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Small Italian Desk Manufactured by Fimsa in Wood and Metal, Label
Small Italian Desk Manufactured by Fimsa in Wood and Metal, Label

Small Italian Desk Manufactured by Fimsa in Wood and Metal, Label

By Fimsa

Located in Milano, IT

Small Italian desk made by Fimsa Roma in wood and metal from the 1950s early 1960s. The small desk

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Gracious Small Desk Stained Mahogany Rosewood Veneer Glass Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Gracious Small Desk Stained Mahogany Rosewood Veneer Glass Vintage, Italy, 1950s

Gracious Small Desk Stained Mahogany Rosewood Veneer Glass Vintage, Italy, 1950s

Located in Milano, IT

A gracious small desk, stained mahogany wood, rosewood veneer, back-painted glass. Manufactured in

Category

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

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Rosewood

Gio Ponti Small Desk Mid-Century Italian Design Laminate Brass Walnut
Gio Ponti Small Desk Mid-Century Italian Design Laminate Brass Walnut

Gio Ponti Small Desk Mid-Century Italian Design Laminate Brass Walnut

By Gio Ponti

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Gio Ponti small desk mid-century Italian design laminate brass walnut. including Certificate of

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960
Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960

Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Elegant modernist small desk by an unknown designer. Teak veneer and black coated steel frame all

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960
Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960

Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Elegant modernist small desk by an unknown designer. Teak veneer and black coated steel frame all

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Warm Rustic Vintage Oak Desk or Small Dining Table with Drawer
Warm Rustic Vintage Oak Desk or Small Dining Table with Drawer

Warm Rustic Vintage Oak Desk or Small Dining Table with Drawer

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Handsome warm roomy oak desk or small dining table having rustic charm, large drawer that opens on

Category

Vintage 1950s American Rustic Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique American Gray Distress Painted 1 Drawer Small Work Table Desk
Antique American Gray Distress Painted 1 Drawer Small Work Table Desk

Antique American Gray Distress Painted 1 Drawer Small Work Table Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique American gray distress painted one drawer small work table desk. Item features solid wood

Category

Early 20th Century North American Primitive Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique H.T Cushman Oak " Betumal" Telephone Stand Small Childs Desk
Antique H.T Cushman Oak " Betumal" Telephone Stand Small Childs Desk

Antique H.T Cushman Oak " Betumal" Telephone Stand Small Childs Desk

By H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique H.T Cushman Oak " Betumal" Telephone Stand Small Childs Desk. Item features a pull out seat

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid Century Modern Bamboo and Solid Maple Small Desk Matching Chair
Mid Century Modern Bamboo and Solid Maple Small Desk Matching Chair

Mid Century Modern Bamboo and Solid Maple Small Desk Matching Chair

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Very nice looking mid century modern solid maple and bamboo desk and chair by Heywood Wakefield.

Category

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

Danish Mid-Century Brutalist Desk / Small Table in Solid Oak Wood, 1920
Danish Mid-Century Brutalist Desk / Small Table in Solid Oak Wood, 1920

Danish Mid-Century Brutalist Desk / Small Table in Solid Oak Wood, 1920

By Charlotte Perriand

Located in Copenhagen, DK

the square formed top works perfectly as a desk or a smaller side table - maybe even as a sculptural

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Small Louis XV Trelliswork Ladies' Desk or Bureau Plat
19th Century French Small Louis XV Trelliswork Ladies' Desk or Bureau Plat

19th Century French Small Louis XV Trelliswork Ladies' Desk or Bureau Plat

Located in Berlin, DE

charming table or writing desk of small size, beautiful proportions and expressive marquetry which adds

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Italian Midcentury Teak Small Desk and Chair by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Italian Midcentury Teak Small Desk and Chair by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s

Italian Midcentury Teak Small Desk and Chair by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s

By Dassi

Located in Traversetolo, IT

Beautiful Italian midcentury teak desk and chair designed by Vittorio Dassi. Very nice and original

Category

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

Materials

Leather, Maple, Teak

Swedish modern small desk by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet
Swedish modern small desk by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet

Swedish modern small desk by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet

By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)

Located in Hägersten, SE

Desk produced by Nordiska Kompaniet during the 1930s. Attributed to NK head architect at the time

Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm, Oak

Small Antique Ladies Desk, Secretaire, So Called Bonheur Du Jour, circa 1870
Small Antique Ladies Desk, Secretaire, So Called Bonheur Du Jour, circa 1870

Small Antique Ladies Desk, Secretaire, So Called Bonheur Du Jour, circa 1870

Located in Greven, DE

Small ladies desk, so called Bonheur Du Jour France various precious woods Louis XVI style

Category

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

Materials

Fruitwood

Small Midcentury Italian Desk in Maple Top with 1950s White Laminate Drawers
Small Midcentury Italian Desk in Maple Top with 1950s White Laminate Drawers

Small Midcentury Italian Desk in Maple Top with 1950s White Laminate Drawers

Located in Palermo, Sicily

Small Midcentury Italian desk in maple top with 1950s white laminate drawers.

Category

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

Materials

Laminate, Maple

Vintage Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Teak Small Lady Desk with Drawers, 1950s
Vintage Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Teak Small Lady Desk with Drawers, 1950s

Vintage Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Teak Small Lady Desk with Drawers, 1950s

Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie

This small lady desk was made in Sweden during the 1950s, signed Sveriges Möbelindustriförbund

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plastic, Teak

Small Art Deco Desk, Walnut Burl and Rosewood Veneer, France circa 1930
Small Art Deco Desk, Walnut Burl and Rosewood Veneer, France circa 1930

Small Art Deco Desk, Walnut Burl and Rosewood Veneer, France circa 1930

Located in Regensburg, DE

Wonderful small original period Art Deco desk from France around 1930. Walnut burl / roots and

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Small Mid Century Italian Desk in Metal, Walnut and Formica, around 1950
Small Mid Century Italian Desk in Metal, Walnut and Formica, around 1950

Small Mid Century Italian Desk in Metal, Walnut and Formica, around 1950

By Gio Ponti

Located in Berlin, DE

A charming relic from the mid-20th century, this Small Italian Desk embodies the essence of mid

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Midcentury Danish Modern Light Teak Small Desk 3 Drawers Top Lockable Drawer
Midcentury Danish Modern Light Teak Small Desk 3 Drawers Top Lockable Drawer

Midcentury Danish Modern Light Teak Small Desk 3 Drawers Top Lockable Drawer

By Børge Mogensen, Hans J. Wegner

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Great little midcentury Danish modern desk with 3 drawers with wooden pulls. Danish compact design

Category

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

Materials

Teak

George Nelson for Herman Miller Side Table, Work Table or Small Desk, Signed
George Nelson for Herman Miller Side Table, Work Table or Small Desk, Signed

George Nelson for Herman Miller Side Table, Work Table or Small Desk, Signed

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Doylestown, PA

George Nelson for Herman Miller side table, work table or small console desk. Great as a side/work

Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Small Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Marquetry Bureau Plat or Desk
Small Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Marquetry Bureau Plat or Desk

Small Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Marquetry Bureau Plat or Desk

Located in Berlin, DE

A 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted marquetry bureau plat, with a brass banded tooled serpentine brown leather top with molded edge above three frieze drawers, each fin...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Small desk from the "Action Office" series by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Small desk from the "Action Office" series by George Nelson for Herman Miller

Small desk from the "Action Office" series by George Nelson for Herman Miller

By Mobilier International, George Nelson

Located in Courbevoie, FR

Small desk from the "Action Office" series by George Nelson for Herman Miller, distributed by

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Early 20th Century Italian Walnut Small Fratino Table or Desk with Lyre Legs
Early 20th Century Italian Walnut Small Fratino Table or Desk with Lyre Legs

Early 20th Century Italian Walnut Small Fratino Table or Desk with Lyre Legs

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

used in small rooms. Perfect to be used also as a desk. The table has been restored but shows signs of

Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Metal and Wooden Desk and Small Cabinet by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova, 60s
Metal and Wooden Desk and Small Cabinet by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova, 60s

Metal and Wooden Desk and Small Cabinet by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova, 60s

By Formanova, Gianni Moscatelli

Located in Padova, IT

Metal and wooden Desk and small Cabinet by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova 60s  Cabinet

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Small Art Deco Desk, Curved Plate, Black and White Lacquer, France circa 1940
Small Art Deco Desk, Curved Plate, Black and White Lacquer, France circa 1940

Small Art Deco Desk, Curved Plate, Black and White Lacquer, France circa 1940

Located in Regensburg, DE

Small Art Deco desk, half-moon shaped, black and white lacquer, France circa 1940. Oak, black and

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Conoid Writing Table By George Nakashima
Conoid Writing Table By George Nakashima

Conoid Writing Table By George Nakashima

By George Nakashima

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A beautiful and rare Conoid studio writing desk (or small dining table) in expressive American

Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Studio BBPR Small Adjustable Desk for the Olivetti Store in New York, Italy 1954
Studio BBPR Small Adjustable Desk for the Olivetti Store in New York, Italy 1954

Studio BBPR Small Adjustable Desk for the Olivetti Store in New York, Italy 1954

By Studio BBPR

Located in Milan, IT

Studio BBPR Small adjustable work desk and typewriter station made for the Olivetti store in New

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Ico Parisi, Set Consisting of a Small Desk with Chair and Coffee Table on Wheels
Ico Parisi, Set Consisting of a Small Desk with Chair and Coffee Table on Wheels

Ico Parisi, Set Consisting of a Small Desk with Chair and Coffee Table on Wheels

By Ico Parisi

Located in Milano, IT

Ico Parisi, set consisting of a small desk with chair and coffee table on wheels with two drawers

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Small 1940 Oak Desk from France 1940, in a Brown Color and Old Patina, 2 Drawers
Small 1940 Oak Desk from France 1940, in a Brown Color and Old Patina, 2 Drawers

Small 1940 Oak Desk from France 1940, in a Brown Color and Old Patina, 2 Drawers

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

This small desk in wood, probably oak, is coming from France. It has been made in the 1940s. The

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Swedish Yellow Desk
Swedish Yellow Desk

Swedish Yellow Desk

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Small Gustavian writing desk with rounded legs and two drawers with lock in good working order.

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Antique Burr Elm Kidney Shape Side / Writing Table
Antique Burr Elm Kidney Shape Side / Writing Table

Antique Burr Elm Kidney Shape Side / Writing Table

Located in London, GB

a small writing table / desk. We have had this recently re-polished, the condition is excellent for

Category

Vintage 1920s British Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Diminutive Gio Ponti for Schirolli Stained Mahogany and Laminate Writing Table
Diminutive Gio Ponti for Schirolli Stained Mahogany and Laminate Writing Table

Diminutive Gio Ponti for Schirolli Stained Mahogany and Laminate Writing Table

By Gio Ponti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Small writing table/student desk in stained mahogany with attractive mint green laminate surface by

Category

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

Materials

Laminate, Mahogany

Small Louis XVI Bureau PLat
Small Louis XVI Bureau PLat

Small Louis XVI Bureau PLat

Located in Berlin, DE

A small bureau plat or writing desk, the rectangular gilt-bronze banded top quarter veneered in

Category

Antique 1770s Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Jacobean-Style Desk or Lamp Table
Jacobean-Style Desk or Lamp Table

Jacobean-Style Desk or Lamp Table

Located in Sheffield, MA

Versatile table has leg room as a small single drawer writing desk or night table with braced

Category

Antique 19th Century French Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Cees Braakman EU01 Japanese Series Desk
Cees Braakman EU01 Japanese Series Desk

Cees Braakman EU01 Japanese Series Desk

By Cees Braakman, Pastoe

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Small version writing desk from Cees Braakman's famous Japanese series with top drawer and file

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Small Table with Drawer
Small Table with Drawer

Small Table with Drawer

Located in New York, NY

A small dark wood table with one drawer, scalloped apron and turned legs.

Category

20th Century Indonesian Desks and Writing Tables

Vintage Boho Hand Turned PostMaster’s Desk
Vintage Boho Hand Turned PostMaster’s Desk

Vintage Boho Hand Turned PostMaster’s Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

. Perfect as a writing desk, small hotel check in or collectors cabinet. The charm is endless. You can move

Category

Early 20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

D-Scan Danish Solid Teak Desk
D-Scan Danish Solid Teak Desk

D-Scan Danish Solid Teak Desk

By D-Scan

Located in Philadelphia, PA

small drawers on right side. Writing Desk has 3 drawers below work surface which is 29.5 high. Unique

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Italian 50's Small Secretaire
Italian 50's Small Secretaire

Italian 50's Small Secretaire

Located in New York, NY

A very elegant small size desk with diamond shaped ebonized legs. Two drawers and a letters

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Louis XVI Style French Antique Ebonized Desk
Louis XVI Style French Antique Ebonized Desk

Louis XVI Style French Antique Ebonized Desk

Located in Austin, TX

A small French antique mahogany writing desk with two drawers, each with working locks and keys

Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-century Small Wooden Table
Italian Mid-century Small Wooden Table

Italian Mid-century Small Wooden Table

Located in Milano, IT

elegant wood grain. The top contains two small drawers, useful for resting documents or writing objects

Category

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

Materials

Brass

19th-Century Oak Desk with Single Drawer
19th-Century Oak Desk with Single Drawer

19th-Century Oak Desk with Single Drawer

Located in Round Top, TX

restored, is strong, stable, and ready for use as a writing table, small desk, or accent piece. Please

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Small Georgian Mahogany Bureau
Antique Small Georgian Mahogany Bureau

Antique Small Georgian Mahogany Bureau

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A delightful 18th century Georgian mahogany bureau of diminutive proportions having well figured fall enclosing fitted interior above four long drawers with replacement brass swan ...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

American Designer, Desk, Oak, Bamboo, Rattan, USA, 1950s
American Designer, Desk, Oak, Bamboo, Rattan, USA, 1950s

American Designer, Desk, Oak, Bamboo, Rattan, USA, 1950s

Located in High Point, NC

A small oak, bamboo and rattan writing desk designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.

Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Oak

Mahogany leather top desk or table C 1940.
Mahogany leather top desk or table C 1940.

Mahogany leather top desk or table C 1940.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Unusual small round mahogany writing desk C 1940 having a single drawer over the kneehole, and a

Category

Vintage 1940s American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Small Antique Edwardian Bureau on Legs
Small Antique Edwardian Bureau on Legs

Small Antique Edwardian Bureau on Legs

Located in London, GB

A beautiful and elegant antique writing bureau, dating from the 1890-1910 period. This is of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Bonheur-du-jour (Desk), Late 18th C.
French Bonheur-du-jour (Desk), Late 18th C.

French Bonheur-du-jour (Desk), Late 18th C.

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French painted wood small-sized writing desk from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This

Category

Antique 18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Gustavian Black Painted Executive Desk Green with Leather Top
Gustavian Black Painted Executive Desk Green with Leather Top

Gustavian Black Painted Executive Desk Green with Leather Top

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Small Gustavian green leather top writing desk with 9 drawers with brass hardware and on bronze

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Small Folding Table by Portois & Fix Wien
Small Folding Table by Portois & Fix Wien

Small Folding Table by Portois & Fix Wien

By Portois & Fix

Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj

Small folding table by Portois & Fix Wien. Professionally stained and repolished.

Category

Vintage 1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Small Pine Sideboard / Table, American Probably Texas
Small Pine Sideboard / Table, American Probably Texas

Small Pine Sideboard / Table, American Probably Texas

Located in Dallas, TX

A small pine sideboard / table with flip top that swivels (so that one might sit comfortably under

Category

Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Renaissance Style Walnut Small Table, 19th Century
Renaissance Style Walnut Small Table, 19th Century

Renaissance Style Walnut Small Table, 19th Century

Located in Beaune, FR

Small living room table or side table in carved walnut Renaissance style. It rests on 9 feet and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Walnut Bureau of Small Proportions
18th Century Walnut Bureau of Small Proportions

18th Century Walnut Bureau of Small Proportions

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Good quality small bureau from the later period of Queen Anne, circa 1760. Fall opens to reveal

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George III Desks and Writing Ta...

Materials

Walnut

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Small Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of small writing desks available for sale. Each of these unique small writing desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and hardwood. We have 725 antique and vintage small writing desks in-stock, while there are 39 modern editions to choose from as well. Small writing desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of small writing desks to choose from, but at 1stDibs, mid-century modern, Art Deco and Victorian small writing desks are of considerable interest. Vittorio Dassi, Matthias Demacker and Gio Ponti each produced beautiful small writing desks that are worth considering.

How Much are Small Writing Desks?

Small writing desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,512, while the lowest priced sells for $83 and the highest can go for as much as $495,000.

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 Small Writing Desks
  • 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 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 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.