How do you use a lap desk?

Place the box on a stable surface and release the side hooks or latches to fold down the sloping writing halves. The interior provides storage space for paper, nibs, and correspondence. Internal compartments often lift out to access deeper wells or hidden drawers beneath the writing platform.

How do you date a Victorian writing slope?

Dating relies on timber choices, brass inlay styles, and lock types. Early nineteenth-century pieces often display Regency rosewood with heavy brass banding, while mid-century examples favour burr walnut and mother-of-pearl. Patent locks and maker stamps provide additional chronological markers.

Where were these writing desks made?

Cabinet makers produced these pieces across Britain, Ireland, and continental Europe, alongside colonial workshops in Anglo-Indian centres. Dublin workshops and English provincial makers contributed distinct regional variations in timber and inlay. Export pieces utilised local timbers such as coromandel and ebony to suit British colonial demand.

Home > Victorian Inlaid Lap Desk > Page 3

Victorian Inlaid Lap Desk

59 items · page 3 of 4

← Page 3 of 4 →

A victorian inlaid lap desk is a portable writing box designed for travel, prized for clever compartments and decorative brass or mother-of-pearl work.

Beautiful Victorian Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope.

1900 - 1920

Save

Beautiful Victorian Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope.

From The Dorking Desk Shop

£220

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

Save

Stationery Box, Circa, 1880

From Frank Craig Antiques

£350

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

Save

Excellent Quality 19th Century Writing Slope

From The Fine Art Fund

£1,800

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

Save

19th Century Victorian Burr Walnut Desk Top Writing Slope

From Debenham Antiques Ltd

£1,095

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope with Secret Drawers and Compartment, Attributed to George Austin of Dublin

19th century

Save

Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope with Secret Drawers and Compartment, Attributed to George Austin of Dublin

From John Hubbard Antiques

£1,975

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Victorian Burr Walnut Parquetry Writing Slope

19th century

Save

Victorian Burr Walnut Parquetry Writing Slope

From Past to Present

£245

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

Save

Excellent Quality Antique Writing Slope

From The Fine Art Fund

£740

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Writing Box

19th century

Save

Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Writing Box

From London City Antiques

£595

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Campaign. Correspondence Box. Circa, 1875

19th century

Save

Campaign. Correspondence Box. Circa, 1875

From Frank Craig Antiques

£750

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

Save

19th Century Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Writing Slope

From John Hubbard Antiques

£760

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Secret sovereign sections and hidden spring drawers allowed nineteenth-century writers to safeguard coins and private letters during turbulent stagecoach journeys.

A 19th Century Mahogany Bi-fold Campaign Writing Slope

18th century

Save

A 19th Century Mahogany Bi-fold Campaign Writing Slope

From John Hubbard Antiques

£995

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Victorian Marquetry Walnut Art Nouveau Writing Slope

19th century

Save

Victorian Marquetry Walnut Art Nouveau Writing Slope

From Past to Present

£245

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Victorian Rosewood Mother of Pearl Writing Box Slope C1850

19th century

Save

Victorian Rosewood Mother of Pearl Writing Box Slope C1850

From Aramis Antiques

£285

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

A Rare C19th Anglo Indian Antler and Vizagapatam Writing Slope

19th century

Save

A Rare C19th Anglo Indian Antler and Vizagapatam Writing Slope

From Tinker & Toad

£950

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Lovely Antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware Inlaid Writing Box

19th century

Save

Lovely Antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware Inlaid Writing Box

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£425

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Victorian Rosewood and Abalone Writing Slope

19th century

Save

Victorian Rosewood and Abalone Writing Slope

From Past to Present

£395

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

← 1 2 3 4 →

Victorian Inlaid Lap Desk

Beautiful Victorian Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope.

Stationery Box, Circa, 1880

Excellent Quality 19th Century Writing Slope

19th Century Victorian Burr Walnut Desk Top Writing Slope

Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope with Secret Drawers and Compartment, Attributed to George Austin of Dublin

Victorian Burr Walnut Parquetry Writing Slope

Excellent Quality Antique Writing Slope

Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Writing Box

Campaign. Correspondence Box. Circa, 1875

19th Century Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Writing Slope

A 19th Century Mahogany Bi-fold Campaign Writing Slope

Victorian Marquetry Walnut Art Nouveau Writing Slope

Victorian Rosewood Mother of Pearl Writing Box Slope C1850

A Rare C19th Anglo Indian Antler and Vizagapatam Writing Slope

Lovely Antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware Inlaid Writing Box

Victorian Rosewood and Abalone Writing Slope

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Movements

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Freshness

Online Payments

Categories