Desks and Writing Tables
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1890s British Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Satinwood
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Teak
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1860s British High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Alabaster
1820s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech, Walnut, Lacquer
Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Other
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
Early 20th Century English Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Satinwood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1950s Italian Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1820s English George IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut, Burl
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Paint
1870s French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Plywood
Late 20th Century Singaporean Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Ash, Oak, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
1940s Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Lucite, Burl
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
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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