Desks and Writing Tables





19th Century Belgian Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
20th Century French Country Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Steel, Iron
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1830s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood, Mahogany
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone
18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1960s Dutch Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
20th Century Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-18th Century French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
1970s Central American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
2010s European Desks and Writing Tables
Fabric, Glass, Mirror
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Burl
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Wood, Lacquer, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Teak
1940s French Neoclassical Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Industrial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Iron
20th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry
19th Century French Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood, Walnut
1810s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Leather
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Silver, Brass
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
20th Century German Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Pine, Leather, Maple
Mid-19th Century American American Colonial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Plywood, Birch
Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
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.
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