Vintage Secretary Table
1990s American Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak, Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1960s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique 1790s Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1890s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1780s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Kingwood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 1900s English Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage 1950s Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan
Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Paint
Mid-20th Century North American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Late 20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Laminate, Burl
Antique Mid-19th Century George IV Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 2000s Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1890s Italian Rococo Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1870s American High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1870s American High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1920s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1920s English Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Burl, Leather
Antique 1840s Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1920s Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1990s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Wire
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Desks
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Paint
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Walnut
Antique 1790s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Yew
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Laminate, Teak
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
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Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
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Vintage Secretary Table For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Secretary Table?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a few ways to identify if your table lamp is vintage, but it does vary from brand to brand. If you can spot a maker’s mark or manufacturer’s label on your piece, it could tell you where and when it was crafted. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary table lamps from top sellers around the world.
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