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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Pair of 19th Century French Vernis Martin Cylinder Top Desks
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality rare pair of 19th century French Vernis Martin cylinder top desks, each having marble tops with brass gallery, above a hand painted cupboard, flanked by mi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Bureau Having Well Figured Fall Flap Above Four Long Drawers With Original Water Gilt Handles Raised On Original Bracket Feet (Typical of the lat...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century We present you an elegant and exquisite Victorian vanity table composed ...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti Zeno Beech and Ebony Desk, 1990s
Located in London, GB
Designed by Massimo Scolari for Giorgetti in 1994, the Zeno desk is a fantastic example of modern Italian design. The desk is construc...
Category

1990s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

French Louis XV Rococo Style Walnut Writing Desk Table Circa 1960s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very unique desk and perfect for your office. The desk measures 50 wide x 24 deep x 30 tall and is in good condition.
Category

1960s North American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1880 Victorian English oak antique knee hole 18 drawer desk A wonderful desk, ...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Italy Late 18th Century Regency Walnut Console or Wall Desk Hand Carved
Located in Brescia, IT
This an elegant piece with an untimeless beauty. The dimensions, the proportions, the wavy edge and the slender legs are elements of value. It can be useful as console or desk; in...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Impressive Louis XV Desk/Reception Table, After F. Linke, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive Louis XV desk/reception table, after F. Linke, Paris Solid beech wood and veneered. Multiple curved and cambered body with fine inlay wo...
Category

20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Executive Terni Desk Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Terni desk in aluminium and Indian rosewood, Ico Parisi for MIM great Italian design very nice color and powerful patina marked MIM.
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Hardwood Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Leather Top Designed to House Computer
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely twin pedestal partner desk with brown leather top and mahogany frame, specifically designed to house a computer A very well made pie...
Category

20th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Leather

"Symmetric" Console / Desk, Black Walnut, Patina Steel
Located in North Branch, NY
The "Symmetric" console / desk is a perfectly balanced design of interlocking steel plate joinery and a solid black walnut surface. Customizable to any variation of dimensions, mater...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

William IV Mahogany Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A William IV mahogany writing table, with fine patinated to the top and sides, the frieze with geometric moulding to the centre, with...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Large Varnished Wood Executive Desk, in the style of Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Large Varnished wood executive desk, in the style of Florence Knoll.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Hardwood Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall Victorian, circa 1870 twin pedestal partner writing desk A very good looking well-made mahogany desk with a leather top made by the highly coveted Hampton & Son’s The top left and right drawers are fully stamped Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall, all other drawers have Hobbs & Co locks, the handles are all period correct and original The top has multiple patina marks and colour variations, the timber on the desk is in a similar order, we have deep cleaned hand condition waxed and hand polished it Dimensions Height 71.5 cm Width 137 cm Depth 80 cm Legroom Height 56 cm Width 60 cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point In 1830 William Hampton opened a shop for the sale of general household furniture in Cranbourn Street. He was subsequently joined by his two sons George and William Powell (the sons of George Hampton; Harold, Fred and Clarence also later entered the business). In 1869 the business expanded with new premises on the corner site comprising 8 Pall Mall East and 1-3 Dorset Place (now Whitcomb Street). Throughout its history the firm suffered a number of serious fires, the first of which occurred in 1890. As the firm continued to expand it took over control of a number of other firms, beginning with James Coulson and Co of Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1898, and in the early 1950's Goodall, Lamb and Highway of King Street, Manchester and Robson and Sons...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Vintage Ebonized Beech Writing Desks in the Style of Gio Ponti, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s - 1960s. They feature an ebonized beech frame and four Formica veneered drawers each. These desks both have the same timber but with two slightly different shade...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Formica, Beech

Small 19th Century French Boulle Bureau Plat
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality small late 19th century French Boulle inlaid bureau plat, having an inset leather top, brass inlay and tortoiseshell to the top, frieze and legs, gilded ormolu mounts, a single frieze drawer with a Bramah lock...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Victorian Carved Mahogany Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Selling is a top quality, unusual mid-Victorian copy of a Chippendale carved desk. The top drawer of the desk, when opened, reveals a rising writing panel and two lift up panels with...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Secretaire by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda, Norway, 1960s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare secretaire designed by Torbjørn Afdal. Produced by Nesjestranda møbelfabrikk during the 1960s. Made from palisander with solid wood in the legs and the drawers. The drawers made...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Palisander

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...
Category

19th Century American High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Mahogany Writing or Side Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn5242 Attractive mahogany table, having original leather writing surface showing extensive usage and good antique character above frieze drawer fitted with original working lock and...
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Regence Style Trellis Parquetry Bureau Plat by François Linke, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Magnificent Regence Style gilt bronze Mounted Trellis Parquetry Bureau Plat by François Linke. French, circa 1890. Linke Index No. 795. Signed to the gilt bronze border ‘F....
Category

Late 19th Century French Régence Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Oversized Victorian 1870 Burr Quarter Cut Walnut Knee Hole Pedestal Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1870 solid walnut twin pedestal oversized knee hole desk This desk is sublime, the walnut patina on the drawers is rich and ...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

1970s Spanish Washed Wood 2-Drawer Farmhouse Table w/ Crossbeam
Located in Marbella, ES
Rustic 1970s Spanish washed wood 2-drawer farmhouse table with crossbeam legs.
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Extending Writing Table Desk, Burr Yew Wood Brown Leather Gold Leaf Embossed Top
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Burr yew wood writing table or desk with extending, gold leaf embossed brown leather top A good look...
Category

20th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Yew

Chrome and Red Bauhaus Desk, Made in 1930s Germany, Fully Restored
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Writing desk made in Germany Material: Chrome Completely restored.
Category

1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Dining Table of Mahogany with Extension Plates, 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table of mahogany with extension plates, in great antique condition from the 1840s. Fully extendend the table measurese 151 cm.
Category

1840s Danish Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian period pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1860-1880. It is of fantastic quality and has a lovely design. The top has an inverte...
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Atelier S.L. Prestige, Table and 2 Chairs Set, France 2012
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Atelier S.L Prestige, Biot, France 2012. Set composed of a wrought iron and patinated iron table, chapped and speckled maple top accompanied by its two chairs. The thick iron bases a...
Category

2010s French Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Brass and Slate Sculpted Console by Frederic Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass and slate sculpted console by Frederic Saulou Intègre Console Black Slate, chemical engrave brass Measures: L 150 x W 35 x H 90 cm, approxim...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Slate, Brass

20th Century Louis XV Style French Bureau Plat or Desk After Francois Linke
Located in Berlin, DE
French Bureau Plat in Louis 15th Style after Francois Linke. Rosewood and shadowed noble woods, veneered. Exceptionally Fine floral, Bronze fixtures. Strongly bowed, four sided, curv...
Category

20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Dutch Library Table Desk and Four Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Dutch ebonized library table desk and four chairs with beautiful inlay marquetry.
Category

20th Century Dutch Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat in the Manner of Charles Cressent, circa 1890
By Charles Cressent
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat in the manner of Charles Cressent. French, circa 1890. With one central frieze drawer and two shaped end drawers, on cabriole ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Military Campaign Burgundy Leather Top Brass Handles
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London are delighted to offer for sale this vintage military campaign red leather yew wood pedestal desk. This is a beautiful find, q...
Category

20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Desk with Burl and Inlay
Located in Hudson, NY
Biedermeier desk with burl and inlay. Single drawer with key.
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Jacques Quinet Oak and Leather Waterfall Desk, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional oak desk by Jacques Quinet, the original model made for the office of the mayor of Marseilles. Great use of restrained opposing curves in the legs and the waterfall style...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

20th Century Louis XV Style French Bureau Plat or Desk after Francois Linke
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Louis XV style French Bureau plat or desk after Francois Linke Table top covered with genuine high quality leather and gold embossing Tulip wood and shadowed noble w...
Category

20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

English Marquetry Inlaid Bureau De Dame
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Victorian gilt-bronze mounted marquetry inlaid Bureau De Dame. This richly decorated bureau de dame is of bombe shape beautifully inlaid overa...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century George II Mahogany Kneehole Desk
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th century George II mahogany knee hole desk, with one long drawer above central cupboard door flanked by six short drawers raised on bracket...
Category

18th Century Irish George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Satinwood & Marquetry Desk Stamped by Gillows
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A fine quality mid 19th Century well-figured satinwood and marquetry pedestal desk. Marquetry boxwood, rosewood & ebony line inlaid and satinwood throughout, having brass galleried t...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Kingwood Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk With Gilt Bronze Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk By R. Soriano Spain, 20th Century Gorgeous kingwood, with ornate gilt bronze ormolu mounts, and embossed blac...
Category

20th Century Spanish Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Figural Griffin Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid walnut Renaissance Revival trestle table which features carved trestle ends depicting griffins with female busts, northwind fac...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Antique Derby School Paneled Oak Roll Top Desk with Full Interior, C1900
By Derby Desk Company
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique roll top desk offers paneled quarter sawn oak construction with s-top opening to full interior over base with flanking drawer towers h...
Category

Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

American Drafting Table
Located in New York, NY
Adjustable wood top, cast iron base drafting table. This table adjusts in height from tallest position (42") to lowest (30.5") and the to...
Category

Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Jacques Adnet President Oak Desk, France 1940's
Located in New York, NY
“President” Oak Desk on drawer pedestals and brass plinth, copper handles with original British green leather top, details abound in this piece such as the guest facing end with its ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Wood Lovig Desk
Located in Phoenix, AZ
The iconic Løvig teak flip top desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960s, Denmark. It’s versatile in that the back shelf can flip down on its brass hinges to create a larger work s...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Art Deco desk - France 1930
Located in Girona, ES
Art Deco drawer unit desk, four drawers, wood with oak veneer, resting on an aluminium-covered base. Aluminium handles. Satiny varnish finishing. France circa 1930
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Spectacular Wood Desk, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Exceptional and spectacular French Art Deco wood desk. Two drawers in facade, circa 1930.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Antique Hamilton Mfg. Co. Drafting Table with Footrest c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Contact us for more affordable shipping options: S16 Home San Francisco. A fully adjustable industrial drafting table with solid Maple top, wooden base and solid cast iron b...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

1930s Fabulous Industrial Adjustable Wood Table Hand Crank Metal Base
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Old Adjustable Table 1930s Fabulous Sculptural Industrial Wheeled Wood Table Adjustable Tilt with Hand Crank Metal Base Adjustable height useful as Lectern, Drafting, Music Stand, S...
Category

1930s Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Chest of Drawers
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
 Art deco chest of drawers after renovation , simple and nice art deco chest of drawers :)
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Stunning Art Deco Writing Desk in Book Matched Burl Veneer 1930s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Stunning Art Deco Writing Desk in Book Matched Burl Veneer, Europe, 1930s. This is a wonderful and very stylish art deco desk or writing table in beautiful book matched burl veneer....
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Burl

Incredible Mid Century Italian Curved Top Desk By Bernini
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Incredibly beautiful and stylish midcentury Italian desk with curved front featuring they most incredible grain pattern. Manufactured by the renowned Italian Bernini company this exq...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Oiled Walnut and Steel AK 1340 Executive Desk by Nissen & Gehl MDD
Located in Miami, FL
This beautiful desk is modern furniture at its finest. Make a statement in any office. The solid walnut wood top of this desk is supported by an elegant stainless steel frame. Top in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Rare Freestanding Desk by Frode Holm for Illums Bollighus, 1950s
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A very rare freestanding desk designed by Frode Holm around 1950. Ultra minimalist design with exceptional details and two elegant drawers executed in teak. Produced by Illums Boligh...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Antique Victorian Burl Walnut Inlaid Marquetry Carved Davenport Desk 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique burl walnut & inlaid marquetry Davenport desk, circa 1860. The davenport is made from the finest figured burl walnut, to the top is a lift up lid with a fitted interio...
Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl, Walnut, Satinwood, Maple, Leather

French 1960's Lattice Bamboo & Rattan Desk w/ Drawers
Located in East Hampton, NY
The wonderful and intricate bamboo & rattan woven lattice work is exceptionally preserved in its natural original color, this bamboo desk features a newly replaced deep blue abet lam...
Category

1960s French French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Laminate

Rosewood Desk by Torbjorn Afdal for Bruksbo
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare hand-crafted rosewood desk designed by Torbjorn Afdal for Bruksbo. The drawers made with very fine detailed zipper joinery. With original key and working lock mechanism. Origina...
Category

1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Gio Ponti vanity desk console table with a adjustable Fontana arte mirror, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
rare Gio Ponti toilette, vanity table dressing table one drawer with an adjustable brass mirror by Fontana Arte produced by Giordano Chiesa for Das...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

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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