Writing Desk S
20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Vintage 1970s French Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
20th Century Swedish French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Plastic, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century European Other Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1940s North American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1930s British Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Oak
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Plastic, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Other Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rose Quartz, Rosewood
Antique 1820s British George III Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Walnut
Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Cherry
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1980s French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Enamel, Iron
Vintage 1960s American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome, Steel
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
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Writing Desk S For Sale on 1stDibs
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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.
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs 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, 2021A 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, 2021A 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, 2023What 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, 2023In 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.
- What is a writing slope?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021Writing slopes, also known as writing slants or slant boards, can aid in the promotion of proper writing posture. When writing, they help relieve problems in the back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary writing slopes from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What are writing slopes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Writing slopes are wooden boxes with angled padded tops. People in Victorian England used them as writing surfaces to protect their furniture and to store writing implements. You'll find a variety of antique writing slopes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The writing on Japanese art is calligraphy art called shodo. It uses Japanese kanji and kana characters. There are a variety of different shodo styles of art, including Kaisho, which is the basic, foundational form of the art. On 1stDibs, find a range of Japanese calligraphy art from top sellers..
- What is a kneehole desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A kneehole desk refers to the type of desk that has a recessed, or “knee hole,” underneath between sets of drawers. The design leaves ample room for your legs when you are in a seated position. Shop a selection of antique kneehole desks on 1stDibs.
- What is a bed desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A bed desk — or lap desk — is a type of desk that is primarily designed for use in bed or for other similar circumstances. It generally offers a flat work surface with enough room for a laptop, mouse and a notebook.
- What is a peninsula desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A peninsula desk is a two-sided desk, with each side designed with one long drawer. This functional desk makes working with a partner easy. You can shop a collection of peninsula desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a hutch on a desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A hutch is a set of cabinets or shelves placed on top of a desk. Hutches can also be found on counters, drawers, and even cabinets.
- What is a desk tray?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A desk tray is a storage solution used to tidy up desktop work areas. Normally, they are flat rectangular trays with raised sides, and their proportions make them ideal for storing stacked papers. Some trays have more than one tier to separate incoming and outgoing paperwork. You'll find a variety of antique and vintage desk trays on 1stDibs.
- What is a captain's desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A captain’s desk is sometimes referred to as Davenport desk. It is a small desk with an inclined desktop that can be lifted to access large storage space. It has smaller spaces in the form of small drawers and pigeonholes on the sides. This desk owes its name to Captain Josiah Davenport (1771–1836) who was the first to commission the design. Find a collection of antique and vintage desks on 1stDibs today.
- What is a tanker desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A tanker desk is a type of desk made of a simple rectangular working surface that rests on two pedestals. A tanker desk can also take the form of a large surface that rests on a pair of small cabinets consisting of drawers of multiple sizes. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary tanker desks from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What is a waterfall desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A waterfall desk is a desk that features rounded corners. This term comes from the idea that this stylistic feature makes it seem as if the lines of the desk flow like a waterfall. The waterfall style emerged during the 1930s and 40s. Find a range of waterfall desks on 1stDibs.
- What is an executive desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024An executive desk is a desk often found in the offices of C-suite executives and other professionals. Compared to a standard writing desk, an executive desk is typically larger. Many feature ornate details and/or rare materials, like exotic hardwoods. Although designs vary, most executive desks have a pedestal design with a center space that provides legroom positioned between stacked drawers. Find a diverse assortment of desks on 1stDibs.
- What is a modular desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024A modular desk is one composed of components. Unlike a standard desk that consists of a single piece, a modular desk features pieces that you can mix and match to create your own custom workspace. For example, a maker may offer a variety of desktops, pedestals and storage units, such as filing drawers, open shelves and specialized shelving for computer towers and peripherals. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of desks.
- What is a Murphy desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A Murphy desk is a wall-mounted desk that folds out to provide a work surface for a laptop, tablet, documents, and other items. It is a great solution if you have a little space or don't require a full desk every day. Shop a range of antique and vintage Murphy desks on 1stDibs.
- What is a captain’s desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A captain’s desk is a type of desk that you stand at rather than sit in front of. It usually has an angled desktop and decorative molding. Captain Josiah Davenport commissioned the British furniture maker Gillows of Lancaster to design the first one in the late 18th century. Sometimes, people refer to the furnishing as a Davenport desk in his honor. Shop a variety of captain’s desks on 1stDibs.
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