Elegant Italian Small Desk in Ash and Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, walnut, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in walnut. The upper part of this piece is made from ...
Brass
Restored Berhardt Campaign Style Desk in Burl & Brass with Papers
By Bernhardt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the 1980s, this desk features all the makings of a super premium and useful desk. Its cabinet is constructed of joined wood, and clad in a patchwork style burl. ...
Brass
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Solid Oak and Black 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...
Leather, Oak
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
1950s Axel Einar Hjorth Style Oak Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century writing desk in solid oak, designed in the style of Swedish architect and designer Axel Einar Hjorth. The wide rectangular top features softly rounded edges/ On the left,...
Oak
English Jacobean Revival Partner’s Writing Desk w/ Barley Twist Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This 1920’s Jacobean Revival partner’s writing desk brings together old-world craftsmanship with a playful sense of function and shared purpose...
Mahogany
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 lea...
Ormolu
Rare Carved Desk in Solid Oak by Breton Artist Jacques Philippe
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jacques Philippe, desk, solid oak, France, late 1920s Designed by the French Breton sculptor and cabinetmaker Jacques Philippe (1896-1958), this desk from the late 1920s is a testam...
Oak
Professionally Restored Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip Top Partners Desk in Walnut
By Løvig Design, Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the early 1960s by Peter Løvig Nielsen, this desk was produced under his own label, Løvig Design. While most models are teak, a scant few were made in walnut, which reall...
Brass
George Nakashima 'Conoid' Writing Desk in American Black Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Conoid' cross-legged desk, American black walnut, hickory, United States, 1986 This Conoid desk by George Nakashima, made custom in 1...
Hickory, Walnut
Postmodern Sketchbook Clairefontaine Desk by Pierre Sala, France 1980s.
By Pierre Sala
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 70 cm. The top panel measures 88 cm by 61 cm without the spring. Good condition. The upper board has been repainted. Some fading on the legs, with a few spots and ot...
Wood, Paper
1950s Coen de Vries Style Desk, Birch, Beige Enameled Tubular Metal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Compact desk attributed to the style of Coen de Vries combines birch construction with a beige enameled tubular metal frame. Three drawers with turned wooden knobs occupy an asymmetr...
Metal
English Regency George IV Oak and Burr Walnut Library Writing Table, circa 1825
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A C R O T E R I O N is pleased to offer this exceptionally fine and unusual circa 1825 English regency, George IV period, solid oak and burr walnut veneer library writing table of go...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk with Return in Wood with Turquoise Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Gustavo & Vito Latis, desk with a return, mahogany, maple, formica, Italy, circa 1960 Made in Italy, this writing desk with return is a testament to the design eth...
Formica, Mahogany, Maple
Early 20th Century French Oak Desk or Writing Table from Normandy
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Found in Normandy, this early twentieth century French oak writing table is of hand pegged construction and features a beveled top. A single drawer fits into the apron on one side an...
Oak
Antique Wilhelminian Desk in Walnut, Brass, and Leather, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Antique Wilhelminian Desk in Walnut, Brass, and Leather, Late 19th Century. This exquisite desk is both rich in its material composition and thoughtful in its construction. The des...
Brass
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Secretary Desk, Circa 1902
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period "Chalet" drop front secretary desk By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1902 Gorgeous quarter sawn oak, with brass studded...
Brass
940s Dutch Piet Zwart for Bruynzeel Attributed Writing Desk
By Bruynzeel, Piet Zwart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Compact Dutch writing desk attributed to Piet Zwart for Bruynzeel, dating to the 1940s. The solid oak frame is finished in a warm golden tone with f...
Laminate, Oak
Mid-Century Tijsseling Rosewood Double Pedestal Desk
By Tijsseling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Dutch Mid-Century desk from Tijsseling features a floating rosewood-veneered top with rich, dark-streaked grain over a black-finished underside — a clean detail that reinforces ...
Aluminum, Chrome
19th Century Italian Louis XVI Style Antique Desk in Walnut inlaid
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Introducing this elegant Italian walnut desk, dating back to the late 19th century. Featuring a typical design inspired by the sumptuous Louis XVI era, it features clean lines and r...
Walnut
Bauhaus Tubular Folding Desk in Walnut, Signed by Cova Milano, Italy, 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant and rare Italian Bauhaus-style folding desk in chromed metal and walnut wood. This charming desk was produced by Cova Milano in Italy during the 1940s. The table features a ...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
George Nakashima Double Pedestal Desk with Live-Edge Top
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, Double Pedestal Free-Edge writing desk, American black walnut, United States, 1969 You have encountered a truly outstanding example of ...
Walnut
Art Deco Desk in Bookmatched Walnut Veneer 1930s
Located in Meer, VAN
Art Deco Desk in Bookmatched Walnut Veneer 1930s A wonderful art deco desk in bookmatched walnut veneer. Europe, 1930s. This desk shows a simple yet refined design with a curved d...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno ‘T96’ Executive Corner Desk in Black Lacquered Wood
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, executive desk, model ‘T96’, lacquered wood, steel, chromed metal, Italy, design 1956, produced 1958 This ‘T96’ executive desk is designed by Osvaldo Bor...
Steel, Chrome, Metal
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
Antique Victorian Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique Victorian flame mahogany pedestal partners desk, circa 1860 in date. The rectanglular top is inset with a lovely gold tooled green leather writing surfac...
Brass
Warren Platner for Knoll Writing Desk in Oak and Black Leather
By Florence Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, oak, chrome-plated steel, black leather, United States, 1970s. This writing table with two drawers and an extendable panel was designed by W...
Steel
19th Century Federal Mahogany Small Writing Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Mahogany Small Writing Table Measures 32" in width and 19" in depth and 28" in height. Knee clearance is 22.5".
Mahogany
Antique American Arts & Crafts Mission Style Library Table Office Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th Century Arts & Crafts / Mission Library Table. Features a rectangular form made from oak and pine with a central drawer over columnar supports leading to a trestle base w...
Oak, Pine
1970's Mod Pop Desk by Broyhill Premier
By Broyhill
Located in Hanover, MA
Mold injection bright green acrylic drawer panels set in white painted case with white laminate top on pair of painted cast aluminum 'Tulip' style pedestal legs. An homage to Raymond...
Aluminum
$3,487Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Art Deco Mahogany Writing Desk, Danish Mid-Century Modern, 1950s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A calm and solid piece that holds its space with ease. The Mahogany desk is made in the 1950s Denmark and is in very good condition. The surface shows light signs of use, and overall...
Brass
Cees Braakman Teak Double Pedestal Desk for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Pastoe in the 1960s, this Cees Braakman desk features a floating teak top that extends beyond the drawer pedestals on both sides, creating a clean horizontal profile. Two...
Metal, Aluminum
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
Pietro Lingeri Rationalist 1930s Writing Desk in Briar Root Veneer
By Pietro Lingeri
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pietro Lingeri, writing desk, briar root veneer, glass, brass, metal, Italy, 1930s A beautiful example of Italian Rationalism, this desk is designed by architect Pietro Lingeri and ...
Metal, Brass
French Restauration Style Desk On Brass Base
Located in Houston, TX
French Restauration Style Desk On Brass Base. Offered is a stylish French Restauration style or Empire style desk with a brass x-shaped curule base trimmed in bronze with a single dr...
Bronze
Antique English Country Farm Dining Breakfast Table Farmhouse 75" Wide Oak 19thC
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique English Country Farmhouse Oak Breakfast Dining Table ~~75" Wide~~Late 19th C. This table has "the look"~~one of our most often requested items~~Versatile size~~turn...
Oak
$2,922Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Desk in Solid Walnut Restored
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant Italian solid walnut desk dating back to the mid-19th century, during the Louis-Philippe period. Featuring simple lines and a lack of excessive ornamentation...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Birdseye Maple
Maitland-Smith Embossed Leather Wrapped Partners Desk w/ Brass Hardware
Located in Ross, CA
Maitland-Smith partners desk wrapped entirely in leather. The six drawers are lined with marbled paper and have brass handles. The feet are topped with brass lions paws on wheels for...
Leather, Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Style Hand Carved Oak Desk, Leather Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Louis XIII style hand-carved oak writing desk with barley twist legs and stretcher is richly carved on all sides with scrolling leaves. With its g...
Iron
Anthroposophical Desk Designed By Felix Kayser, Hand Crafted Ash Wood, ca. 1930
By Schiller Möbel, Felix Kayser
Located in Berlin, DE
This desk model K 1290, designed by Felix Kayser around 1930, is a typical example of furniture from the anthroposophical movement. Likely produced by Schiller-Möbel, it reflects a d...
Wood, Ash
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
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Adjustable Drafting Table C1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
An authentic antique Arts & Crafts period drafting table, crafted from solid oak, dating to approximately 1930. This piece exemplifies the movement's emphasis on utility, honest mate...
Oak
1960s Mid-Century Italian Walnut Rattan and Black Glass Top Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in wood with elegant rattan wicker bamboo frame, decorated legs and black glass top. The unique and typical design, with the ...
Glass, Wood, Bamboo, Rattan
Billy Baldwin for Bielecky Brothers Rattan Cane Writing Desk
By Billy Baldwin, Bielecky Brothers
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A labeled and signed Organic Modern-style rattan cane wrapped writing table desk designed by Billy Baldwin for Bielecky Brothers, New York, NY. The refined two-drawer desk features a...
Brass
Studio BBPR for Olivetti Small 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, h...
Steel
Antique Victorian 6 Drawer Oak Partners Writing Table Desk C1850 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous early Victorian antique Partners desk is crafted from beautiful solid oak and dates from Circa 1850. The rectangular top with rounded corners features a striking olive...
Brass
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
$14,622Sale Price|25% Off
Six Dots Design Unique desk
Located in London, GB
Joseph Ellwood is a British artist and designer working under the studio name: Six Dots Design. Joseph has been named one of 10 'Future Icons' in design by Wallpaper* magazine, colla...
Aluminum
French Designer, Partners Desk, Oak, France, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A large oak desk or partners desk designed and produced in France, c. 1940s. Wear consistent with age and use, including some natural wood cracking and patina buildup. Missing smal...
Oak
Elegant Swedish Gustavian Desk with Fluted Decor and a Large Drawer, Circa 1790
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish desk from the gustavian period around 1790. The desk is made by hand with a unique frame in solid pine. Original fluted decor around the whole apron and straight tapered legs...
Pine
Large Green Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Top, Customizable Writing Table
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large Study desk is made with a bright green powder-coated steel frame and a deep green linoleum top made from all-natural ingredients, such as flax, wood flour, and limestone. ...
Steel
Harden Furniture Arts and Crafts Shaker Solid Cherry Wood Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous minimalist Arts and Crafts or Shaker style solid cherry wood writing desk By Harden Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 52"W x 25"D x 30"H. Very good ori...
Cherry
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Partners Pedestal Desk 20th Century
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
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Drop Front Secretary Desk by Raymond Loewy for Mengel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s Mid-Century modern oak drop front secretary desk by Raymond Loewy for Mengel The outside oak was replaced, the interior is original condition, shows some wear consistent with...
Steel
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Pop Up Davenport Desk 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
Herter Brothers Style Antique Victorian Carved Oak Writing Desk, Circa 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Victorian carved oak library table or writing desk In the manner of Herter Brothers USA, Circa Late 19th Century Measures: 36.75"W x 26"D x 27.5"H. Good origin...
Oak
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk
Kingwood
French Louis XV Style Slant Front Secretary Desk with Leather Writing Surface
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant French secretary desk in Louis XV style, featuring a graceful slant-front form raised on slender cabriole legs. The fall-front opens to reveal a fitted writing interior with ...
Bronze
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid Century Leather Top Walnut Desk
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Denton, TX
Strong bold design by John Van Koert for Drexel furniture. A combination of walnut and oak makes this desk a stunning vintage piece of art. The writing surface is 30.25" high.
Leather, Oak, Walnut
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.
