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Small Narrow Writing Table

Small Antique Kneehole Desk, English, Writing Table, Georgian Revival, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique kneehole desk. An English, mahogany writing table with Georgian revival
Category

Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Campaign Bureau, Anglo Indian, Teak, Colonial Writing Desk, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique campaign bureau. An Anglo-Indian, teak and brass colonial writing desk, dating
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
final brass sabot. Narrow depth makes this a wonderful fit and style for a small space.  
Category

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

Materials

Brass

18th Century Poudreuse and Ladies Desk - Table d'Accouchée, France, circa 1760
Located in Greven, DE
compartment behind it that can be operated from above. The top of the small table has an adjustable bookend
Category

Antique 1760s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood, Rosewood

Neoclassical Bureau Plat, France around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
French bureau plat on square tapered legs with brass sabots and small castors. The desk is veneered
Category

Antique Early 1800s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
perfectly into a small guest room or a narrow entrance.
Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

One of a Kind Custom Wood & Leather Desk with Black Forest Relief Sculptures
Located in Hopewell, NJ
smaller drawers in the top. The narrower drawers have decorative carvings with oak leaves and branches
Category

Vintage 1980s American Black Forest Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Oak

Davenport Desk, Germany, 1870
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a delightful German Davenport desk dating back to 1870. This small and narrow desk
Category

Antique 1870s German Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Davenport Desk, Germany, 1870
Davenport Desk, Germany, 1870
H 35.44 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
English Midcentury Walnut Faux Bamboo Desk with Four Drawers and Warm Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
sitting above an elegant façade. A long and narrow drawer occupies the left side and sits above the knee
Category

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

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Walnut

Spage Age Desk Made of Metal 1970s Germany
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
if you live in a small house. A desk with a narrow drawer at the front for small office items, at
Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Spage Age Desk Made of Metal 1970s Germany
Spage Age Desk Made of Metal 1970s Germany
H 29.93 in W 47.25 in D 29.53 in
19th Century English Burl Walnut Sutherland Table
Located in Dallas, TX
and highly desirable! Antique Sutherland Tables are a Victorian invention of a much smaller gate-leg
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Side Tables

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Trestle Gateleg Table, Museum Piece English Jacobean Cedarwood, Panelled
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- This table is the most original and superior example of a small surviving group of a rare, early
Category

Antique Early 17th Century English Jacobean Center Tables

Materials

Cedar

Elegant Center Dressing Table, Rosewood Veneer, D.Genty Stamp, Louis XV
By Denis Genty
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
the living room, or to the boudoir. Among these, we mainly find the writing table, the reading
Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Center Tables

Materials

Bronze

Rare Antique English Geo. III Regency Inlaid Satinwood Drop-Leaf Pembroke Table
Located in Charleston, SC
would make a wonderful small luncheon table for two or a small writing table in front of a chair or sofa
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Regency Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables

Materials

Cedar, Satinwood, Rosewood, Purpleheart, Ebony

Mid-Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
panels. The narrow and versatile baroque writing table commode is in excellent condition with a rich
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XIII Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant
Located in Forney, TX
 small size, such as this narrow case piece that conceals a full size drop-front - secretary style
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

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'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very useful antique Victorian writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-1880 period. It is very well made and is a very useful size, ...
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
H 29.93 in W 42.13 in D 20.08 in
Neoclassical Wrought Iron & Bronze Bench, France 1950's
By Alberto Giacometti
Located in New York, NY
Elegant bench in patinated wrought iron and bronze. The sabots are reminiscent of Giacometti's work for Jean-Michel Frank. 3 benches are available; the price is for one.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

Pair of Koch and Lowy Chrome Table/Reading Lamps
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Water Mill, NY
Midcentury pair of Koch and Lowy table/reading lamps with adjustable shades and dimmer switches-signed.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

1950's Amazing "Magic Box' Organiser Bureau Compact Plywood Ateliers Genestar
By Mummenthaler and Meier
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This 'Magic Box' organising desk has been produced by various manufactures in Europe in the 1950's and 1960's Commonly this desk is known as produced in Switzerland by Mummenthale...
Category

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

Materials

Oak, Plywood

Spectacular Pair of Paolo Buffa Armchairs, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid pair of streamline Paolo Buffa armchairs, Sculpted wood parts. Ref: I mobili di Paolo Buffa p. 23.
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Curved Sofa, Ico Parisi / Federico Munari, Italy, 1950
By Federico Munari, Ico Parisi
Located in London, GB
An original and authentic Italian 1950s curved comma sofa, designed by either Ico Parisi or Federico Munari. The sofa retains its original fabric and tassles and is of curved organic...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Italian Art Deco Dining Table in Maple with Decoration, 1940s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Rare Art Deco table in a rationalist style, maple top with a central decoration, black lacquered wood base and on the sides. Extendible at the ends.
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Tables

Materials

Maple

Antique Victorian Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic original antique Victorian leather top desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1880-1900. The quality is amazing, this is very sturdy and well built. There ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Leather

Antique Victorian Leather Top Desk
Antique Victorian Leather Top Desk
H 31 in W 48 in D 23 in
Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 18th century ‘secrétaire à abattant’, or drop-leaf desk, in fruit wood. This lovely piece of upright furniture benefits from a wealth of useful storage compartments, both inte...
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
No Reserve
H 57.88 in W 37.41 in D 16.15 in
Biedermeier Writing Desk Chiffonier Secrétaire Cabinet Swedish Ormolu Detail
Located in LONDON, GB
Swedish antique Biedermeier writing desk chiffonier secrétaire cabinet in highly quilted golden birch veneers and finished in the Classic light honey color French polish. It has t...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Paolo Buffa Wood Coffee Table, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Paolo Buffa side table, Italy 1940s.
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Rare Brass Chandelier Attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Milan, IT
Beautiful brass chandelier attributed to Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Each single brass arm blooms on the top and falls down to be joined with brass rings to the other arms. The ...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Antique French 18th-century dining table with drawer and cutting board
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this French antique dining table boasts a fantastic look. Everyone can envision themselves with their friends and loved ones sitting around such a table, spending evenings...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Dining Room Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian 1940s Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
A fine 1940s Italian cabinet by Paolo Buffa Resting on slender tapered legs with deep brass sabot feet. This piece has wonderful four panelled doors finished in horizontal book mat...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Italian 1940s Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
Italian 1940s Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
H 57.09 in W 43.31 in D 16.54 in
Midcentury Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Dassi
Located in Torino, Piemonte
1950s Italian sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, rosewood with herringbone veneer, feet and handles in brass, top in green glass. Recently restored.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Walnut, fruit wood and bone metamorphic writing table
Located in New York, NY
writing table has a shaped serpentine molded rectangular top with eared corners and incurved front
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Fruitwood, Bone

Antique French Cherry Writing Table
Located in Port Chester, NY
would be a very nice breakfast table or small, tho narrow, dining table. See similar
Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Blue Neoclassical Style Swedish Writing Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Blue writing table from northern Sweden in neoclassical style. The table is slim and narrow which
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Blue Neoclassical Style Swedish Writing Table
Blue Neoclassical Style Swedish Writing Table
H 29.93 in W 38.59 in L 29.93 in
Mahogany Writing Table / Desk with Dual Slopes
Located in Woodbury, CT
In answer to a question that was never asked (or only asked by this one person), this writing table
Category

Antique 19th Century British William IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive 19th century walnut writing table or desk made in the Louis Philippe period. The table
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italian Mid-Century Rosewood small Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Lissone, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
, finished with brass sabots. Narrow depth makes this a wonderful fit and style for a small space. It's in
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Elegant Table attributed to Paolo Buffa, ca. 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Greding, DE
(small bruise in one corner). The narrow sides are straight. An exceptional Italian piece of furniture.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

English 1820s Mahogany Architect's Table with Tilt Top, Single Drawer and Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English mahogany architect's table from the early 19th century, with tilt top, single drawer and
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Lectern, speaking reading desk, book table rack, Biedermeier style, 1870 Austria
Located in Wien, AT
levels, with 2 shelves and at the top there is a sloping shelf for writings and books, there is a narrow
Category

Antique 1870s Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

REGENCY MAHOGANY DESK
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Regency mahogany writing table on turned and tapered legs. A small well
Category

Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

REGENCY MAHOGANY DESK
REGENCY MAHOGANY DESK
H 32 in W 37.25 in D 20 in
French Directoire Style Ebonized Desk by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
writing surface atop a long narrow drawer flanked by two smaller drawers on each side, raised on tapering
Category

Vintage 1960s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Peter Lovig Nielsen Teak Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Lovig Dansk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
work space or use as a partner's desk. In Small spaces desk can also function as a dining table! This
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Peter Lovig Nielsen Teak Desk
Peter Lovig Nielsen Teak Desk
H 29 in W 63.75 in L 29 in
Paolo Buffa Vintage Italian Desk
By Dassi
Located in East Hampton, NY
Italian petite desk with drawer, green glass top and shelf with two drawers. Narrow depth makes this a
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paolo Buffa Vintage Italian Desk
Paolo Buffa Vintage Italian Desk
H 29.25 in W 34.25 in L 29.25 in
Jasper Morrison for Vitra White NesTable
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in London, GB
enough to work in small spaces. Adaptable and easy to use, this table offers a beautifully designed
Category

2010s German Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jasper Morrison for Vitra White NesTable
Jasper Morrison for Vitra White NesTable
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 13.78 in
Mahogany Lady’s Desk from the Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
cabriole legs, and an upper, removable add-on unit, which is topped with a small gallery. The corners of
Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Joep van Lieshout AVL Skull workstation, 2005
By Joep van Lieshout
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
wooden seat and desk top. On one side you can enter and on the other side there are two narrow windows
Category

Early 2000s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Polyester

Joep van Lieshout AVL Skull workstation, 2005
Joep van Lieshout AVL Skull workstation, 2005
H 70.08 in W 68.9 in D 66.54 in
Antique White Painted Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
, accented by brass pulls and heavy side handles. The traditional interior with 14 unique, small drawers and
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak, Paint

Vanity/Writing Table with Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This small Queen Anne dressing table/writing table is a delicate one with elegant narrow, bow legs
Category

20th Century American Queen Anne Vanities

Materials

Wood

Vanity/Writing Table with Drawers
Vanity/Writing Table with Drawers
H 33.5 in W 40.5 in D 26 in
Early 20th Century Italian Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Writing Table Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
a writing surface. The bottom drawer is functional for extra storage. The narrow and versatile
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Louis XIII Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Small Rare Early 18th Century English Walnut Kneehole Desk
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare, small, English early-18th century walnut kneehole desk. George II period, circa 1735
Category

Antique 18th Century English George II Desks

Materials

Walnut

Antique Original Painted Flat Top Trunk Dated 1832
Located in Round Top, TX
and waxed and would make a wonderful small coffee table. It is being sold in as is, used condition as
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Romanian Blanket Chests

Materials

Wood

Narrow Antique Chestnut Writing Table
Located in Port Chester, NY
A charming chestnut writing table or occasional table with a shallow depth for smaller spaces. The
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Narrow Antique Chestnut Writing Table
Narrow Antique Chestnut Writing Table
H 28.5 in W 43 in D 20 in
Table Spanish Walnut One Piece Top Baroque Ironwork Narrow Foils Lyre
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- Unusual, small, narrow size - Characterful one piece walnut top with stunning lustrous, rich
Category

Antique 1680s Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Cherry Library Table/Desk, Turned Legs and Small Drawer
Located in Port Chester, NY
narrow farm table, as it has an acceptable apron height for knees. There is a drawer in the apron of one
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Small English Arts & Crafts Pewter-Inlaid Oak Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Arts & Crafts oak small table desk with a narrow shelf stretcher and cut-out sides with
Category

20th Century British Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pewter

English Arts & Crafts Oak and Travertine Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive English Arts & Crafts desk or writing table constructed from oak. Features a travertine
Category

Antique 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Travertine

Marble Top Elephant Decorated Kidney Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
An intriguing mid-century desk, the dark charcoal tasselated kidney shaped marble atop a narrow
Category

20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Antique Large Oak English Partners Desk with 9 Drawers and Green Leather Top
Located in Round Top, TX
and right of the front open seating area are 4 vertical drawers and over the top center is one narrow
Category

Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Amazing Art Deco Machine Age Metal Desk by Royal Metal Co. after Kem Weber
By Kem Weber, Royal Metal Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
drawers including an extra-large Top Drawer and curved brass drawer pull details. Asymmetrical and narrow
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Leather Top Louis XV Period Writing Table, 18th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French Louis XV period writing or side table in light walnut with an ebony colored tooled leather
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Side Tables

Materials

Walnut

Unique Dutch Arts & Crafts Oak Partners Desk and Filing Cabinet Into One, 1910s
Located in Lisse, NL
as a single desk / writing table: 46.6 inches. Depth x width x height inside the smaller drawers: 16
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Desks

Materials

Brass

Edwardian Period Leather Top Five-Drawer Writing Table Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
?. Each drawer does open and close easily. Overall, this writing desk has many small distressing marks
Category

Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Narrow Leather Top Pedestal Desk Credenza with File Drawer and Computer Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
ideal for smaller spaces. Despite that narrow depth it still offers a multitude of bells and whistles
Category

2010s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Italian 1880s Walnut Partner’s Desk with Banded Inlay and Arched Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
apron. This Italian narrow partner’s desk from the late 19th century features a rectangular top with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Exquisitely Styled Art Deco Desk
Located in St.amford, CT
painted, as is the narrow edge of the desktop. Top of desk has a narrow marquetry insert, as seen in
Category

20th Century Unknown Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Exquisitely Styled Art Deco Desk
Exquisitely Styled Art Deco Desk
H 29.75 in W 60 in D 33 in
Danish Modern Teak Shallow Dresser with Clip-On Desktop Extension
Located in New Westminster, British Columbia
This totally clever Danish modern narrow teak dresser has an awesome clip on desk top that extends
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Grecian Plain Style Pier Tables
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in New York, NY
wardrobe, cheval glass, sofa table and writing fire screen. In this definitive study Kenny notes
Category

Antique 1830s American Restauration Console Tables

Materials

Mahogany

A Biedermeier walnut centre table from Vienna, Austria c1820
Located in Houston, TX
A spectacular Biedermeier walnut centre table from Vienna, Austria c.1820. This table is an
Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Center Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italian Chinoiserie Bureau-Cabinet
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
beneath a drop-front writing table with four small drawers inside flanking shelving; the narrow
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Cabinets

Italian Chinoiserie Bureau-Cabinet
Italian Chinoiserie Bureau-Cabinet
H 99 in W 44 in D 19 in
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Small Narrow Writing Table For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal small narrow writing table for your home. A small narrow writing table — often made from wood, hardwood and metal — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the small narrow writing table you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A small narrow writing table is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern, louis xv and Empire styles are sought with frequency.

How Much is a Small Narrow Writing Table?

A small narrow writing table can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,425, while the lowest priced sells for $1,443 and the highest can go for as much as $32,614.

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.