T D Kelsey
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Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
T D Kelsey For Sale on 1stDibs
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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.
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- Is a D clarity diamond good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A D clarity diamond is quite rare, so it is considered valuable. The lettering system refers to color, and D clarity signifies that a diamond is colorless. So whether D clarity is good or not, really comes down to a matter of preference in what you are looking for in a diamond. Shop a collection of expertly vetted gems from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, D & G is a luxury brand. Shapely lingerie models, animal and floral prints and the Mediterranean heritage of Sicily have come to define the romantic and sensual style of Dolce & Gabbana, a leading international fashion label that from its earliest days of corsetry, copious lace and provocative silhouettes has challenged fashion with an audacious vision for femininity. In 2012, they closed their less expensive D&G ready-to-wear line to focus on exclusive extravagance, such as their Alta Moda custom pieces. Today, Dolce & Gabbana maintains considerable popularity with a wealthy clientele, and the house’s 2020s collections have featured technological experiments that update traditional styles. Shop a collection of Dolce & Gabbana pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The main difference between D&G and Dolce and Gabbana is price point. Dolce and Gabbana is the luxury fashion house's high-end brand, while D&G featured apparel and accessories geared toward a younger demographic and sold at a lower cost. Dolce and Gabanna stopped producing D&G in 2011. Shop a selection of Dolce and Gabbana on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022D&G was the diffusion line of the Dolce & Gabbana brand that sold clothing and accessories. In 2011, Dolce & Gabbana opted to discontinue the D&G line to better focus on their signature line. Browse authentic Dolce & Gabbana garments from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
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