Desks and Writing Tables
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Spanish Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
1930s British Queen Anne Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-19th Century French Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1930s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s European Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
20th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
1880s Swedish High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s American International Style Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Velvet, Mahogany, Lacquer
1960s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Formica
19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Yew
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Teak
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century European Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Felt, Mahogany, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Teak
19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
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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