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Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

ART DECO STYLE

Art Deco furniture is characterized by its celebration of modern life. More than its emphasis on natural wood grains and focus on traditional craftsmanship, vintage Art Deco dining chairs, tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture — which typically refers to pieces produced during the 1920s and 1930s — is an ode to the glamour of the “Roaring Twenties.” 

ORIGINS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Bold geometric lines and forms, floral motifs
  • Use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood
  • Metal accents, shimmering mirrored finishes
  • Embellishments made from exotic animal hides, inlays of mother-of-pearl or ivory

ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

VINTAGE ART DECO FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

Few design styles are as universally recognized and appreciated as Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship.

Widely known designers associated with the Art Deco style include Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Eileen Gray, Maurice Dufrêne, Paul Follot and Jules Leleu.

The term Art Deco derives from the name of a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. “Art Deco design” is often used broadly, to describe the work of creators in associated or ancillary styles. This is particularly true of American Art Deco, which is also called Streamline Moderne or Machine Age design. (Streamline Moderne, sometimes known as Art Moderne, was a phenomenon largely of the 1930s, post–Art Nouveau.)

Art Deco textile designers employed dazzling floral motifs and vivid colors, and while Art Deco furniture makers respected the dark woods and modern metals with which they worked, they frequently incorporated decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides as well as veneers in their seating, case pieces, living room sets and bedroom furniture.

From mother-of-pearl inlaid vitrines to chrome aviator chairs, bold and inventive works in the Art Deco style include chaise longues (also known as chaise lounges) and curved armchairs. Today, the style is still favored by interior designers looking to infuse a home with an air of luxury and sophistication.

The vintage Art Deco furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes dressers, coffee tables, decorative objects and more.

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Style: Art Deco
Scandinavian Modernist Flamed Birch Wood Dining Table, Art Deco, Made in 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
A magnificent rectangular Art Deco dining table in veenered birch wood. Made in Scandinavia, most likely a Danish cabinetmaker in 1930s. Beautiful veener work. The overall impression...
Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

20th Century Representative Monumental Art Deco Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century representative Monumental Art Deco desk tulipwood veneer on wood. Half-arched cover plate on two-part straight body, middle kn...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tulipwood

1930s Bleached Oak Extendable Dinning Table by Charles Dudouyt
Located in London, GB
A 1930s Charles Dudouyt bleached oak extendable dinning table, with a wonderful diamond checkerboard top design, with extendable ends that slide out and take an additional leaf at ea...
Category

1930s French Vintage Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Vintage Art-Deco Walnut Writing Desk, Switzerland, 1930
Located in Le Grand-Saconnex, CH
Writing desk Art-Deco, made in first half of last century, in Switzerland. High craftmanship, combined with top material choice and elegant design. The top is layed in "open book" ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French 1920s Art Deco Desk Attributed to Atelier Martine
By Paul Poiret, Atelier Martine
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Art Deco desk attributed to Paul Poiret's fashionable furniture-making firm, Atelier Martine. Painted a soft grey color, with contrasting, deep red. Ra...
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Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

A Fine French Art Deco Rosewood Extendable Dining Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a four cylinders cross shaped pedestal and 2 end drawers that support the 2 matching extension leaves.
Category

1930s French Vintage Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Rare Art Deco Amsterdam School Writing Table and Chair by Paul Bromberg
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rare Art Deco Amsterdam School writing table and chair by Paul Bromberg for Pander 1920s. Solid oak, wicker and solid Macassar ebony knob on ...
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1920s Dutch Vintage Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Macassar, Oak, Wicker

Dominique Ceylonese Lemonwood Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco desk, circa 1935 by Dominique in Ceylonese lemonwood with bronze fittings. The guest side has a pull-out tablet area suitable for a laptop or tablet.
Category

1930s French Vintage Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Rare French Art Deco Style Shagreen and Bronze Desk, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A rare French Art Deco style shagreen and patinated bronze three drawer desk, sofa table or console of the most unique shape embellished with four bronze legs and three drawers on th...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Art Deco desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Art Deco desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include R & Y Augousti, Carlo Colombo, Elie Saab, and Hommes Studio. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $770 and tops out at $200,000 while the average work can sell for $8,620.

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