Gargoyle Writing Desk
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Tables
Oak
People Also Browsed
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Console Tables
Iron
Antique 17th Century French Panelling
Softwood
Antique 19th Century American Beds and Bed Frames
Silk, Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Console Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Gothic Decorative Art
Wood
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique Early 1900s Spanish Baroque Dining Room Tables
Iron
Antique 1880s French Gothic Revival Cabinets
Oak
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Buffets
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Apothecary Cabinets
Glass, Walnut
20th Century French Empire Center Tables
Malachite, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Gothic Revival Fireplaces and Mantels
Walnut
Recent Sales
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Chestnut
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Gothic Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Antique 19th Century Spanish Baroque Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
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.
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.
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.
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.
35 Wondrous Outdoor Dining Spaces
Eating meals alfresco is one of the great pleasures of warm weather, and a beautifully appointed space only heightens the experience. Get inspired by these delectable dining areas as you think about creating your own outdoor oasis.