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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Arts and Crafts
Style: Empire
French Bureau Plat or Desk with Gilt Griffin Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Bureau Plat or Desk, France, circa 1950s. Elegant design in black lacquered wood with brass hardware and an inset black leather...
Category
1950s French Empire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Metal
Purification Fire Ancient 200-year Walnut Writing Desk Live Egde Contemporary
Located in København N, DK
There is a fire that does not harm or destroy, and brings benefits, takes away unnecessary and unnecessary, burdensome and brings ease and purity. It does not turn everything that ge...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Lyon, FR
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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
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
French 19th Century Lady's Work Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This petite work table from 19th century France is full of charming elements within a compact design. Details allude to this piece serving as a correspondence and sewing table. Unloc...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The rectangular top inset with a beige tooled leather writing surface and slide outs on both ends. Above five drawers, the reverse side with dummy drawers raised on columnar legs wit...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
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
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
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
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Desk with Gilt Metal Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
A perfect example of the Bureau Plat.
French Empire style desk with wood marquetry and gilt metal mounts at all angles. This piece features three working drawers on the front with three faux drawers on the back. The superb gilt metal hardware is on the front as well as the back. The four arched legs grace gorgeous gilt metal decor...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-19th century
The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender drawers on each side,
with gilt-bronze mounts and inset tooled green leather writing su...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed sides. The top is provided with inlaid green leather; the drawers have divided small...
Category
Early 1800s Scandinavian Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Tiger Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Table
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is a truly special piece with rich wood grain in Tiger Maple. Four sturdy columns with a large single drawer. Retains original wood casters for easy ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
Writing table or bureau plat in Empire style after Jacob Desmalter.
Solid, ebonized beech, partially carved and hand-painted. Cutted out pedestal on profiled disc feet. Over which ar...
Category
20th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century French Empire style roll-top desk
French, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 113cm, width 84cm, depth 62cm
This charming roll-top desk is crafted from ormo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
Category
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
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
Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date.
The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Category
1870s French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk.
With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
21st Century American Walnut Veneer Vanity Desk with Mirror
Located in New York, NY
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio.
This work/makeup desk...
Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
21st Century American Walnut Veneer Vanity Desk with Mirror, Black and Red
Located in New York, NY
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio.
This work/makeup desk...
Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
21st Century American Walnut Veneer Vanity Desk with Mirror, Indigo
Located in New York, NY
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio.
This work/makeup desk...
Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
An early 19th century gilt bronze and walnut veneer ladies desk or dressing table or vanity, with a rectangular grey fossil marble top above two mirror paneled doors and two drawers, flanked by Greek Revival female caryatids, above a folded leather lined writing surface and a frieze drawer, raised on square legs, joined by an incurved stretcher. The whole mounted with finely chased ormolu casts depicting winged figures, ribbons and foliage.
Beautiful early 19th century French Empire small desk...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
21st Century American Walnut Veneer Vanity Desk with Mirror, Green
Located in New York, NY
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio.
This work/makeup desk...
Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
21st Century American White Oak Veneer Vanity Desk with Mirror
Located in New York, NY
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American white oak veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio.
This work/makeup desk...
Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
21st Century Walnut and Brass Work Desk
Located in New York, NY
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio.
This work/makeup desk...
Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
English Arts and Crafts Oak Roll Top Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Arts and Crafts oak roll top desk with side drawers and leather top.
Category
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
21st Century American Walnut Veneer Vanity Desk with Mirror, Red & Gray
Located in New York, NY
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a makeup desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio.
This wo...
Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted Empire style mahogany pedestal desk.
French, circa 1870.
This imposing Empire style pedestal desk is mounted with fine gilt bronze Egypt...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Voysey Style of Arts & Crafts Oak Dining Table with Dove Cut-Outs below the Top
Located in London, GB
C F A Voysey in the style of.
An Arts & Crafts oak dining or library table with four stylized floral cut-outs flanked by dove cut-outs to each corner to the angled apron underneath ...
Category
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
G M Ellwood for J S Henry. An Arts & Crafts oak writing desk
Located in London, GB
George Montague Ellwood (1875-1955) for J.S. Henry
An oak writing desk with sloping pen compartment just above the writing area flanked by stylised inlaid details of a pair of quills...
Category
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant and attractive early 19th century Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). The double ratcheted hinged rectangular top lined with dark green oi...
Category
19th Century Belgian Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk.
With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan leather writing surface, an interior...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat by Maison Forest.
Paris, circa 1900.
Bearing two labels to the underside: 'FOREST/TAPISSERIE/EBENISTERIE/31 RUE CAMBACERES.PARIS...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Ebonized Mahogany Writing Table Desk
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ebonized mahogany writing table desk with a leather top & claw feet resting on a platform base. (after JACOB DESMALTER at Fonteainbleau Palace).
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
English Arts & Crafts Aesthetic Movement Elm Wood Desk with Contrasting Inlay
Located in New York, NY
English Arts & Crafts (Aesthetic Movement) double pedestal table elm and burl wood desk with a canted corner top having multi-wood inlay and a green & brown leather writing surface.
...
Category
20th Century British Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl, Elm, Leather
19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine quality, 18th century Louis XV Escritoire. The Escritoire has a drawer at the top with ornate mounts, above a fall front opening...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
George Walton. Arts & Crafts Walnut Desk with Secret Drawers & Heart Escutcheons
Located in London, GB
George Walton. A rare Arts and Crafts walnut desk almost identical to the desk Walton designed in 1898 for Sidney Leetham for the morning room in Elm Bank, a major interior commission in York, England.
This desk is a complex hybrid design. The overhanging top with central arched cupboard...
Category
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk.
With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Burl Wood Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful burl wood set against ebonized legs and trim. Desk has a single compartmentalized drawer with key and elegantly curved legs.
Category
19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl
American Arts & Crafts Era Mahogany Side Table or Small Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic American arts and crafts table with a bold simple form which marked the era and this handsome table/desk is exemplary of the movement. It is constructed of fine mahogany wood...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
We guarantee safe a the cheapest air ...
Category
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Italian Olive Burl Wood Cabriole Leg Bombay Drop Front Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine craftsmanship Italian made burl wood drop front secretary.
Category
20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Olive, Burl
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Elegant French Empire bureau-plat or partners desk, The top, inlaid with a center-star-motive and small decorations on each corner, above five drawers, the middle one opening from th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany and bronze trimmed table with single drawer and green (repaired) marble-top.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany roll top desk with bronze trim.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
B Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Davenport with Central Carved Rosette
Located in London, GB
Bruce J Talbert for Gillows of Lancaster.
An Aesthetic Movement Davenport with a brass gallery to the back and an inkwell and pen compartment below, a...
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 drawer table desk with stretcher, griffins, and green marble top.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Baltic writing or sofa table in the Empire style (and edging toward the Art Deco period that would follow.) In Cuban mahogany with carved trestle-base ending in carved li...
Category
1910s Baltic Empire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Stately Empire desk on four monopodia legs painted a dark verdis gris, joined by two stretchers. Top inset with a tooled black leather writing surface and slide outs (16.5 inches eac...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Arts & Crafts Satinwood Writing Table by Marsh and Jones
By John Marsh and Edward Jones
Located in London, by appointment only
An Arts and Crafts satinwood writing lavishly inlaid with stylized foliate ornament and multilayered crossbanding. The table is supported on turned columns joined by a stretcher supp...
Category
19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
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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Cabriole Bureau
Writing Slope Desk
Writing Desk Sloping
18th Century Style Desk
Bureau Plat Bronze
Black Glass Top Desk
Xvi Bureau
Wood Partners Desk
Vintage Bank Desk
Writing Table Mahogany Regency
Writing Table Brass Mount
Carved Walnut Desk French
Blue Painted Desk
American Desk 19th Century
Mid Century Black Writing Desk With Drawers