American furniture maker John Goddard sold at auction for an unbelievable $12.1 million
  • A late-18th century Chippendale cherry slant-lid desk sold at Skinner in September 2015 for a very modest $492

Recommended Items at Auction

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American Faux Bamboo & Birdseye Maple Desk & Chair
Jun 21, 11:00 AM EDT
American Faux Bamboo & Birdseye Maple Desk & Chair
by Fontaine's Auction Gallery
Est: $2,500- $3,500
$1,9002 Bids
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R.J. Horner & Co. Partner's Desk with Winged Griffins
Jun 21, 11:00 AM EDT
R.J. Horner & Co. Partner's Desk with Winged Griffins
by Fontaine's Auction Gallery
Est: $10,000- $15,000
$7,5001 Bid
MAINE CHERRY SLANT FRONT DESK
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
MAINE CHERRY SLANT FRONT DESK
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $800- $1,200
$2501 Bid
AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE SLANT-LID DESK
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE SLANT-LID DESK
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $800- $1,000
$2501 Bid
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ROCKBRIDGE CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, WALNUT COMMANDANT'S DESK
Jun 28, 9:00 AM EDT
ROCKBRIDGE CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, WALNUT COMMANDANT'S DESK
by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
LATE FEDERAL CHERRY AND STRING-INLAID SLANT-FRONT DESK.
Jun 30, 9:00 AM EDT
LATE FEDERAL CHERRY AND STRING-INLAID SLANT-FRONT DESK.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $200- $500
$1001 Bid
19th Century American Mahogany Butler's Desk
Jun 18, 12:00 PM EDT
19th Century American Mahogany Butler's Desk
by South Bay Auctions Inc
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
DAVENPORT SEAMAN'S SECRETARY, 19TH
Jun 20, 10:00 AM CEST
DAVENPORT SEAMAN'S SECRETARY, 19TH
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
19THC. LIFT LID GRAIN PAINTED TABLE TOP DESK, AMERICAN W/ 3 DRAWER INTERIOR 9" X 21 3/4" X 12 3/8"
Jun 22, 10:30 AM EDT
19THC. LIFT LID GRAIN PAINTED TABLE TOP DESK, AMERICAN W/ 3 DRAWER INTERIOR 9" X 21 3/4" X 12 3/8"
by Carlsen Gallery, Inc.
Est: $200- $500
$1000 Bids
STICKLEY MISSION OAK WRITING DESK
Jun 29, 11:00 AM EDT
STICKLEY MISSION OAK WRITING DESK
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$5000 Bids
MOBILE
Jun 18, 10:00 AM CEST
MOBILE
by Aste Boetto SRL
Est: €800- €900
€8000 Bids
American Country Blue-Painted Pine Table-Top Writing Slope / Desk
Jun 15, 12:00 PM EDT
American Country Blue-Painted Pine Table-Top Writing Slope / Desk
by Locati LLC
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
American Chippendale Flame Birch and Mahogany Slant Front Desk, 18th Century
Jul 05, 9:30 AM EDT
American Chippendale Flame Birch and Mahogany Slant Front Desk, 18th Century
by Rafael Osona Auctions
Est: $1,000- $1,250
$7000 Bids
Southern Federal Black Walnut Work Masters or Servants Desk
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
Southern Federal Black Walnut Work Masters or Servants Desk
by Wooten & Wooten Auctioneers
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
Excellent American Chippendale Carved Mahogany Block Front Desk
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
Excellent American Chippendale Carved Mahogany Block Front Desk
by Wooten & Wooten Auctioneers
Est: $2,500- $4,500
$1,2000 Bids
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EASTERN MARYLAND / WESTERN VIRGINIA LATE BAROQUE WALNUT DESK
Jun 28, 9:00 AM EDT
EASTERN MARYLAND / WESTERN VIRGINIA LATE BAROQUE WALNUT DESK
by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$5000 Bids
American Country Federal Pine Harvest Table or Desk
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
American Country Federal Pine Harvest Table or Desk
by Wooten & Wooten Auctioneers
Est: $250- $400
$1250 Bids
AMERICAN QUEEN ANNE RED-WASHED PINE CLERK'S DESK-ON-FRAME.
Jun 30, 9:00 AM EDT
AMERICAN QUEEN ANNE RED-WASHED PINE CLERK'S DESK-ON-FRAME.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $300- $600
$1500 Bids
Antique c. 1920 Tiger Oak The Gunn Desk Co. Roll Top Desk w/ Key
Jun 16, 5:00 PM EDT
Antique c. 1920 Tiger Oak The Gunn Desk Co. Roll Top Desk w/ Key
by One Source Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$1000 Bids
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NORTH CAROLINA PAINT-DECORATED YELLOW PINE SCHOOLMASTER'S DESK
Jun 28, 9:00 AM EDT
NORTH CAROLINA PAINT-DECORATED YELLOW PINE SCHOOLMASTER'S DESK
by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
Late 19th Century American Mahogany Slant Desk
Jun 26, 12:00 PM EDT
Late 19th Century American Mahogany Slant Desk
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $600- $800
$2000 Bids
A Federal Walnut Slant Front Desk, American, ca. 1780-1820
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A Federal Walnut Slant Front Desk, American, ca. 1780-1820
by Neue Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell American Antique Desks


Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Wooten & Wooten Auctioneers

Wooten & Wooten Auctioneers

Fontaine's Auction Gallery

Fontaine's Auction Gallery