A leather top desk is a desk or writing table whose writing surface is inset with a panel of leather, providing a smooth, slightly yielding surface ideal for writing with pen and ink. The leather is usually framed by a border of the surrounding timber and is often decorated with tooled gilt and blind borders.
Leather-lined writing surfaces appear on English desks and writing tables from the eighteenth century and became standard on pedestal desks, partners' desks, bureaux plats, Davenports and library tables throughout the nineteenth century. Mahogany, walnut, oak and rosewood desks were commonly fitted with green, red, brown or black leather, and some earlier pieces were lined with baize instead. Because leather wears with use, most antique desks have had their leathers replaced at least once, which is generally accepted and does not seriously reduce value if done well. An original, well-preserved leather with attractive tooling is a bonus. Buyers should check for cracking, scuffs, ink stains, lifting edges and poor-quality replacements. Many specialists still hand-tool new leathers with gold leaf borders. A well-maintained leather top desk remains both practical and handsome in studies and libraries.
