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Napoleon Writing Desks

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Writing Desk, Small Desk in Marquetry and Gilded Bronze, Napoleon III Period.
Writing Desk, Small Desk in Marquetry and Gilded Bronze, Napoleon III Period.

Writing Desk, Small Desk in Marquetry and Gilded Bronze, Napoleon III Period.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Writing desk, small desk in marquetry and gilded bronze, Napoleon III period. Small desk, writing

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk
Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk

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

Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Napoleon III Writing Desk with Unusual Marble Top, circa 1870
Napoleon III Writing Desk with Unusual Marble Top, circa 1870

Napoleon III Writing Desk with Unusual Marble Top, circa 1870

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine Napoleon III period writing desk in mahogany, with gilt-bronze mounts and brass banding, the

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Transition-Style Writing Desk from the Napoleon III Period
19th Century Transition-Style Writing Desk from the Napoleon III Period

19th Century Transition-Style Writing Desk from the Napoleon III Period

Located in NICE, FR

This small writing desk from the 19th century is crafted in rosewood with inserted brass fillets

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Boulle Bureau Plat Desk Inlay Writing Table Napoleon III
Boulle Bureau Plat Desk Inlay Writing Table Napoleon III

Boulle Bureau Plat Desk Inlay Writing Table Napoleon III

Located in Potters Bar, GB

A magnificent French Boulle style writing desk, richly decorated with ormolu mounts and vibrant red

Category

Vintage 1980s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Giltwood

Period French Napoleon III Mahogany Bonheur Du Jour Antique Ladies Writing Desk
Period French Napoleon III Mahogany Bonheur Du Jour Antique Ladies Writing Desk

Period French Napoleon III Mahogany Bonheur Du Jour Antique Ladies Writing Desk

Located in Forney, TX

writing desk) circa 1860 Hand-crafted in France the third quarter of the 19th century, in Louis XV taste

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Impressive antique writing desk, ebonized/black around 1870, Napoleon III
Impressive antique writing desk, ebonized/black around 1870, Napoleon III

Impressive antique writing desk, ebonized/black around 1870, Napoleon III

Located in Berlin, DE

Impressive antique desk, ebonized around 1870, Napoleon III Elegant bureau plat/desk Extremely

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Napoleon III French Empire Bureau De Plat Gilt Bronze Writing Table Desk
Rare Napoleon III French Empire Bureau De Plat Gilt Bronze Writing Table Desk

Rare Napoleon III French Empire Bureau De Plat Gilt Bronze Writing Table Desk

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Napoleon III French Empire desk with gilt

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Secretaire Desk by Diehl
Napoleon III Secretaire Desk by Diehl

Napoleon III Secretaire Desk by Diehl

By Charles-Guillaume Diehl

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

An unusual amboyna Napoleon III secretaire desk by Diehl, the rectangular top above a single long

Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Amboyna

Napoleon III Period Walnut Desk/games Table
Napoleon III Period Walnut Desk/games Table

Napoleon III Period Walnut Desk/games Table

Located in Brussels, Brussels

A charming and rare Napoleon III period walnut desk that transforms into a games table. The

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Exceptional Napoleon III Bronze Mounted And Ebonized Writing Table
Exceptional Napoleon III Bronze Mounted And Ebonized Writing Table

Exceptional Napoleon III Bronze Mounted And Ebonized Writing Table

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A fine Antique French Bronze mounted writing table with particularly fine form dating to the late

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Desk or Side Table
Napoleon III Desk or Side Table

Napoleon III Desk or Side Table

Located in Leimen, DE

Discover an extraordinary side table or desk that traces its origins to the period between 1860 and

Category

Antique 1860s Belgian Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Napoleon III Shopkeepers Desk C.1840
French Napoleon III Shopkeepers Desk C.1840

French Napoleon III Shopkeepers Desk C.1840

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

This French shopkeepers desk, crafted during the reign of Napoleon III period (mid-19th century

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III desk in blackened wood and marquetry
Napoleon III desk in blackened wood and marquetry

Napoleon III desk in blackened wood and marquetry

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Large 19th-century Napoleon III desk. Blackened solid wood frame and diamond-shaped veneer for a 3D

Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Style Cylinder Secretary Desk by Sormani
Napoleon III Style Cylinder Secretary Desk by Sormani

Napoleon III Style Cylinder Secretary Desk by Sormani

By Paul Sormani

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A Napoleon III style cylinder secretary desk by renowned designer Sormani, in burl Thuya wood with

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Late 19thC French Mahogany and Satinwood Writing Desk
Late 19thC French Mahogany and Satinwood Writing Desk

Late 19thC French Mahogany and Satinwood Writing Desk

Located in Altrincham, GB

Late 19thC French Mahogany and Satinwood writing Desk with Lidded Leather drawer and Gold Plated

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Fine French Napoleon III Period Porcelain Plaque Mounted Ebonized Writing Table
Fine French Napoleon III Period Porcelain Plaque Mounted Ebonized Writing Table

Fine French Napoleon III Period Porcelain Plaque Mounted Ebonized Writing Table

Located in Forney, TX

period Napoleon III Second Empire French ebonized desk or writing writing, magnificently decorated

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Porcelain, Oak, Wood

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Desk with Bronze, Early 20th Century
Napoleon III Black Lacquer Desk with Bronze, Early 20th Century

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Desk with Bronze, Early 20th Century

Located in Lisbon, PT

Napoleon III early 20th Century black lacquer writing desk with stamped bronze Height: 90 cm

Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Napoleon III Desk in Boulle Marquetry
Napoleon III Desk in Boulle Marquetry

Napoleon III Desk in Boulle Marquetry

Located in Brussels, BE

Napoleon III desk in boulle marquetry.

Category

Antique 19th Century Belgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rare Napoleon III Boulle Desk  1860 France André-Charles Boulle
Rare Napoleon III Boulle Desk  1860 France André-Charles Boulle

Rare Napoleon III Boulle Desk 1860 France André-Charles Boulle

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Rare Napoleon III Boulle desk of very high quality, 1860 France

Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

A Napoleon III Boulle Inlay “Bonheur du Jour” Lady’s Desk
A Napoleon III Boulle Inlay “Bonheur du Jour” Lady’s Desk

A Napoleon III Boulle Inlay “Bonheur du Jour” Lady’s Desk

Located in San Francisco, CA

anyway, this lady’s desk is petite enough to dwell (relatively) discreetly in your boudoir. Your hidden

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Napoleon III Style Ebonized Lacquered Bonheur Du Jour Desk
Vintage French Napoleon III Style Ebonized Lacquered Bonheur Du Jour Desk

Vintage French Napoleon III Style Ebonized Lacquered Bonheur Du Jour Desk

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage French Napoleon III Style Ebonized Lacquered "Bonheur Du Jour" Writing Desk Elegant French

Category

Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Fruitwood and Ormolu desk
French 19th century Napoleon III Period Fruitwood and Ormolu desk

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Fruitwood and Ormolu desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A magnificent and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III Period Regence st. Ebonized

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bonheur du Jour Secretary Desk Vitrine, 19th Century
Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bonheur du Jour Secretary Desk Vitrine, 19th Century

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bonheur du Jour Secretary Desk Vitrine, 19th Century

Located in Lisbon, PT

A refined and unique 19th century Napoleon III bonheur du jour secretary desk, professionally

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bonheur du Jour Desk, Late 19th Century
Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bonheur du Jour Desk, Late 19th Century

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bonheur du Jour Desk, Late 19th Century

Located in Lisbon, PT

A walnut black lacquer refinished bonheur du Jour Desk in Napoleon III style with gilded metal

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bronze and Porcelain Bonheur du Jour Desk
Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bronze and Porcelain Bonheur du Jour Desk

Napoleon III Black Lacquer Bronze and Porcelain Bonheur du Jour Desk

Located in Lisbon, PT

Napoléon III black lacquer refinished Gilt-Bronze and Sèvres Style Ormolu mounted Bonheur du Jour

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century Sideboard Forming a Sloping Desk, Carved Oak, Napoleon III Period.
19th Century Sideboard Forming a Sloping Desk, Carved Oak, Napoleon III Period.

19th Century Sideboard Forming a Sloping Desk, Carved Oak, Napoleon III Period.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

19th century sideboard forming a sloping desk, carved oak, Napoleon III period. Nineteenth-century

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

19th Century Napoleon III Walnut Partner's Desk with Faux Leather
19th Century Napoleon III Walnut Partner's Desk with Faux Leather

19th Century Napoleon III Walnut Partner's Desk with Faux Leather

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century Napoleon III walnut partner's desk with faux leather is a stunning transitional piece

Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Napoleon III Ebonized Desk with Marble Inlay, France, 19th Century
Napoleon III Ebonized Desk with Marble Inlay, France, 19th Century

Napoleon III Ebonized Desk with Marble Inlay, France, 19th Century

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Ebonized desk with compartments on either side. Central drawer decorated with a cherub. Marble

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Brass and Ormolu desk
French 19th century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Brass and Ormolu desk

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Brass and Ormolu desk

By Befort Jeune

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Louis XV st. Napoleon III Period Ebony, Brass

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Napoleon III Period Mounted Desk
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Napoleon III Period Mounted Desk

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Napoleon III Period Mounted Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A striking French 19th Century Louis XV st. Napoleon III period ebony, brass inlaid and ormolu

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

A French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany & Ormolu Secretaire - Knee-Hole Desk
A French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany & Ormolu Secretaire - Knee-Hole Desk

A French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany & Ormolu Secretaire - Knee-Hole Desk

By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Fine and Rare French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Knee-Hole Secretaire

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Desk Table, Early 20th Century, One Drawer.
Desk Table, Early 20th Century, One Drawer.

Desk Table, Early 20th Century, One Drawer.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Desk Table, Early 20th Century, One Drawer Desk/table from the early 20th century, featuring one

Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Marble-Top Secretaire in Blackened Wood Napoleon III Period
19th Century French Marble-Top Secretaire in Blackened Wood Napoleon III Period

19th Century French Marble-Top Secretaire in Blackened Wood Napoleon III Period

Located in Sofia, BG

in the lower part. White marble top surrounded in brass decoration. France, Napoleon III period

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Alexandre Chevrie, Museum French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Royal Executive Desk
Alexandre Chevrie, Museum French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Royal Executive Desk

Alexandre Chevrie, Museum French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Royal Executive Desk

By Alexandre Chevrié, Paris 1

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

Alexandre Chevrie, a museum quality French ormolu mounted mahogany Royal Executive "Empire" Desk

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Opening Side Table, France Napoleon III, Italy, Mid-19th Century
Opening Side Table, France Napoleon III, Italy, Mid-19th Century

Opening Side Table, France Napoleon III, Italy, Mid-19th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Opening Side Table, France Napoleon III. Brass decorations. Opened dimensions: H77xL113xP56 cm

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Tulipwood Bureau Plat Attributed To Wassmus
Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Tulipwood Bureau Plat Attributed To Wassmus

Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Tulipwood Bureau Plat Attributed To Wassmus

Located in Essex, MA

The identical desk and possibly the same one pictured in Les Ebenistes Du XIX Siecle by Denise

Category

Antique 1860s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Ebonized Fruitwood Center Table, Napoleon III Style, France, c. 1860
Ebonized Fruitwood Center Table, Napoleon III Style, France, c. 1860

Ebonized Fruitwood Center Table, Napoleon III Style, France, c. 1860

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

An imposing Napoleon III center table (or 'Table de Milieu') in ebonized fruit wood, rectangular in

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique Mid-19th Century Ebonised Wood, Gilt Bronze and Pietra Dura Desk
Antique Mid-19th Century Ebonised Wood, Gilt Bronze and Pietra Dura Desk

Antique Mid-19th Century Ebonised Wood, Gilt Bronze and Pietra Dura Desk

Located in London, GB

Dimensions: Height 77cm, width 134cm, depth 78cm This Napoleon III period desk features a wonderfully

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Ormolu

Louis XV Style Tall Standing Desk / Table by Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdley
Louis XV Style Tall Standing Desk / Table by Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdley

Louis XV Style Tall Standing Desk / Table by Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdley

By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley

Located in Dallas, TX

a Louis XV style Second Empire (Napoleon III) small writing desk / table (lectern, stand, or podium

Category

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

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Paul SORMANI (1817-1877) Bonheur de Jour in Marqueterie Stampigliato
Paul SORMANI (1817-1877) Bonheur de Jour in Marqueterie Stampigliato

Paul SORMANI (1817-1877) Bonheur de Jour in Marqueterie Stampigliato

By Paul Sormani

Located in Pistoia, IT

Uno scrittoio di superba fattura proveniente dai rinomati laboratori parigini di Paul Sormani. Realizzato con legni esotici locali e d'importazione, presenta intricati intarsi geome...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Boulle Centre Table Bureau Plat C.1860
Antique French Boulle Centre Table Bureau Plat C.1860

Antique French Boulle Centre Table Bureau Plat C.1860

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique French Boulle Centre Table Bureau Plat C.1860

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

MID-19th CENTURY NAPOLEON III VENEERED WRITING DESK
MID-19th CENTURY NAPOLEON III VENEERED WRITING DESK

MID-19th CENTURY NAPOLEON III VENEERED WRITING DESK

Located in Firenze, FI

A beautiful and elegant centerpiece writing desk, featuring high-quality venereed walnut and brown

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Napoleon III Desks

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1890
Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1890

Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1890

Located in Potters Bar, GB

A Napoleon III mahogany bureau plat desk on cabriole legs Circa 1890 The desk has been finished

Category

Antique 1890s Napoleon III Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

By Napoléon III

Located in Cheltenham, GB

An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba
NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba

NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba

By Napoléon III

Located in Miami, FL

An antique Napoleon III traveler portable writing-desk box. This is a gorgeous portable writing

Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather, Shell, Wood

Inkwell in red marble with  "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.CHAPU
Inkwell in red marble with  "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.CHAPU

Inkwell in red marble with "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.CHAPU

By Henri Chapu

Located in Paris, FR

Inkwell in red Griotte marble and gilt bronze representing an allegory of writing by Henri Chapu

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Inkwells

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

French Bureau Plat Desk Antique Parquetry Writing Table Napoleon III
French Bureau Plat Desk Antique Parquetry Writing Table Napoleon III

French Bureau Plat Desk Antique Parquetry Writing Table Napoleon III

Located in Potters Bar, GB

You are viewing a gorgeous antique French bureau plat in the Napoleon III manner Features intricate

Category

Antique Early 1900s Napoleon III Tables

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III French Leather Cased 3-Piece Sterling and Agate Desk -Writing Set
Napoleon III French Leather Cased 3-Piece Sterling and Agate Desk -Writing Set

Napoleon III French Leather Cased 3-Piece Sterling and Agate Desk -Writing Set

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Napoleon III French Leather-Cased 3-Piece Sterling and Agate Desk Writing Set, France, Circa 1870

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver Plate, Sterling Silver

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Napoleon Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of napoleon writing desks is available at 1stDibs. The range of distinct napoleon writing desks — often made from wood, metal and bronze — can elevate any home. Napoleon writing desks have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Napoleon writing desks bearing Louis XV or Empire hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made napoleon writing desks over the years, but those made by Alexandre Chevrié, Paris, André-Charles Boulle and Charles-Guillaume Diehl are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Napoleon Writing Desks?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $6,400, while they’re typically $595 on the low end and $225,000 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.

Questions About Napoleon Writing Desks
  • 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.