Black Retro Writing Desk
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1970s American Chinoiserie Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal, Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Bronze
1980s French Provincial Black Retro Writing Desk
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Louis XV Black Retro Writing Desk
Bronze
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Black Retro Writing Desk
Opaline Glass, Wood
1970s Unknown Black Retro Writing Desk
Stone, Brass
1960s American Directoire Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass, Bronze
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Black Retro Writing Desk
Twig, Cherry
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Leather, Oak
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Steel
1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Glass, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal, Chrome
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Louis XV Black Retro Writing Desk
Bronze
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Scandinavian Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Laminate, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Enamel, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Mahogany
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Crystal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Steel, Nickel
Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Black Retro Writing Desk
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Teak
Mid-20th Century Black Retro Writing Desk
Bamboo, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Aluminum
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Steel
1980s American Post-Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
1990s Neoclassical Black Retro Writing Desk
Marble
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Black Retro Writing Desk
Chrome
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Campaign Black Retro Writing Desk
Brass
1950s French Art Deco Black Retro Writing Desk
Metal
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Black Retro Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Black Retro Writing Desk?
Finding the Right desks-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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