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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Joan Busquets Workshop Masterpiece Modernist Nouveau Desk Cabinet, ca. 1898
Located in South Burlington, VT
From Spain's Catalan Modernist Furniture Maker Joan Busquets Studio & Workshop
A Unique work of Cabinetry Art.
JOAN BUSQUETS I (Barcelona, 1874-1949). Modernist Cabinet and Desk, ca. 1898.
Modernist desk and cabinet finely crafted from walnut wood with golden polychrome and pyrography. Keyholes, handles and decorative appliques in golden brass. Signed on the front in the lower left corner of the right door.
Dimensions: 66 inches high and 46 inches wide and 24 inches deep; 165cm x 116cm x 60 cm
This remarkable and unique Catalan modernist cabinet designed by famed furniture designer and maker, Joan Busquets was crafted at Studio Busquets. Barcelona, Spai ca 1898 from walnut wood with fine polychrome gold and decorated with pyrography- the first time in European history that saw this craftsmanship combination of fine studio furniture with fine pyrographic artistic technique. The keyholes, handles and decorative fixtures are made of gilded brass. This Catalan Modernist cabinet was constructed into two (2) sections. The lower cut-out base support section is raised on four stylized legs, with a perpendicularly placed table top- all creatively imagined in a totally sinuous form providing dynamism and originality to this unique design. The upper desk cabinet section has a triple opening, two with hinged doors, one from top to bottom that opens as a desk and the other from left to right revealing two drawers, as well as a top slide out drawer. The interior features several drawers of different sizes all beautifully embellished on their fronts in a golden color pyrography. The entire body of this cabinet desk furniture is richly decorated with typically art nouveau modernist stylized vegetal motifs executed with the artist Busquet's personal pyrography technique, and finally framed with sinuous moldings in relief.
This is a superb furniture cabinet within the Catalan modernism genre, given that it was produced by one of the best studio workshops of that time, as well as for the perfection and meticulousness with which each of its details have been executed by artrist designer Busquet.
Busquets' workshop was known to have crafted most of the furniture for Antoni Gaudí Casa Calvet, with this being a prime example.
About Studio Busquet
In 1898 Busquets y Jané introduced for the first time a new technique of polychrome pyrography. This replaced classical marquetry hand craft traditionally applied to furniure of the 19th century. This new design technique was first applied to this cabinet and dates circa 1898. The artist, designer, and decorator Joan Busquets personally hand applied pyrography to his furniture designs and was actively involved in this pyrographic technique widely known of that period as the "Busquets style".
About La Casa Busquets:
Furniture designer and decorator, Joan Busquets is currently considered one of the most representative artists of Spain's Catalan modernism. He began his training in his family workshop, and then studied at the Escuela de La Llotja in Barcelona, where his teachers were Guitart and Lostaló. In the 1895-96 academic year he obtained a scholarship that allowed him to travel around Spain, which he obtained thanks to a project for a Renaissance-style bookcase-cabinet. He exhibited furniture projects for the first time at the Barcelona Exhibition...
Category
19th Century Spanish Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic c1890
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak Dolphin library table desk Renaissance Gothic.
Direct from France, an elegant antique French carved ...
Category
1890s French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Hand Carved Oak Desk with Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Design
19th French hand carved oak wood table desk with iron stretcher.
This antique French hand carved oak wood desk features a bea...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Small Mahogany secretary .Georgian style .England
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice attractive small secretary . Georgian style .Mahogany .
Green Leather inlay . Good quality piece . nice interior.
Ideal working space ,Because its size . fits every room...
Category
1960s English Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century George II Walnut Writing Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
George II walnut writing table, Mid-18th Century, the molded top having a tooled green leather inset writing panel, fitted with a genuine and false frieze drawer to either side, rais...
Category
18th Century British George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Leather
Italian Rectangular Neoclassical Table in Walnut Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Beautiful rectangular table in neoclassical style , in solid blond walnut and walnut folder the top. Four turned and carved legs with acanthus leaves, molded bases with central conne...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Sears Roebuck & co., Writing Desk, Oak, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small solid oak writing desk from the "Harmony House Ranch-Mode"-series, designed and produced by Sears Roebuck & co, USA, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Dark Walnut Executive Desk by Monteverdi Young
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Spectacular 1970’s Dark walnut with black lacquer outline executive desk by Monteverdi-Young.
Custom ordered by renowned interior designer Gary Jon
In beautiful vintage condition. ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Contemporary Desk 'JFK' by Norr11, Dark Smoked Ash
Located in Paris, IDF
'JFK' Home Desk
Signed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for NORR11
Dimensions:
H. 76 cm x W. 130 cm x D. 65 cm
Model shown: Dark Smoked Ash Wood
Aluminium legs in matte black finish
_________________
With its pure and simplistic design, the 60s inspired JFK Desk...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Karl Springer Rare "Goatskin Free Form Desk" 1988
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Goatskin Free Form Desk" in high gloss lacquered goatskin with drawer by Karl Springer, American 1988 (date stamped on bottom). Springer’s Free Form...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Arts & Craft Mission 3 Drawer Oak Wrighting Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Arts & Craft Quarter Sawn Oak Desk with 3 drawers and side bookshelf. The desk features a distinct wood grain assisted with Mission-era furniture, brass ...
Category
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
English Shaped Top Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Mahogany shaped top partners writing table with satinwood stringing and inlaid fan medallions. Black/green, antiqued and gold tooled leather top. Three drawers each side with antique...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Boxwood, Olive, Satinwood
USM Haller Custom Desk Unit 'DU2' Designed by Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer
Located in New York, NY
A Customizable desk unit designed to your specifications. Available in 14 standard surface colors.
Dimensions
H 30in / 76.2cm
W 60in / 152.4cm
D 15in / 39.1cm
Weight
41.9 kgs...
Category
2010s Swiss Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
D reception desk
By Oleg Soroko
Located in Denpasar, ID
A striking blend of sculpture and function, this parametric reception desk features a fluid, dynamic form crafted
from 18mm plywood and reinforced with metal rods. Designed to be a s...
Category
2010s Futurist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood
Lovely Desk by Herbert Hirche for Holzäpfel, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Lovely Desk by Herbert Hirche for Holzäpfel, Germany, 1960s
Slight signs of use due to age, patina due to age, there is a small repair on the top, see pictures. Furniture wax was p...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and Amazing Large Empire French writing desk or bureau plat with embossed black leather top, bronze dore mounts, column legs, and five .drawers.
Spectacular French wor...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
French Wood Table by Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great wood table by Charles Dudouyt, made in France, 1940's. Rectangular top with four thick carved wood legs and ball feet. Newly refinished in dark stain showing nice grain in wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Gallotti & Radice, President model desk, Italy, 1970s.
Located in Palermo, PA
President desk model by Gallotti & Radice, Italian production from 1971.
Iconic, charming and essential design, perfect for a modern setting.
Transparent tempered glass and chrome-pl...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Clean Lined Chrome Mid Century Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mid Century Chrome Desk, in the style of Florence Knoll, American, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Matis Desk
Located in Paris, FR
Desk Matis with structure in solid mahogany wood
in black lacquered finish. With brushed nickel finish feet on
each leg and with 1 drawer covered with suede leather.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Nickel
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
20th Century Italian Rosewood Dining Table by Paolo Buffa & Serafino Arrighi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian dining room table made of hand crafted polished Rosewood, designed by Paolo Buffa and Serafino Arrighi in good condition. The rectangular conference table is composed with its original smoked black glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Jacques Terracotta Red Console Table in Bird's Eye Maple by Fred&Juul
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Designed with the aim to find the perfect balance between clean lines and warm texture. Consisting of 5 rounded, 50 mm thick slats with bird’s eye maple veneer, the console table is ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple
Early 19th century Regency davenport writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality Regency davenport, circa 1820.
Spindle gallery to the top leading to the original leather writing surface. Top opens to reveal a richly colored interior with 2 drawers....
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Palisander
Edwardian Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English writing table or desk of mahogany from the Edwardian Era, featuring an inset embossed leather top, with moulded edge around the circumference, over a frieze of two dra...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Elegant Mid-Century Desk Designed by Severin Hansen Jr. 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
This desk is an iconic example of Danish midcentury design, created by the talented designer Severin Hansen and manufactured by the renowned Haslev Møbelfabrik in the 1950s. The desk...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
19th C. Bamboo Chinoiserie Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Lacquered Bamboo Desk, France, circa late 19th Century. Beautiful hand painted aesthetic movement decoration. It is a versatile size and can be used as a desk, writing ta...
Category
19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
Shanghai Deco Chinese Reeded Leg Dining Table, c. 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
In the 1920-30s, Shanghai, China was swept up in the Art Deco design movement. Design, architecture, art, fashion, and furniture were all influenced by this modern movement, permeati...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Prouve Inspired Writing Desk with Compass Legs by Marko
By Marko, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Prouve inspired writing desk by Marko. The desk has a formica top, blue compass legs and one side cabinet with two blue drawers. In original condition with visible wear, including de...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Baker Furniture Egyptian Revival Rosewood Leather Top Executive Bureau Plat Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Egyptian Revival, Neoclassical, or Empire style executive writing desk or bureau plat desk
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Rosewood, with embossed leather top...
Category
Late 20th Century American Egyptian Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Fruitwood Rustic French Desk / Writing Table / Console W/ Leather Top
Located in Kennesaw, GA
One of my favorite things about this piece is its size. It is a late 19th century French carved fruitwood desk. It could also work well as a vanity or console table. The drawers have...
Category
1880s French Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Italian Renaissance Library Table in Carved Walnut, 17th C. and Later
Located in Dallas, TX
Measuring over 7.5 feet long, this handsome Italian library table could function as a console or large desk. Originally hand-carved from walnut, the table has some elements that are ...
Category
17th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Iron
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
Contemporary Desk Table 'Ms Bean', Smoked Oak, Black Tabletop
Located in Paris, IDF
Desk table MS Bean
Designed by IDA L. HILDEBRAND
Dimensions : L. 150 cm / D. 70 cm / H. 75 cm
Top thickness : 5 cm
Model shown in the picture : Smoked oak - Black tabletop lami...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Gustav Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware.
Measure...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Spanish Colonial Carved Walnut 1 Drawer Writing Library Table Desk Console MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Spanish Colonial Carved Walnut 1 Drawer Writing Library Table Desk Console MINT!
Category
20th Century Italian Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
'AB019' Wall Desk in Lacquered Oak & Drawer by Anker Bak for Carl Hansen & Son
By Anker Bak
Located in Glendale, CA
'AB019' Wall Desk in Lacquered Oak & Drawer by Anker Bak for Carl Hansen & Son
In collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn, Danish designer Anker Bak has designed a desk that has been ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Late 17th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Writing Table, Iron Stretcher
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 17th century Spanish Renaissance writing table is constructed of solid walnut and features an impressive 30-inch wide top made from a single plank of walnut. The top joins ...
Category
Late 17th Century French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Large Ate Van Apeldoorn Custom Pine Wall Unit with Desk, Cabinets and Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom designed extra large Ate Van Apeldoorn pine wall unit. Three individual pieces consisting of a lower desk with double storage cabinets, a small storage cabinet with four drawe...
Category
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
18th Century Kingwood and Walnut Ladies French Secretary Louis XV Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very rare French period 1780s era Louis XV ladies writing desk with contrasting kingwood and walnut woods for added appeal. The desk features hand-hewn oak boards on back ...
Category
1780s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Kingwood, Walnut
Limbert Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts library table or writing desk
By Charles P. Limbert Co.
USA, Circa 1910
Solid quartersawn oak, with original copper hardware.
Meas...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Baker Furniture Regency Burlwood Writing Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Baker Furniture Regency Burlwood Writing Desk
This desk measures: 48 wide x 26 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches
We take ...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Rare 'Kono' Dining Table / Desk by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, 1984
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and large 'Kono' table, which works excellent as either a dining table or a desk, by Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli was designed in 1984 and this example created in the mid-to-late 1980s by Casigliani in Pisa, Italy. This rare example of the 'Kono' design features a monumental Black Granite slab for the top, two thick slabs of Imperial Red Granite which connect together to form one of the bases, and the Vignellis signature Patinated Copper cone which forms the other base.
The 'Kono' design was normally made as coffee tables so it is quite rare to find examples made scaled up in dining table size. In addition, typical Kono tables were made with glass tops and a single slab granite base. This example however, the Vignellis selected Black Granite instead of the typical glass tops. Also, rather than using a rectangular single-slab base, this example features an L-shaped base constructed with two slabs that connect together along one angled edge. It still employs the cone-shaped patinated copper base typical of Kono tables, however this example is much larger of course than cocktail table versions.
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies, which houses the artists’ archive, confirmed this table to be one of two known drawings by the Vignellis (a copy of the Vignelli sketch, which they provided, is included in the photo gallery) though it is unknown if the other table was ever produced, making this table potentially an important one-of-a-kind.
The Black Granite top in lower light settings is dark, deep and mysterious. With direct sunlight its luminosity is intense - see the photo gallery for images of the table in direct sunlight from our skylight above. It glows, shines and shimmers with incredible vibrancy, similar to diamonds - to see it in person is quite exquisite and remarkable. While we only had it set up under our skylight for a couple hours, I would describe the experience as recharging - I felt like I had just spent a couple hours meditating, this would be incredible to wake up to every day before leaving to work.
The Vignellis described the 'Kono' table as: “This design exploits the relationship between geometrical figures and material finishes." Over the course of their four-decade-long design practice, Lella and Massimo Vignelli collaborated on projects that ranged from product design and brand identity to interior and furniture design. Whether designing New York City’s subway map...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Granite, Copper
French Louis XV Style Desk
Located in Austin, TX
French antique Louis XV style bureau plat desk made of solid wood construction that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish finish of museum-quality. The desk ha...
Category
1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique Louis XV “Bureau Plat” Desk
Located in Austin, TX
French antique Louis XV style bureau plat desk made of rosewood that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish finish of museum-qua...
Category
1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Danish Cabinetmaker 1950s Rosewood Desk
Located in London, England
An exquisite Danish cabinetmaker made desk in stunning rosewood dated to the early 1950s. This elegant desk exhibits the finest cabinetmaking techniques with subtle mouldings on the ...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Borge Mogensen Desk & Chair Oak Soborg Mobler Denmark 1954 Writing Table
Located in Basel, BS
Børge Mogensen desk, model 132 for Søborg Møbelfabrik.
The writing desk was first published in the 1954 Søborg catalogue, the here offered model w...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
1980s Herman Miller Burdick Group Post Modern Industrial Design Modular Desk USA
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A rare opportunity to buy a stunning Post Modern desk designed in 1981 by Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller.
Burdick’s first product for Herman Miller was the 'Burdick Group System', ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-Century Modern EB04 Desk by Cees Braakman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This mid-century modern desk by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe is a true representation of timeless elegance and functional design. Crafted in the Netherlands in the 1950s, the EB04 de...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch, Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Rare Writing Table from Otaniemi Technical University, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Rare writing table, designed by Alvar Aalto, 1960s. Birch with linoleum table top. Later modified with the reading lamp. The writing table is from the Otaniemi Technical University. ...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Postmodern Orange Lacquer Laminate Waterfall Desk/Console Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This Postmodern Orange Waterfall Desk features a vibrant lacquer laminate finish and sleek waterfall edges, adding a bold statement to any space. With three integrated drawers, it co...
Category
1980s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
George Nelson by Herman Miller Laminated Aluminum Design 1950s Rare Desk
Located in Brescia, IT
Modernist Desk
George Nelson by Hermann Miller
1950
Laminated wood, aluminum base
Rare model.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Arne Vodder executive desk and return in teak Sibast Denmark 1960
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Iconic executive desk with return from the “200 series” designed by Arne Vodder; one of the best designers Denmark has known and it is manufactured by Sibast Furniture, Denmark 1960....
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
"Xilte" Desk
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern furniture...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Zanotta Quaderna 2750Table/Writing Desk in White Plastic Laminate by Superstudio
By Zanotta, Superstudio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Quaderna Table/Writing Desk in White Plastic Laminate by Superstudio
Honeycomb core structure coated with white plastic laminate, digitally p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plastic
Arne Vodder Executive Desk for Sibast Furniture
By Arne Vodder
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Executive writing desk designed by Arne Vodder and produced by Sibast furniture in Denmark around 1960. This large L-shaped desk is made of solid teak and high quality old-growt...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Lacquer
Ate van Apeldoorn Large Writing Desk and cabinet block . 1960s Holland
Located in Den Haag, NL
Minimalist Solid Pine Writing desk designed by Ate Van Apeldoorn and produced by Houtwerk Hattum in Holland in the 1960’s. Features a pinewood cabinet block with drawers that can be...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desk, oak, faux leather, France, 1960s.
This desk is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds an ...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Faux Leather
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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