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Prouve Inspired Writing Desk with Compass Legs by Marko
By Marko, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Prouve Inspired industrial writing desk by Marko. Formica top with blue enameled metal compass legs
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouve Desk, 1934
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Prouvé "C.P.D.E" variable equipment office, 1934-35. Legs in aubergine lacquered folded
Category

20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouve Desk, 1934
Jean Prouve Desk, 1934
H 31.5 in W 66.15 in D 33.08 in
Jean Prouvé Black Compas Desk, 1950s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in New York, NY
Elegant desk by Jean Prouvé in black color. Produced by Atelier Jean Prouvé in 1950s. Original Oak
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouvé Black Compas Desk, 1950s
Jean Prouvé Black Compas Desk, 1950s
H 28 in W 63 in D 27.75 in
Jean Prouvé Rare Green Compas Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in New York, NY
Elegant green desk by Jean Prouvé in green color. Original untouched condition, produced by Atelier
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouvé Rare Green Compas Desk
Jean Prouvé Rare Green Compas Desk
H 28 in W 47 in D 25.5 in
Jean Prouvé, Cité Desk, likely 1940s, original condition
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Cité desk with drawer, designed by Jean Prouvé and made in his workshop, Ateliers Jean Prouvé in
Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Industrial desk in a style of Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Nijlen, VAN
This nice desk is probably from the 1950s from France. This type of industrial furniture is
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Industrial desk in a style of Jean Prouvé
Industrial desk in a style of Jean Prouvé
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Vintage Industrial Jean Prouvé Style One Seat School Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful Vintage Industrial school desk. In the style of Jean Prouvé Striking French design from
Category

Vintage 1950s French Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouve Style La Residence Universitaire Jean Zay Student Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In the style of Jean Prouve a patinated eggshell blue student desk with single drawer and in inset
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Beech

Jean Prouvé Compass Direction Desk Limited RAW Steel and Natural Oak by Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
Jean Prouvé Compass direction desk in natural oak and clear lacquered steel for Vitra. Originally
Category

Vintage 1930s French Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouvé Compas Direction Desk in Natural Oak and Black Metal for Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Glendale, CA
Jean Prouvé Compas Direction desk in natural oak and black metal for Vitra. Originally designed in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writin...

Materials

Steel, Metal

Office Table by Jean Prouvé and Jules Leleu
By Jean Prouvé, Jules Leleu
Located in Altwies, LU
beds and desks are also designed by Jean Prouvé. By cons, it is likely that the chairs, armchairs
Category

Vintage 1930s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Office Table by Jean Prouvé and Jules Leleu
Office Table by Jean Prouvé and Jules Leleu
H 30.71 in W 66.93 in D 28.35 in
Beautiful Pine Craftsman Desk Prouve Chapo Style
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Miami, FL
Pine craftsman desk with two drawers.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Industrial 1950s French Tandem School Desk by Matco
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean Prouve style Mid-Century school "Tandem" desk with oak wood desk top and slatted seats on a
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Child, Student Desk manner of Jean Prove
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid-Century Modern Childs ,Student Desk manner of Jean Prove,,green metal,steel painted
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Freestanding Console - Desk, Reception Writing Table in Bright Yellow
By Spinzi
Located in Milano, IT
Contemporary console with integrated writing desk and matching stool, from the Silös collection by
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Unusual Modernist Childs Desk Attributed to Friso Kramer
By Friso Kramer, Jean Prouvé
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual modernist Childs desk attributed to Friso Kramer, amazing design reminescent of French
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Compass Table by Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Compass Table by Jean Prouvé, c. 1950's, France L 47.25" x W 30.75" x H 27.75" FDV11559 *Wear
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Compass Table by Jean Prouvé
Compass Table by Jean Prouvé
H 27.75 in W 47.25 in D 30.75 in
Willy Van Der Meeren Desk by Tubax Belgium 1955
By Willy Van Der Meeren, Tubax
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice Industrial desk designed by Willy Van Der Meeren and manufactured by Tubax, Belgium 1955. This
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Willy Van Der Meeren Desk by Tubax Belgium 1955
Willy Van Der Meeren Desk by Tubax Belgium 1955
H 29.14 in W 55.52 in D 27.96 in
Adaptable school desk by Jacques Hitier for Mobilor, France 1950s
By Jacques Hitier
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Adaptable school desk designed by Jacques Hitier, produced by Mobilor France in the 1950s, often
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Elm, Steel, and Laminate Desk by Marcel Gascoin for Universitaire d'Antony
By Marcel Gascoin
Located in New York City, NY
This modernist desk/table was designed by Marcel Gascoin for the Cité Universitaire Jean Zay
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Wooden Brutalist Desk in Solid Oak, Made in France, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
This desk is a classic representation of mid-century design, crafted in France during the 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Desk in Oak and Oak Plywood by Marcel Gascoin, 1949
By Marcel Gascoin
Located in PARIS, FR
Desk in oak and oak plywood by Marcel Gascoin, 1949 Marcel Gascoin is the main representative of
Category

Vintage 1940s European Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Plywood

Patrice Maffei Desk for Kappa, 70s, Brushed Stainless Steel, Smoked Glass, 1970
By Patrice Maffei
Located in Paris, FR
Superb desk, design Patrice Maffei for Kappa, 1970s. . Blue box, two lockable drawers, a gray
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Dutch Industrial Design Desk by Wim Rietveld for Ahrend De Cirkel, 1960's
By Wim Rietveld
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
out formica top. This is a model without a drawer. Design in the style of Jean Prouvé. The desk comes
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Steel

Dutch Industrial Design Desk by Wim Rietveld for Ahrend De Cirkel, 1960's
By Wim Rietveld
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Jean Prouvé. The desk comes in good original condition, with signs of it's age and use. De red, now
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Steel

Desk by Robert Charroy for Mobilor, Cité Universitaire Jean Zay d'Antony, Oak
By Mobilor, Robert Charroy
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Modernist desk by French designer Robert Charroy produced by Mobilor in the mid-1950s (1955-1956
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
By DADA est.
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
finishes as in the old days. Influenced by the great masters of the midcentury : Jean Prouve, Charlotte
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 28.55 in
Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
By DADA est.
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
. Influenced by the great masters of the midcentury : Jean Prouve, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret, Le
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 28.55 in
Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
By DADA est.
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
finishes as in the old days. Influenced by the great masters of the midcentury : Jean Prouve, Charlotte
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 28.55 in
Wim Rietveld Pyramid table black Ahrend de Cirkel 1960
By Wim Rietveld
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
has a slightly grey/green tan to it. This design is very similar to the designs by Jean Prouvé. The
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Friso Kramer Reform Table Small Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Kramer is often compared to Jean Prouve. Musea often show the Revolt chair next to the Standard chair by
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Jean Prouvé, Bureau "Surveillant" Bois Métal Laqué Et Plateau Formica Noir 50's
By Jean Prouvé
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
jean Prouvé (1901-1984, France) : Bureau " Surveillant" Rare modèle du bureau "surveillant
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Industrial Style Raw Metal Vintage Center Table Base Jean Prouve Style, 1980s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Vienna, AT
gorgeous raw metal table base from steel works wonderful as writing desk as well as center table or dining
Category

Late 20th Century European Industrial Center Tables

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouvé Compas Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Paris, FR
Desk Compas designed by Jean Prouvé circa 1950. Edited by Ateliers Jean Prouvé Folded sheet steel
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Jean Prouvé Compas Desk
Jean Prouvé Compas Desk
H 27.56 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Jean Prouvé "Direction, BM Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in lyon, FR
Jean Prouvé: "Direction, bm 11" desk circa 1948 Legs and structure in folded steel sheet, solid
Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouvé "Direction, BM Desk
Jean Prouvé "Direction, BM Desk
H 30.52 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
Jean Prouve "Bureau Surveillant" Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in lyon, FR
Jean Prouve "Bureau Surveillant" desk, France, circa 1950. Oak effect melamine top, oak structure
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Jean Prouve "Bureau Surveillant" Desk
Jean Prouve "Bureau Surveillant" Desk
H 30.71 in W 50.79 in D 25.2 in
Desk, 1953 by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Paris, FR
Desk, 1953 Lacquered bent steel & wood 72 x 150 x 53 cm Bourse Maritime, rue Vivienne, Paris.
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk, 1953 by Jean Prouvé
Desk, 1953 by Jean Prouvé
H 28.35 in W 59.06 in D 20.87 in
Jean Prouvé Dactylo Desk No. BD 41, Circa 1948
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Jean Prouvé Dactylo desk No. BD 41 Circa 1948 Rare and important mid century Ateliers Jean
Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

"Compass" Desk, Curved Tabletop with Drawers by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Brussels, BE
"Compass" desk, curved tabletop with drawers Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) Manufactured by Les Ateliers
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Office Desk "Compas" Designed by Jean Prouve, circa 1950, France
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, ES
Office desk Compas designed by Jean Prouvé. Version with bent lacquered steel, metal casing and
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Steel

Jean Prouvé Dactylo Desk No. BD 41 & Black Standard Chair Circa 1948
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Jean Prouvé Dactylo desk no. BD 41 & black standard chair Circa 1948 Rare and important mid
Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

1930s Light Grey Steel Desk by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Very rare and attractive desk designed by famous Jean Prouvé in 1934. The desk comes on a steel
Category

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

1930s Light Grey Steel Desk by Jean Prouvé
1930s Light Grey Steel Desk by Jean Prouvé
H 31.11 in W 69.3 in D 31.89 in
Freestanding Console - Desk, Reception Writing Table in Bright Yellow
By Spinzi
Located in Milan, IT
Contemporary console with integrated writing desk and matching stool, from the Silös collection by
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by Willy Van Der Meeren for Tubax
By Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in Ghent, BE
Very rare original desk by Willy Van der Meeren for Tubax in the 1950s. This hard to find desk is
Category

Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by Willy Van Der Meeren for Tubax
Desk by Willy Van Der Meeren for Tubax
H 29.53 in W 55.52 in D 27.56 in
Dutch Small Writing Desk Prouve Style, 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice and uncommon writing desk made by unknown manufacturer. This desk was documented in the
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Dutch Small Writing Desk Prouve Style, 1950
Dutch Small Writing Desk Prouve Style, 1950
H 31.5 in W 38.19 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Prouve Style Writing Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century desk with floating wooden drawers and grey enameled metal Prouve-style compass legs
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Prouve Style Writing Desk
Mid-Century Prouve Style Writing Desk
H 31.25 in W 23.75 in D 47.375 in
Prouve Inspired Modernist Writing Desk
By Marko, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming modernist writing desk with floating teak top for Marko. Lightly refinished with teak
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Prouve Inspired Modernist Writing Desk
Prouve Inspired Modernist Writing Desk
H 28.25 in W 53.5 in D 23.5 in
Jean Prouvé Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Made in 1948. Original / authentic Jean Prouvé desk. Model called "aile d'avion" Top restored by a
Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouvé Desk
Jean Prouvé Desk
H 29.53 in W 62.8 in L 29.53 in
Jean Prouve Compass Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Culver City, CA
Stunning example of the iconic Compas desk, manufactured by Ateliers Jean Prouve circa 1953
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouve Compass Desk
Jean Prouve Compass Desk
H 28.5 in W 63 in D 27.75 in
Jean Prouve Compass Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Compass desk designed by Jean Prouvé in 1953, produced in 1955 for the internationale Universite
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouve Compass Desk
Jean Prouve Compass Desk
H 28.75 in W 55.12 in D 25.99 in
Desk by jean prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
bureau "standart BS" (1946)
Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by jean prouvé
Desk by jean prouvé
H 29.14 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
Desk by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
with drawers top has been remade
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by Jean Prouvé
Desk by Jean Prouvé
H 29.14 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Desk by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron, Metal

Desk by Jean Prouvé
Desk by Jean Prouvé
H 29.14 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
Desk by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
model : Compas
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk by Jean Prouvé
Desk by Jean Prouvé
H 27.96 in W 47.64 in D 25.6 in
Ateliers Jean Prouvé writing table for Tecta
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
Ateliers Jean Prouve M23. Freeform tabletop on this writing table-desk. Top in natural ash and
Category

1990s French Desks and Writing Tables

Ateliers Jean Prouvé writing table for Tecta
Ateliers Jean Prouvé writing table for Tecta
H 29.14 in W 69.3 in D 53.15 in
Architectural School Desk after Prouve
By Jean Prouvé
Located in New York, NY
Great architectural design school desk, with obvious Jean Prouve influence. The desk is painted
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouve Compas Desk, 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Compas desk, created by Jean Prouve and manufactured by Atelier Prouve in the 1950s. Compas
Category

Vintage 1950s French Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouve Compas Desk, 1950
Jean Prouve Compas Desk, 1950
H 29 in W 63 in D 27.5 in
Jean Prouvé Dactylo Desk, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
Rare "Dactylo" desk designed by Jean Prouvé, circa 1950. Bent steel and wood.
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouvé Dactylo Desk, circa 1950
Jean Prouvé Dactylo Desk, circa 1950
H 27.76 in W 48.63 in D 24.41 in
Jean Prouvé "Presidence" Desk, 2015, France
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Girona, Spain
Jean Prouvé presidence desk Lacquered bent steel Stamped Vitra Edition 2015, France Very good
Category

2010s French Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouvé Original "Compas desk" by
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Zürich, CH
"Compas desk" by Jean Prouvé is raw yet elegant and classic modernist furniture. The thin metal
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Jean Prouvé Original "Compas desk" by
Jean Prouvé Original "Compas desk" by
H 28.75 in W 55.12 in L 28.75 in
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Writing Desk Prouve For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the writing desk prouve you’re looking for. A writing desk prouve — often made from metal, wood and oak — can elevate any home. There are 24 variations of the antique or vintage writing desk prouve you’re looking for, while we also have 2 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the writing desk prouve you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A writing desk prouve made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with industrial — is very popular. Jean Prouvé, DADA est. and Ahrend de Cirkel each produced at least one beautiful writing desk prouve that is worth considering.

How Much is a Writing Desk Prouve?

The average selling price for a writing desk prouve at 1stDibs is $4,638, while they’re typically $1,099 on the low end and $63,783 for the 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 Writing Desk Prouve
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.

  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of 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.