Desks and Writing Tables
18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Desks and Writing Tables
Plastic
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1950s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s American Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary English Desks and Writing Tables
Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1980s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
1970s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Walnut
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Reclaimed Wood
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Plywood, Birch, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1940s French Empire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
2010s American Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1910s English Adam Style Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Egyptian Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century Unknown Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Walnut
1890s French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1990s English Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary German Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Onyx, Quartz, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
2010s Futurist Desks and Writing Tables
Plywood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Country Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut, Burl
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s European Directoire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1930s Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
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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