John Vesey Stainless Bronze Neoclassical Desk
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Quartz, Brass, Steel
People Also Browsed
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Night Stands
Brass
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Side Tables
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
Antique 16th Century French Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
Sandstone
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Copper, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Blown Glass
Antique 1820s German Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Organic Modern Side Tables
Travertine
2010s British Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Paint
2010s English Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Organic Modern Stools
Antler, Plywood
Recent Sales
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Stainless Steel
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.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Inspired by the Cosmos, Sandra Nunnerley’s Nova Table Has a Futuristic Feel
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
In Guadalajara, These Luscious Side Tables Are Chiseled from Volcanic Rock
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.
How to Arrange Furniture + Layout Ideas
Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
Why Hollywood A-Listers Can’t Get Enough of James De Wulf’s Concrete Furniture
Starting with a 900-pound Ping-Pong table, the Los Angeles designer has built a sturdy furniture-making career out of concrete.