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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
This Week's Listings Only
Vintage Chinoiserie Butterfly & Bird Custom Painted Tall Secretary Desk & Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Butterfly & Bird Custom Painted 2 Piece Tall Secretary Desk & Chair. Item features blue and off-white painted finish with i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cane, Wood
Regency Mahogany & Brass Partners Writing Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Exceptional Quality Regency Period Mahogany And Brass, Square, Partners Writing Table, Having Attractive Gilt Tooled Leather Top With Crossbanded Edge, Over Four Drawers And Four ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Danish Modern Floating-Top Teak Desk with Bookcase by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Miami, FL
A stylish and modern teak executive desk with floating top designed and made in Denmark by Dyrlund. The Scandinavian writing table features three drawers on the left, an open filing ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Antique Japanese Art Nouveau Dragon Carved Four Drawer Partners Desk and Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Japanese Art Nouveau Dragon Carved Four Drawer Partners Desk and Chair. Listing includes (1) partner's desk with working drawers on both sides, (1) heavily carved arm chair w...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage American Mahogany Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful and timeless 1970's American escritoire desk. The writing desk is made of solid mahogany and is sturdy. The desk shows fine carving details and offers 5 regular drawers a...
Category
Late 20th Century American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Ilmari Tapiovaara Desk or Table for Laukaan Puu
Located in Miami, FL
Stained pine table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu. Works also well as desk. The table is signed.
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Bodil Kjaer, Executive Writing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son, Denmark 1963
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Early and rare edition of Bodil Kjaer freestanding executive desk, model 901 with chrome-plated metal frame, cassette top with four recessed drawers. Metal frame in very good condition. Four keys included.
Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark.
An identical desk featured in the 1960s in the New York Times and The Sunday Times. It became even more famous when it was in some of the first James Bond films: ‘From Russia with love’ & ‘You only live twice’. The desk also appeared prominently in BBC election broadcasts.
Literature: Mobilia, June 1961.
This freestanding desk can be used with multiple purposes, as a writing table, desk or just 'work table', as Bodil Kjaer herself called it. According to Bodil Kjaer the idea of the table is, "that it should be suitable with modern art and architecture." The table is part of a larger series of elements of architecture in 1959, with the intention to build flexible working environments. This piece shows an interesting rhythm of horizontal and vertical lines, as do most of Kjaer's designs. The front is divided into four drawers. (Can be locked with its original Keys) The back has the same in inward gap yet without the drawers, yet this aesthetic choice unites the back and front and turns it into a monumental, architectural piece. The handles are all executed with a whole in the middle for functionality. The table's rise to fame was helped by its appearance in James Bond - From Russia with Love.
Bodil Kjaer (1932-) is trained as an architect and is known mostly known for her designs in noble woods combined with a modern and sleek chrome base. The most important part of her furniture design career was from 1959-1964. She is mainly recognized for her flexible office furniture, designed in the 1960s. Her design language is greatly inspired by the Modernist masters such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Her furniture has been greatly used in public buildings such as Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Young executives that Bodil Kjær encountered in her work in architecture and design in the late 1950es were open, creative and flexible in their way of working. So, she reasoned that it would be counter-productive for them to be offered traditional office...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century French Desk Carved Table with Three Drawers, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
This is an elegant piece with timeless beauty. The dimensions, proportions, the wavy edge and the slender legs are valuable elements.
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury Walnut Desk by Lane
Located in Pasadena, CA
This Midcentury Walnut Desk by Lane is an example of Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship. Featuring a rich walnut finish, tapered legs, and a dura...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Walnut
Regency Style Burton-Ching Mahogany & Ebony Giltwood Partners Desk Writing Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Regency Style Burton-Ching Mahogany & Ebony Giltwood Writing Table Partners Desk
Category
2010s American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat
Located in Huntington, NY
Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat/Desk, Louis XV period
3 working drawers on one side. Back side has 3 false drawers
Circa, 1760 with one Key
It's Old leather top in Useable but h...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Late 1900's Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Late 1900's Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk!
Late 1900's Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk!
Bureau Plat, Carton...
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Drawer desk in wood and leather style ico parisi 1970s
Located in taranto, IT
Beautiful and very rare desk with curved wooden drawers and leather top, original made in Italy in the 1970s.
Additional two drawers built into the shelf, pull-out as needed, one of ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood, Bentwood
Franco Albini TL22 wooden desk by Poggi Pavia, Italy, 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Desk with shaped top from the "TL 22" series, wooden structure, italian manufacture from the 1950s, crafted by Poggi and designed by Franco Albini.
This office desk stands out with ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Stunning Art Deco Blonde figured walnut veneered Desk
Located in Barnstaple, GB
Absolutely stunning Art Deco desk in the most beautiful blonde figured walnut veneers. Comes in 3 pieces for ease of moving. A single curved pedestal one side and the other side capa...
Category
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Teak Writing Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage Danish writing desk in teak designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik, Denmark. This versatile piece features unique spla...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Mid Century Laminated Blonde Maple Parsons Desk
By Parsons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A stylish Mid Century Desk with simple refined form. With a single apron drawer with a rectangular brass pull. The case with brass lower band and raised on square brass legs. Fitted ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Pine One Drawer Writing Table
Located in Wilson, NC
English pine one drawer writing table which was most likely painted originally and stripped and wax finished in the last 30 years. It has a pl...
Category
1890s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Waxed Iron and Exotic Wood Dining Table from Costantini, Fierro, in Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
This one of a kind table is inspired by the massive sculptures of cold rolled steel by Richard Serra. The raw iron top was allowed to oxidize for several years before we applied a wa...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Iron
Classic Edwardian Style Mahogany & Leather Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome Edwardian style writing desk having rich mahogany base and front turned legs that terminate in casters. Top is covered in brown tooled leather. Two drawers on one side. ...
Category
1950s North American Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Spanish Two Faces Baroque Style Oak Library Table or Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome oak library piece that can be used as a desk or Work table. Made of oak having carved gadrooned edges. A stretcher made of iron. Carved on all sides and five drawers ox bow ...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
18th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Rococo Desk/ Table with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
18th century Swedish Antique Rustic provincial rococo table/ desk from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden.
A very rustic rococo desk with incred...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Small Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk, Oak Veneer and Chromium Plated Metal c 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
Small Bauhaus tubular steel desk, so-called 'typewriter desk', with 4 drawers. The desk is made of chromed tubular steel and oak-veneered wood. Germany/ Czechoslovakia/ Austria, circ...
Category
1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor: An Exquisite Ormolu and Églomisé Bureau Plat
Located in New York, NY
A Timeless Masterpiece:
The Exquisite Bureau Plat of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
In the world of fine art and antiques, certain pieces transcend time, becoming symbols of opul...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Frank Lloyd Wright S.C. Johnson 617 Desk licensed by Cassina
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Frank Lloyd Wright for Cassina 617 desk. Originally designed in 1936 for the S.C. Johnson Wax Company in Wisconsin. This all original example dates from the l...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Steel
John Vesey Style Brass and Steel Embossed Leather Top Executive Directoire Desk
By John Vesey
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning, chic and breathtaking desk or bureau plat made in the Louis XVI or Directoire style in the manner of John Vesey. The original Vesey desk sells for upwards of 50-7...
Category
Early 2000s European Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
French Louis XV Style Mahogany, Satinwood & Gilt-Bronze Mounted Cartonnier Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine French Louis XV Style Mahogany, Rosewood and Satinwood Gilt-Bronze Mounted Figural Cartonnier Bureau-Plat (Desk). The shaped rectangular top inset with a recent tooled le...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk with bronze trim and ornate ormolu mounts and embossed leather top. The desk is finished on all sides and could ...
Category
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Modern Toscana Vanity Table Oak Beige Leather Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Toscana Vanity Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The organic modern Toscana vanity table is a captivating blend of natural beauty and c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Peter Løvig Nielsen Boomerang Desk in Teak With Bar
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Peter Løvig Nielsen
Manufacturer: Løvigs Møbelfabrik
Era: 1956s
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 59″ wide x 35″ deep x 28.5″ tall
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Rare Antique American Renaissance Extension Library Table, Signed
By Seng
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique American Renaissance Revival style carved walnut extension table by Seng, Chicago, Illinois. circa 1920/1930
Born in the United States in the early 20th century, featuring a rare and unusual form and extension mechanism. Slightly lift the rectangular top and the slide the mechanical horizontal draw-leaf style extensions to expand the the width of the top, morphing the library table / sofa console into a kitchen table / dining table.
Having a bookmatched burl wood, oak and walnut banded, parquetry inlay top, molded apron with dovetailed frieze drawer, rising on turned urn baluster-form standards, over shaped stretcher joined trestle base with twist ornamentation, resting on bun feet, signed, stamp to frame under top.
Dimensions: (approx)
31" High, 54" Wide, 23.5" Deep
Extended: 37.5" Deep
Provenance / Acquisition:
John Phifer Marrs collection.
Important auction house J. Garrett Auctioneers, Dallas, Texas, May 2021 catalog, presented a special curated collection from John Phifer Marrs, premier Southern interior designer known for an elegant, fresh and inviting design method, often called The New Southern Style...
Category
Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Walnut, Burl
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Desk
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A late 19th Century Gustavian style desk.
Decorative carved detailing around the stretch on all four sides. With one drawer, repainted in soft grey.
Seat height 67cm.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
The Chiquita Desk. Brazilian Solid Wood and Natural Straws.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita writing desk features smooth and delicate lines, with 4 drawers featuring fronts made of natural wicker and brass handles that impart a nostalgic and romantic feel to th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Straw, Wood
1960s Italian Art Deco Midcentury Walnut Marble Slant Front Desk Table Secretary
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern folding slant front desk writing table secretaire, in beautiful wood with three drawers. This beautiful piece is completed by the whi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Style French Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French Neoclassical leather topped desk with three drawers. Finished in a painted hunter green color with brass accents. Top is a pale green leather.
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paint
Charlotte Perriand Desk "Petit Bureau en forme libre" for Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material. Available in Mahogany or American walnut or a lacquered version (different colors available).
A design table crafted by Charlotte Perr...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Cherner Studio Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
The new Studio desk is designed for Designers. Available in two sizes to fit your workspace. Made to last with all cross-ply plywood construction and soli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Le Corbusier LC16 Desk and Shelve and Cabanon Stools Set by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Writing desk designed by Le Corbusier in 1957. Relaunched in 2010.
Maison du Brésil and Cabanon Stools designed by Le Corbusier in 1952-59. Relaunched i...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Venetian Painted Italian Louis XV Style Writing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming vintage, circa 1960, Italian Venetian writing table (desk - vanity - console) with beautifully aged heavily worn distressed pati...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Paint
French Directoire Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage French directoire desk. Wonderful shape with inset green leather top. Great storage too. Add some French Architecture to your home.
Category
Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Derby School Paneled Oak Roll Top Desk with Full Interior, Circa 1900
Located in Savannah, GA
Derby School Paneled Oak Roll Top Desk with Full Interior, Circa 1900. Roll top desk has paneled quarter sawn oak construction with s-top opening to full...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Dos Gallos Studio Custom Walnut Desk or Dining Table with Wishbone Stretcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is our custom wishbone winery table that can be made in any size and with any finish, in a range of colors and distresses. This particular table was going to be used as a desk s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Guillerme & Chambron design desk, " votre Maison " edition, France circa 1960's
Located in leucate, FR
Design solid Oak desk by Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron, " Votre Maison " edition.
Free-moving top, on the left side a box composed of a niche and 3 drawers with black cerami...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ceramic, Wood, Oak
Scandinavian Modern Nanna Ditzel Desk Model ND93 by Søren Willadsen, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Large freestanding Nanna Ditzel "ND93" desk in an amazingly grained rosewood with four integrated drawers. Designed in 1955 and executed at cabinetmaker Søren Willadsen, Denmark. A r...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Sligh Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Green Lacquered Leather Top Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk
By Sligh Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Green lacquered cherry wood, with embossed leather top, and original brass hardware.
...
Category
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Lacquered Wooden Desk with Four Drawers and Curling Scrolls
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese late Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 20th century, with four drawers, carved curling scrolls, horse-hoof legs and custom black and red lacquer. Created in...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Writing Table. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This exceptional, early Biedermeier writing table was made in Vienna circa 1825.
Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined de...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1970s Brutalist Desk Mccarroll & Gillespe Forms+Surfaces Santa Barbara
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
1970s Stunning Executive Desk by Billy Joe Mccarroll & David Gillespie
Forms + Surfaces Inc Santa Barbara, California.
Fabulous Black Formica Top Brutalist Steel co...
Category
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Executive Waterfall Metal Desk in Art Deco, Streamline Design, Germany, 2015
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Executive waterfall metal desk in Art Deco, Streamline Design, Germany, 2015.
Category
2010s German Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Campaign Style Leather Top Sawhorse Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome mid century British colonial style desk crafted in hardwood with a tooled leather top on a case with three drawers and brass hardware. The sawhorse style base has multiple s...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Walnut, Onyx, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Armona stone desk draws inspiration from the serene landscape of Armona Island, embodying a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Quartz, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
Vintage Modernist Desk by Ib Kofod Larsen, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stylish teak desk by Ib Kofod Larsen, with a spacious table top and two drawers. The open sides give a lightness to the design.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Sunset Dining Table, 8 ft, in Dark Walnut by August Abode
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our artisan-made Sunset Dining Table. A new piece with a timeworn feel--the solid wood top is paired with lathe-turned legs, which taper down to ball feet. The design melds vintage-inspired details with a contemporary scale.
Inspired by candle-lit dinners perched atop Lookout Mountain...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Walnut
1970s Italian Neo-Classical Style Patchwork Burl Writing Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1970s Neoclassical style Italian burl desk with ebonized x-base. The burl is beautiful, and it is finished on all sides. The cross stretcher is brass. The piece is unmarked...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Minimalist Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk by Hans Olsen Dark Walnut and Teak
By Hans Olsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined example of Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design, this writing desk by Hans Olsen epitomizes minimalist elegance. Crafted from dark walnut and teak, the desk features a teak surface framed by a sleek walnut border, creating a harmonious contrast of wood tones. The piece is further elevated by solid teak cylindrical legs, each rounded for a soft, sculptural presence.
With its clean lines and understated elegance, this desk seamlessly integrates into a variety of interior styles, from contemporary minimalist to vintage-inspired modern. The piece is both practical and timeless, embodying the ethos of Mid-Century Modernism and Scandinavian design principles.
Perfect for those seeking a classic Mid-Century desk, this piece serves as both a workspace and a work of art, with refined materials and thoughtful proportions.
This Hans Olsen desk...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Walnut
Louis XV French Style kidney form writing desk, 19 th century bronze mounts
Located in Houston, TX
The quality of this desk is exceptional and the wood
And construction are extremely well done. It is a signed
Piece in the center drawer V. Raulin. It is late nineteenth
Century an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-Century Post Modern Black & Brass Desk after Gilbert Rohde in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple modern nod to the art deco period. This desk features glossy black laminate with brass accents. Probably Italian circa 1980's. Nice clean original condition.
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1960s "Maya" Giotto Stoppino for Bernini Italian Design Wood Desk
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare italian desk
Giotto Stoppino for Bernini
Italy, 1969
Wood and chrome metal
Bibliography: G. Gramigna, 1950-1980 repertorio: immagini...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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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