U-Shaped Desks
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Onyx, Granite, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
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Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Teak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Dutch Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
Teak, Fabric
2010s Table Lamps
Iron
2010s Mexican Brutalist Contemporary Art
Wood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1960s Doors and Gates
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood, Linen, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
U-Shaped Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are U-Shaped Desks?
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.
- What is the best L shaped desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The best L-shaped desk depends on how well it will fit into your office. Factors such as office aesthetic, the space required, the material of the desk, the size, the computer type and other pieces of equipment should be prioritized. Ergonomics, storage and durability need to be considered, too. Find a collection of antique and vintage desks on 1stDibs today.
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