If you would like to add some old-style furniture to your home you may be interested in an antique writing desk. Not everyone is able to afford genuine antiques however, thus another idea is to instead invest in an antique replica writing desk which will oftentimes look as authentic but which will end up costing you a good deal less.

Typically, an antique writing desk differed from modern day writing desks in a few ways. For example, almost all older antique writing desks had a leather insert on top of the writing desk which was used to rest the paper on while writing.  This is often absent from modern writing desks. Older desks also have a section usually towards the back right hand corner where ink and pens go. Oftentimes the writing desk would be on an angle, sloping down towards the person sitting at the desk.

While some writing desks may have these features today it would mainly be the antique replica desks. Modern desks make provision for things such as laptops and electric lamps.

photo credit: dragonoak

There were different styles of antique desks made. Most people are familiar with the regular small rectangular desk with a few small drawers in the front of the desk. These type often had legs that would curl out slightly at the bottom, adding style and charm.

Another popular style was the cylinder desk. This type has a cover or a lid that actually rolls back into the desk, exposing the actual writing area of the desk. Drawers, or sometimes pigeon holes, on this type of desk are usually towards the back of the desk in the recessed section.

The bureau style writing desk has a lid that drops down and you write on that when it is lowered. It is not as convenient as the bureau desk, as you have to shuffle your papers back inside the desk when it is time to close it up rather than just leaving them in place.

Anyone interested in buying a genuine antique writing desk would do well to research the different types available prior to purchasing one. There are some excellent resources available online, and you should also be able to find references to these types of antiques in your local library.

The desks themselves can be purchased from antique dealers, or you can sometimes find them auctioned on eBay as well.