Desks and Writing Tables
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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Baroque
Style: Arts and Crafts
The Source Handcrafted Live Egde Ancient 140 Year Walnut L-Shaped Desktop
Located in København N, DK
When I was making this table I had thoughts about how a river is formed. How do lots of streams know where to flow to fill the main river? Why is the purpose of the existence of thes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Antique Stickley Style Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk with Built-In Bookcases
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases
In the style of Stickley
By King Furniture
USA, Circa 1900
Measures...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Limbert Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mission or Arts & Crafts library table or desk.
By Charles P. Limbert Co.
USA, Circa 1900
Quartersawn oak, with original copper hardware.
Measures: 36"W x ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Baroque Desk / Dining Table / Kitchen Table in Solid Oak, 1770
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Desk restored baroque around 1770 solid oak dining table kitchen table
Features:
High quality
Drawers pronged
Original spring locks, k...
Category
18th Century Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Table Centre Desk Writing Walnut Double Dolphin Handle Genoa Baroque
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Unusally Large Italian Walnut Centre, Occassional or Writing Table, Genoa
Unusual large size with classical elegance and form
Conceived as a center table as the frieze decoration...
Category
1680s Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases
By Stickley Brothers
USA, Early 20th Century
Quarter sawn oak, with ori...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Antiqued Gold Finish Baroque Style Dining Table Base
Located in Sheffield, MA
Glam up your dining experience with this antiqued gold "gilt" toned Baroque Hollywood Regency styled metal and glass dining table. Be it ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Gustav Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered coppe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1900
Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware.
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
17th C Style Italian Walnut Refectory Dining Table Dark shellac finish In Stock
Located in Encinitas, CA
Our classic Lira style Old Walnut refectory dining table with sculpted edge top, lyre-shaped bases, handcrafted in aged Italian walnut, featured in our dramatic Espresso Dark stain s...
Category
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
17th C Style Italian Walnut Refectory Dining Table Natural finish In-Stock
Located in Encinitas, CA
Our classic Lira Style in a lighter finish: Old Walnut refectory dining table with sculpted edge & lyre-shaped bases, handcrafted in aged premium solid Italian walnut, floor model sh...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
1850s European Empire Mahogany Pair Armchairs with Griffin God Face and Feet
Located in BILBAO, ES
1850s European Empire Mahogany pair armchairs with Griffin God face and feet..
Upholstery with Osborne & Little with heraldic pattern in cross stich fabric.
Dimensions Chair
H...
Category
1880s Portuguese Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk
By Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with copper hardware.
Measures: 36" W x...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Solid Walnut Spanish Baroque Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
An 18th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid Walnut Wood with turned legs joined by a Two drawers with original iron drawe...
Category
18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Oak Arts & Crafts Pedestal Desk by Alexander J. Kropholler, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Arts & Crafts pedestal desk.
Design by Alexander J. Kropholler.
Striking Dutch design from the 1890s.
Executed in solid oak and original wrought iron, this stunning and one of a kind museum piece has a hand-carved quotation " A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing" by Alexander Pope (1688-1744), one of the leading Neoclassical or Augustan poets of the first half of the 18th Century.
Two original hand-carved owls and hand-carved elements on top of the desk.
Original lock and key and in good working order.
Measurement from ground to writing top is 76 cm or 29.92 in.
This wonderful Arts & Crafts desk by Alexander J. Kropholler is in very good refinished condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
We offer the matching bookcase...
Category
1890s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Romweber Spanish Baroque Carved Pine Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Spanish Baroque style writing desk
By Jim Peed for Romweber
USA, Circa 1990s
Carved pine, with original brass hardware. Middl...
Category
Late 20th Century American Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Pagodic Desk
Located in DE MEERN, UT
The style of this standing desk is a mix between Japanese pagodas and modern skyscrapers.
It is an artisanal piece consisting of:
A curved top, with inlaid motifs and high-quality ...
Category
2010s Dutch Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Bamboo, Padouk, Purpleheart, Teak
Table Centre Dining Library Dismantable X Trestles Oak Fruitwood
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A South German oak, shaped X' ended table with detachable fruitwood top with decorative cleated band
This table is easily dismantled and retains the original pegs
The cleated edge ...
Category
17th Century German Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Oak
19th Catalan Spanish Cabinet on Stand in Carved Walnut and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th Catalan Spanish cabinet on stand in carved walnut with two doors in the cabinet.
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
20th Century Spanish Baroque Style Cabinet on Stand, Bargueno or Varqueno
Located in Miami, FL
This Bargueno is embellished with a carving of Don Quixote de la Mancha bordered with branches of leaves. The desk is supported by a pedestal joined by a bridge of turned columns. The front legs contain a carving of two wind god...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Antique L. & J.G. Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak writing desk, library table, or center table.
By L. & J.G. Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Measures: 40" W x 26" D ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
20th Century Solid Walnut Baroque Lyre-Leg Trestle Refectory Desk Writing Table
Located in Miami, FL
20th Century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid walnut with turned legs joined by wrought iron stretchers. Two drawers with orig...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
20th Century Spanish Carved Walnut House Desk with Lyre Legs
Located in Miami, FL
An 20th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid walnut with lyre shaped legs joined by wood stretchers. Hand carved decoratio...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Solid Oak Baroque Fluted Legs Desk Writing Table or Console
Located in Miami, FL
An 19th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid oak with fluted shaped legs joined by solid wood stretched. Two drawers with ...
Category
1890s Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
20th Century Solid Walnut Baroque Lyre-Leg Trestle Refectory Desk Writing Table
Located in Miami, FL
An 20th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid walnut with lyre shaped legs joined by wood stretchers. Hand carved decoratio...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Italian, Tuscany, Baroque Style Carved Walnut 1-Drawer Table, 17th Cen and Later
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with molded edge and a dentil molded apron atop a paneled case housing one drawer, the case and top raised on columnar legs, the shaped bracket bases joined ...
Category
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
17th C Style Solid Italian Walnut Refectory Writing Dentil Edge Table options
Located in Encinitas, CA
Old Walnut LIRA Scrivania writing table handcrafted in aged solid Italian walnut with a carved dentil edge under the top surface, lyre-shaped bases, and hand forged iron cross stretc...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Antique French DIning Table Library Desk Renaissance Carved Oak Baroque c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, and one of several exquisite antiques from our most recent container. Fabulously hand carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Renaissance Revival, Black For...
Category
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Italy 18th Century Baroque Walnut Organic Shape Table Desk
Located in Brescia, IT
This walnut rectangular Tuscany table, has been hand made in Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) in 1760 circa.
Its elegant shape, with the black border, makes this ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Writing Desk in the Manner of Stickley Brothers
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk, library table, or center table
Recently procured from Frank Lloyd Wright's DeRhodes House
In the manner of Stickley Brothers...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
17th C Style Antique Reproduction Italian Chestnut CAPRETTA Writing Desk Custom
Located in Encinitas, CA
CAPRETTA table line - our 17th Century Italian refectory style rustic table with drawer, handcrafted in Old Chestnut with smooth, soft brushed surface t...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chestnut
Early Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Library Table or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk, library table, or center table
By Gustav Stickley (original label present)
USA, Circa 1900
Measures: 3...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Rhamtail
Located in DE MEERN, UT
While designing Rhamtail desk, I was looking for experience. A feeling, a glorification, a comfort to sit in front of it.
Thereby I imagined the uses, someone who continues clients conversations at his office. Thereby welcoming them inside and letting them be surprised by the interior object. Once seated, they can admire the tray up close. Once that conversation progresses they will see new details of the desk. This will create a reference of atmosphere during the conversation which the client takes home.
The design of the top has a masculine character. Partly because of the profiled edge and thickness. Wherein the cones in the profile offers some grace. Which creates togetherness with the feminine cabinets underneath. With the concave cabinets...
Category
2010s Dutch Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plexiglass, Walnut
Mediterranean Style AMALFI Italian Old Walnut Writing Table Size & Finish Option
Located in Encinitas, CA
Our "Amalfi" 3-drawer Mediterranean-style writing desk; simple sophisticated charm presented in fine Italian handcraft. Elegant yet casual. A stylized refectory table featured in age...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Italian Baroque Style 1880s Walnut Desk with Inlaid Top and Carved Lyre Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Baroque style walnut desk table from the late 19th century, with inlaid top, two drawers, lyre-shaped legs and iron stretchers. Created in Italy during the last quarter of the 19th century, this walnut table features an unusual top inlaid with contrasting geometric motifs, sitting above two carved dovetailed drawers adorned with additional geometric motifs surrounding iron pulls. The table is raised on carved Baroque style lyre-shaped legs connected to the table's underside through scrolling iron stretchers. With its graceful lines, beautifully inlaid top and Baroque base...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Spanish 1880s Walnut Side Table or Lady Desk, Carved Legs and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
A Spanish walnut side table with single drawer, scalloped apron, carved legs and iron side stretcher from the late 19th century.
The front it´s the same that the back, you can see ...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
17th C Style Italian Walnut 84" Table extends to 126" with end extension pair
Located in Encinitas, CA
Our classic Lira Style dining table expands with extension leaves- offering an option for entertainment seating: Old Walnut Refectory table with lyre-shaped bases, handcrafted in ag...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
Spanish Baroque Style Center Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A Spanish Baroque style center table made of solid walnut with lyre shaped legs joined by forged iron stretchers. The top is made has a beau...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Late 17th Century Italian Walnut Wood Library Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This majestic library table was hand-carved in Italy during the late 1600’s. Three planks of rich walnut wood comprise the top that has been carved with a thin recessed molding along...
Category
Late 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Italian Walnut Baroque Trestle Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Italian, 18th century. Baroque walnut dining or tavern table having a thick walnut top above turned legs with Walnut stretcher. Perfect size to use as a writing table, sofa or center...
Category
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Spanish Baroque Trestle Style Writing Table Desk with Two Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
A beautifully conserved Spanish writing table with mixtilinear “pata de lira” (lyre-shaped legs) displaying zig-zagging curves and undulations, in the Baroque ...
Category
18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Spanish Baroque Table with Dark Walnut Solomonic Legs with Carved Structure and
Located in Miami, FL
Baroque Spanish colonial fratino table dark walnut solomonic legs with iron stretcher, exquisite walnut wood Fratino trestle table with antique 19th cen...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Table, 18th Century, Italian, Baroque, Walnut, Narrow, One Piece Top
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A rare, narrow, Italian, baroque, walnut, cabinet or sidetable.
This table has unusual, narrow proportions and was probably originally conceived as a stand for a table cabinet or ...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Catalan Spanish Lady Desk or Console Table in Carved Walnut and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Catalan Spanish lady desk or console table in carved walnut & iron stretcher with five up drawers and two in the base table.
Very heavy and resis...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Arts & Crafts Mission Style Black Solid Oak Desk with Side Shelves
Located in East Hampton, NY
Arts & Crafts Mission Oak Desk. Original black painted. This beautiful Mission style desk originated in the late 19th century. The grain of the oak ...
Category
20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Domed Baroque Office Desk with Silver Leaf Details and Leather Top by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Admire this domed presidential office desk finely finished in natural walnut and silver leaf decorated carvings. Its curved baroque legs reall...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Signed Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk
By Gustav Stickley (original label present)
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hamme...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
19th Century French 'Boulle' Style Table
Located in London, GB
19th century French 'Boulle' Table
A late 19th century French ‘Boulle’ style inlaid table, serpentine in shape, classical scrolling brass inlaid decoration to the top, raised ele...
Category
19th Century Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Spanish Side Table with Cared Turned Legs and Wood Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish Side Table with cared turned legs and wood stretcher and also an iron stretcher
The top has a carved edges and a beautiful grai...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Joan Busquets Workshop Masterpiece Modernist Nouveau Desk Cabinet, ca. 1898
Located in South Burlington, VT
From Spain's Catalan Modernist Furniture Maker Joan Busquets Studio & Workshop
A Unique work of Cabinetry Art.
JOAN BUSQUETS I (Barcelona, 1874-1949). Modernist Cabinet and Desk, ca. 1898.
Modernist desk and cabinet finely crafted from walnut wood with golden polychrome and pyrography. Keyholes, handles and decorative appliques in golden brass. Signed on the front in the lower left corner of the right door.
Dimensions: 66 inches high and 46 inches wide and 24 inches deep; 165cm x 116cm x 60 cm
This remarkable and unique Catalan modernist cabinet designed by famed furniture designer and maker, Joan Busquets was crafted at Studio Busquets. Barcelona, Spai ca 1898 from walnut wood with fine polychrome gold and decorated with pyrography- the first time in European history that saw this craftsmanship combination of fine studio furniture with fine pyrographic artistic technique. The keyholes, handles and decorative fixtures are made of gilded brass. This Catalan Modernist cabinet was constructed into two (2) sections. The lower cut-out base support section is raised on four stylized legs, with a perpendicularly placed table top- all creatively imagined in a totally sinuous form providing dynamism and originality to this unique design. The upper desk cabinet section has a triple opening, two with hinged doors, one from top to bottom that opens as a desk and the other from left to right revealing two drawers, as well as a top slide out drawer. The interior features several drawers of different sizes all beautifully embellished on their fronts in a golden color pyrography. The entire body of this cabinet desk furniture is richly decorated with typically art nouveau modernist stylized vegetal motifs executed with the artist Busquet's personal pyrography technique, and finally framed with sinuous moldings in relief.
This is a superb furniture cabinet within the Catalan modernism genre, given that it was produced by one of the best studio workshops of that time, as well as for the perfection and meticulousness with which each of its details have been executed by artrist designer Busquet.
Busquets' workshop was known to have crafted most of the furniture for Antoni Gaudí Casa Calvet, with this being a prime example.
About Studio Busquet
In 1898 Busquets y Jané introduced for the first time a new technique of polychrome pyrography. This replaced classical marquetry hand craft traditionally applied to furniure of the 19th century. This new design technique was first applied to this cabinet and dates circa 1898. The artist, designer, and decorator Joan Busquets personally hand applied pyrography to his furniture designs and was actively involved in this pyrographic technique widely known of that period as the "Busquets style".
About La Casa Busquets:
Furniture designer and decorator, Joan Busquets is currently considered one of the most representative artists of Spain's Catalan modernism. He began his training in his family workshop, and then studied at the Escuela de La Llotja in Barcelona, where his teachers were Guitart and Lostaló. In the 1895-96 academic year he obtained a scholarship that allowed him to travel around Spain, which he obtained thanks to a project for a Renaissance-style bookcase-cabinet. He exhibited furniture projects for the first time at the Barcelona Exhibition...
Category
19th Century Spanish Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Antiqued Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued mahogany writing table, the serpentine parquetry planked top inset with a central burnished leather writing surface, above t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather
Baroque Table, Switzerland, 1770
Located in Belmont, MA
Baroque table, Switzerland, 1770.
This pretty Baroque table dates back to the Rococo period and comes from Berne in Switzerland. The base with the curved legs is made of cherry wood....
Category
1770s Swiss Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Kingwood
Early Gustav Stickley Ebonized Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk
By Gustav Stickley (original label present)
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak in original ebonized...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Baroque Walnut Writing Desk with Gold Leaf Details by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Complete your office with a high-end Italian baroque writing desk from the bespoke producer Modenese Luxury Interiors. This solid wood presidentia...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Hand Carved Oak Desk with Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Design
19th French hand carved oak wood table desk with iron stretcher.
This antique French hand carved oak wood desk features a bea...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Domed Baroque Extension Table with Silver Leaf Details and Leather Top, Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Complete your office with this domed extension desk finely finished in natural walnut and silver leaf decorated carvings. Its curved baroque legs really...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Rounded Luxury Classical Office Desk, Gold Leaf by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Admire this figured presidential office desk finely finished in ebanon and gold leaf decorated carvings. Its curved baroque legs really make a...
Category
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
19th Spanish Walnut Desk with Two Drawers and Solomonic Turning Legs
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish walnut desk with two drawers and solomonic turning legs and solomonic stretcher
it is carved in four sides
It has a central lock for...
Category
1890s French Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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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