Desks and Writing Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1830s English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century French Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine, Marble
18th Century Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine, Marble
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1890s Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Glass
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s Italian French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Cane
Early 20th Century European Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1840s Italian Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1850s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Palisander
1780s Irish Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1890s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Steel
18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
1770s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome, Metal
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fabric, Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Fabric
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Amboyna
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
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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