An assortment of mission desks is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of
wood,
oak and
metal, all mission desks available were constructed with great care. Mission desks have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Mission desks are generally popular furniture pieces, but
Arts and Crafts,
mid-century modern and
neoclassical styles are often sought at 1stDibs. If space is limited, there are small mission desks measuring 14.97 inches across. Mission desks have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by
Gustav Stickley,
L. & J.G. Stickley Inc. and
Stickley Brothers are consistently popular.
Vintage desks and writing tables span centuries of design. The writing table came first, a simple surface built for correspondence, while the drawered desk followed as record-keeping at home and in the office grew more demanding.
Styles to Know
Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader vintage category. If you want a tapered-leg, mid-century look specifically, browse mid-century modern desks; Louis XVI and Art Deco secretary desks bridge the writing-table and desk forms. A vintage table lamp adds task lighting to either.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Piece
Writing tables often carry little to no storage of their own, so a separate file cabinet or desk organizer may be worth planning for, alongside a close look at the surface dimensions against the space available. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and every purchase is covered by the 1stDibs Promise.