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Mid-Century Modernist Bow Front Desk in Ebonized Walnut with Nickel Pulls
Mid-Century Modernist Bow Front Desk in Ebonized Walnut with Nickel Pulls

Mid-Century Modernist Bow Front Desk in Ebonized Walnut with Nickel Pulls

Located in New York, NY

This sleek and elegant Mid-Century Modernist Bow Front Desk in Ebonized Walnut with Nickel Pulls

Category

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

Materials

Nickel

19th Century Régence Napoleon III Ebonized Desk/Bureau Plat Stamped Gros/Paris
19th Century Régence Napoleon III Ebonized Desk/Bureau Plat Stamped Gros/Paris

19th Century Régence Napoleon III Ebonized Desk/Bureau Plat Stamped Gros/Paris

By Benjamin Gros

Located in Berlin, DE

Excellent and rare French 19th century Napoleon III ebonized black lacquer Bureau plat or writing

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Writing or Computer Desk and Chair in Blackened Oakwood by Alabama Sawyer
Writing or Computer Desk and Chair in Blackened Oakwood by Alabama Sawyer

Writing or Computer Desk and Chair in Blackened Oakwood by Alabama Sawyer

By Alabama Sawyer

Located in Birmingham, AL

We handcraft this Classic blackened oakwood writing desk and chair set with hardwoods from

Category

2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Oak

Knoll by Florence Knoll Ebonized Oak Mini Desk
Knoll by Florence Knoll Ebonized Oak Mini Desk

Knoll by Florence Knoll Ebonized Oak Mini Desk

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Rochester, England

Originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, the Mini Desk is part of the High Table range

Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Elegant Black/ Ebonized Executive Desk by Mount Airy
Elegant Black/ Ebonized Executive Desk by Mount Airy

Elegant Black/ Ebonized Executive Desk by Mount Airy

By Mount Airy Furniture Company, Baker Furniture Company

Located in Houston, TX

Elegant executive desk by Mount Airy. Desk has wonderful lines with a slightly bowed shape and an

Category

Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

French Louis XVI Style Jansen Ebonized Table Desk with Églomisé Top
French Louis XVI Style Jansen Ebonized Table Desk with Églomisé Top

French Louis XVI Style Jansen Ebonized Table Desk with Églomisé Top

By Maison Jansen

Located in Queens, NY

French Louis XVI style (1940s) ebonized and gilt and bronze trimmed table desk with 3 drawers and

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Leather Top Ebonized Desk
Antique French Louis XVI Leather Top Ebonized Desk

Antique French Louis XVI Leather Top Ebonized Desk

Located in Austin, TX

A fine "Bureau plat" with flawless ebonized and French polished finish, finely cast brass hardware

Category

Early 20th Century Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather

French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk by Jansen
French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk by Jansen

French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk by Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

French ebonized bureau plat in the taste of Louis XVI, circa 1940's, the top having bronze banding

Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Carlo de Carli Laminated and Ebonized Wood Desk
Carlo de Carli Laminated and Ebonized Wood Desk

Carlo de Carli Laminated and Ebonized Wood Desk

Located in New York, NY

A desk by Carlo de Carli with two deep drawers in the front and a shelve in the back. A desk

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate

Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk by Maison Jansen
Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk by Maison Jansen

Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk by Maison Jansen

Located in Pembroke, MA

Louis XVI style black-lacquered desk with brass mounts and inlay, fluted legs with parcel gilt

Category

20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Gustavian Ebonized Cherrywood Slant-Front Desk, 18th Century
Gustavian Ebonized Cherrywood Slant-Front Desk, 18th Century

Gustavian Ebonized Cherrywood Slant-Front Desk, 18th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

Having a shallow top surface and a large slanted front opening to reveal a leather covered writing

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Ebonized mahogany leather top desk in the manner of Andre Arbus C 1950.
Ebonized mahogany leather top desk in the manner of Andre Arbus C 1950.

Ebonized mahogany leather top desk in the manner of Andre Arbus C 1950.

By André Arbus

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Ebonized mahogany leather top desk in the manner of Andre Arbus C 1950. The case trimmed in bronze

Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Ebonized Desk in the Regency Style by Maison Jansen
Ebonized Desk in the Regency Style by Maison Jansen

Ebonized Desk in the Regency Style by Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

Elegant Writing Desk in Ebonized Wood by Jansen with Extension Panels at each end. Classic Tapered

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Stunning Ebonized Desk/Console with Nickel Silvered X Framing
Stunning Ebonized Desk/Console with Nickel Silvered X Framing

Stunning Ebonized Desk/Console with Nickel Silvered X Framing

Located in North Miami, FL

Writing table, desk, console--this stunning piece has a floating top fashioned in ebonized wood

Category

20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Nickel

A Louis XV Style Ebonized Writing Table in the Manner of Jansen
A Louis XV Style Ebonized Writing Table in the Manner of Jansen

A Louis XV Style Ebonized Writing Table in the Manner of Jansen

Located in New York, NY

A Louis XV style ebonized writing table with cabriole legs and bronze pulls having two drawers in

Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Modernist Desk in Ebonized Walnut and Brass
Mid-Century Modernist Desk in Ebonized Walnut and Brass

Mid-Century Modernist Desk in Ebonized Walnut and Brass

Located in New York, NY

vertical bars spaced by a circle between each at the top and bottom. The desk top and drawers are ebonized

Category

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

Antique French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Leather Top Desk
Antique French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Leather Top Desk

Antique French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Leather Top Desk

Located in Austin, TX

A Classic 19th century antique French Louis XVI style ebonized leather top desk with bronze gilt

Category

Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Stylish Danish Ebonized and Brass Mounted Desk, circa 1940s
Stylish Danish Ebonized and Brass Mounted Desk, circa 1940s

Stylish Danish Ebonized and Brass Mounted Desk, circa 1940s

Located in New York, NY

A Danish ebonized and brass-mounted pedestal desk, circa 1940s, the rectangular top raised on three

Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Desks and Writing Tables

French Ebonized Wood Napoleon III Desk, Early 20th Century
French Ebonized Wood Napoleon III Desk, Early 20th Century

French Ebonized Wood Napoleon III Desk, Early 20th Century

Located in South Salem, NY

Circa early 20th century Napoleon III style desk in an ebonized finish with brass fitted hardware

Category

Vintage 1930s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Milo Baughman Mid-Century Ebonized Sculptural Floating Executive Desk
Milo Baughman Mid-Century Ebonized Sculptural Floating Executive Desk

Milo Baughman Mid-Century Ebonized Sculptural Floating Executive Desk

By Milo Baughman

Located in North Miami, FL

This fantastic Milo Baughman sculptural desk has been newly ebonized over mahogany. The top portion

Category

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

Materials

Copper

Antique Art Deco Wood and Ebonized Demilune Desk, 1930s
Antique Art Deco Wood and Ebonized Demilune Desk, 1930s

Antique Art Deco Wood and Ebonized Demilune Desk, 1930s

Located in Detroit, MI

back of the desk has a gorgeous carved ebonized wood decorative accent piece. CONDITION Excellent

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

An Ebonized Eglomise Top Desk attributed to Maison Jansen
An Ebonized Eglomise Top Desk attributed to Maison Jansen

An Ebonized Eglomise Top Desk attributed to Maison Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

A fine Ebonzied Verne Eglomise Top Writting Desk. The bronze sabots on casters leading to a

Category

Vintage 1950s Argentine Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

1940s Hollywood Ebonized and White Gold Leaf Desk/Vanity
1940s Hollywood Ebonized and White Gold Leaf Desk/Vanity

1940s Hollywood Ebonized and White Gold Leaf Desk/Vanity

Located in New York, NY

conveniently has seven drawers ,three on each side with a center drawer as well. Would make a great desk as

Category

20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Ebonized Brass Trimmed French Directoire Style Executive Writinig Desk
Ebonized Brass Trimmed French Directoire Style Executive Writinig Desk

Ebonized Brass Trimmed French Directoire Style Executive Writinig Desk

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

leather top. The desk is ebonized in black lacquer and features remarkable build quality and superb

Category

Early 2000s Unknown Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

A Fine Black Louis XVI Style Leather Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat ca. 1950
A Fine Black Louis XVI Style Leather Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat ca. 1950

A Fine Black Louis XVI Style Leather Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat ca. 1950

By Maurice Hirsch

Located in Shippensburg, PA

lacquer and ebonizing, abrading and surface history. Fabulous patinated cognac leather writing surface

Category

20th Century French Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Signed French Directoire Style Ebonized Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Desk
Signed French Directoire Style Ebonized Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Desk

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

Stamped Maison Jansen Louis XVI Ebonized Desk Bureau Plat, 1950s
Stamped Maison Jansen Louis XVI Ebonized Desk Bureau Plat, 1950s

Stamped Maison Jansen Louis XVI Ebonized Desk Bureau Plat, 1950s

By Maison Jansen

Located in Paris, IDF

This rare Louis XVI style ebonized desk stamped Maison Jansen has been made in the early 1950s with

Category

Vintage 1950s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Restored Ebonized Antique French Bureau Plat/Desk w/Gilt Accents
Restored Ebonized Antique French Bureau Plat/Desk w/Gilt Accents

Restored Ebonized Antique French Bureau Plat/Desk w/Gilt Accents

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Breathtaking antique French ebonized bureau plat with a gorgeous 3 panel black leather top. This

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Elegant French LXVI Ebonized Mahogany 3 Drawer Bureau Plat/Desk
Elegant French LXVI Ebonized Mahogany 3 Drawer Bureau Plat/Desk

Elegant French LXVI Ebonized Mahogany 3 Drawer Bureau Plat/Desk

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

. Expertly constructed of mahogany over a solid oak carcass, this ebonized desk contrasts ever so well with

Category

Vintage 1930s French Desks and Writing Tables

Italian Ebonized Maple Wood Desk by Guido Zichele for Bloomingdales
Italian Ebonized Maple Wood Desk by Guido Zichele for Bloomingdales

Italian Ebonized Maple Wood Desk by Guido Zichele for Bloomingdales

Located in Chicago, IL

An ebonized maple wood desk with a walnut veneer in the style of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. This desk

Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Silver Leaf

Ebonized and Parcel Gilt Aesthetic Movement desk by Maple and Co
Ebonized and Parcel Gilt Aesthetic Movement desk by Maple and Co

Ebonized and Parcel Gilt Aesthetic Movement desk by Maple and Co

By Maple & Co.

Located in London, GB

An ebonized and gilt Aesthetic Movement desk with leather writing area. By Maple and Co, stamped

Category

Antique 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Modern Ebonized Desk with Brass Hardware by American of Martinsville
Modern Ebonized Desk with Brass Hardware by American of Martinsville

Modern Ebonized Desk with Brass Hardware by American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Houston, TX

Elegant desk by American of Martinsville. Freshly finished in a deep ebony stain. Patinaed Brass

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

20th Century Wood Italian Empire Style Demi Lune Writing Desk, 1950
20th Century Wood Italian Empire Style Demi Lune Writing Desk, 1950

20th Century Wood Italian Empire Style Demi Lune Writing Desk, 1950

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

, carved and gilded in cherry wood, fruitwood and ebonized wood. Writing desk equipped with a front drawer

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Sculptural Mid-Century Modernist Desk with Splayed Legs in Ebonized Walnut
Sculptural Mid-Century Modernist Desk with Splayed Legs in Ebonized Walnut

Sculptural Mid-Century Modernist Desk with Splayed Legs in Ebonized Walnut

By Gio Ponti

Located in New York, NY

This sculptural Mid-Century Modernist desk in the manner of Gio Ponti in hand rubbed ebonized

Category

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

Hollywood Regency Desks in Maison Jansen Manner, Ebonized, Bronze Mounted Pair
Hollywood Regency Desks in Maison Jansen Manner, Ebonized, Bronze Mounted Pair

Hollywood Regency Desks in Maison Jansen Manner, Ebonized, Bronze Mounted Pair

By Maison Jansen

Located in Stamford, CT

Hollywood Regency Desks, Maison Jansen Attributed, Ebonized, Bronze, Refinished. A Compatible pair

Category

Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage French Forties Ebonized Desk w/Hoof Feet, 3 Drawers & Leather Top
Vintage French Forties Ebonized Desk w/Hoof Feet, 3 Drawers & Leather Top

Vintage French Forties Ebonized Desk w/Hoof Feet, 3 Drawers & Leather Top

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

, highlighted by its rich ebonized finish setting this desk far in front of most all others. Three easy gliding

Category

Vintage 1940s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Mid-Century Modernist Streamlined Bowed-Front Desk or Vanity in Ebonized Walnut
Mid-Century Modernist Streamlined Bowed-Front Desk or Vanity in Ebonized Walnut

Mid-Century Modernist Streamlined Bowed-Front Desk or Vanity in Ebonized Walnut

Located in New York, NY

Mid-Century modernist Streamlined bowed-front desk or vanity in hand-rubbed ebonized walnut. A pair

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Pace Collection Ebonized Oak Desk, Part of a Collection for an Office
Pace Collection Ebonized Oak Desk, Part of a Collection for an Office

Pace Collection Ebonized Oak Desk, Part of a Collection for an Office

By Pace Collection

Located in Stamford, CT

Pace collection ebonized oak open grained desk. Part of the Pace collection for an office directly

Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Directoire Writing Table
Antique French Directoire Writing Table

Antique French Directoire Writing Table

Located in Austin, TX

Antique French Directoire style writing desk of mahogany, ebonized with a lustrous French polish

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Desk by Gaetano Borsani walnut veneer , lower ebonized , copper feet
Art Deco Desk by Gaetano Borsani walnut veneer , lower ebonized , copper feet

Art Deco Desk by Gaetano Borsani walnut veneer , lower ebonized , copper feet

By Gaetano Borsani

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Italian 1930s very elegant Art Deco Desk by Osvaldo Borsani, thick walnut veneer , lower band

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Milo Baughman for Drexel Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Floating Top Vanity Desk
Milo Baughman for Drexel Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Floating Top Vanity Desk

Milo Baughman for Drexel Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Floating Top Vanity Desk

By Milo Baughman, Drexel

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern floating top vanity desk designed by Milo Baughman for

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Cherrywood Demilune Writing Table, 19th Century
Cherrywood Demilune Writing Table, 19th Century

Cherrywood Demilune Writing Table, 19th Century

Located in San Francisco, CA

Cherrywood veneer demilune shape writing table or desk with ebonized accent detail, having three

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Mid-20th Century Ebonized Bureau Plat
Mid-20th Century Ebonized Bureau Plat

Mid-20th Century Ebonized Bureau Plat

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Nicely proportioned, French mid-20th century ebonized bureau plat. Having tooled, faded red leather

Category

Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

"Bureau Plat" desk in ebonized wood with gilt brass mounts and embossed leather
"Bureau Plat" desk in ebonized wood with gilt brass mounts and embossed leather

"Bureau Plat" desk in ebonized wood with gilt brass mounts and embossed leather

By Maison Jansen

Located in Madrid, España

"Bureau Plat" desk in ebonized wood with gilt brass mounts and embossed leather top - Atr. Maison

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Ebonized Drafting Table
French 19th Century Ebonized Drafting Table

French 19th Century Ebonized Drafting Table

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

architects and drafters, the desk’s tilted surface brings the back of the table towards the artist

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Ebonised Desk
Ebonised Desk

Ebonised Desk

Sold|$6,500

Ebonised Desk

Located in Culver City, CA

Dovetailed oak in original ebonized finish with pull out leather writing surface. Measures

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Hollywood Mirrored Desk or Vanity by Grosfeld House in Ebonized Walnut and Brass
Hollywood Mirrored Desk or Vanity by Grosfeld House in Ebonized Walnut and Brass

Hollywood Mirrored Desk or Vanity by Grosfeld House in Ebonized Walnut and Brass

By Grosfeld House

Located in New York, NY

This stunning Hollywood Art Deco mirrored vanity or desk was realized by the storied American

Category

Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modernist Ebonized Walnut Desk w/ Brass X Form Pulls by Paul Frankl
Mid-Century Modernist Ebonized Walnut Desk w/ Brass X Form Pulls by Paul Frankl

Mid-Century Modernist Ebonized Walnut Desk w/ Brass X Form Pulls by Paul Frankl

By Paul Frankl

Located in New York, NY

This sleek and sophisticated Mid-Century Modernist Desk with Tapered supports in Ebonized Walnut W

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Ebonized Wood Table
Ebonized Wood Table

Ebonized Wood Table

Located in Stamford, CT

Modern straight lined ebonized wood table from Design Institute America.

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Desks and Writing Tables

19th Century Neoclassical French Marquetry Writing Table
19th Century Neoclassical French Marquetry Writing Table

19th Century Neoclassical French Marquetry Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

Featuring an ebonized walnut backdrop providing a canvas for the intricate marquetry detail, this

Category

Antique 1880s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Antique French Directoire Ebonized  Bureau Plat w/3 Drawers
Antique French Directoire Ebonized  Bureau Plat w/3 Drawers

Antique French Directoire Ebonized Bureau Plat w/3 Drawers

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

leather top, too. This fine writing table or desk has just undergone a lengthy and extensive restoration

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Giltwood

Desk, Italy, 1940s
Desk, Italy, 1940s

Desk, Italy, 1940s

Located in Greding, DE

Completely ebonized Italian desk, standing on tapered fluted legs with brass sabots and volute

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pogliani Scope Desk
Pogliani Scope Desk

Pogliani Scope Desk

Located in Milano, IT

carved in scrolls; there is a drawer in the undertop band. In ebonized wood, the desk is entirely inlaid

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bone, Wood

Ebonized Antq. French Louis XVI Bureau Plat w/Black Leather
Ebonized Antq. French Louis XVI Bureau Plat w/Black Leather

Ebonized Antq. French Louis XVI Bureau Plat w/Black Leather

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Spectacular antique French Louis XVI style ebonized desk resting on its original fluted legs and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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Ebonized Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the ebonized writing desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every ebonized writing desk was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a ebonized writing desk, we have 409 options in-stock, while there are 14 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect ebonized writing desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A ebonized writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Louis XVI, Mid-Century Modern and Louis XV styles are sought with frequency. Maison Jansen, Baker Furniture Company and Milo Baughman each produced at least one beautiful ebonized writing desk that is worth considering.

How Much is a Ebonized Writing Desk?

Prices for a ebonized writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $815 and can go as high as $125,000, while the average can fetch as much as $5,327.

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 Ebonized Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs 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, 2021
    A 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, 2021
    A 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, 2023
    What 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, 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.