Melting Vanity Table in Cream Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The melting vanity table's simple but elegant design, makes for an adaptable elegant piece of furniture. The cream shagreen inlaid surface is framed with an irregular surface bronze-...
Brass
Ultra raro escritorio y silla Bonacina · Negro · Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, ES
Escritorio Bonacina en acabado negro, pieza poco frecuente posiblemente realizada por Castiglioni, referente del diseño italiano del siglo XX. De líneas limpias y estructura funcion...
Wood
Mid-Century Rosewood Floating Top Executive Desk by Fristho
By Fristho, Kho Liang Ie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Executive desk by Fristho features a commanding floating rosewood top suspended 2.5 inches above dual cabinet bases. White lacquered supports create dramatic visual separation betwee...
Leather, Rosewood, Lacquer
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk
Kingwood
Dutch Art Deco Executive Desk, Curved Front, Brass Hardware, 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Art Deco executive desk features a distinctive curved front edge and brass hardware throughout. Dark stained detailing on the desk top edge and base creates elegant visual cont...
Brass
Desk Smoked Glass President Gallotti e Radice Dattilo Model Midcentury Italy 70s
Located in Palermo, IT
GALLOTTI E RADICE Produced by Gallotti e Radice, Italy, ca. 1971. President desk, "Dattilo" model, chromed brass frame, rectangular top and sides in smoked glass. Please note that th...
Crystal, Chrome
Antique English Jacobean Dining Table Breakfast Table Oak 6' Wide c.1920s-30s
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique English Jacobean Oak Dining Table or Breakfast Table ~~72" Wide~~c. 1920-30s ~~One of our most often requested items~~hard to find in this...
Oak
1950s Wim Rietveld Friso Kramer Reply Drafting Table Ahrend de Cirkel
By Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Wim Rietveld 'Reply' drafting table with rare side tray. The hinging mechanism was a collaborative design with Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958. Adjust...
Metal
Elegant early 20th century Swedish birch writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century Swedish birch writing table circa 1910. We are pleased to offer this stunning Scandinavian writing desk, with art nouveau and deco influences. Veneered in a stun...
Birch
Modern Dennis & Leen for Formations Waterfall Writing Table Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Modern Dennis & Leen for Formations Waterfall Writing Table Desk.
Giltwood
Severin Hansen Model 36 Rosewood Desk for Haslev, Denmark, Circa 1950s
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Peabody, MA
A rosewood desk, Model 36, designed by Hans Severin Hansen for Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, circa late 1950s. Hansen's furniture designs are distinctively recognizable for their sleek profi...
Rosewood
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Vanity, Console Table or Low Profile Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple modern Scandinavian design from Denmark circa 1970's. This piece features all teak wood construction with generous storage and a unique bowed front. A very versatile piece f...
Teak
Mid Century Writing Desk and Chair by Carl Sasse for Casala Germany c. 1950's
By Casala, Carl Sasse
Located in New York, NY
Stylish architectural writing table, desk and chair, designed by Carl Sasse, for Casala made in Germany, circa 1950's. Constructed of solid wood, this example is structurally sound ...
Wood
French Ebonized Writing Table or Desk with Embossed Leather Top with Side Leaves
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French bureau writing desk (or table) of ebonized mahogany, in the Louis XVI style. Featuring a moulded top with black leather writing surface and extended rounded corners...
Metal, Brass
Pierre Jeanneret - Authentic PJ-TAT-08-B
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Teak Library Table circa 1955–56 by Pierre Jeanneret - model PJ-TAT-08-B This model was produced in several variants and dimensions for Chandigarh’s public institutions. The detacha...
Teak
$880Sale Price|20% Off
John Stuart Mid Century Modern Hairpin Leg Maple Writing Desk Table Drawers MCM
By John Stuart
Located in Dayton, OH
John Stuart Hairpin Desk, circa 1960s. Features a minimalist open form with plank top set between three dovetailed oak drawers set on turned and tapered legs with brass feet and a h...
Maple
Antique Craftsman Oval in Tiger Oak Library Desk, Entry or Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An impressive sculptural desk made in America circa 1910s. This desk features solid oak construction and is in restored condition.
Wood, Oak
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Sligh Furniture Mid Century Tooled Leather Executive Office Library Desk 54"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Sligh Office Desk. Features a distressed walnut finish with a green tooled leather top. The desk has eight dovetailed drawers including one...
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Italian Walnut Burl Wood Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Antique desk writing table, in beautiful veneer burl wood with great inlay decors and different fruitwoods, elegantly shaped with curved sides completed by two cent...
Brass
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Pop Up Davenport Desk C1860 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous antique Victorian piano front Davenport Desk, Circa 1860 in date. It is crafted from fabulous burr walnut and the hinged pull out writing slope features an inset ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Large Desk, Veneered Wood, Chrome-Plated Steel, Germany, ca. 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Mid-Century executive desk made of veneered wood and chrome-plated steel. The architectural, linear structure conveys a sense of lightness, stability, and order. The top is fin...
Steel, Chrome
Italian Antique Solid Walnut Rustic Table Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very charming and elegant Italian antique dining table or desk writing table in solid walnut wood with stylish carved legs and central drawer. Ideal in any room as a center table, a ...
Wood
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Partners Pedestal Desk Circa 1900 178x124cm
Located in London, GB
This is a superb and rare antique burr walnut Victorian Revival twin pedestal partners desk, Circa 1900 in date. It is made from beautiful burr walnut. The shaped rectangular top i...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Steel Tanker Desk in Olive Green w Glass Top and Brass, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A classic American mid-century modern steel tanker desk, circa 1960s, featuring a olive green finish and custom protective glass top. This iconic double-pedestal form is constructed ...
Metal, Brass
English Regency Style Tolled Leather And Walnut Writing Desk Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century English regency style writing desk or table. It is walnut and has three faux drawers giving the illusion of a partners desk. The leather is a sage green....
Brass
Rare Complete “Orix” Desk by Vittorio Parigi & Nani Prina for Molteni, 1970s
By Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina, Molteni & C
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
This rare and complete “Orix” desk was designed by Italian architects Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina for Molteni in the early 1970s. A bold example of Space Age Italian design, this ...
Metal
$833Sale Price|30% Off
Bureau vintage en verre fumé et métal chromé des années 70
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Bureau vintage des années 70, plateau rectangulaire en verre fumé, pieds design en forme de tréteaux en métal chromé tubulaire fin, très bon état général avec quelques marques et ray...
Metal
English Mahogany Partner’s Pedestal Rent Desk by James Winter ca. 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III INLAID MAHOGANY TOOLED LEATHER PEDESTAL DESK Executed by James Winter & Sons, England circa 1830 Stamped JAMES WINTER & SONS, 101 WARDOUR STREET LONDON; lock stamped BRAM...
Brass
Freestanding Desk in Oak by Henning Kjærnulf, Danish Mid Century Modern, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant freestanding writing desk designed by Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf in the 1950s. Crafted in rich oak, the piece showcases a tactile warmth through its finely grained s...
Brass
1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Glass Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in wood with elegant carved frame, crossed side legs and glass top highlighted by the two drawers with beautiful bra...
Brass
1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Waterfall Writing Desk Table
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in wood with elegant carved frame, curved sides highlighted by the front and right drawers with beautiful brass hand...
Wood
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Standard Raised Panel Oak S-Roll Top Desk With Full Interior c1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Standard Raised Panel Oak Double Pedestawl S-Roll Top Desk With Full Interior c1910 Measures - 49 7/8" x 49 5/8" x 33 1/2"
Oak
Art Deco Modernist Desk or Writing Table by Hendrik Wouda for Pander, 1920s
By H.Pander & Zonen, Hendrik Wouda
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Art Deco Modernist desk or writing table. Design by Hendrik Wouda for H. Pander & Zonen Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak base ...
Oak
Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni rosewood Rampa secretary desk Bernini Italy
By Bernini, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Skokie, IL
Designed in 1965 by the legendary brothers Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni, the "Rampa" unit is a masterclass in multidisciplinary design. Renowned for their ability to merge ar...
Brass
Egon Ostergaard for SMI Sweden Bookmatched Teak Roll Top Desk or Secretary
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the 1960s by Egon Ostergaard, this desk was made by SMI, a somewhat nebulous figure in MCM production. We've had a number of SMI pieces, and the quality is always excelle...
Brass
Antique Victorian Twin Drawer Oak Writing Table Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous early Victorian antique writing table is crafted from beautiful solid oak and dates from Circa 1860. The rectangular top with rounded corners is fitted with the origi...
Brass
Vintage Danish Rosewood Desk by Erik Riisager Hansen, 1950s.
By Erik Riisager Hansen 1, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish rosewood desk by Erik Riisager Hansen 1950s. Spectacular Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern freestanding writing desk model 66 in Rosewood/Palisander designed by Erik Se...
Rosewood
French Art Nouveau Mahogany & Leather Partners Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Essentially two people would comfortably use this remarkable French 19th century mahogany partner’s desk, that is they are willing to share such a magnificent design. A wonderful anc...
Brass
Small Louis XVI Style Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This refined Louis XVI–style desk is crafted in blond mahogany and exemplifies the elegance and symmetry associated with the style. The desk opens in the belt with two drawers, each ...
Leather, Wood
Dutch Art Deco Oak Writing Desk, Five Drawers, P.E.L Izeren Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Art Deco oak writing desk showcases the refined geometric elegance and functional sophistication of P.E.L Izeren style furniture from the early 20th century. Hand-selected from...
Oak
Antique 6ft Victorian Partners Writing Library Table Desk 19th C 183x105cm
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous Victorian antique partners library table is crafted from beautiful flame mahogany and dates from Circa 1860. It features a striking inset green leather writing surface...
Mahogany
Mahogany Campaign Desk by N. Norton LTD England
By N. Norman Ltd.
Located in Den Haag, NL
A beathiful mahogany freestanding pedestal campaign desk. Three piece .The flame mahogany cross banded top retaining the Green leather writing surface with blind & gold tooling....
Nutwood
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison Writing Desk in Oak and Leather
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desk, oak, leather, France, 1960s. This desk is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds an utter...
Faux Leather, Oak
Sculptural Rosso Levanto Marble Desk, Deep Red Natural Stone Custom Desk
Located in İnegöl, TR
Material: 100% Authentic Rosso Levanto Marble Dimensions: 72" Length x 30" Width (Approx. 180 cm x 76 cm) Base Style: Matching Sculptural Marble Bases Finish: Polished (Honed/Matt...
Travertine, Marble
Danish Mid-century Modern Cabinetmaker’s Desk
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful and elegant Danish cabinetmaker’s desk crafted in bookmatched nobel Wood, displaying a striking and lively grain pattern, veneered on oak. The front features five drawers,...
Brass
"Voltaire" Figured Oak Desk Table by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
The Voltaire Desk reflects the disciplined beauty of mid-century French ateliers. Handmade and hand-finished in wire-brushed oak, it reveals dimensional grain and structured proporti...
Oak
Vintage Chinoiserie Burnt Bamboo and Lacquered Grass Cloth Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pagoda inspired Chinoiserie desk. It is constructed with a bamboo frame and deep red lacquered grass cloth panels. Typically associated with British Colonial Design. Wonderfu...
Bamboo
Large Louis XVI–Style Mahogany Double-Sided Flat Desk with Green Leather Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large and well-balanced Louis XVI–style flat desk crafted in mahogany, designed as a double-sided piece suitable for placement at the center of a room. The desk opens on the front ...
Leather, Wood
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Louis XIV Inlaid Rosewood & Ormolu Lady’s Desk C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Louis XIV Inlaid Rosewood & Ormolu Lady’s Desk C1890 Measures - 38 1/2" x 30" x 19 1/2" This lady's desk is crafted around 1890, the desk features intricate inlaid r...
Rosewood
Postmodern Pluto Desk by Pierre Colleu for Starform and Disney, France 1980s.
By Starform, Pierre Colleu 1, Disney Studios
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 58 cm. Total height with the head: 90 cm Good condition. No restorations. Some fading on the head and legs, with a few spots and other age-related marks.
Resin, Plastic
Louis XVI Style Mahogany Writing Desk with Leather Top, Mid-20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant Louis XVI style writing desk dates to the mid-20th century and is crafted in solid mahogany with mahogany veneer. The proportions are refined and balanced, reflecting th...
Brass
Handcrafted English Oak Twin Dovetail Desk by SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Our prime English oak 2 drawer twin dovetailed Neves desk. Designed and handmade in England using skilled traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from select ...
Oak, Walnut
Mid-century Danish walnut roll top desk, dresser or secretary, circa 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern walnut desk, secretary or dresser. Made in Denmark, 1950s Roll top, 3 big drawers on the bottom with original keys. 9 small drawers on the top. Leather topped retr...
Walnut
George III Mahogany Carlton House Desk, attributed to Gillow of Lancaster.C.1790
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Huntington, NY
An exceptional Late 18th century Mahogany Carlton House desk attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, the curved superstructure with pierced brass gallery, fitted with two banks of three ...
Brass
French Petite Inlaid Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A lovely, petite desk from 19th Century France made of luxurious mahogany and a leather writing surface with gold tooling. The small scale of this table would be interesting as a con...
Bronze
Dennis & Leen Regency Style Lacquer Chinoiserie Decorated Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
This striking bespoke Dennis and Leen "Regency" black lacquered desk showcases a deep ebonized raisin crackle lacquer finish adorned with intricate gilt decoration throughout in the ...
Hardwood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Faux Bamboo
Coen de Vries 1957 Desk for Devo w/ Yellow Drawer, Dutch Mid-Century Modern
By Coen de Vries, Devo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coen de Vries designed this distinctive desk for Dutch manufacturer Devo in 1957, representing the pinnacle of Dutch industrial design innovation. One of the Netherlands' pioneering ...
Metal
Mid century Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Black Lacquer with chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage Paul McCobb planner group #1560 double drawer desk original Black Lacquer finish on maple with brass knobs. All solid maple wood. Desk is in great vintage condition...
Brass
Danish Oak Two-Sided Desk Attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s
By Kai Lyngfeldt Larsen, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Round Top, TX
Danish oak two-sided desk attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, circa 1970s. This beautifully crafted piece exemplifies the refined simplicity and enduring quality of mid-century Danish de...
Brass
Gio Ponti Style Teak Writing Desk for Dassi, Mid-Century, Italy, 1950s
Italian writing desk attributed to Gio Ponti for Vittorio Dassi exemplifies the designer's refined aesthetic through geometric precision and material contrast. Rich teak construction...
Brass, Steel
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.
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Proof that working from home is a perk.
