Desks and Writing Tables
1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1830s British William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Paint
20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
20th Century English Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1890s Danish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1970s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
19th Century English Jacobean Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1830s English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Iron
2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut
2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1940s Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1890s British Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Teak
20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Iron
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1920s Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1950s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Bamboo
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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