Desks and Writing Tables
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Resin, Plastic
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Plywood
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
1970s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Late 20th Century British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Teak
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
20th Century European French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1890s Danish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1820s British George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Walnut
1980s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone
Early 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1930s English Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1940s Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Iron
1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut
20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Leather
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1890s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
20th Century Belgian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1890s American Mission Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 19th Century Italian Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Pine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry, Beech
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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