Boulle Writing Desk
$9,750
Boulle Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Well-proportioned French black lacquer and Boulle writing desk with metal gallery raised back
19th Century French Antique Writing Desk
Tortoise Shell
$9,750
Boulle Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Well-proportioned French black lacquer and Boulle writing desk with metal gallery raised back
Tortoise Shell
Smaller secession writing desk
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Smaller secession writing desk in very nice original condition.
Brass
Swedish Painted Writing Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pretty early 19th century Swedish painted pine writing desk. 1820. Kneehole: 20.5-inches x 26
Pine
English Lady's Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
English lady's writing desk table, table desk, or telephone table. Has quatrefoil backsplash. In
Oak
19thC English Pine Writing Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1890 19thC English pine writing desk Measures: W119 x D73 x H68cm.
Pine
French Empire Style Writing Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Large French burr elm empire style writing desk. 1900. Kneehole is 23.5" wide x 27" high
Elm
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Carved Wood Writing Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Spectacular Antique Carved Wood Writing Desk. In good condition. This table has so many carved
Wood
19th Century Swedish Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish writing desk exemplifies the timeless charm of Gustavian design
Pine
English Decorative Chinoiserie Bureau Writing Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1900 English decorative chinoiserie bureau writing desk - Bonheur Du Jour. Great colour and
Hardwood
Biedermeier Writing Desk, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small Biedermeier writing desk in walnut, raised on tapered square legs with brass sabots and
Brass
Biedermeier Writing Desk, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier writing desk veneered in cherry, raised on tall, slightly splayed legs. A drawer is
Leather, Cherry
Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Viterbo, VT
Neoclassical writing desk handmade in Italy in the late 1700s using walnut and peg construction
Walnut
$4,646Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Art Nouveau Style Oak Writing Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
Kidney-shaped oak writing desk with double chest of drawers with 8 drawers on each side. Wrought
Iron
Gorgeous 18th Century Tin Marquetry Writing Desk/ Cabinet
Located in Brussels, BE
18th century tin marquetry writing desk.
Tin
Frnech. Art Deco Macassar Elegant Writing Desk
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Frnech Art Deco writing desk with beautiful Macassar wood. The desk has a shaped top held by four
Macassar
Antique Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Aesthetic Movement example of a charming writing desk fashioned with elaborate galleries and
Faux Bamboo, Wood
19th c Russian mahogany and brass writing desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th c Russian leather topped writing desk with hand hammered brass details
Brass
French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
An elegant French Louis XV style petit writing desk with gilt-bronze mounts, including escutcheon
Bronze
English Hard Wood Portable Writing Desk, circa 1850
By OTHR
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
English country portable writing desk with lifting writing surface, it has its original bronze
Hardwood
Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid writing desk
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid writing desk, having the original brass gallery, bevel
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Inlaid Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique Victorian inlaid writing desk. This was made in England, it dates from the 1880
Leather, Wood
Antique Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk Table France
Located in Munich, DE
This charming small ladies writing desk – so called 'Écritoire de Dames' was made in France circa
Mahogany
19th Century French Kingwood Writing Desk Bureau Plat
Located in Essex, MA
19th century French kingwood Bureau plat writing desk. Beautiful Louis XV Form. Lacquered Bronze
Bronze
19th Century Walnut Writing Desk with Drawers, 1870s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A classic wooden writing desk with multiple drawers, both on the tabletop riser and beneath. The
Walnut
19th-century French writing desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
This exquisite 19th-century French writing desk, or bureau de dame, showcases the elegance and
Walnut
English Hepplewhite Mahogany Tambour Writing Desk. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English five drawer Hepplewhite tambour writing desk with fitted interior, satinwood string inlay
Antique English Queen Anne Walnut Writing Desk, Circa 1895
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Queen Anne walnut writing desk, circa 1895.
Walnut
$1,824Sale Price|34% Off
19th Century Writing Desk with Drawer
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This is an elegant antique writing desk, commonly referred to as a “bureau plat,” likely dating
Velvet, Walnut
Antique William IV Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very well made antique William IV writing desk. This was made in England, it dates
Wood
English Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany two-drawer leather top writing desk with carved molded edge, original brasses and
Louis XV Leather Top Cocobola Wood Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable Louis XV style ladies writing desk handcrafted in exotic cocobola wood with a
Cocobolo
Mahogany Writing Desk with Satinwood Inlay
Located in Cheshire, GB
A fine quality Edwardian mahogany writing desk featuring elegant satinwood inlay and a rich patina
Wood
18th Century Black Rococo Writing Desk Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A beautifully crafted French Rococo writing desk from the Late 18th Century or Early 19th Century
Oak
18th Century, Gentleman's Writing Desk and Games Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful, circa 1780, hand carved, petite writing desk inset with game chess and backgammon game
Marble, Bronze
French Charles X Writing Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
The epitome of French elegance and style, this French Charles X-style writing desk takes the
Bronze
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed
Brass
17th Spanish Refectory Table, Writing Desk, One Large Drawer
Located in Miami, FL
17th Spanish refectory table. Writing desk. One large drawer The top its circa 1680, the legs circa
$5,350
Writing Desk
Located in London, England
French two drawer bureau plat with brass moulds and parquetry inlaid top. Circa 1900. H 75cm (AH 63cm) x W 111cm x D 66cm Please be in touch for an accurate shipping quote.
Brass
Antique French Neoclassic Two Drawer Inlaid Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century French Restoration period writing desk handcrafted in exotic woods including
Mahogany, Walnut
Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Writing Desk with Lyre Base
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An Italian Baroque style walnut writing desk table with drawers and lyre shaped base legs and
Wrought Iron
20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Louis XV style French walnut writing desk with three drawers and cabriolet legs
Bronze
$6,664Sale Price|38% Off
Walnut Writing Desk in the Manner of Gillows
Located in Cheshire, GB
Walnut writing desk almost certainly by Gillows, the large rectangular rounded top with inset
Walnut
19th Century Unique Restored Austrian Biedermeier Maple Writing Desk, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier writing desk Completely restored. Shellac polish. Material: Maple Source: Austria
Wood, Maple, Lacquer
Bauhaus Tiered Tubular Chromed Steel Writing Desk
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 1930s modernist black writing desk in the manner of Marcel Breuer emphasizes classic Bauhaus
Steel, Chrome
Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish late Gustavian writing desk, late 18th century in excellent antique condition. Key
Brass
$1,403Sale Price|20% Off
Small Ladies' Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in Brown
Located in Opole, PL
Small Ladies' Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in Brown A small, simple ladies' writing
Fabric, Wood
Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk Antique French Napoleon III
Ormolu
English Zebra Wood Military Campaign Writing Desk, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English zebra wood military campaign writing desk with brass bound molded edges, original recessed
Crystal, Brass
French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
French 19th century mahogany travel writing desk French, 19th century Measures: Height 94cm
Ormolu
C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk
By Paul Somani
Located in London, GB
Louis XV1 Style French Writing Desk In the Manner of Francois Linke Finished on Both sides so could
Kingwood
Louis XVI writing desk in walnut. 18th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Louis XVI period writing desk from the 18th century, crafted in warm walnut with
Brass
19th Century Gustavian Writing Desk by Johan Oman
By Johan Öman
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century writing desk by Swedish Master Cabinet Maker Johan Öman (1789-1833) who worked for
Brass
19th Century French Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pretty French Louis XV style writing desk or ‘bonheur du jour’, the serpentine case veneered in
Kingwood
$1,938Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Georgian Revival Mahogany Writing Desk c.1880–1900, Dressing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian Revival Mahogany Writing Desk c.1880–1900 – Fine Quality, Dressing Table A fine
Wood
Antique English Victorian Marquetry Writing Desk by Donald Ross
By Donald Ross, Edwards & Roberts
Located in London, GB
Antique English Victorian marquetry writing desk by Donald Ross English, c. 1890 Measures: Height
Ormolu
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Refined antique French Louis XVI style writing desk crafted in exotic tulipwood veneer with
Brass
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.
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.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
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.
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
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.
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.
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.