Desks and Writing Tables
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1980s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Leather
2010s Mexican Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
2010s Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1920s French Empire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Leather
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
19th Century American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Oak
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Beech, Oak, Plywood
1940s Swedish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Birch, Maple
2010s Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Leather
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech, Birch
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Wood
1920s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Late 17th Century French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Lacquer
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
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.
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