Oval Desks
2010s Belgian Dining Room Tables
Beech
Vintage 1970s Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 1890s Dining Room Tables
Teak
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Pearwood, Maple
2010s Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1890s American Mission Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s English Modern Dining Room Tables
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Pearwood
Antique Early 17th Century Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Fruitwood
2010s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables
Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Aluminum, Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables
Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Aluminum, Bronze
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Vintage 1960s Italian Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Bamboo, Walnut
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Marble, Chrome
Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Breccia Marble, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables
Siena Marble, Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Aluminum, Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Dining Room Tables
Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Aluminum, Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Tulipwood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Plywood, Lacquer
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Center Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1880s English Desks and Writing Tables
Kingwood, Boxwood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
Vintage 1970s American International Style Dining Room Tables
Aluminum
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Copper
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Plywood
Antique 1870s French Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Carrara Marble, Chrome
Antique 1890s British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Antique Early 1900s English Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Adam Style Vanities
Mirror, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century Sheraton Vanities
Mahogany
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Lacquer
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Oval Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Oval Desks?
Finding the Right Desks and Writing Tables for You
Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.
Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.
Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.
Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.
The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.
From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.
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