Desks and Writing Tables
Late 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
1970s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan
1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
1920s Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
1970s Danish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Wood
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1990s American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Silver Leaf
1990s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Lacquer
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1990s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1920s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Walnut
1980s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Zebra Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Mirror
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s Swiss Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
1970s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wenge
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker, Wood
1990s Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
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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