Desks and Writing Tables
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Birch, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1980s Mexican Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Cocobolo
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Lacquer, Walnut
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Late 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Plywood
1960s American Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood, Glass
1950s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
20th Century English Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
1920s British Sheraton Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s German Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Ash, Wood, Lacquer
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
Late 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1950s American Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1970s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century Colombian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Bone
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Birch
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
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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