Desks and Writing Tables
20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Steel, Chrome
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
1970s German Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Ash
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Other
1920s Charles II Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm, Oak
20th Century English Colonial Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Oak
1950s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Other Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech, Mahogany
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Teak, Wenge, Plywood
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
20th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Silk, Glass, Hardwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Mahogany
1910s European Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry, Mahogany
1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
20th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Leather
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Palisander
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
20th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Yew
20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
20th Century Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
Burl
20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
20th Century Spanish Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Iron
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1930s Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Burl
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.
Read More
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
18 Home Offices for Workaholic Design-Lovers
Proof that working from home is a perk.