18th Century George II Writing Bureau
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th Century George II mahogany ladies writing bureau topped by brass pierced gallery. The sloped fall front enclosing six drawers above a shaped frieze incorporating scrolls flanki...
Mahogany
Antique Georgian Style Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
A smart and useful antique Georgian style writing bureau. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s.
Leather, Wood
Antique Georgian Style Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
A smart and beautifully designed antique Georgian style bureau. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s.
Leather, Wood
18th-century style Georgian mahogany slant-front writing bureau
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
This 18th-century style Georgian mahogany slant-front writing bureau dates to approximately 1800. It features a slant lid that opens to reveal a fitted interior with compartments for...
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Country Folk Art Writing Bureau
Located in Kramfors, SE
Country home writing bureau in folk art from northern Sweden. The bureau is from around 1820 to 1830 and has a writing desk with interior drawers with brass drawer pulls.
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Bureau in Dry-Scraped Pine
Located in Mckinney, TX
18th-century Swedish bureau crafted in pine with a fixed, writing-height top and original dry-scraped surface.
Pine, Paint
$4,821Sale Price|30% Off
Fine circa 1800 Pollad Oak Writing Bureau Desk Claw & Ball Hand Carved Legs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite circa 1800 English made Pollard oak writing bureau with ornately hand carved claw & ball feet.
Oak
$5,509Sale Price|20% Off
EXQUISITE EARLY GEORGIAN CIRCA 1760 WRITING BUREAU DESK WiTH GREEN LEATHER TOP
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original English circa 1760 Oak writing bureau with green leather writing surface Please not...
Leather, Oak
19th Century Handcrafted Pine Swedish Writing Bureau with Dragged Paint
Located in Mckinney, TX
Measures approximately 37.625” W x 16.625” D x 37.875” H; writing surface 27.875” H.
Pine, Paint
Victorian Figured Walnut Ladies Writing Bureau or Bonheur de Jour
Located in Montreal, QC
This desk is both highly decorative and unusually functional. The well-figured walnut is complemented by delicate inlays. It is diminutive and interestingly designed. Instead of a fi...
Wood
$15,840Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Bureau Desk in Walnut Cartonnier Writing Office Table Provencal Rustic
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Antique Bureau Desk in Walnut Cartonnier Writing office Table Provencal Rustic .
Metal
Jacobean Revival Secretary Desk in Tiger Oak Imperial of Grand Rapids, c. 1920s
Located in Rolling Hills Estates, CA
This Jacobean Revival secretary desk is a fall-front writing bureau in quarter-sawn oak, the cut that gives the rippling "tiger" fleck across its front and drawers.
Brass
English Decorative Chinoiserie Bureau Writing Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1900 English decorative chinoiserie bureau writing desk - Bonheur Du Jour. Great colour and patina with chinoiserie decoration.
Hardwood
English Decorative Chinoiserie Bureau Writing Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1900 English Decorative Chinoiserie Bureau Writing Desk - Bonheur Du Jour. Great colour and patina with chinoiserie decoration. sku 1006 W58 x D38 x H97 cm Weight 13Kg
Oak
Chippendale Desk Mahogany Writing Table Bureau
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a refined Chippendale revival desk or writing table Hand crafted from mahogany and features trademark ball and claw feet Carved rope edging around the writing surface...
Mahogany
English 19thC Mahogany Chinoiserie Bureau Writing Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 English 19thC Chinoiserie Bureau writing Desk sku 2226 W63 x D41.5 x H99 cm Weight 23Kg
Mahogany
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 sides with rocaille applications.
Brass
19th Century French Kingwood Writing Desk Bureau Plat
Located in Essex, MA
19th century French kingwood Bureau plat writing desk. Beautiful Louis XV Form.
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Ebonised Bureau Plat Writing Table
Located in Benington, Herts
A very fine quality and chic late 19th century ebonised French bureau plat / writing table. French likely Paris made circa 1890 Of large size, this fine bureau plat or writing ...
Ebony
Boulle Bureau Plat Desk Inlay Writing Table Napoleon III
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A magnificent French Boulle style writing desk, richly decorated with ormolu mounts and vibrant red and black panels in the manner of Napoleon III furniture Bought from a dealer on M...
Giltwood
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 plat is the perfect addition to a tasteful study.
Bronze
$3,895Sale Price|20% Off
Fine C19TH French Kingwood & Marquetry Bureau Plat /Writing Table
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine C19TH French Burr Walnut & Marquetry Bureau Plat /Writing Table Black Leather inset top, gold tooling decoration, with Walnut cross banding. thumb mould edge.
Walnut
20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
Writing table or bureau plat in Empire style after Jacob Desmalter.
Bronze
19th Century Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat in the style of the Louis XV Napoleon III Paris, circa 1850-1880. In Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round full-length mirror veneer with seed beads. With very finely chiselled,...
Wood, Beech
Paris Bureau Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic, Scarlet Splendour
Located in Kolkata, IN
Paris Bureau Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic is an extraordinary console/writing table, with two drawers.
Resin
Fine French Walnut and Gilt Metal Mounted Bureau Writing Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sake this amazing French Walnut and Gilt Metal-Mounted Bureau, late 19th century, with a three-quarter pierced brass gallery above three small drawers and a ...
Brass
French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk with bronze trim and ornate ormolu mounts and embossed leather top.
Leather, Walnut
19th Century French Directoire Style Brass Mounted Bureau Plat / Writing Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century French Directoire Style Brass Mounted Bureau Plat / Writing Table in Mahogany with Black Leather Top and Slides
Mahogany
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk, Rosewood and Ormulu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Antique Louis XV style bureau plat writing desk, rosewood and Ormulu mounts, raised on cabriole legs.
Bronze
Art Deco Burl Walnut Cloud Shaped Writing Desk Bureau, England , circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Originating from England this is a fantastic 1930s Art Deco writing bureau of small proportions, a really truly superb piece of furniture.
Chrome
$5,241Sale Price|50% Off
Gustavian Neoclassical Mahogany Writing Chest / Bureau on High Stand, 1800s
Located in Lucenec, SK
Swedish Gustavian mahogany writing cabinet. The writing part is covered with a black patent leather, with visible traces of use. The inner drawers have bone handles. The upper part i...
Brass
$4,838Sale Price|20% Off
Louis XV Style, Ormolu-Mounted, Bronze Dore, Bureau Plat, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Louis XV Style, Ormolu-Mounted, Bronze Dore, Bureau Plat, Writing Desk! Louis XV Style, Ormolu-Mounted, Bronze Dore, Bureau Plat, Writing Desk!
Ormolu
Antique Empire Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French gilt-bronze mounted flame mahogany Empire bureau plat, Circa 1820 in date. The rectangular top is fitted with a black gold-tooled inset leather writing...
Mahogany
$2,917Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Georgian 18th Century Satin Walnut Bureau Desk Writing Table Elegant
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique Georgian 18th Century Satin Walnut Bureau Desk Writing Table – a rare and exquisite piece featuring veneer on oak and elm construction.
Wood
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Travel Lap Desk Walnut 19th C. on Stand as Side Table Decorative Gift Antique LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Exquisite English lap traveling desk portable. Countryside writing bureau in good condition considering the usage of the period in quality warm walnut wood.
Brass
Francois Linke Quality Bronze Mounted Leather Top Bureau Plat Writing Desk
By François Linke
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Perfect for anyone seeking a functional yet opulent statement piece, this bureau plat writing desk embodies the enduring allure of fine French furniture.
Bronze
18th Century French Cherrywood 'Bureau de Pente' Slant Top Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Larger than the typical Louis XV writing desk, this cherrywood bureau de pente was hand-carved in France during the late 1700’s, just after the period ended.
Brass
Russian Empire Writing Table Desk After Antique Heinrich Gambs Bureau-Jardinière
By Heinrich Daniel Gambs
Located in Forney, TX
Over a pull-out writing surface extension slide, flanked by polished malachite veneered top.
Malachite, Brass, Bronze
Designer Writing Desk / Bureau Plat in Louis XV Style, Piano Black
Located in Berlin, DE
Black designer writing desk / bureau plat in Louis XV style Piano black polished veneer on solid softwood with rocaille applications. extremely Fine, floral, silvered bronze fitting...
Wood
19th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Castle worthy desk, solid wood. Rosewood veneer edged by finely engraved brass fittings. On angled, with four looking forward, imposing female busts on curly legs, on all sides scall...
Wood
$14,720Sale Price|20% Off
Louis XV Rococo Mahogany, Satinwood and Bureau Plat Executive Writing Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage midcentury era Louis XV Rococo style executive writing desk made from mahogany, satinwood, and bureau Plat with hand-cast bronze accents.
Bronze
Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date. The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Ormolu
Antique French Burr Walnut Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous antique French ormolu mounted burr walnut library table, circa 1870 in date. Featuring king wood banding, the shaped top with an inset gold tooled green leather writing s...
Ormolu
$3,895
Bureau
Located in London, GB
The lighter sycamore lining highlights the craftsmanship and provides a striking visual contrast to the richer elm casing. The bureau combines elegance and utility: closed, it prese...
Elm
20th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table Piano White
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat writing table in the style of Louis XV style, silvered bronze fittings.
Beech
$11,757Sale Price|20% Off
Large Antique Fall-Front Bureau, English, Oak, Writing Cabinet, Georgian, C.1780
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique fall-front bureau. An English, oak five-drawer writing cabinet, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1750.
Oak
French Louis XV Black Lacquer Bronze Figural Ormolu Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Louis XV Style Black Lacquer Bronze Figural Ormolu Bureau Plat Writing Desk. Item features a faux 3 drawer finished back (image 10), ornate figural bronze ormolu, 3 pa...
Bronze
$2,499Sale Price|30% Off
Antique French Louis XVI Kingwood Marquetry Leather Top Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite French Directoire Bureau Plat or Library Table, Circa 1920. Features a rectangular form made from kingwood with a black tooled leather top framed in thick bronze with t...
Ormolu
20th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table Piano Black
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat writing table in the style of Louis XV style, silvered bronze fittings.
Beech
$5,078Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century Elegant Black Bureau Plat / Writing Desk in Louis XV, Beech
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century elegant black bureau plat / writing desk in Louis XV, beech Exclusive bureau plat / desk in Louis XV style Solid beechwood ebonized/blackened.
Bronze
Impressive Louis XV Style Bureau Plat/Writing Desk, after Riesener & J.Oeben
Located in Berlin, DE
AN IMPRESSIVE LOUIS XV STYLE BUREAU PLAT /DESCRIPTION - AFTER THE BUREAU DU ROI AT VERSAILLES BY J.
Bronze
French Bureau Plat 20th C. with Black Gilt Trim Writing Surface
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite desk is very well made with beech wood and oak with Kingwood marquetry decorative motifs. Gilt bronze mounts decorate The edge and gilt masks embellish each corner....
Beech
20th Century Luxurious White Bureau Plat / Writing Desk in Louis XV Style
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century luxurious white bureau plat / writing desk in Louis XV style Solid beechwood colored in white.
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat in the style of the Louis XV Napoleon III Paris, circa 1850-1880. In Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round full-length mirror veneer with seed beads. With very finely chiselled, ...
Wood
20th Century Luxurious White Bureau Plat / Writing Desk in Louis XV Style
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century luxurious white bureau plat / writing desk in Louis XV style Solid beechwood colored in white.
Bronze
Paris Bureau Gray and White Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic, Scarlet Splendour
Located in Kolkata, IN
Paris Bureau Gray and White Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic is an extraordinary console/writing table, with two drawers.
Resin
Designer Writing Desk / Bureau Plat in Louis XV Style, Piano Black and gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Black designer writing desk / bureau plat in Louis XV style Piano black veneer on solid softwood with rocaille applications. extremely Fine, floral, silvered bronze fittings in the ...
Brass
$4,689Sale Price|20% Off
Designer writing desk / bureau plat in Louis XV style Piano Black with silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Designer writing desk / bureau plat in Louis XV style Piano Black with silver Piano black polished veneer on solid softwood with rocaille applications. extremely Fine, floral, silv...
Brass
French Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Ormolu Leather Top Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Ormolu Leather Top Bureau Plat Writing Desk. Item featured is a large impressive size, stunning bronze figural female bust mounts on all ...
Bronze
French 19th Century Leather Top Louis XV Style Writing Desk or Bureau Plat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French writing desk beautifully finished in walnut, leather and inlaid burlwood veneer, is a fantastic piece of 19th century French design in the Louis XV style.
Bronze
19th Century English Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th century English writing bureau with oriental detailing. Red painted oak body with 3 drawers and slanted writing surface.
Edwardian Oak Writing Bureau Possibly by Shoolbred & Co., London
By Jas Shoolbred & Co.
Located in Heathfield, East Sussex
A handsome Edwardian oak writing bureau possibly by Shoolbred & Co., London.
Brass
Georgian Writing Bureau
Located in Inverness, GB
Back in the UK after a trip abroad in Connecticut this stunning piece of Georgian furniture is in great condition and comes with original keys and a secret drawer that the Georgians ...
Mahogany
English Georgian Figured Mahogany Writing Bureau
Located in Macclesfield, GB
The interior of the bureau has a central cupboard, eight mahogany and oak lined drawers with original brass ring handles and four storage compartments with a blue baize writing surfa...
Mahogany, Oak
Unavailable
H 59.06 in W 32.09 in D 17.76 in
PS Wall Unit Danish Shelving System Writing Bureau Floating Randers
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
PS system teak shelving unit. Peter Sorensen for Randers Møbelfabrik.
Teak
English Bureau Mahogany Writing Desk Chest
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive early 20th century walnut writing bureau. The marquetry adorned fall flap enclosed tooled leather writing surface and fitted interior comprising miniature drawers an...
Mahogany
Unavailable
H 39.73 in W 30.79 in D 13.98 in
English Antique Oak Bureau Arts & Crafts Writing Desk Chest
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive early 20th century solid oak writing bureau. The fall flap enclosed writing surface and fitted interior comprising shelving and cubby holes.
Oak
Unavailable
H 40.87 in W 33.08 in D 18.04 in
English Vintage Teak Bureau Writing Desk Retro Mid-Century Modern, 1960s-1970s
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive mid-20th century teak writing bureau. The angled paneled fall flap enclosed a fitted interior comprising writing surface, miniature drawers, shelving and cubby holes.
Teak
Unavailable
H 46.3 in W 23.63 in D 23.98 in
English Antique Oak Bureau Tambour Roll-Top Writing Desk Chest Edwardian
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive Edwardian solid oak roll-top writing bureau. The tambour fall flap enclosed adjustable writing surface and fitted interior comprising miniature drawers and storage.
Oak
Sheraton Revival Rosewood Cylinder Bureau - Writing Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn3169 Exceptional Sheraton revival - Edwardian rosewood bureau - writing table, having original pierced, brass gallery above 2 waterfall shelves, batwing inlaid cylinder fall which ...
Rosewood
Late 19th Century French Bureau, Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Hove, GB
A lovely Bureau de Dame (ladies writing desk) It has beautiful cabriole legs, gilt metal ormolu inlays and a good floral marquetry with boxwood inlay frame.
André Arbus Sycamore Desk, Writing Table, Bureau Plat
By André Arbus
Located in Hollywood, FL
The rectangular top over 3 frieze drawers with finely crafted bronze pulls over square tapering legs terminating in sabots.
Brass
André Arbus Sycamore Desk, Writing Table, Bureau Plat
Located in Hollywood, FL
The rectangular top over 3 frieze drawers with finely crafted bronze pulls over square tapering legs terminating in sabots.
Bronze
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 44.69 in D 22.64 in
Early 18th c. Mahogany Centre Writing Table / Bureau Plat .
Located in Milan, IT
Very elegant ,early 18th France centre bureau plat, with leather top, also in the two pull out slides, gilt bronze trim, and two drawers with original key.
Bronze
Unavailable
H 40.95 in W 28.47 in D 20.36 in
English Desk Glazed Bureau Writing Cabinet Glazed, 19th Century
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive rare form 19th century bow front glazed desk cabinet. The bow front form desk with fitted drawer above astragal glazed doors enclosed storage and raised on a plinth ba...
Glass
Unavailable
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 34 in
MARGE CARSON Whitewashed Oak French Provincial Bureau Plat Writing Desk
By Marge Carson
Located in Charlotte, NC
A French Provincial style bureau plat writing desk by Marge Carson, of Pamona, California, USA.
Oak, Paint
Unavailable
H 43.31 in W 48.82 in D 21.66 in
Antique Large Georgian 19th Century Mahogany Bureau Desk Writing Table
Located in Wisbech, Walton Wisbech
Antique large Georgian / Regency early 19th century mahogany bureau desk writing table. This is a lovely bureau, that is full of age, charm and character.
Mahogany
Unavailable
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
20th Century Louis XVI Oak Small Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Toledo, Castilla La Mancha
Lugi XVI writing desk in oak wood from the first half of the 20th century.
Oak
Unavailable
H 29.14 in W 39.77 in D 25.6 in
19th Century Louis XV French Inlaid Bureau Plat 'Writing Desk'
Located in Tricase, Italia
An elegant "bureau plat" in French Louis XV style inlaid with rosewood and various precious woods. The edge of the serpentine profile is embellished by a detailed brass and also the...
Rosewood
Unavailable
H 44 in W 39 in D 21 in
Antique Figured Walnut Inlaid Bureau Desk, Writing Desk, Scotland 1810, H1166
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Figured Walnut Inlaid Bureau Desk, Writing Desk, Scotland 1810, H1166 Scotland 1810 Solid Walnut Original finish Rectangular top Cross banded fall front The interior of the...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 39.5 in W 36 in D 19 in
Antique Georgian Tiger Oak Bureau, Desk, Writing Table, Scotland 1810, H975
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Georgian Tiger Oak Bureau, Desk, Writing Table, Secretary, Scotland 1810, H975 Scotland 1810 Solid Oak Original finish Rectangular solid oak top Locking fall front writing s...
Oak
Unavailable
H 40 in W 35.5 in D 17 in
Ant. Oak Jacobean Style Slant Front Desk Bureau, Writing, Scotland 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Oak Jacobean style slant front desk bureau, writing desk, Scotland 1910, H880 $1250 Scotland 1910 Solid Oak Original finish Rectangular moulded top With carved panelled full ...
Oak
Unavailable
H 30.5 in W 48 in D 30 in
English Neoclassical Style Leather Inset Mahogany Bureau Plat Writing Table
Located in Louisville, KY
Second half of the 19th century; rectangular inset top over a three drawer frieze; raised on square tapering legs ending with brass casters. Hardware of later date.
Mahogany
Unavailable
H 32.49 in W 31.5 in D 20.08 in
Louis XVI Ladies Writing Table Desk Bureau Book Match Walnut Wood
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This refined little Louis XVI ladies writing desk or writing table with two upper drawers located on the left and right have 2 little brass pulls, central panel with two carved acant...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 30.71 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
Bureau-Plat, Paris 1785, Lebesque, 18th Century Writing Desk, French, Signed
Located in Bamberg, DE
Paris, C. Lebesgue, circa 1785. Stamped "IME" and "C. Lebesgue" for Robert-Claude Lebesgue, born 1749, master 1771. Mahogany veneered on oak with fine, linear brass inlays, origin...
Wood
A fine example of a 19th c. French Bureau Plat writing table
Located in Miami, FL
A fine example of a 19th c. French Bureau Plat writing table. The bureau plat is decorated with amazing quality bronze mounts, showing a somoothness to the ladies faces only seen on ...
Bronze
Unavailable
H 30.32 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Walnut Leather Bureau Plat Writing Desk Restored
Located in Toledo, Castilla La Mancha
Beautiful Louis XVI style bureau plat writing desk from early 20th century, totally restored.
Walnut
18th Century Red Lacquered Toilet Mirror
Located in Edenbridge, Kent
A rare Queen Anne period red lacquer toilet mirror in the form of a fall front writing bureau with fully fitted interior. The whole is decorated throughout in the chinoiserie design.
Wood
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.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
Fans of the French film star may be surprised to learn that he had a flair for furniture with sleek lines and disco-era flash.
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.