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ID #SA988760
FOR SALE
£1,395
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Mid 19th Century Swedish Painted Table Top Writing Desk
For sale by Debenham Antiques Ltd
for sale €1,632     $1,772
£1,395
Debenham Antiques Ltd

Debenham Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2012
Browse dealers 585 items
  • About Us
    We are a leading antique furniture dealer in the UK with over 60 years of experience.
  • Trade Associations
    Debenham Antiques Ltd is a registered member of LAPADA 
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA988760
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Mid 19th Century Swedish Painted Table Top Writing Desk

19th century
Description

Mid 19th century swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850.

Good quality table top bureau, presented in original scraped back paint.  made from solid pine and scraped back to its original red base paint, black wreath around the keyhole is a later addition.  fall opens to reveal a partially fitted interior, consisting of a central tabernacle flanked either side by a pair of drawers.   interior with contrasting blue and white scraped back paint.

Complete with original lock and key.  the lock is one you have to learn how to open as it is very quirky, but it does function and become fluent with practice.

Obvious losses to paintwork, minor age splits and surface marks to woodwork.

Physical Dimensions
Height
26.5cm (10.43")
Width
42.5cm (16.73")
Depth
37cm (14.57")
Declaration

Debenham Antiques Ltd has dated this Swedish Tabletop Writing Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA988760
Dealers Internal Reference
EA3243B
Dealers Notes

We offer transport all around the world. Please ask for a quote which is almost instant.

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Description
Mid 19th century swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850.

Good quality table top bureau, presented in original scraped back paint.

“
  made from solid pine and scraped back to its original red base paint, black wreath around the keyhole is a later addition.
Debenham Antiques Ltd

  fall opens to reveal a partially fitted interior, consisting of a central tabernacle flanked either side by a pair of drawers.   interior with contrasting blue and white scraped back paint.

fig 1. A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole.
fig 1. Mid 19th Century Swedish Painted Table Top Writing Desk

Complete with original lock and key.  the lock is one you have to learn how to open as it is very quirky, but it does function and become fluent with practice.

Obvious losses to paintwork, minor age splits and surface marks to woodwork.

Height
26.5cm (10.43")
Width
42.5cm (16.73")
Depth
37cm (14.57")
Date of Manufacture

Debenham Antiques Ltd has dated this Swedish Tabletop Writing Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA988760
Dealers Internal Ref
EA3243B
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2012

We are a leading antique furniture dealer in the UK with over 60 years of experience.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Debenham Antiques Ltd Profile Page

Trade Associations

Debenham Antiques Ltd is a registered member of LAPADA 

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SAVE
A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole.
1 / 9
Archive I A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole.

Mid 19th Century Swedish Painted Table Top Writing Desk

Archive II A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View II
Archive III A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View III
Archive IV A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View IV
Archive V A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View V
Archive VI A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View VI
Archive VII A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View VII
Archive VIII A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View VIII
Archive IX A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Debenham Antiques Ltd

Debenham Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07715 006 415
Location
73 High Street
Debenham
Suffolk
IP14 6QS
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/debenhamantiquesltd
Verified Since May 2012
Items For Sale 585
Items Sold 78
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Verified Since May 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: 73 High Street, Debenham, Suffolk, IP14 6QS, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/debenhamantiquesltd
Verified
May 2012
For Sale
585
Sold
78
A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole.
MID 19TH CENTURY SWEDISH PAINTED TABLE TOP WRITING DESK
Ref: SA988760
A mid 19th-century Swedish wooden tabletop writing desk with a slanted lid, distressed red and grey paint finish, and a hand-painted foliage wreath motif around the keyhole.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWriting Slopes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleScandinavian Folk Art
  • MaterialPine, Paint, Iron
  • ColourRed, Grey
  • MotifsSlant front, leaf wreath motif, iron escutcheon, painted finish
  • SizeH 26.5 cm (10 in) x W 42.5 cm (17 in) x D 37 cm (15 in)

This mid 19th-century Swedish tabletop writing desk represents Scandinavian Folk Art, produced from solid pine with a distressed red and grey paint finish. The surface displays obvious paint losses, minor age splits, and surface marks, complemented by a hand-painted black leaf wreath motif enclosing an iron escutcheon around the keyhole on the slanted fall front. Visible details include two small hinges on the lower edge of the lid and a vertical metal key inserted into the lock mechanism. Measuring 26.5 cm high, 42.5 cm wide, and 37 cm deep, this compact piece sits easily on a larger desk or surface. In a modern home, this rustic farmhouse slope functions effectively as an office desk accessory, bringing historical character to a workspace or study area. The lift-up lid opens to a fitted interior with a central tabernacle flanked by pairs of small drawers, finished in contrasting blue and white scraped-back paint. The original iron lock remains functional for securing small papers and stationery. Its tactile surface and weathered finish suit traditional studies, living spaces, or bedrooms where it provides both decorative presence and practical storage.

FAQs

Originating in the 19th century, tabletop writing desks or slopes were portable wooden boxes with a slanted surface designed for writing letters and storing paper, ink, and stationery, often featuring regional Scandinavian folk art motifs.

These pieces were typically constructed from native softwoods such as pine, featuring hand-cut dovetailed joints, iron hinges, keyhole escutcheons, and decorative polychrome or milk paint finishes.

Authentic examples feature age-appropriate surface wear to the paint, hand-forged iron hardware, natural wood shrinkage, and hand-painted folk motifs consistent with historical Swedish parish crafting traditions.

Position the piece on a console table, office desk, or sideboard to serve as a functional organiser for stationery or as a textured historical accent within a contemporary decorative scheme.

Maintain the original finish by dusting gently with a soft dry microfibre cloth, keeping the item away from direct heat sources, and avoiding chemical solvents or abrasive polishes that could lift the original paint layers.
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