Barley Twist Writing Table
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century Unknown Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American William and Mary Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Desks and Wri...
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Leather
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 17th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 17th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century American Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1920s English Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Tapestry, Oak
Antique 18th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1870s French Louis XIII End Tables
Wood, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks
Oak
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Tudor Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 1850s Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing T...
Oak
Antique 1870s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1850s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing T...
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Antique Late 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing ...
Oak
Antique 1870s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1850s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1860s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Leather
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1910s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1890s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Portuguese Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Black Forest Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1850s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Late 18th Century English Country Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 18th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1890s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing T...
Oak
Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century Gothic Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 1880s European Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1890s French Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Pine
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Iron
Vintage 1950s North American Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Spanish Metalwork
Brass, Chrome
Vintage 1980s Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Demi-lune Tables
Walnut, Boxwood, Olive, Satinwood
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Vitrines
Brass
Antique 19th Century Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 1900s European Aesthetic Movement Beds and Bed Frames
Birch, Birdseye Maple
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Barley Twist Writing Table For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Barley Twist Writing Table?
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.
Read More
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
This Alain Delon–Designed Table Is Almost as Handsome as He Was
Fans of the French film star may be surprised to learn that he had a flair for furniture with sleek lines and disco-era flash.
Uchronia’s Plant Stand Gives Pots a Pretty Perch with All the Trimmings
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
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.