Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Belgian Desks and Writing Tables
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1980s Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1850s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s French French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Laminate
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
19th Century American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Kingwood, Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Lucite, Rosewood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary English Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
20th Century Romanian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome, Metal
1770s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Amboyna
Early 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1930s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Palisander, Rosewood
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1870s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1780s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique 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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