French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Desk, Refinished
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome French Empire desk made of mahogany that has been recently refinished to preserve the beautiful color and grain of the wood. The top surface is a gold-tooled leather in a ...
Brass
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Victorian American Oak S Curve Tambour Roll Top Executive Office Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
A stunning Late Victorian-era roll-top desk crafted from solid oak. This commanding piece showcases exceptional craftsmanship, featuring beautiful paneled oak siding that highlights ...
Oak
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Carlton House Neoclassical Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Carlton House Writing Desk. Features a chinoiserie lacquered exterior with a bow shaped form featuring a sloped front, eleven drawers and compartments. The desk is...
Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
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
$2,345Sale Price|30% Off
Antique American Sheraton Inlaid Mahogany Marble Top Writing Desk Library Table
Located in Dayton, OH
This antique 19th Century mahogany Sheraton-style writing desk is a refined example of Neoclassical design, balancing a delicate, high-clearance silhouette with functional storage. C...
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century French Oak, Writing Table, Game Table, or Breakfast Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Found in the region of Normandy, this French writing table from the turn of the early twentieth century is constructed of solid oak and features a single drawer on one side. The tabl...
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
$2,499Sale Price|30% Off
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
American of Martinsville Faux Bamboo & Cane Writing Desk Console Table MCM
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
There are certain furniture makers whose work instantly resonates with collectors, designers, and discerning homeowners. American of Martinsville is among them. This beautifully cra...
Brass
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
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Solid Oak and Black Leather
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
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
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
Handcrafted 1960s Danish Oak Desk, Deep Patina, Sculptural Mid-Century design
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A cabinetmaker-built Danish small desk with the most stunning and deep patina. Its light brown tone carries a walnut-like glow. Horizontal carvings on the cabinet doors lend the piec...
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
$1,023Sale Price|20% Off
Bureau trapèze double-face vintage en bois de chêne des années 60
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Bureau vintage des années 60, double-face pour être placé au centre d’une pièce, superbe design avec pieds trapèzes atypiques dans la profondeur, en bois de chêne clair, 2 tiroirs à ...
Wood
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
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 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
Teak 'Propos' Floating Top Desk by Louis van Teeffelen for Hulmefa
By Louis Van Teeffelen, Hulmefa, Tijsseling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Hulmefa as part of their 'Propos' line, this Dutch Mid-Century desk was designed by Louis van Teeffelen in collaboration with the Tijsseling company. The top surface feat...
Teak
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
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
George Nakashima Double Pedestal Desk with Live-Edge Top
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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
1930s Italian Art Deco Monumental Executive Desk in Walnut Burl
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Free-standing writing desk, walnut burl, Italy, 1930s Italian Art Deco at its finest. This freestanding executive desk pairs a refined geometric composition with a striking use of ...
Walnut, Burl
Maison Soubrier French Art Deco Mahogany Desk
By Maison Soubrier, André Arbus
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant French Art Deco mahogany writing desk featuring three drawers fitted with square nickel-plated bronze pulls, slender tapering legs, and a subtly stepped top.
Bronze, Nickel
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
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Twin Pedestal Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique Victorian burr walnut twin pedestal desk, Circa 1860 in date. It is made from fabulous burr walnut. The rectangular top with a fabulous inset gold tooled gree...
Leather, Walnut
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
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
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
$1,260Sale Price|30% Off
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
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
Ole Wanscher Writing Desk of Mahogany by Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen Denmark 1950
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Free standing writing desk with 5 drawers designed by Ole Wanscher (1903-1985). The desk is made of lacquered mahogany with inside frame of oak. The handles are made of solid brass ...
Brass
Kent Coffey Goldenaire Mid Century Desk Restored
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A Kent Coffey desk, the Goldenaire. A wonderful Mid Century design with great lines influenced by the Danish Masters... The writing surface is H 30.25...
Metal
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
Studio BBPR for Olivetti Small 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
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 Burr Walnut Writing Table Desk Bureau Plat 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous and rare antique English 19th-century Victorian ormolu-mounted burr walnut library table, circa 1860 in date. It features decorative wood crossbanding with boxwood and ha...
Brass, Ormolu
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
Victorian Carved Solid Oak Roll Top Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Victorian or Edwardian style solid oak roll-top desk USA, Circa Late 20th Century Carved oak, with brass hardware. Measures: 54"W x 29"D x 45.75"H. Desk height: 30". V...
Oak
Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Birdseye Maple
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
$19,793
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
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
Warren Platner Writing Desk in Oak with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll International, writing desk from the Executive Collection, leather, chromed metal, oak, United States, design 1973, production 1974-1980. In 1973, Warren Platner designed a collection of executive office furniture...
Metal, Chrome
Rare Chestnut Wood Writing Desk by Italo Gamberini, Tuscany, Italy, 1940s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Elegant and highly refined writing desk designed by Italo Gamberini during the 1940s, an exceptional example of early Italian modernism where architectural rigor meets the warmth and...
Chestnut
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
Vintage Mid-Century Oak Writing Desk with 6 Drawers, Open Back, Kjærnulf style.
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This finely crafted Brutalist Oak Desk from Denmark carries the quiet confidence of Danish mid-century design, echoing the sculptural spirit of Henning Kjærnulf. The iconic wooden ...
Brass
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
Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesen Writing Desk and Chair for Henredon, Ca. 1950s
By Frank Lloyd Wright, Henredon
Located in Peabody, MA
A mahogany writing desk and chair designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as part of his collaboration with Heritage Henredon in the 1950s. These are from a series of pieces the firm produced...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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 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
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
1970s Danish Teak Flip-Top Partner Desk Peter Lovig Nielsen Dansk
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Faarup Møbelfabrik
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Designed in Denmark in the 1960s-1970s, beautiful clean lines and functional Scandinavian craftsmanship. Branded Mark underneath, Løvig Dansk Design, Made in Denmark. Deep cleaned an...
Teak
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
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
Pine Industrial Work or Desk Table with metal legs, drawers and wheels
Located in Miami, FL
Pine Industrial Work or Desk Table with metal legs, drawers and wheels. The drawers and wheels works softly.
Iron
Elegant Italian Small Desk in Ash
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in ash. The upper part of this piece is made from ash veneer,...
Brass
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
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 small stand alon...
Wood
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.
