Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Wood
1980s Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry
1920s British Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Cork
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Granite, Copper
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Pine
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 1900s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Pine
1980s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Ebony, Oak
1980s Victorian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Early 1900s Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Country Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1920s French French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1980s Philippine Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1990s Spanish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Cherry
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Hardwood
1990s Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century European Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Lacquer, Shagreen Stingray
Late 20th Century German Space Age Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone
Early 20th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Faux Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1970s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
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.
Read More
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
18 Home Offices for Workaholic Design-Lovers
Proof that working from home is a perk.