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French Wood Writing Desks

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Contemporary Desk French Writing Desk Luxury Wood Handmade Executive Desks
Contemporary Desk French Writing Desk Luxury Wood Handmade Executive Desks

Contemporary Desk French Writing Desk Luxury Wood Handmade Executive Desks

Located in København N, DK

matte lacquer for durability. Each table is made of selected slabs of different woods with character

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing...

Materials

Steel

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk
18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk

Located in IT

18th Century, Franch Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk Measures: cm H 94 x W 83,5 x D 46; D with the

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950
20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Writing Desk, 1950

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Beautifully proportioned and beautifully crafted

Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Wood Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk, 1950s
20th Century Wood Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk, 1950s

20th Century Wood Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk, 1950s

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Louis XVI style furniture veneered in mahogany and

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Rustic Writing Desk, Art Populaire, Solid Wood, France
19th Century Rustic Writing Desk, Art Populaire, Solid Wood, France

19th Century Rustic Writing Desk, Art Populaire, Solid Wood, France

Located in Antwerp, BE

Art Populaire; Folk Art; Monoxylite; Wabi Sabi; Writing Desk; Rustic; Travail Populaire; Antique

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Rustic Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Modern Walnut Wood Desk Handmade Executive Desk Luxury French Writing Desks
Modern Walnut Wood Desk Handmade Executive Desk Luxury French Writing Desks

Modern Walnut Wood Desk Handmade Executive Desk Luxury French Writing Desks

Located in København N, DK

is what the customer wanted. Each table is made of selected slabs of different woods with character

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing...

Materials

Steel

French style Chinoiserie Writing Desk
French style Chinoiserie Writing Desk

French style Chinoiserie Writing Desk

Located in Pomona, CA

A ladies Desk in the chinoiserie style. French style cabriole legs and a leather top. A red

Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920
20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920

20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920

Located in Miami, FL

20th century Louis XV style French walnut writing desk with three drawers and cabriolet legs

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Elegant French Style Writing Desk
Elegant French Style Writing Desk

Elegant French Style Writing Desk

Located in Riverdale, NY

Elegant French style writing desk with Louis XV lines in blond wood with silver leaf-painted table

Category

Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Baker French Provincial Cherry Wood Inlaid Console Table Writing Desk
Vintage Baker French Provincial Cherry Wood Inlaid Console Table Writing Desk

Vintage Baker French Provincial Cherry Wood Inlaid Console Table Writing Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Philadelphia, PA

. Vintage Baker French Provincial Cherry Wood Inlaid Console Table Writing Desk. Item features shapely saber

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Large French Boulle Inlay Partners Desk Writing Table Desks
Large French Boulle Inlay Partners Desk Writing Table Desks

Large French Boulle Inlay Partners Desk Writing Table Desks

Located in Potters Bar, GB

condition ready for home use right away. The desk has a red leather top to the main writing surface. Some

Category

Vintage 1980s French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Bodart French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Wood Leather Top Writing Desk
Bodart French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Wood Leather Top Writing Desk

Bodart French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Wood Leather Top Writing Desk

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk By Jacques Bodart USA, Circa 1960s

Category

Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique C1870s French Louis XVI Style Inlaid King Wood Ladies Writing Desk
Antique C1870s French Louis XVI Style Inlaid King Wood Ladies Writing Desk

Antique C1870s French Louis XVI Style Inlaid King Wood Ladies Writing Desk

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This exquisite antique French Louis XVI style writing desk, dating to the 1870s, showcases the

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Imposing French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
Imposing French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

Imposing French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

Located in Rome, IT

A fine French 19th century Louis XV style , gilt bronze-mounted Mahogany bureau plat. The shaped

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Country Pine Wood Distress Floral Carved 1 Drawer Writing Desk
Vintage French Country Pine Wood Distress Floral Carved 1 Drawer Writing Desk

Vintage French Country Pine Wood Distress Floral Carved 1 Drawer Writing Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

. Vintage French Country Pine Wood Distress Carved One Drawer Cabriole Leg Writing Desk with Floral Carvings

Category

Late 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk
French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk

French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

French 19th century mahogany travel writing desk French, 19th century Measures: Height 94cm

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk
Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style writing desk or console table By Baker Furniture

Category

Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

20th Century French Bureau Plat/ Writing Desk
20th Century French Bureau Plat/ Writing Desk

20th Century French Bureau Plat/ Writing Desk

Located in Berlin, DE

20th century French bureau plat/ writing desk In Bois Satiné veneer, mirror veneer covering all

Category

20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Antique Desk Writing Table - Rococo Furniture
French Antique Desk Writing Table - Rococo Furniture

French Antique Desk Writing Table - Rococo Furniture

Located in Potters Bar, GB

- Gorgoeus French shaped writing table or desk - Love the shape to the top with elegant curves - We

Category

Vintage 1930s Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk
Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style writing desk or console table By Baker Furniture

Category

Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk
French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk

French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk

Located in Pembroke, MA

An elegant French Louis XV style petit writing desk with gilt-bronze mounts, including escutcheon

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Escritoire Writing Desk
Antique French Ormolu Mounted Escritoire Writing Desk

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Escritoire Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

A stunning antique French writing table, also known as an escritoire. This dates from around the

Category

Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XV Style Parquetry Writing Desk
French Louis XV Style Parquetry Writing Desk

French Louis XV Style Parquetry Writing Desk

By Jonathan Charles

Located in Westwood, NJ

The desk shows the elegance and decorative detail of mid-18th-century French rococo design. Made

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Leather Top Cocobola Wood Writing Desk
Louis XV Leather Top Cocobola Wood Writing Desk

Louis XV Leather Top Cocobola Wood Writing Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Rare and remarkable Louis XV style ladies writing desk handcrafted in exotic cocobola wood with a

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cocobolo

Desk from Savoie, France, 1980s, Les Acrs, simple writing desk
Desk from Savoie, France, 1980s, Les Acrs, simple writing desk

Desk from Savoie, France, 1980s, Les Acrs, simple writing desk

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

A simple and warm desk produced in Savoie, crafted in the workshop known for manufacturing

Category

Vintage 1980s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather
Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather

Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire

Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze. The front of the

Category

Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

French Walnut Secretary Slant Front Desk Writing Table
French Walnut Secretary Slant Front Desk Writing Table

French Walnut Secretary Slant Front Desk Writing Table

Located in Carimate, Como

Very elegant desk, writing table, with slant drop front, with the beautiful carved decors in

Category

Mid-20th Century French Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

20th Century Inlaid Wood French Writing Table, 1920
20th Century Inlaid Wood French Writing Table, 1920

20th Century Inlaid Wood French Writing Table, 1920

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

wood, rosewood and fruitwood. Desk finished for the center features a generously sized front drawer and

Category

Vintage 1920s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk with Gallery, 1930s
French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk with Gallery, 1930s

French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk with Gallery, 1930s

Located in BÉTERA, ES

Elegant Louis XVI style writing desk dating to the early 20th century. The desk features a

Category

Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Provincial Louis XV Style Paint Decorated Writing Desk
French Provincial Louis XV Style Paint Decorated Writing Desk

French Provincial Louis XV Style Paint Decorated Writing Desk

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Elegant and spacious French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk with two drawers and white

Category

20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1950's Vintage French Provincial Ladies Writing Desk - Gilt Wash
1950's Vintage French Provincial Ladies Writing Desk - Gilt Wash

1950's Vintage French Provincial Ladies Writing Desk - Gilt Wash

Located in Opa Locka, FL

1950's French Provincial Gilt Wash Elegant Ladies Writing Desk. 5 drawers with brass pulls. Gold

Category

Vintage 1950s American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Writing Desk After Cressent
French Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Writing Desk After Cressent

French Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Writing Desk After Cressent

By Charles Cressent

Located in London, GB

French gilt bronze and marquetry writing desk after Cressent. French, late 19th century Measures

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Régence Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Donkey, White Writing Desk with LEDs, Made in France
Donkey, White Writing Desk with LEDs, Made in France

Donkey, White Writing Desk with LEDs, Made in France

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

distinctive writing desk is powered by an electric bridle. Stubborn and secretive, it conceals sliding storage

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Donkey, Black Writing Desk with Leds, Made in France
Donkey, Black Writing Desk with Leds, Made in France

Donkey, Black Writing Desk with Leds, Made in France

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

distinctive writing desk is powered by an electric bridle. Stubborn and secretive, it conceals sliding storage

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Wood

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk
French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Queens, NY

French 1940s brass mounted black lacquered bureau plat /writing desk with tan leather inset top

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Louis XV Wood French Writing Table
18th Century Louis XV Wood French Writing Table

18th Century Louis XV Wood French Writing Table

Located in IT

The very unusual and particular center desk, called also bureau plat, was made in France, at Paris

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Louis XV Writing Desk, Ebonized Mahogany, Leather, 19th Century
French Louis XV Writing Desk, Ebonized Mahogany, Leather, 19th Century

French Louis XV Writing Desk, Ebonized Mahogany, Leather, 19th Century

Located in Austin, TX

Writing desk from France in a transitional style. This piece is made of solid wood construction

Category

Antique Early 1800s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk
French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk

French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

. The iconic Coco chancel lived with a Rococo writing desk just like this one and indeed this Bureau

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk

Located in IT

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk Measures: cm H 103 x W 52 x closed D 9. Open D 59 cm This

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Bonheur Du Jour Mahogany Lady Writing Desk
French 19th Century Bonheur Du Jour Mahogany Lady Writing Desk

French 19th Century Bonheur Du Jour Mahogany Lady Writing Desk

Located in Rome, IT

Elegant French 19th century , gilt bronze-mounted Mahogany Bonheur Du Jour , lady writing desk

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair
French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair

French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair

By Drexel

Located in Hopewell, NJ

This lovely Drexel vintage writing desk in the French Louis XV style includes a matching Louis XV

Category

Vintage 1970s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cane, Wood

French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 Drawers
French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 Drawers

French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 Drawers

Located in Landivy, FR

This writing table is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th

Category

2010s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass
Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass

Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire

Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top. The front of the piece has three dovetail

Category

Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass
Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass

Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire

Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top. The front of the piece has three dovetail

Category

Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

French 1950s Black Metal and Wood Occasional / Writing Table
French 1950s Black Metal and Wood Occasional / Writing Table

French 1950s Black Metal and Wood Occasional / Writing Table

Located in Long Island City, NY

A French Mid-Century writing / side table with a wooden top, a black lacquered metal frame and

Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table
18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table

18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table

Located in West Hollywood, CA

18th Century Provencal Hand Carved Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk Side Table. Beautiful Hand

Category

Antique 18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Antique Hand-Painted Floral Writing Desk
Antique Hand-Painted Floral Writing Desk

Antique Hand-Painted Floral Writing Desk

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This beautiful and unique writing desk is rustic yet utilitarian, and would work well as either a

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century French Wood Patinated Desk
Early 20th Century French Wood Patinated Desk

Early 20th Century French Wood Patinated Desk

Located in High Point, NC

This early 20th-century French wood patinated desk exemplifies classic charm and functional design

Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Art Deco curved desk in solid wood
French Art Deco curved desk in solid wood

French Art Deco curved desk in solid wood

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

French Art Deco desk from the 1930s in solid wood and veneer. It features a large curved top, a

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials: Wood
French Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials: Wood

French Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials: Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Art Deco Desk Year 1920 French Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk in Wood and chrome, France, 1940
Desk in Wood and chrome, France, 1940

Desk in Wood and chrome, France, 1940

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

(AIFAF)" Desk Year 1940 French Wood and chrome Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Material: Wood
France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Material: Wood

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Material: Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an elegant and

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk
Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk

Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk

By Amy Howard

Located in Chicago, IL

Amy Howard Collection Antique French Provincial Paint Decorated 3 Drawer Writing Desk The Amy

Category

Late 20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paint

French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table
French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table

French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table

By Maison Jansen

Located in Manhasset, NY

French Hollywood Regency Style Ebony Lacquer Executive Desk / Writing Table A spectacular

Category

2010s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Writing Desk with Flaps, Brass Ornaments, Late 19th Century France
Antique Writing Desk with Flaps, Brass Ornaments, Late 19th Century France

Antique Writing Desk with Flaps, Brass Ornaments, Late 19th Century France

Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)

Antique writing desk in black lacquered wood, with adjustable flaps on the sides, rich ornaments in

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material, Wood
France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material, Wood

France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material, Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Material: carved wood It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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French Wood Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of French wood writing desks available for sale. Frequently made of wood, metal and animal skin, all French wood writing desks available were constructed with great care. There are 894 antique and vintage French wood writing desks for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 31 modern editions to choose from as well. French wood writing desks have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Louis XV, Louis XVI and Mid-Century Modern French wood writing desks are consistently popular styles. There have been many well-made French wood writing desks over the years, but those made by Maison Jansen, Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are French Wood Writing Desks?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $5,315, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $1,844,713 highest priced.

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.

Questions About French Wood Writing 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.