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Bureau Plat
Bureau Plat

Bureau Plat

Located in London, England

French mahogany three drawer bureau plat with original fittings on tapered legs with original / aged leather inset top. Circa 1890.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

20th Century Elegant Veneered Bureau Plat or Writing Desk in Louis XV Style
20th Century Elegant Veneered Bureau Plat or Writing Desk in Louis XV Style

20th Century Elegant Veneered Bureau Plat or Writing Desk in Louis XV Style

Located in Berlin, DE

Elegant veneered bureau plat or desk in Louis XV style Solid beechwood and veneer. Very fine, floral bronze fittings. Curved and pronounced or arched wooden body. Frame base with...

Category

20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Bureau Plat
Bureau Plat

Bureau Plat

Located in London, England

Paris made French walnut bureau plat / desk. France Circa 1940

Category

Vintage 1940s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Rare Napoleon III French Empire Bureau De Plat Gilt Bronze Writing Table Desk
Rare Napoleon III French Empire Bureau De Plat Gilt Bronze Writing Table Desk

Rare Napoleon III French Empire Bureau De Plat Gilt Bronze Writing Table Desk

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Napoleon III French Empire desk with gilt bronze oversized fittings A very decorative and collectible desk in period lightl...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

18th century bureau
18th century bureau

18th century bureau

Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL

Beautiful antique mahogany bureau with a lovely interior in perfect and completely original condition. Completely handmade from beautiful mahogany. Warm, weathered patina. Original (...

Category

Antique 1770s British George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

English Painted Bureau
English Painted Bureau

English Painted Bureau

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Small 18th century English painted oak bureau with original brass handles. 1780. Height to underside of desk: 26-inches Code: 8925 Dimensions: W: 34" (86.4 cm) H: 36.5" (92.7 cm)...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

bureau d'écrivain
bureau d'écrivain

bureau d'écrivain

By Steelclin

Located in VIRY-CHÂTILLON, FR

Bureau de Marie-hélène clin Très graphique, de forme légère malgré le poids de ce plateau en acier de 8mm d'épaisseur . Son atout principal est de disposer de 2 prises électriques...

Category

2010s French Streamlined Moderne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cut Steel

Erling Tortvits Large Bureau
Erling Tortvits Large Bureau

Erling Tortvits Large Bureau

Located in London, GB

This wonderful bureau was designed by Erling Tortvits and produced by HNJ Mobelfabrik in Denmark.

Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Oak Bureau
Small Oak Bureau

Small Oak Bureau

Located in Folkestone, GB

A rare 18th century oak bureau of particularly small and diminutive proportions. the fall with a moulded book-rest, opening to reveal a stepped interior with a well concealed below a...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Monumental bureau plat
Monumental bureau plat

Monumental bureau plat

Located in Wien, AT

France, Louis XVI period, ca. 1780, by the ebenist Pierre Garnier (master from 1742), predominantly oak, mahogany veneered and with ebony marquetry, matted, double-sided drawer desig...

Category

Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Oak

18th Century walnut bureau
18th Century walnut bureau

18th Century walnut bureau

Located in Martlesham, GB

18th Century walnut bureau inlaid with herringbone, having a wonderful figured fall opening to reveal a lovely fitted interior, with various drawers, compartments and a well, the bur...

Category

Antique 1750s British Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Georgian Burl Walnut Bureau
Georgian Burl Walnut Bureau

Georgian Burl Walnut Bureau

Located in Woodbury, CT

Georgian burl walnut bureau on stand with fall front and fitted interior with serpentine drawers and prospect door with working lock and key. Incorporated below is a single shallow ...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Burl

George I Figured Walnut Bureau
George I Figured Walnut Bureau

George I Figured Walnut Bureau

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

A practical and elegant antique bureau, ideal for use as a writing desk, hallway piece, bedroom piece or decorative storage cabinet.

Category

Antique 18th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

George I Walnut Bureau
George I Walnut Bureau

George I Walnut Bureau

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality early 18th century George I walnut bureau, having a fall front opening to reveal a fully fitted interior comprising of drawers, pigeon holes, a well and a ...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Superb Burr 'Mulberry' Bureau
Superb Burr 'Mulberry' Bureau

Superb Burr 'Mulberry' Bureau

Located in Lincolnshire, GB

A fine and rare burr veneer bureau with the most wonderful colour and patina. Circa 1730.

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Georgian Period Bureau Desk
Antique Georgian Period Bureau Desk

Antique Georgian Period Bureau Desk

Located in London, GB

This bureau has lovely slim proportions and it is of very high quality.

Category

Antique 1790s British George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Louis XV Bureau Plat Desk
Louis XV Bureau Plat Desk

Louis XV Bureau Plat Desk

Located in Pomona, CA

Very nice Louis XV style Bureau Plat Writing Desk. Parquetry panels all around inside an ebony pinstripe inlay.

Category

Vintage 1970s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

C19th Marquetry Bureau De Dame.
C19th Marquetry Bureau De Dame.

C19th Marquetry Bureau De Dame.

Located in Brighton, Sussex

This exquisite 19th-century Louis XV style bureau de dame exemplifies the elegance of the period, featuring intricate marquetry inlay across its entire surface.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Kingwood Bureau Plat
French Kingwood Bureau Plat

French Kingwood Bureau Plat

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A French kingwood bureau plat late 19th/early 20th century in Louis XV style, with applied gilt-bronze mounts, the serpentine rectangular top with a green tooled leather inset above ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Victorian Satinwood Bureau Plat
Victorian Satinwood Bureau Plat

Victorian Satinwood Bureau Plat

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A striking Victorian satinwood bureau plat, of shaped rectangular form inset with the original oval burgundy leather, with a disguised frieze drawers, decorated with purple heart and...

Category

Antique 1850s English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

Louis XV-Style Bureau Plat
Louis XV-Style Bureau Plat

Louis XV-Style Bureau Plat

$1,925Sale Price|30% Off

Louis XV-Style Bureau Plat

Located in Pasadena, CA

This is a great example of a 20th century Provincial Louis XVI Bureau Plat. The desk features a solid walnut frame with an inset leather writing surface.

Category

Late 20th Century North American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Super Burr Walnut Queen Anne Bureau
Super Burr Walnut Queen Anne Bureau

Super Burr Walnut Queen Anne Bureau

Located in Swadlincote, GB

A very nice four drawer Queen Anne burr walnut bureau, leather writing surface, in excellent overall condition. 37.5" high 31" wide 16" depth You are welcome to view this item at o...

Category

Vintage 1920s English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Sèvres Porcelain-Mounted Bureau Plat
Sèvres Porcelain-Mounted Bureau Plat

Sèvres Porcelain-Mounted Bureau Plat

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in New Orleans, LA

The Duchesse de Mazarin, Comtesse du Barry, Marie-Antoinette and the Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna of Russia are all known to have exquisite collections of Sèvres-mounted furniture....

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Attractive Louis XV style bureau plat, gilt embossed tanned leather top writing surface centered on a beautiful satinwood veneered panel and marquetry finished frame, fine rocaille m...

Category

Late 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Bureau Plat
19th Century French Bureau Plat

19th Century French Bureau Plat

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

19th century French bureau plat featuring beautifully veneered wood surface and black leather top. Framed by a gilt brass border. The desk has three drawers across the front with ela...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat
Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat

Located in Huntington, NY

Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat/Desk, Louis XV period 3 working drawers on one side. Back side has 3 false drawers Circa, 1760 with one Key It's Old leather top in Useable but h...

Category

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

Materials

Ormolu

Super Queen Anne Burr Walnut Bureau
Super Queen Anne Burr Walnut Bureau

Super Queen Anne Burr Walnut Bureau

Located in Swadlincote, GB

A very pretty Queen Anne serpentine fronted bureau of small proportions, standing on tall cabriole legs, eagle head lopers, in very nice overall condition. 37.5" high 25" wide 18.5...

Category

Vintage 1910s English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Sheraton Revival Satinwood Cylinder Bureau
Sheraton Revival Satinwood Cylinder Bureau

Sheraton Revival Satinwood Cylinder Bureau

Located in Cheshire, GB

Sheraton revival satinwood and rosewood crossbanded cylinder bureau, the raised three-quarter galleried superstructure above a roll top with marquetry inlaid floral decoration, enclo...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

19th Century French Mahogany Bureau Plat
19th Century French Mahogany Bureau Plat

19th Century French Mahogany Bureau Plat

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

19th Century French mahogany bureau plat.  The top has a tooled leather insert and there are two pull out slides to the sides, also with leather inserts. The mahogany top is decorat...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Bureau Plat by Francois Linke
Bureau Plat by Francois Linke

Bureau Plat by Francois Linke

By François Linke

Located in Wien, AT

Paris, late 19th century, elegantly curved hardwood frame, rosewood veneered, inlaid with various precious woods in the form of cubes and leaves, polished in traditional craftsmanshi...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th century bronze mounted bureau plat
19th century bronze mounted bureau plat

19th century bronze mounted bureau plat

Located in Cheshire, GB

19th century bronze mounted crossbanded bureau plat, the shaped top with gilt bronze border and black leather inset writing surface above three frieze drawers, the reverse similarly ...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Bureau De Dame
19th Century French Bureau De Dame

19th Century French Bureau De Dame

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality 19th century French gilt metal mounted marquetry bombé bureau de dame, in the Louis XV style. The fall front opening to a fitted interior and a writing sur...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Directoire Style Small Bureau Plat
Directoire Style Small Bureau Plat

Directoire Style Small Bureau Plat

Located in Sheffield, MA

Directoire Maison Jansen style desk. Label inside drawer inscribed "A. Alavoine and Co., NY and Paris." Leather inset writing surface, drawer fronts with contrasting veneer.

Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Sheraton Revival marquetry inlaid cylinder bureau
Sheraton Revival marquetry inlaid cylinder bureau

Sheraton Revival marquetry inlaid cylinder bureau

Located in Cheshire, GB

This Bureau is almost certainly by Maple& Co Dimensions Height 47 Inches Height of Kneehole 23.5 Inches Width 54.5 Inches Depth 24.5 Inches

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

A Nineteenth Century French Bureau Plat
A Nineteenth Century French Bureau Plat

A Nineteenth Century French Bureau Plat

Located in London, GB

A mid nineteenth century French bureau plat of good scale, in mahogany with kingwood veneer crossbanding, with brown leather writing surface with gilt tooling to the border, opening ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bureau PJ-BU-08-B
Bureau PJ-BU-08-B

Bureau PJ-BU-08-B

By Pierre Jeanneret

Located in Paris, FR

Provenance: Chandigarh, India Student desk in solid teak. Rectangular top with drooping sides. Pair of lateral “compass” legs joined by a rear crosspiece supporting the open-case frame.

Category

20th Century Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Bureau PJ-BU-08-B
Bureau PJ-BU-08-B

Bureau PJ-BU-08-B

By Pierre Jeanneret

Located in Paris, FR

Signed on the left side. Rectangular top with drooping sides. Pair of compass-type side legs joined by a rear crosspiece supporting the open-case frame.

Category

Vintage 1960s Indian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Fine French Marquetry bureau, circa 1880.
Fine French Marquetry bureau, circa 1880.

Fine French Marquetry bureau, circa 1880.

Located in Brighton, Sussex

This exquisite 19th-century French marquetry bureau showcases exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. Adorned with intricate floral and landscape motifs, the bureau features a rich, ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Thuya Burl Bureau Plat, Italy, circa 1900
Thuya Burl Bureau Plat, Italy, circa 1900

Thuya Burl Bureau Plat, Italy, circa 1900

Located in Greding, DE

Bureau plat veneered in thuya burl, raised on eight tapered square legs with brass sabots and fitted with five drawers.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Charles X Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique bureau, Northern Europe, ca. 1910.
Antique bureau, Northern Europe, ca. 1910.

Antique bureau, Northern Europe, ca. 1910.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique bureau, Northern Europe, ca. 1910. Very good condition, after renovation in our workshop. Wood: mahogany Dimensions: height 113 cm width 119 cm depth 63 cm

Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Viennese enamel bureau cabinet, circa 1880
Viennese enamel bureau cabinet, circa 1880

Viennese enamel bureau cabinet, circa 1880

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A fine quality Viennese late 19th century, gilt-bronze and enamel mounted ebonised bureau-cabinet decorated all-over with shaped enamel plaques depicting mythological scenes, inters...

Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Enamel

19th Century French Feminine Boulle Bureau
19th Century French Feminine Boulle Bureau

19th Century French Feminine Boulle Bureau

Located in Marbella, ES

19th century French feminine Boulle bureau (office desk, escritoire).

Category

Antique 1850s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Small Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau
Small Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau

Small Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau

Located in Folkestone, GB

A most enchanting Queen Anne period burr walnut bureau of highly desirable small proportions and superb colour. The herringbone and cross-banded fall enclosing a fully fitted stepped...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Inlaid Bureau Plat Desk
Antique French Inlaid Bureau Plat Desk

Antique French Inlaid Bureau Plat Desk

Located in London, GB

An absolutely exquisite antique French inlaid bureau plat desk. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1880-1890 period. It is one of the finest examples we’ve ever come ...

Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XV Tulipwood and Kingwood Bureau Plat
Louis XV Tulipwood and Kingwood Bureau Plat

Louis XV Tulipwood and Kingwood Bureau Plat

By Edward Holmes Baldock

Located in Miami, US

This bureau plat serves not only as a functional writing desk but also as a statement piece, embodying the grace and refinement of the Louis XV style, ideal for collectors and lovers...

Category

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

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Rosewood Bureau De Dame
19th Century French Rosewood Bureau De Dame

19th Century French Rosewood Bureau De Dame

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality French rosewood Bureau De Dame. The top of the bureau has a nice brass gallery above a fall front, decoratively inlaid with marquetry, opening to reveal a ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

1960's French Bureau/Secetaire Desk
1960's French Bureau/Secetaire Desk

1960's French Bureau/Secetaire Desk

Located in London, Lambeth

Excellent storage desk with 3 draws, glass top shelve and pull down table surface. Lockable unit compact design .Cc 1960's French

Category

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

Materials

Satin

Louis XV style bureau plat, 19th Century
Louis XV style bureau plat, 19th Century

Louis XV style bureau plat, 19th Century

Located in Brighton, Sussex

This late 19th-century French bureau plat is a stunning example of mahogany craftsmanship. The piece features a rich mahogany finish and an elegant inset leather top, enhancing its s...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Casamania Desk & Horm Bureau design Esa Vesmanen - White
Casamania Desk & Horm Bureau design Esa Vesmanen - White

Casamania Desk & Horm Bureau design Esa Vesmanen - White

By Horm

Located in Varedo, MB

Brand: Horm Model: Bureau Design: Esa Vesmanen Bureau is a contemporary writing desk that elegantly responds to the needs of modern living.

Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Casamania Desk & Horm Bureau design Esa Vesmanen - Black
Casamania Desk & Horm Bureau design Esa Vesmanen - Black

Casamania Desk & Horm Bureau design Esa Vesmanen - Black

By Horm

Located in Varedo, MB

Brand: Horm Model: Bureau Design: Esa Vesmanen Bureau is a contemporary writing desk that elegantly responds to the needs of modern living.

Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Tulipwood Bureau Plat
Louis XV Style Tulipwood Bureau Plat

Louis XV Style Tulipwood Bureau Plat

Located in Essex, MA

With a rectangular top with inset deep burgundy leather with bronze outer border over three drawers and opposing false drawers raised on cabriole legs and sabot feet. With key.

Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, Bureau Plat, by Francoise Linke.
19th Century, Bureau Plat, by Francoise Linke.

19th Century, Bureau Plat, by Francoise Linke.

By François Linke

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A fine quality French kingwood and marquetry, ormolu-mounted Bureau plat, signed Linke. Having three frieze drawers to one side, dummy drawers to the reverse, inset Moroccan leather...

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Schonbuch Bureau Console Table by Earnest Studio
Schonbuch Bureau Console Table by Earnest Studio

Schonbuch Bureau Console Table by Earnest Studio

By Schönbuch, Earnest Studio

Located in New York, NY

The table from the BUREAU line melds clear modernity with timeless class, its rounded lines being a key design feature. BUREAU is the perfect size for a dining table, but also makes ...

Category

2010s German Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Diminutive 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Bureau
Diminutive 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Bureau

Diminutive 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Bureau

Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB

Small Untouched 18th Century George III Period Figured Mahogany Bureau A stunning George III mahogany bureau of unusually small proportions. This charming late 18th-century George I...

Category

Antique 18th Century British George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Reprodux Bevan Funnell Lovely Campaign Style Bureau
Reprodux Bevan Funnell Lovely Campaign Style Bureau

Reprodux Bevan Funnell Lovely Campaign Style Bureau

By Bevan Funnell Ltd.

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer this lovely campaign style small bureau with brass handles and four drawers on bracket feet made by Reprodux , lovely condition . Don't hesitate to contact me if ...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th-century French writing desk
19th-century French writing desk

19th-century French writing desk

Located in Cheshire, GB

This exquisite 19th-century French writing desk, or bureau de dame, showcases the elegance and craftsmanship of the Louis XV style.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI style Bureau plat, 19th Century
Louis XVI style Bureau plat, 19th Century

Louis XVI style Bureau plat, 19th Century

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality late 19th Century French Louis XVI style bureau plat. Having an inset leather top, gilded ormolu mouldings and mounts. Trellis parquetry to the frieze, with flora...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Untouched 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Bureau
Untouched 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Bureau

Untouched 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Bureau

Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB

Untouched 18th Century George III Period Figured Mahogany Bureau This charming late 18th-century George III period finely figured mahogany bureau showcases exquisite craftsmanship a...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century British George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Desk , Early 20th century
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Desk , Early 20th century

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Desk , Early 20th century

Located in Leimen, DE

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Desk, Early 20th Century Elegant Louis XV style bureau plat from the early 20th century, crafted in black-painted wood with delicate gilt accents.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

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Writing Bureau For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal writing bureau for your home. A writing bureau — often made from wood, metal and animal skin — can elevate any home. There are 928 variations of the antique or vintage writing bureau you’re looking for, while we also have 13 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a writing bureau — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A writing bureau made by Louis XV designers — as well as those associated with Louis XVI — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one writing bureau that is appealing in its simplicity, but François Linke, Maison Jansen and Scarlet Splendour produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Writing Bureau?

A writing bureau can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $6,497, while the lowest priced sells for $171 and the highest can go for as much as $1,844,713.

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.