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Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in London, England

Three section mahogany pedestal desk with replaced black hide leather writing surface and panelled sides.

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Pedestal Desk
Antique Pedestal Desk

Antique Pedestal Desk

Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

A fine quality figured mahogany pedestal desk: Good model with raised drawer mouldings, false drawers on the back, oak drawer linings and recently fitted dark green hide.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Art Deco Pedestal Desk
Art Deco Pedestal Desk

Art Deco Pedestal Desk

Located in London, England

Early 20th Century Art Deco pedestal desk in Elm and Birch. Three locking drawers in the top.

Category

Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in Cheshire, GB

A very attractive and finely made Victorian mahogany pedestal desk of excellent colour and proportions, retaining its original tooled leather writing surface with gilt decoration thr...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Oak Pedestal Desk
19th Century Oak Pedestal Desk

19th Century Oak Pedestal Desk

Located in Brussels, Brussels

Elegant 19th century English blond oak pedestal desk Very beautiful pedestal desk that has been worked on both sides allowing it to be placed in the middle of a room or against a wall.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Edwardian Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Edwardian Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Edwardian Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

Edwardian pedestal desk, crafted in richly figured mahogany .

Category

Antique Early 1900s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small Mahogany Pedestal Desk 19th Century
Small Mahogany Pedestal Desk 19th Century

Small Mahogany Pedestal Desk 19th Century

Located in Brussels, Brussels

elegant mahogany pedestal desk from the 19th century from England Very beautiful pedestal desk which has been worked on both sides which allows it to be placed in the middle of a ro...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

George Nakashima Single Pedestal Desk
George Nakashima Single Pedestal Desk

George Nakashima Single Pedestal Desk

By George Nakashima

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

George Nakashima Single Pedestal Desk Walnut splayed leg Desk 3 Drawer Pedestal Signed on the underside of desk, George Nakashima 1968 Original Clients name marked in Drawers with Cr...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

C.1930s Czech Deco/Modernist Pedestal Desk
C.1930s Czech Deco/Modernist Pedestal Desk

C.1930s Czech Deco/Modernist Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A C.1930s walnut veneer pedestal desk from 1930s Czechoslovakia. Simple clean art deco form with plenty of internal storage.

Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century George III Mahogany Pedestal Desk
18th Century George III Mahogany Pedestal Desk

18th Century George III Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in Dublin 8, IE

18th century George III mahogany pedestal desk. With green-leather top and large centred drawer flanked by two smaller drawers, above three drawers in each pedestal.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Very Fine Edwardian Pedestal Desk
Very Fine Edwardian Pedestal Desk

Very Fine Edwardian Pedestal Desk

Located in Dublin, IE

A very fine Edwardian mahogany and satinwood line inlaid pedestal desk, the moulded top inset with gilt embossed red tooled leather writing skiver surface raised over frieze with two...

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Desks

Materials

Brass

Burr Walnut Kidney Pedestal Desk
Burr Walnut Kidney Pedestal Desk

Burr Walnut Kidney Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

Elevate your workspace with this exquisite burr walnut kidney-shaped pedestal desk featuring a luxurious hand-tooled leather writing surface.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique English Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Antique English Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Antique English Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in Bridgeport, CT

English mahogany pedestal desk with tooled gilt oxblood leather writing surface, and featuring three frieze drawers and six total drawers split between both sides with brass ring pul...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Grey Mid Century Pedestal Desk
Grey Mid Century Pedestal Desk

Grey Mid Century Pedestal Desk

Located in Westwood, NJ

Whether used in a home office or a professional setting, the Grey Mid Century Pedestal Desk combines timeless design with practical functionality, making it the perfect centerpiece f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Wr...

Materials

Stainless Steel

Large English Pedestal Desk of Mahogany
Large English Pedestal Desk of Mahogany

Large English Pedestal Desk of Mahogany

Located in Austin, TX

A handsome large English pedestal desk of mahogany, featuring a moulded top inset with an embossed leather, over a frieze with one long drawer flanked by two short drawers.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Desks

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century English Mahogany Double Pedestal Desk
19th Century English Mahogany Double Pedestal Desk

19th Century English Mahogany Double Pedestal Desk

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

English Victorian mahogany double pedestal desk newly refinished with a traditional French polish and fitted with a new gilt tooled leather writing surface.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th century mahogany pedestal desk by Hobbs & Co
Early 20th century mahogany pedestal desk by Hobbs & Co

Early 20th century mahogany pedestal desk by Hobbs & Co

By Hobbs & Co.

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Early 20th century mahogany pedestal desk by hobbs & co circa 1900. Beautiful desk in the adams style circa 1900.

Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

A  Fine 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk
A  Fine 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk

A Fine 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in London, by appointment only

A very fine and good looking pedestal desk, the leather top with brass bound edges, above a bank of four drawers on each side with one central drawer, the back with dummy drawers.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Antique Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk
Antique Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk

Antique Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A very impressive and extremely well made antique Chippendale style pedestal desk. This is in the famous Chippendale style, it was made in England and dates from the 1900-20’s.

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Victorian Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1860
Victorian Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1860

Victorian Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1860

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Victorian mahogany twin pedestal desk. Circa 1860 This des has an arrangement of 9 mahogany lined drawers which retain their original turned knobs.

Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Stunning Victorian  Partners Pedestal Desk
Stunning Victorian  Partners Pedestal Desk

Stunning Victorian Partners Pedestal Desk

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer for sale this amazing Victorian hardwood partners' pedestal desk, circa 1870, gilt-tooled green leather inset writing surface, triple frieze drawers with Bramah l...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Fine Mahogany Twin-Pedestal Desk
Fine Mahogany Twin-Pedestal Desk

Fine Mahogany Twin-Pedestal Desk

Located in Cheshire, GB

This distinguished mahogany twin-pedestal desk exemplifies refined traditional craftsmanship, offering both decorative elegance and practical utility.

Category

Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Swedish early 20th century carved birch pedestal desk
Swedish early 20th century carved birch pedestal desk

Swedish early 20th century carved birch pedestal desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Swedish early 20th century carved birch pedestal desk circa 1900. Elegant Scandinavian pedestal desk comprising of 3 sections.

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

19th Century Chippendale Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk
19th Century Chippendale Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk

19th Century Chippendale Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk

Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB

A very fine 19th century Chippendale style mahogany pedestal desk. The rectangular top with inset green tooled leather writing surface and carved moulded edge, above three frieze dra...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather

Beautiful Edwardian Oak Pedestal Desk
Beautiful Edwardian Oak Pedestal Desk

Beautiful Edwardian Oak Pedestal Desk

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer this lovely early 20th century twin pedestal desk. Having a moulded edge, top inset with a panel of tooled green leather, over three frieze drawers, flanked by th...

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Carved Oak Pedestal Desk
19th Century Carved Oak Pedestal Desk

19th Century Carved Oak Pedestal Desk

Located in High Point, NC

19th century English pedestal desk made from oak. The top is covered in the original brown leather, which has aged beautifully, and is banded by an oak border, which has a gorgeous b...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks

Materials

Leather, Oak

Early 19th Century Ebonised Pedestal Desk
Early 19th Century Ebonised Pedestal Desk

Early 19th Century Ebonised Pedestal Desk

Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB

This small 19th-century ebonised mahogany pedestal desk is a delightful blend of practicality and elegance.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century British George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk
19th Century English Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk

19th Century English Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality 19th century Chippendale style pedestal desk, having a brown leather insert, above three drawers in the top.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Chippendale Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table
Regency Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table

Regency Pedestal Desk Mahogany Writing Table

Located in Potters Bar, GB

A handsome mahogany pedestal desk of classic English form in the Regency style, combining elegance with practicality Raised upon a plinth base for stability and refined proportion Fi...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Rosewood 'Collapsible' Campaign Pedestal Desk
Early 19th Century Rosewood 'Collapsible' Campaign Pedestal Desk

Early 19th Century Rosewood 'Collapsible' Campaign Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

An Ingenious 'Collapsible' Campaign Pedestal Desk Constructed from rosewood, each pedestal supported on tapering feet, one enclosing two drawers and the other a bank of three drawer...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Riveted Pedestal Desk
Vintage Riveted Pedestal Desk

Vintage Riveted Pedestal Desk

$9,600Sale Price|36% Off

Vintage Riveted Pedestal Desk

Located in Napa, CA

Vintage riveted pedestal desk from Belgium, dating back to the 1900's.

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Industrial and Work Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A smart and very useful antique Victorian leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from the 1860-1880 period.

Category

Antique 1860s British Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Lovely Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk
Lovely Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk

Lovely Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer for sake this stunning XX Century Mahogany Military Style Pedestal Brass Bound Pedestal Desk, leather top, three top drawers, flanking pedestals, three drawers wi...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Antique Victorian Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A superb antique Victorian period pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1860-1880.

Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th Century Victorian Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk
19th Century Victorian Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk

19th Century Victorian Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk

Located in Richmond, Surrey

A very high quality 19th Century Victorian Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk with newly replaced green hide leather top with gilt tooling, nine drawers to front, all fitted with brass ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Walnut and burr leather top pedestal desk
Walnut and burr leather top pedestal desk

Walnut and burr leather top pedestal desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Walnut and burr leather top pedestal desk circa 1990. Good example of a 19th century designed desk.

Category

Late 20th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Victorian late 19th century carved oak pedestal desk
Victorian late 19th century carved oak pedestal desk

Victorian late 19th century carved oak pedestal desk

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Victorian late 19th century carved oak pedestal desk circa 1890. Good quality pedestal oak desk, comprising of 3 sections. 

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Fine French Empire Design Oak  Twin Pedestal Desk
Fine French Empire Design Oak  Twin Pedestal Desk

Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...

Category

Early 20th Century British Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Founders Light Blonde Pecan Single Pedestal Desk Tubular Chrome Legs MINT!
Founders Light Blonde Pecan Single Pedestal Desk Tubular Chrome Legs MINT!

Founders Light Blonde Pecan Single Pedestal Desk Tubular Chrome Legs MINT!

By Henredon, Founders Furniture Company

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Founders light blonde pecan single pedestal desk tubular chrome legs MINT! Solid wood construction dovetail joints.

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A beautiful antique burr walnut leather top pedestal desk. This is in the Georgian style, it dates from around the 1930’s.

Category

Vintage 1930s British Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century English Victorian Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk
19th Century English Victorian Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk

19th Century English Victorian Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality 19th century Victorian burr walnut pedestal desk. The desk top is inset with a leather skiver, decorated with gold tooling.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A fantastic antique burr walnut leather top pedestal desk. This is in the Georgian style, it dates from around the 1930’s.

Category

Vintage 1930s British Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Antique English Hand Carved Mahogany Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk
Antique English Hand Carved Mahogany Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk

Antique English Hand Carved Mahogany Chippendale Style Pedestal Desk

Located in CHARLESTON, SC

A particularly fine Antique English hand carved mahogany and leather top diminutive Chippendale style pedestal desk with handsome gilt and tooled red-orange leather hide writing surf...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

An outstanding antique burr walnut leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1960’s.

Category

Vintage 1960s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

French Cerused Oak Double Pedestal Desk, C. 1940.
French Cerused Oak Double Pedestal Desk, C. 1940.

French Cerused Oak Double Pedestal Desk, C. 1940.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This elegant French double pedestal desk crafted in cerused oak, showcasing the refined simplicity and restrained sophistication of 1940s design.

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Vintage Walnut Pedestal Desk by Laszlo Hoenig
Vintage Walnut Pedestal Desk by Laszlo Hoenig

Vintage Walnut Pedestal Desk by Laszlo Hoenig

By Laszlo Hoenig

Located in London, GB

A spectacular vintage walnut pedestal desk by Laszlo Hoenig. This was made in London, there is a label beneath the top with the production year of 1951.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Antique Victorian Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Antique Victorian Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A very smart and well made antique Victorian Walnut leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1860-80’s.

Category

Antique 1860s British Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Victorian Burr Walnut Free Standing Pedestal Desk by Druce & Co
Victorian Burr Walnut Free Standing Pedestal Desk by Druce & Co

Victorian Burr Walnut Free Standing Pedestal Desk by Druce & Co

By Druce & Co.

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Victorian burr walnut free standing pedestal desk by Druce & Co, of rectangular form with a later green leather inset top above three disguised frieze drawers, each pedestal contai...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Olivewood Pedestal Desk Attributed to Wright and Mansfield
Olivewood Pedestal Desk Attributed to Wright and Mansfield

Olivewood Pedestal Desk Attributed to Wright and Mansfield

By Wright and Mansfield

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

This pedestal desk has a rectangular leather inset top and supports a small shelf with an openwork ormolu grille and small columns.

Category

Antique 1860s English Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk
Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk

Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk

Located in London, GB

A top quality antique yew wood military campaign style pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s.

Category

Vintage 1950s British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

American Walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar Double Pedestal Desk w/ Folding Return
American Walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar Double Pedestal Desk w/ Folding Return

American Walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar Double Pedestal Desk w/ Folding Return

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Rockaway, NJ

American walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar double pedestal desk w/ folding return. Uniquer folding return desk feature, nice architectural design back, beautiful amber honey tone finish.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

English Pedestal Desk of Mahogany with Embossed Leather Top
English Pedestal Desk of Mahogany with Embossed Leather Top

English Pedestal Desk of Mahogany with Embossed Leather Top

Located in Austin, TX

A fine English double pedestal desk of mahogany from the Edwardian era, featuring a leather-inset top in black with mahogany surround, over a frieze of one long drawer between two op...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Victorian Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk 19th Century
Antique Victorian Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk 19th Century

Antique Victorian Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk 19th Century

Located in London, GB

Each side of the desk is fitted with nine drawers, three  drawers in the frieze and three drawers in each pedestal. 

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Partner’s Pedestal Desk with Tooled Leather Top
Mahogany Partner’s Pedestal Desk with Tooled Leather Top

Mahogany Partner’s Pedestal Desk with Tooled Leather Top

Located in Cheshire, GB

A handsome and substantial partner’s pedestal desk in finely figured mahogany, designed to be freestanding and finished on all sides.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Large English Pedestal Desk with Kneehole Cabinet of Mahogany
Large English Pedestal Desk with Kneehole Cabinet of Mahogany

Large English Pedestal Desk with Kneehole Cabinet of Mahogany

Located in Austin, TX

A large handsome English pedestal desk of mahogany from the 19th century, featuring a moulded rectangular top with a gallery rail, over an arrangement of nine drawers: three across t...

Category

Antique 19th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Queen Anne Style Pedestal Desk
Queen Anne Style Pedestal Desk

Queen Anne Style Pedestal Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

Presenting an absolutely gorgeous Queen Anne Style pedestal desk. Made of walnut, butterflied walnut, burl walnut and oyster wood, the veneers on this piece are STUNNING !

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Burl

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Pedestal Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of pedestal desks available for sale. Each of these unique pedestal desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, animal skin and leather. Find 1447 antique and vintage pedestal desks at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 38 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. Pedestal desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Pedestal desks made by Victorian designers — as well as those associated with mid-century modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. Paul McCobb, Planner Group and George Nakashima each produced beautiful pedestal desks that are worth considering.

How Much are Pedestal Desks?

Pedestal desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $4,472, while the lowest priced sells for $521 and the highest can go for as much as $300,000.

Finding the Right Desks And 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 Pedestal Desks
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    The term double pedestal desk refers to a desk that features a rectangular top positioned on two pedestals rather than four legs. In some cases, the pedestals are cabinets rather than simple supports. Shop a variety of pedestal desks from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.