Directoire Bureau Plat
Directoire Style Small Bureau Plat
Located in Sheffield, MA
Directoire Maison Jansen style desk. Label inside drawer inscribed "A. Alavoine and Co., NY and
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Black Leather Top French Directoire Style Writing Desk Bureau Plat, Circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
H 30 in W 51 in D 27 in
Rare Flame Mahogany Bronze Mounted Leather Top Francois Linke Desk Bureau Plat
By François Linke
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
Vintage 1910s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
H 29.5 in W 71 in D 35 in
French Napoleon III Louis XVI-Style Mahogany Desk
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
French Louis XVI style desk/bureau plat with embossed green leather top, brass trim, five drawers
Category
20th Century Unknown Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French fruitwood marquetry top writing table, 1950’s
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Academic Revival rectangular bureau plat in the French Directoire taste. The fruitwood marquetry
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada.
Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Textile, Wood
Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
By laura gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
Materials
Oak
Pair of Side Cabinets by 'Linke'
By François Linke
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of French Louis XVI style late 19th century kingwood marquetry and parquetry inlaid side cabinets, with floral decoration to the doors, marble tops and ormolu mou...
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Cabinets
Materials
Kingwood
French, Oak Child's School Desk c. 1900's
Located in London, GB
This French 1900's Oak child's school desk is a rare find that exudes immense character. The desk bears the markings of many children who have used it over the years, adding to its c...
Category
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Italian 1940s Art Deco Midcentury Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
By Vittorio Dassi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern drinks dry bar cabinet in beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, two doors with great wooden decor craftmanship and handles. When o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Brass
H 26.78 in W 36.62 in D 16.54 in
Chinoiserie Chinese Elm Wedding Opium Canopy Queen Bed Hand Carved Asian Design
Located in Topeka, KS
Phenomenal vintage chinoiserie Chinese Wedding opium canopy bed comprised of Chinese elm and all-over hand carved Asian gilded designs. It will hold a queen size mattress and is made...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
H 99 in W 99 in D 71 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk, Writing Table, Leather Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI style mahogany desk features a gold tooled red leather top surrounded by a bronze trim border. The corners are detailed with bronze striated p...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
H 30.25 in W 39.25 in D 23.5 in
French Desk Writing Table Empire Style, Mid-Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French mid-century exotic wood writing desk, the top is recovered of green oil cloth.
Three drawers on a side and false drawers on the other side which is a distinctive sign of Empir...
Category
Vintage 1910s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Louis Philippe Bureau Plat, or Writing Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Louis Philippe style bureau plat, or desk made of solid and veneer of mahogany. Double sided, the back has false drawers so this desk may be free floated in a room. Four dov...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Edwardian 1880s Stamped Maple & Co Brown Leather Sheraton Writing Desk Table
By Maple & Co.
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Lovely Edwardian 1880s Stamped Maple & Co Writing Table With Brown Leather Top.
This Edwardian 1880s writing desk table is a magnificent ...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
H 29.53 in W 42.52 in D 22.45 in
Lilypad Pink Chandelier Composed of Textured Glass Blades by Laura Gonzalez
By laura gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Textured glass chandelier composed of individuals pink petals mounted on a brass structure, in the shape of a lily pad flower that diffuses light.
The chandelier is composed of 24 ...
Category
2010s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
President John F. & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s English Victorian Tea Table
By Albert Hadley, Sister Parish
Located in St. Louis, MO
President John F. & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s
English Victorian tea table
Quite possibly the most important tea table in American History
The famed, English Victorian tea ta...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Materials
Lacquer
H 19 in W 33.5 in D 27.25 in
Rare Brass and Steel Aged Mirrored Top John Vesey Style Ebonzed Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning desk that was perhaps made by John Vesey, but we can't say with any degree of certainty. The elements are there, the steel and brass used to create the more averag...
Category
Vintage 1980s European Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
19th Century Solid Oak Baroque Trestle Desk Writing Table or Console
Located in Miami, FL
An 19th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid oak with lyre shaped legs joined by solid wood stretched. Two drawers with original iron drawer pulls. The top is...
Category
Antique 1890s Spanish Baroque Console Tables
Materials
Iron
H 29.73 in W 49.61 in D 23.63 in
Baker Furniture Georgian Carved Mahogany Writing Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style writing desk
By Baker Furniture
USA, circa 1980s
Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware.
Measures: 45.5"W x 21.25"D x 29.6...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Alexandre Chevrie, Museum French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Royal Executive Desk
By Alexandre Chevrié, Paris 1
Located in New York, NY
Alexandre Chevrie, a museum quality French ormolu mounted mahogany Royal Executive "Empire" Desk, circa 1875.
Double sided desk with six solid bronze lions paw feet, framed ormolu...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
H 29 in W 60 in D 32 in
Recent Sales
Directoire brass-mounted fruitwood bureau plat
Located in San Francisco, CA
Directoire brass-mounted fruitwood bureau plat of small size, the facade apron fitted with two
Category
Antique 19th Century French Sofa Tables
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat, circa 1900
Located in Salisbury, GB
A French Directoire style mahogany bureau plat. The turned legs with brass fluting and brass edging
Category
Antique Early 1900s European Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Bureau plat
Located in New York, NY
A Directoire mahogany , 3 drawers in apron, with a brown leather inset top, with a free standing
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Desks
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Style Gold Mirrored Top Desk by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
A very sleek directoire style gold mirrored top bureau plat by Jansen. Bronze mounted with two
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Directoire Bureau Plat, France circa 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Directoire Bureau Plat, France, circa 1800.
Spacious and chic Directoire desk and the perfect piece
Category
Antique 1790s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Directoire Bureau Plat, France, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Mahogany veneered French Directoire desk standing on square pointed feet, with four drawers and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Bronze Mounted Leather Top Inlaid Kingwood Directoire Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb French-made bronze mounted inlaid desk with bronze wrapping the top and brass and bronze ormolu everywhere. The desk is inlaid in tulipwood with a kingwood case. The...
Category
Vintage 1940s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
H 30.5 in W 51 in D 25 in
Fine 19th Century French Directoire Bureau Plat Writing Table or Desk
Located in London, GB
A highly figured Directoire period French bureau plat, veneered throughout with highly figured
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks
H 30.71 in W 51.19 in D 27.17 in
Franch Bureau Plat
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and fine made French Directoire bureau plat, circa 1900. Mahogany with bronze mounts on top
Category
Antique 1890s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Revival Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French gilt bronze mounted mahogany Empire Directoire bureau plat, circa
Category
Antique 1860s French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
H 30.32 in W 59.06 in D 31.5 in
French Directoire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in Stamford, CT
French Directoire style mahogany bureau plat, circa 1940s, the black tooled leather insert top over
Category
Vintage 1940s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Directoire Style Ebonized Bureau Plat
Located in Doylestown, PA
A chic ebonized bureau plat with a cream-colored tooled leather top, circa 1950, from Argentina
Category
Vintage 1950s Argentine Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Directoire-Style Mahogany Bureau Plat/Desk
Located in New York, NY
Directoire-Style Mahogany Bureau Plat/Desk
Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Directoire Period Mahogany Petit Bureau Plat
Located in London, GB
A Directoire period mahogany petit bureau plat, with a drawer to one side and brown leather top.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Directoire Style Leather-Top Bureau Plat Desk
Located in New York, NY
Directoire-Style Leather-top Bureau plat desk on Tapered legs ending in brass sabots, desk features
Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
French Directoire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early 20th century Directoire style mahogany bureau plat/desk featuring embossed brown leather
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Directoire Period Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Directoire period mahogany bureau plat, having leather lined writing surface
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Early 19th Century Directoire Period Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Directoire period mahogany bureau plat, having leather lined writing surface
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
French Directoire Style Ebonized Bureau Plat Desk with Leather Top
Located in New York, NY
Oversized French Directoire-style ebonized bureau plat desk with leather top on tapered legs ending
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Signed French Directoire Style Ebonized Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Desk
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning signed Maison Jansen bronze mounted ebonized lacquer bureau plat with a black
Category
Vintage 1940s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
H 30.25 in W 48.25 in D 24.5 in
French Directoire Style "Bureau Plat" Desk in Cherry with Leather Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Directoire style "Bureau Plat" desk in cherry with leather top. This desk features two pull
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Leather
French Directoire Louis XVI Leather Top Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous smaller writing desk in the Directoire taste, circa 1940. The desk is made of
Category
Vintage 1940s American Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Directoire Ebonized Bureau Plat w/3 Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
Exquisite antique French ebonized and gilded Directoire style bureau plat with three drawers and a
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Giltwood
A 19th Century Bureau Plat in the Directoire Manner
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century century brass inlaid mahogany bureau plat, having a brown leather top
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
French Directoire Style Black Lacquer and Brass Bureau Plat
Located in Danville, CA
polished and lacquered.
Keywords: Louis XVI, Directoire
Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Directoire Style Bronze Mounted Writing Desk or Bureau Plat
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
form of this writing desk or bureau plat is specifically Directoire - a period which took components
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
H 30.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
French Directoire-Style Leather-Top Bureau Plat/Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
An over-sized Louis XVI-style leather-top writing desk on tapered legs ending in brass sabots.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Signed Maison Jansen Leather Top Louis XVI Directoire Writing Desk Bureau Plat
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous signed Maison Jansen desk from France. The desk is made of solid walnut and has subtle brass details and wonderful design. The beautiful original leather top has g...
Category
Vintage 1940s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 29.5 in W 64 in L 29.5 in
Directoire Style Leather-Top Bureau Plat Desk on Tapered Legs
Located in New York, NY
Directoire Style Leather-Top Bureauplat Desk on Tapered Legs
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
Early 19th Century Figured Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Directoire period figured mahogany free standing Bureau Plat, with extending
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
French Louis Philippe Period Bureau Plat Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Directoire style mahogany desk with brass mounts and original black leather inset. Very nice
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Materials
Mahogany
French Directoire Style Ebonized Desk by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
French Directoire style bureau plat, overall ebonized with parcel-gilt banding, the rectangular
Category
Vintage 1960s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
French Directoire Style Painted Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in Stamford, CT
A creme peinte bureau plat in the style of French Directoire, circa 1960s, the wood top in natural
Category
Vintage 1960s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
French Directoire Style Painted Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in Stamford, CT
A crème peinte bureau plat in the style of French Directoire, circa 1960s, the wood top in natural
Category
Vintage 1960s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Inlaid Bronze Mounted Directoire Style Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a truly rare form of desk. This bureau plat is in superb condition and features incredibly
Category
Vintage 1930s Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Directoire Period Writing Table
Located in London, GB
An early nineteenth century mahogany figured petite bureau plat retaining the original leather
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
French 40's Directoire Inspired Desk
Located in Doylestown, PA
A "Directoire" inspired 1940’s - 50’s French bureau plat, in beechwood with two drawers, a pull out
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks
Materials
Brass
19th Century Directoire Style Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
fluted legs terminating in brass caps.
The form of this bureau plat is specifically Directoire - a
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
French Directoire-Style Leather Top Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Compact size bureau plat fitted with two (2) locking drawers and side pull-out writing tablets; the
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Desks
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Style Painted Desk by John Widdicomb
By William A. Berkey Furniture Co., John Widdicomb
Located in Stamford, CT
A creme peinte bureau plat in the style of French Directoire, circa 1960s, the wood top in natural
Category
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Wood
19th Century Second Empire Mahogany Tub Arm Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
be ideal for use with a bureau plat or inthe bedroom. Add a touch of class to your home with this
Category
Antique 1850s French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
19th Century French Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Forney, TX
mahogany bureau plat with beautifully aged patina.
Born in France during the first half of the 19th
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Restauration Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Oak
Antique Empire Revival Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Armchair 19th Century
Located in London, GB
bureau plat.
Add an elegant touch to your home with this exceptional armchair.
Condition:
In
Category
Antique 1890s French Empire Revival Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
H 38.19 in W 25.2 in D 21.66 in
Vintage Pair of Empire Revival Mahogany and Ormolu Armchairs by Charles Barr
Located in London, GB
also be ideal for use with a bureau plat.
Add an elegant touch to your home with this exceptional
Category
Vintage 1980s Empire Revival Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
H 40.16 in W 24.02 in D 24.81 in
Antique French Empire Revolving Desk Chair, circa 1870
Located in London, GB
original brass cup castors.
This chair would be ideal for use with a desk, bureau plat or dressing table
Category
Antique 1870s French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Directoire Style Leather Top Bureau Plat
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Directoire style leather top inlaid 3-drawer bureau plat with bronze accents.
Category
20th Century Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Directoire-Style Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
This Directoire/Napoleon III style desk is composed of one large center and two side dovetailed
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Directoire Desks
Materials
Brass
Antique French Directoire Style "Bureau Plat" Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Antique French Directoire style "Bureau plat" desk of solid, ebonized walnut with a lustrous French
Category
Vintage 1930s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century French Directoire Mahagony Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
A late 18th century Directoire mahogany bureau plat or writing desk. The rectangular brass banded
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Directoire Neoclassical Green Leather Top Mahogany Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Directoire Neoclassical / Empire style green leather top mahogany bureau plat
Category
Early 20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
H 30.5 in W 55 in D 31.5 in
19th Century French Directoire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat with Leather Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century French Directoire style mahogany bureau plat with leather top, 5 drawers with fitted
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
H 30.75 in W 56.75 in D 29.25 in
French 19th Century Directoire Style Mahogany Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century Directoire style mahogany bureau plat, circa 1890, features a richly
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Elegant Black Lacquer Writing Table Desk by Maison Jansen, France, 1950
By Maison Jansen
Located in Brussels, BE
Double face neoclassical black lacquer minister bureau plat. Inspired by the Directoire.
Six
Category
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Brass
H 29.53 in W 52.37 in D 28.75 in
Diminutive Maison Jansen Mahogany Bronze Mounted Writing Desk
By Maison Jansen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive French mahogany bureau plat, writing table, or desk attributed to Maison Jansen
Category
20th Century Argentine Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Empire Tub Arm Desk Chair 19th Century
Located in London, GB
for use with a bureau plat or in the bedroom.
THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS ITEM IS MADE
Category
Antique 1850s French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
#3141 Mahogany Directoire Bureau Plat
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany Directoire Bureau Plat with Mahogany Veneers on Drawer Fronts and Finished Back. Leather
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
FRENCH DIRECTOIRE BUREAU PLAT Circa 1800
Located in London, GB
French Directoire period mahogany bureau plat. Gilt tooled faded green leather top with slides on
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Late 18th Century Directoire Bureau Plat or Writing Desk in Cherrywood
Located in Firenze, IT
A beautiful Directoire writing desk or bureau plat in cherrywood with ebonized details and very
Category
Antique 1790s Italian Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry
H 31.89 in W 50.6 in D 24.02 in
French Directoire Style Bureau Plat
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Southampton, NY
1950'S BRASS BANDED MAHOGANY DIRECTOIRE STYLE BUREAU PLAT WITH EXTENDING TOOLED LEATHER INLAID
Category
Vintage 1950s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
#3041 Mahogany Directoire Style Bureau Plat
Located in New York, NY
Distinctive Mahogany Directoire Style Bureau Plat with Flame Mahogany Veneers on Drawer Fronts and
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Materials
Mahogany
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Directoire Bureau Plat For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal directoire bureau plat for your home. A directoire bureau plat — often made from wood, metal and animal skin — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer directoire bureau plat, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A directoire bureau plat is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Neoclassical styles are sought with frequency. Maison Jansen each produced at least one beautiful directoire bureau plat that is worth considering.
How Much is a Directoire Bureau Plat?
The average selling price for a directoire bureau plat at 1stDibs is $6,775, while they’re typically $1,900 on the low end and $29,500 for the highest priced.
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.
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