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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Period: 1940s
Carved Floral Back 18th Century Country French Carved Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare form of Country French desk. The desk features what appears to be oak and walnut construction and a parquet top with antique age cracks in the top. WE CAN REPAIR THIS ...
Category

1780s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th C. Continental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat W Gilt Bronze Ormolu
Located in Southampton, NY
18th C. Continental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat with Gilt Bronze Ormolu sourced by designers Parish Hadley. Black lacquer with fine gilt bronze ormolu. Chinoiserie decorati...
Category

18th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Scrittoio Anni 40 in noce e radica
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio con cassetti laterali in legno impiallacciato noce e con il piano in legno impiallacciato radica. Buone condizioni.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Circa 1790 George III Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This George III table has gold embossed trim around a beautifully weathered dark green-blue leather tabletop. The square body has been made entirely from mahogany with a mahogany ven...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regence Ebonized And Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top with inset black tooled leather surrounded by a brass inlaid ebonized border with brass edge. The frieze with three drawers with cast bronze handles and three ...
Category

1730s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Classic Mid-Century Three Drawer Oak Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
Classic Mid-Century Three Drawer Oak Desk Beautiful grain top and brass feet 48 x 20 3.75 x 29
Category

1940s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Art Deco French Desk in Macassar with Leather Top Insert
Located in Houston, TX
Art Deco French desk in Macassar wood Desk is made out of Macassar wood and newly re-upholstered with a strip of brown leather in the middle of the desk’s top. Each of the legs have ...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Georgian Solid Mahogany Desk
Located in Malton, GB
This is a simple very well made Georgian desk. Made from solid mahogany and as far as I can tell totally original. The drawers all run smooth and close flush. The overall condition i...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

17-1800's Antique Italian Walnut Trestle Library, Carved, Border Table / Desk!!
Located in Austin, TX
Outstanding Antique Table / Desk, Italian Walnut Trestle Library, Carved, Border, 18th /19th Century, 1700's-1800's! This antique library table/desk is a stunning example of Italian...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Paolo Buffa grissinato wood desk with four drawers, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa, Galdino Maspero
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid and essential Paolo Buffa Desk in grissinato wood with four drawers and saber legs. Iconic Paolo Buffa design manufactured by Galdino Maspero, Italy 1940s
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Art Deco German Curved Desk in Walnut
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant German Art Deco Desk is made out of walnut wood. Has slightly curved top with leather insert in the middle. There is thin keyed drawer. Desk is supported by 2 wide rectangula...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Fruitwood Secretary 1770
Located in Pomona, CA
French Fruitwood Bureau/ Secretary c1770. The desk has a secret storage area behind the removable center pigeonhole"
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Circa 1780 English George III Patinated Oak Antique Writing Table
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III PROVINCIAL PATINATED OAK THREE-DRAWER WRITING TABLE England, circa 1780 with scrolled cupid's bow apron Item # 312EKH07Q A beautifully patinated writing table from the G...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Early 18th Century Italian Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very handsome early 18th century Italian Side Table - Writing Table. Beautifully constructed from walnut with a wonderful solid board top, a single drawer and slightly splayed leg...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

40s-50s Desk
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant desk with pair of under-top drawers, beech wood, and mahogany veneer, top with recessed clear glass. Good conditions.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Beech, Mahogany

18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine and rather unusual 18th century Swedish rococo desk in it's original finish with one lid to the interior compartment. Ca 1760 Sweden
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Art Deco French Grand Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Art Deco table is made out of high quality walnut wood. It composed out of 2 parts/sides with lots of room/drawers for storage. Both sides are connected on the bottom with each other...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

17th Century Spanish Writing Table - Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An outstanding and very handsome 17th century Spanish Writing Table - Desk from the Catalan region of Spain. Beautifully constructed from stunning walnut & chestnut with drawers, a ...
Category

17th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chestnut, Walnut

Vintage French Jansen Manner Louis XVI Style Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage French Jansen Manner black lacquered Louis XVI style writing desk. Circa 1940. A timeless and classic touch for a fine interior.
Category

1940s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

18th Century Poudreuse and Ladies Desk - Table d'Accouchée, France, circa 1760
Located in Greven, DE
18th Century Coiffeuse and reading table - so-called Table d'Accouchée France Rosewood around 1760 Dimensions: H x W x D: 72 x 63 x 39 cm Description: Rare, two-part and multifunctional little table with neatly arranged grain patterns in light rosewood...
Category

1760s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood, Rosewood

Marcel Gascoin, TC Office, France 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986), “TC” table in light oak, ARHEC edition, France 1950. Father of Rationalism and major player in French Reconstruction, Marcel Gascoin designs quality furni...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Johan Rohde Unique Desk in Mahogany and Brass
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Johan Rohde desk in mahogany with brass fittings. Right side have three drawers and left has three shelfs when doors open. Provenance: This desk was made for H. P. Rohde in 1945, wh...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Georgian Regency Octagonal Library Table with Green Leather Top
Located in London, GB
An elegant late George III – early Regency period octagonal library drum table with aged green leather lined top and four drawers English, circa 1800. Why we like it Unusual and ele...
Category

Late 18th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

1940s Italian Writing Desk in Ash and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, brass, Italy, 1940s Made in Italy, this writing desk is a testament to the design ethos prevalent in the 1940s and 1950s. The office table bears witness to the de...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of distinction. You want to live in the golden yea...
Category

1940s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

17th Century Italian Writing Table - Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very beautiful 17th century Writing Table - Side Table from the Piedmont region of Italy. Wonderfully constructed from walnut with a single drawer and cross stretchers. A minimal...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italy Late 18th Century Regency Walnut Console or Wall Desk Hand Carved
Located in Brescia, IT
This an elegant piece with an untimeless beauty. The dimensions, the proportions, the wavy edge and the slender legs are elements of value. It can be useful as console or desk; in...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Regence Walnut Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 18th century French Regence Bureau Plat. Four drawers, with pieced leather top with carved design in the center and around the edges. Wa...
Category

18th Century French Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk Year: 1940 It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of distinction. You want t...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French 18th Century Poplar & Oak Writing Table Louis XV Period
Located in Labrit, Landes
Writing table or desk made of poplar in the french 18th century, Louis XV period. Height between the roof and the belt 20.87 in. (53 cm). Totally authentic, this piece of furniture w...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Poplar

PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century in walnut wood with a vine top, wavy front with two drawers and cut-out skirts. Metal hardware. Small defects Dim.: 89 x 120 x 66 cm
Category

18th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE TABLE 18th Century in vine wood. Cut-out and wavy top, framed by a recess, waist with a drawer, cut-out and notched skirts, curved legs with notched knees, claw-and-ball...
Category

18th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

A very fine and rare 18th desk by Important Parisian ebeniste Pierre Migeon
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare 18th century Secretaire desk by Pierre Migeon Sr. . A family of Important Parisian ebenistes in the early to mid 18th century . Three generations of very fine c...
Category

Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Porcelain, Mahogany, Walnut

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood and chrome, 1940, Made in Germany
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Only the wood is restored, not the chrome metal It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique George III Banded Satinwood Lady's Writing Desk with Rosewood Inlay
Located in Morristown, NJ
18th c., England, a delightful George III cheveret lady's writing desk in two parts. The upper five-drawer cabinet with conforming guard over fitted drawers, resting on a table with ...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ivory, Satinwood, Rosewood, Leather

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood and chrome, 1940, Made in Germany
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Only the wood is restored, not the chrome metal It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

18th Century Spanish Colonial Baroque Walnut Two Drawer Table
Located in Milford, NH
A good example of a Spanish Colonial Baroque solid walnut two drawer table with original lock hardware, pegged construction, bobbin turned legs, and strong base stretchers. Dates to ...
Category

18th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood, 1940, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1940 It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of distinct...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1940 Material: Wood and bronze It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique....
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

17th Century Italian Carved Walnut Table or Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
17th century Italian walnut library table or writing desk. Desk features three drawers amongst beautifully floral carved apron. Legs are carved in an old style swirl-twist shape on b...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Renaissance Desk In Walnut-17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Spanish Renaissance table in walnut from the beginning of the 17th century Exceptional quality table. Museum quality Elegant desk or display table that has two drawers. The t...
Category

Early 17th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Louis XVI Solid Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian writing desk of the period Louis XVI, 18th century. Rare and precious solid walnut wood. Comfortable size for a practical use. The desk has elegant turned leg...
Category

1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

17th Century Italian Oak Wood Antique Fratino Table or Desk with Lyre Legs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Important antique solid oak wood table from the mid 17th century. Oak wood has acquired a beautiful antique patina presenting the signs of all the past centuries. This type of table ...
Category

Mid-17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Small Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau
Located in Folkestone, GB
A most enchanting Queen Anne period burr walnut bureau of highly desirable small proportions and superb colour. The herringbone and cross-banded fall enclosing a fully fitted stepped interior with small drawers and central cupboard door all cross...
Category

Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Pine Wood Desk by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1940s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare Scandinavian mid century wooden desk model "Värmdö" in pine by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm, 1940s. In go...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

18th Century Louis XV Walnut Table or Ladies Desk
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This antique French Louis XV side table, or ladies desk, is a real 18th century gem. Crafted from walnut, and opening with a single apron drawer, it would make a fabulous end table, ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1940's Traditional style 9 Drawer Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1940's Traditional style 9 Drawer Mahogany Writing Desk. Finished all the way around and can be placed to show the whole.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Swedish Grace Elmroot Table, Circa 1940s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Grace, elm, elm root and ebonized table or desk by Erik Chambert, with a rectangular top raised on rectangular supports with leaf-tip carving and carved scrolled feet.
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Spanish Charles IV Walnut Marquetry Writing Desk Side Table c. 1790
Located in London, GB
A fine Charles IV walnut writing desk/side table with decorative inlaid marquetry work in blonde wood and ebony. Featuring forged iron hardware to the single large drawer, with worki...
Category

Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Bureau Plat Marquetry Leather Top Desk with Orig. Ormolu Mounts, C. 1770
Located in Hollywood, SC
French bureau plat marquetry leather top three drawer desk with hearing bone inlays, three opposite side faux drawers, original floral ormolu mounts, brass escutcheons, brass knobs, ...
Category

1770s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

1940s Norman Bel Geddes Metal Desk for Simmons
Located in Wilton, CT
Offering a rare 1940's industrial design desk designed by Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons Furniture Company. This pre-war metal desk was built before use of m...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk
Located in IT
18th Century, Franch Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk Measures: cm H 94 x W 83,5 x D 46; D with the open panel 82 cm, H of the desk top 69,5 cm This elegant desk was made in France ...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Danish cabinetmaker desk with unfolding double top circa late 1940s
Located in London, GB
Special one-off cabinetmakers piece with unfolding double top extending table for meetings with up to 5 seats. This has always been my favourite piece ever. H. 72. B. 170. D. 80/...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italian 1940's Walnut Folding Writing Desk or Console Table, Italy, circa 1940
Located in New York, NY
An Italian 1940's folding or flip-top walnut writing desk or console with two faux drawers, the top opens up to a larger surface with a warm beautifully faded pink laminate; highly p...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Wooden library table. Portugal, 1940s.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Dark wooden library table supported by five feet connected to each other and opening by four drawers designed by Olaio. Portugal, 1940s.
Category

1940s European Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Barocchetto da Viaggio walnut writing desk, northern Italy 18th century
Located in Milano, IT
Walnut travel desk with scarab concealing twelve drawers, the six smaller side ones. Small desk pulls on front, large drawer below. Removable movable legs with external locking screw...
Category

Early 1700s Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Rare Hos Wulff Free Standing Desk in Leather and Teak
By Hos Wulff
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hos Wulff, free standing writing desk, leather, teak, Denmark, 1940 This free standing writing desk is designed by Hos Wulff and dates back to 1940. With regard to its essential for...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Teak

Spanish Baroque Period Dark Walnut and Iron Center or Writing Table, ca. 1675
Located in Atlanta, GA
In its day a portable table these sometimes referred to as “guard room tables” have hinges atop the trestle supports and fold up when the iron stretch...
Category

1670s Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

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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