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Osvaldo Borsani Writing Desk

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Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The 1960s functionalist style desk represents a fascinating piece of furniture that embodies the
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
H 32.29 in W 39.38 in D 32.29 in
Osvaldo Borsani Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in New York, NY
7-drawer desk by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV. Rosewood, maple, brass. Curved desk finished on both
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani Desk
Osvaldo Borsani Desk
H 31.5 in W 67 in D 33 in
Italian Midcentury Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian large executive desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani, manufactured by Tecno Milano in Italy
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian Midcentury Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
Italian Midcentury Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
H 30.5 in W 93.75 in D 33 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and rare, circa 1950s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno desk with teak top.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
H 30.25 in W 57 in D 29.25 in
Early Model of T90 Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Osvaldo Borsani, early model of t90 desk for tecno, presented at the 10th triennial in 1954, milano
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
, legs with wooden screw thread. Exhibited at Trienale Milano 1954. Osvaldo Borsani was born in
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Elm

Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
H 27.37 in W 46.86 in D 25.6 in
Osvaldo Borsani Style Exotic Wood Midcentury Directorial Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Miami, FL
Great design and exceptional rosewood quality for this directorial Italian desk. (Removable in 3
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Paolo Buffa
By Osvaldo Borsani, Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian half-round writing desk with a clear glass top
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Lasne, BE
Desk with wood and metal leg. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the desk.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
H 28.75 in W 62.6 in D 31.11 in
Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Berlin, DE
Chique and minimal, rare desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1956 and manufactured by Tecno Italy
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
H 29.93 in W 57.09 in D 33.08 in
T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy, 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Impressive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA, designed in 1975 by Eugenio
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage office desk, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Rare Osvaldo Borsani vintage desk manufactured by Tecno in the 1960s - early 1970s. Steel black
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Impressive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA, designed in 1975 by Eugenio
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Osvaldo Borsani Wooden Desk Covered with Parchment Steel Handles 1940 Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Desk Wood Parchment. The plan has so esattamente shortcomings.
Category

Vintage 1940s European Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Parchment Paper, Carbon Fiber

Executive Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Beautiful large executive desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani, manufactured by Tecno Milano in Italy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Early variant Osvaldo Borsani desk with two drawers for Tecno, Italy 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milan, IT
Minimal Osvaldo Borsani 1950s desk for Tecno, Italy Carries all the original Tecno transfer labels
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Osvaldo Borsani T95 teak and chromed steel desk for Tecno SPA, Italy, 1956
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This T95 desk is a remarkable creation by the renowned designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

20th Century Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno T90 Desk Wood with Chest of Drawers 60s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Turin, Turin
Osvaldo Borsani in 1953, together with his brother Fulgenzio, realized his most complex project: a
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern T333 Desk by Oslvado Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern T333 Desk by Oslvado Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, Italy, 1975
Category

Vintage 1970s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Exectutive Desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Almelo, NL
an original Osvaldo Borsani 1950's executive desk. It is made in a combination of walnut & padouk
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Italian Paolo Buffa Parchment Veneer Mahogany Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
drawers (design attributed to PAOLO BUFFA) (probably made by OSVALDO BORSANI)
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Parchment Paper

Italy Post Modern Style Walnut Grey and Black Lacquered Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brescia, IT
Osvaldo Borsani style (a well known Italian designer that has been lived in the Mid-Century in Milano
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writi...

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Italian Large Desk from the 50ties
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels , BE
Italian large desk from the 50ties Very unique design that offer a confortable and large table top.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Italian Large Desk from the 50ties
Mid Century Italian Large Desk from the 50ties
H 29.93 in W 94.89 in D 37.01 in
Osvaldo Borsani & Eugenio Gerli Desk with Leather Inlay T333 Tecno
Located in Köln, NRW
Osvaldo Borsani & Eugenio Gerli desk with leather inlay T333 Tecno Frame outside aluminium
Category

Vintage 1970s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Mid Century Modern Model T333 desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno
Located in London, GB
Model T333 desk produced in 1975 from a design by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Geri and manufctured
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

“MODUS” table and chairs by Borsani – Italy 1970
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno Design Centre
Located in Girona, ES
refectories, offices and libraries) in wood, plastic and steel. Model: MODUS Design: Osvaldo Borsani
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Walnut and Maple Italian Desks Writing Table, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful desk in characteristic Italian style of Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi and Osvaldo Borsani
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani Writing Table Desk for Techno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Rosewood top with leather writing surface. Measures: Top 2" thick. Insert 36 3/4" x L x 30" W.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Wood

Osvaldo Borsani Writing Table Desk for Techno
Osvaldo Borsani Writing Table Desk for Techno
H 11.72 in W 85.83 in D 35.04 in
Rare Fiberglass Directors Desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, 1970s
By Ernest Igl, Wilhelm Werndl
Located in Echt, NL
there is an anthracite carpet in the same grey color as the drawers and the writing surface. This desk
Category

Late 20th Century German Space Age Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Black Onyx Glass & Walnut Italian Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Schirolli
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant Italian MId-Century Modern Neoclassical Desk / Writing Table by Gio Ponti in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Patrice Maffei Desk for Kappa, 70s, Brushed Stainless Steel, Smoked Glass, 1970
By Patrice Maffei
Located in Paris, FR
Interform Bertoia Hans Wagner Osvaldo Borsani Motte Minvieille Vintage Lighting Castelli Reggiani Magnani
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Modern Italian Bar Cabinet
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Forney, TX
) attributed to legendary designer Osvaldo Borsani (Italy, 1911-1985), circa 1950s. Having a swan's neck
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

Wall Bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wall Unit; Bookcase; E22; Osvaldo Borsani; Tecno; 1960s; Italian Design; Shelves; Writing Desk
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Self-Standing Corner Bookcase with Desk by Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
by one of the most important Italian designers of the period such as Osvaldo Borsani, Vittorio Dassi
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Stained Glass, Wood

20th Century Osvaldo Borsani Triple Wall Mirror with Structure in Carved Wood
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Turin, Turin
Wonderful and unique wall mirror designed by the italian maestro Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Italian Modern Center Table By Guglielmo Ulrich
By Osvaldo Borsani, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Houston, TX
Ulrich sculptural table can be used as a center table, console table, side table, writing table or desk
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian Modern Center Table By Guglielmo Ulrich
Italian Modern Center Table By Guglielmo Ulrich
H 30.25 in W 57.82 in D 30.75 in
Mid-Century Boomerang Marble and Metal Compass Console Table. Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Space Age Boomerang curve free form console table or writing desk in marble and
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Mid-Century Carlo di Carli Gueridon, circa 1963, Italy
By Carlo De Carli
Located in Girona, Spain
Carli was a prolific furniture designer, especially of chairs, desks, and tables, and worked with the
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gueridon

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani Executive Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chicago, IL
This desk was used in the chairman's office of the Bank of America, London.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Osvaldo Borsani Executive Desk
Osvaldo Borsani Executive Desk
H 28.5 in W 98.5 in D 43.5 in
Osvaldo Borsani Style Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Measures: Height 29.5", depth of desk top 33", depth of footprint 37.5", length 80".
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani Style Desk
Osvaldo Borsani Style Desk
H 29.5 in W 80 in D 37.5 in
Desk T90 by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Osvaldo Borsani T90 desk with three drawers.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Desk T90 by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy
Desk T90 by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy
H 29.93 in W 77.17 in D 26.78 in
Osvaldo Borsani Desk with Patinated Leather Inlay, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Megeve, FR
Osvaldo Borsani desk with patinated leather inlay, 1950s.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Palisander

Osvaldo Borsani Executive Desk for Tecno, Italy, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Ghent, BE
This walnut desk with brushed bases has three drawers and has the techno label The top is in a
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Magnificent Double Sized Dark Walnut Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Southampton, NY
Magnificent double sized dark walnut desk with aluminum legs designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian Vintage Dresser in Clear Wood with Drawers Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Belgium, Brussels
attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, circa 1940. Measures: 38.58in width, 18.5in depth, 58.26in height
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Secretary Desk, Italy, circa 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant secretary desk, Italy, circa 1950, polished rosewood, elegant shaped legs, polished solid
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Secretary Desk, Italy, circa 1950
Secretary Desk, Italy, circa 1950
H 52.37 in W 43.31 in D 33.47 in
Osvaldo Borsani Writing Desk Table Tecno, Italy, 1954
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning large writing desk or desk table designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Stainless Steel

Osvaldo Borsani Boomerang Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic boomerang desk by Osvaldo Borsani with leather blotter insert. New refinished in french
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Osvaldo Borsani Boomerang Desk
Osvaldo Borsani Boomerang Desk
H 28.5 in W 98 in D 35 in
A Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare writing desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno (signed).
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron, Steel

Executive Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Handsome ebony lacquered desk by Osvaldo Borsani. Floating boomerang shaped desk top sits on tripod
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Executive Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
Executive Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
H 29 in W 98.5 in D 33.5 in
Italian Writing Desk Osvaldo Borsani Style, Italy, 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani, Gio Ponti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic shaped small writing desk in the manner of Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950. This
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian Desk, Osvaldo Borsani Style, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk, Osvaldo Borsani style, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 76 cm; W= 165 cm; D= 78 cm.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Italian Desk, Osvaldo Borsani Style, 1950s
Italian Desk, Osvaldo Borsani Style, 1950s
H 29.93 in W 64.97 in D 30.71 in
Desk, T95, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, 1956
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
. Designed by Osvaldo Borsani, style mod erno Italian style, this desk is large and multifunctional, a well
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Desk, T95, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, 1956
Desk, T95, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, 1956
H 29.93 in W 97.25 in D 33.08 in
Midcentury black Italian Osvaldo Borsani T96 Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Nijlen, VAN
Osvaldo Borsani T96 Desk T96 desk by 1 of most famous designers and architects of Italy. Osvaldo
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Osvaldo Borsani Inspired Executive Rosewood Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unique Osvaldo Borsani inspired executive desk or card table. Semi-circular rosewood top with
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani T95 Desk Tecno, Italy, 1956
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic model T95 office desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1956
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Osvaldo Borsani T95 Desk Tecno, Italy, 1956
Osvaldo Borsani T95 Desk Tecno, Italy, 1956
H 29.93 in W 70.87 in D 45.28 in
1960s Osvaldo Borsani Italian Mahogany Desk / Writing Table with Technical Sheet
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in New York, NY
Iconic mid-century modern design by the Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, model T160
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome, Aluminum, Metal

Mahogany Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milan, IT
Mahogany desk, designed by Osvaldo Borsani, manufactured by Arredamenti Borsani Varedo in 1950
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Berlin, DE
Legs and sub-construction solid, board solid elm tree.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
H 27.37 in W 25.6 in D 46.86 in
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Osvaldo Borsani Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the osvaldo borsani writing desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each osvaldo borsani writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and rosewood. Find 140 options for an antique or vintage osvaldo borsani writing desk now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a osvaldo borsani writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right osvaldo borsani writing desk, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Hollywood Regency styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made osvaldo borsani writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno and Eugenio Gerli are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Osvaldo Borsani Writing Desk?

A osvaldo borsani writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $8,301, while the lowest priced sells for $828 and the highest can go for as much as $75,000.

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.