Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
1980s German Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1950s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
20th Century High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Teak, Lacquer
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Zebra Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Czech Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Ebony, Kingwood, Mahogany, Maple, Palisander, Rosewood, Burl, Felt
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
1940s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
20th Century Italian Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Iron
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome, Metal
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Dutch Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1980s Hungarian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1920s French Louis XIII Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Mahogany
Early 1900s American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
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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