Desks and Writing Tables
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1950s British Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Yew
1930s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Elm
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1860s Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Burl
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Teak
1950s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fiberglass
Early 1900s French Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Philippine Regency Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1860s Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Bronze
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-18th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1920s British Sheraton Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
20th Century Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bentwood
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Plywood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Glass
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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