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1950 French Writing Desk

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Modernist Reconstruction Design Writing Desk, France 1950's
Modernist Reconstruction Design Writing Desk, France 1950's

Modernist Reconstruction Design Writing Desk, France 1950's

Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN

Vintage Midcentury Modern Modernist Reconstruction Period Design Writing Desk. Made in France

Category

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

Materials

Oak

1950's Vintage French Provincial Ladies Writing Desk - Gilt Wash
1950's Vintage French Provincial Ladies Writing Desk - Gilt Wash

1950's Vintage French Provincial Ladies Writing Desk - Gilt Wash

Located in Opa Locka, FL

1950's French Provincial Gilt Wash Elegant Ladies Writing Desk. 5 drawers with brass pulls. Gold

Category

Vintage 1950s American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950
20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Beautifully proportioned and beautifully crafted

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Wood Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk, 1950s
20th Century Wood Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk, 1950s

20th Century Wood Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk, 1950s

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Louis XVI style furniture veneered in mahogany and

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Elegant French Style Writing Desk
Elegant French Style Writing Desk

Elegant French Style Writing Desk

$2,076Sale Price|20% Off

Elegant French Style Writing Desk

Located in Riverdale, NY

Elegant French style writing desk with Louis XV lines in blond wood with silver leaf-painted table

Category

Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small desk – France 1950
Small desk – France 1950

Small desk – France 1950

Located in Girona, Girona

brass cabochons. France circa 1950

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Jean Prouve Compas Writing Desk, with original Perriand drawers, circa 1950
Jean Prouve Compas Writing Desk, with original Perriand drawers, circa 1950

Jean Prouve Compas Writing Desk, with original Perriand drawers, circa 1950

By Jean Prouvé

Located in Wargrave, Berkshire

Jean Prouvé, Compas Desk, circa 1950 Black melamine laminated plywood top on black lacquered

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Reconstruction Oak Desk, France 1950's
Reconstruction Oak Desk, France 1950's

Reconstruction Oak Desk, France 1950's

By Pierre Jeanneret

Located in New York, NY

A single-drawer oak desk with a lower bookshelf and a single drawer in the manner of Jeanneret or

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Vintage Writing Desk Attributed to Jean Prouvé, France, 1950s
Vintage Writing Desk Attributed to Jean Prouvé, France, 1950s

Vintage Writing Desk Attributed to Jean Prouvé, France, 1950s

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

A mid-century writing desk attributed to Jean Prouvé, France. The design is defined by its clean

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

A.R.P. Writing Desk Edition Minvielle France, 1955
A.R.P. Writing Desk Edition Minvielle France, 1955

A.R.P. Writing Desk Edition Minvielle France, 1955

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Rare and collectible desk designed by A.R.P. (Atelier de Recherches Plastiques) and manufactured by

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Jacques Adnet Folding Top Desk, France, 1950's
Jacques Adnet Folding Top Desk, France, 1950's

Jacques Adnet Folding Top Desk, France, 1950's

By Jacques Adnet

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional Jacques Adnet leather, Brass & Oak desk. The frame is leather and brass wrapped

Category

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

Materials

Brass

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Modernist DESK by THONET, France 1950
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Modernist DESK by THONET, France 1950

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Modernist DESK by THONET, France 1950

Located in PARIS, FR

veneer top, to be attributed, Thonet edition, France 1950.

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Jacques Quinet Two Tiered Desk, France 1950's
Jacques Quinet Two Tiered Desk, France 1950's

Jacques Quinet Two Tiered Desk, France 1950's

By Jacques Quinet

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional leather desk with oak top with it’s original leather and patina Chair separate

Category

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

Materials

Leather, Oak

Large Oak & Class Modernist Desk, France 1950's
Large Oak & Class Modernist Desk, France 1950's

Large Oak & Class Modernist Desk, France 1950's

Located in New York, NY

A large modernist desk in oak with a very interesting top comprised of a glass-covered lattice

Category

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

Materials

Glass, Oak

Jacques Adnet Desk, 1950’s
Jacques Adnet Desk, 1950’s

Jacques Adnet Desk, 1950’s

By Jacques Adnet

Located in PAU, FR

Important And rare green Desk and chair of Jacques Adnet. Quitte rare in green. The top is in black

Category

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

Materials

Leather

Art Deco Desk, Black Lacquer, Walnut, Metal, France circa 1950
Art Deco Desk, Black Lacquer, Walnut, Metal, France circa 1950

Art Deco Desk, Black Lacquer, Walnut, Metal, France circa 1950

Located in Regensburg, DE

Large, strongly curved Art Deco desk in black lacquer with metal accents, France circa 1940–1950

Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Maison Jansen Attributed Ebonized Leather Top Louis XVI Writing Desk
Maison Jansen Attributed Ebonized Leather Top Louis XVI Writing Desk

Maison Jansen Attributed Ebonized Leather Top Louis XVI Writing Desk

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This refined Maison Jansen attributed Louis XVI–style writing desk is an elegant expression of

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Wood, leather and bronce desk attributed to Maison Jansen, France, circa 1950.
Wood, leather and bronce desk attributed to Maison Jansen, France, circa 1950.

Wood, leather and bronce desk attributed to Maison Jansen, France, circa 1950.

By Maison Jansen

Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Wood, leather and bronce desk attributed to Maison Jansen, France, circa 1950.

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

1950's Compact Surveillant Desk - Atelier Jean Prouve
1950's Compact Surveillant Desk - Atelier Jean Prouve

1950's Compact Surveillant Desk - Atelier Jean Prouve

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1950’s Compact Surveillant Desk – Atelier Jean Prouve. Prouvé is one of the most respected French

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

1950's French Modernist 3-Drawer Sleek Oak and Metal Frame Desk
1950's French Modernist 3-Drawer Sleek Oak and Metal Frame Desk

1950's French Modernist 3-Drawer Sleek Oak and Metal Frame Desk

Located in North Miami, FL

This vintage mid-century French minimalist desk with three shallow drawers and trimmed in rich

Category

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

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Bois-Colombes, FR

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet Chocolate and caramel brown leather France

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather

Desk, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze, Made in France
Desk, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze, Made in France

Desk, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1940 Material: Wood and bronze It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

1950's Stitched leather and patinated pearwood writing table by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched leather and patinated pearwood writing table by Jacques Adnet

1950's Stitched leather and patinated pearwood writing table by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Bois-Colombes, FR

1950's Stitched leather and pearwood writing table by Jacques Adnet Rare modèle first quater of the

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Pearwood

Petite Ebonized Child Size or Ladies Writing Desk attributed to Maison Jansen
Petite Ebonized Child Size or Ladies Writing Desk attributed to Maison Jansen

Petite Ebonized Child Size or Ladies Writing Desk attributed to Maison Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

timeless French elegance in a scaled-down form ideal for a lady’s writing table or child’s desk. Expertly

Category

Vintage 1950s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine French 1950's Rectangular Mahogany Desk by Jacques Adnet (2 available)
Fine French 1950's Rectangular Mahogany Desk by Jacques Adnet (2 available)

Fine French 1950's Rectangular Mahogany Desk by Jacques Adnet (2 available)

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Long Island City, NY

Jacques Adnet: A fine French mid-century mahogany desk with a leather top and bronze details

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

André Sornay Rare Writing Desk with Movable Cabinets in Mahogany
André Sornay Rare Writing Desk with Movable Cabinets in Mahogany

André Sornay Rare Writing Desk with Movable Cabinets in Mahogany

Located in Waalwijk, NL

André Sornay for Meubles Sornay, writing desk with pair of cabinets, mahogany, lacquered wood

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Bois-Colombes, FR

1950's Stitched leather desk covered with stitched leather France Designed by Jacques Adnet.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Bois-Colombes, FR

1950's "Campaign Desk " all covered with stitched leather designed by Jacques Adnet. France.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Bois-Colombes, FR

Very nice stitched leather desk Covered with navy blue leather, chromed metal 3 drawers.   

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Dark Brown Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Dark Brown Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

1950's Dark Brown Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in North Miami, FL

This three-drawer Jacques Adnet desk in dark brown stitched leather with ring pulls and brass

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century French Desk
Mid-Century French Desk

Mid-Century French Desk

Located in Houston, TX

Desk is created out of walnut wood with light polish, 4 elongated legs are ebonized, which presents

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Vintage French Satin Wood Desk / Console Table
Vintage French Satin Wood Desk / Console Table

Vintage French Satin Wood Desk / Console Table

Located in London, GB

A smart and very stylish vintage French satin wood desk / console table, dating from the 1950’s

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950
Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950

Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950

Located in Miami, FL

Louis XV style folding desk with one drawer. An exceptional Louis XV style desk, made of early

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960
Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960

Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960

By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison

Located in Mouscron, WHT

Guillerme et Chambron, rare desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960. Votre maison : a style

Category

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

Materials

Oak, Faux Leather

C.1950s French Limed Oak Desk
C.1950s French Limed Oak Desk

C.1950s French Limed Oak Desk

Located in London, GB

A limed oak desk from France. Unusual form with original brass hardware. Nicely patinated with

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Bois-Colombes, FR

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet. Metal is in vintage condition. See pictures for

Category

Vintage 1960s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Desk in Oak, circa 1940/1950
Art Deco Desk in Oak, circa 1940/1950

Art Deco Desk in Oak, circa 1940/1950

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

LARGE art deco desk in oak, circa 1940/1950.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Large Brutalist Trestle Table, France, 1950's
Large Brutalist Trestle Table, France, 1950's

Large Brutalist Trestle Table, France, 1950's

Located in New York, NY

Solid oak table, simple yet sturdy construction on trestle legs, ideal for a writing table or a

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Small Pine Desk Table in the "Les Arcs" Style, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950
Small Pine Desk Table in the "Les Arcs" Style, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950

Small Pine Desk Table in the "Les Arcs" Style, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950

By Charlotte Perriand

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

small pine desk table in the "Les Arcs" style, Charlotte Perriand, with a drawer circa 1950/1960

Category

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

Materials

Pine

Guillerme et Chambron French Oak Desk/ Low Table
Guillerme et Chambron French Oak Desk/ Low Table

Guillerme et Chambron French Oak Desk/ Low Table

By Guillerme et Chambron

Located in North Miami, FL

This truly perfect size table for a writing desk also converts in to a LOWER console table height

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Oak Tripod Desk by Jacques Adnet, France, 1950s
Oak Tripod Desk by Jacques Adnet, France, 1950s

Oak Tripod Desk by Jacques Adnet, France, 1950s

Located in Antwerp, BE

This elegant tripod desk by Jacques Adnet dates from the 1950s and exemplifies refined French

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Fine French Art Deco Cherry Desk with Bronze Details
Fine French Art Deco Cherry Desk with Bronze Details

Fine French Art Deco Cherry Desk with Bronze Details

Located in Long Island City, NY

A fine French Art Deco two drawers cherry desk with bronze details.

Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Marcel Gascoin, TC Office, France 1950
Marcel Gascoin, TC Office, France 1950

Marcel Gascoin, TC Office, France 1950

By Marcel Gascoin

Located in Catonvielle, FR

Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986), “TC” table in light oak, ARHEC edition, France 1950. Father of

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Jacques Adnet Iron and Oak Desk, 1950s France
Jacques Adnet Iron and Oak Desk, 1950s France

Jacques Adnet Iron and Oak Desk, 1950s France

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Monumental Art Deco era desk by French Modernist designer Jacques Adnet. Black iron 'A' frame with

Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Bodart Ebonized French Louis XV Style Wrtining Desk with Bronze Ormolu
Bodart Ebonized French Louis XV Style Wrtining Desk with Bronze Ormolu

Bodart Ebonized French Louis XV Style Wrtining Desk with Bronze Ormolu

By Jacques Bodart

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Elevate your study or office with this elegant Bodart French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, a piece

Category

Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France
Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France

Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Monumental Art Deco era desk by French Art Deco Modernist designer Jacques Adnet. Iron frame with 4

Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Fine French Mid-Century Lacquered Desk by Raphael
Fine French Mid-Century Lacquered Desk by Raphael

Fine French Mid-Century Lacquered Desk by Raphael

By Raphael Raffel

Located in Long Island City, NY

Raphael (Raphael Raffel, 1912-2000) Rare Beka lacquer pedestal desk with three drawers, a black

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Jacques Quinet Desk
Jacques Quinet Desk

Jacques Quinet Desk

By Jacques Quinet

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Incredible Jacques Quinet Executive desk, circa 1950s Rich caramel leather with contrast open

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Guillerme et Chambron, Large Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960
Guillerme et Chambron, Large Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960

Guillerme et Chambron, Large Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960

By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison

Located in Mouscron, WHT

Guillerme et Chambron, Large Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960 Votre maison : a

Category

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

Materials

Marble, Iron

Jacques Adnet Leather Desk and Chair, 1950s France
Jacques Adnet Leather Desk and Chair, 1950s France

Jacques Adnet Leather Desk and Chair, 1950s France

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Exceptional Art Deco era desk with matching chair by French modernist designer Jacques Adnet

Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955

Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955

By Raphael Raffel

Located in New York City, NY

Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel for Maison Internationale Paris, France, c. 1955. This elegant

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Imposing 1940's French Modernist Desk in Mahogany in Style of Dupré Lafon, E498
Imposing 1940's French Modernist Desk in Mahogany in Style of Dupré Lafon, E498

Imposing 1940's French Modernist Desk in Mahogany in Style of Dupré Lafon, E498

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Imposing 1950's French modernist desk. Structure in solid mahogany and veneer, top in black glass

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pierre Chapo B19 Desk in Solid Elm, France 1960s
Pierre Chapo B19 Desk in Solid Elm, France 1960s

Pierre Chapo B19 Desk in Solid Elm, France 1960s

By Pierre Chapo

Located in ABCOUDE, UT

Stunning solid elmwood desk by the French designer Pierre Chapo. With characteristic wood-joints

Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Desk by Jacques Adnet
Desk by Jacques Adnet

Desk by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Rare et large bureau par Jacques Adnet

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Oak Writing Bureau by Didier Rozaffy for Oscar
Oak Writing Bureau by Didier Rozaffy for Oscar

Oak Writing Bureau by Didier Rozaffy for Oscar

By Didier Rozaffy

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

This is a rare model writing bureau designed by Didier Rozaffy for OSCAR, a French furniture

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Jacques Adnet - A French 1950s Desk with Lamp by Jacques Adnet
Jacques Adnet - A French 1950s Desk with Lamp by Jacques Adnet

Jacques Adnet - A French 1950s Desk with Lamp by Jacques Adnet

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Long Island City, NY

Jacques Adnet - A fine French Mid-Century rectangular desk and lamp, with a black lacquered metal

Category

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

Materials

Metal

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1950 French Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic 1950 French writing desk available at 1stDibs. Each 1950 French writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and oak. Your living room may not be complete without a 1950 French writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A 1950 French writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made 1950 French writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Jacques Adnet, Pierre Paulin and Jean Prouvé are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a 1950 French Writing Desk?

Prices for a 1950 French writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1 and can go as high as $128,968, while the average can fetch as much as $4,500.

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.

Questions About 1950 French Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    In 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.