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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Arts and Crafts
Style: Rococo
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

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

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

18th Century French Rococo Library Table
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Exceptional 18th century Rococo centre library table in it's original color with great finish. Incredibly rare piece due to the length and condition. Ca 1750 France.
Category

18th Century French Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

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...
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2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

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

Italian Rococo Writing Table
By Guiseppe Biondo
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Italian walnut rococo writing table, the lovely faded olive inset leather top with gilt tooled edge and thumb molded walnut banding over molded frieze with single drawer, the ap...
Category

1780s Italian Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Poplar, Walnut

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

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 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

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 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 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

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 ...
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Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

Italian Venetian Walnut Serpentine Desk
Located in New York, NY
Italian Venetian (18th Century) walnut serpentine shaped desk with 2 side doors and 2 narrow front doors above a drawer with a pull out front interior chair having a left arm.
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

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 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An imposing Louis XV ebonized writing table with finely chased gilt bronze mounts. The stepped moulded rectangular top inset with the original gilt-tooled leather above three frieze drawers with elaborate ormolu handles and escutcheons, the reverse conformingly organized with three simulated drawers, allowing this bureau plat to be freestanding, the cabriole legs with sabot feet headed by female masks. The iconic Coco chancel lived with a Rococo writing desk...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italian Rococo Style Table, Desk With Faux-Marble Top, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Mid 19th Century Italian Table / Desk with Original Paint and Faux Marble Top, Wonderfully Carved Apron and Cabriole Legs on Scroll Feet. ...
Category

19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

Rococo 18th Century Writing Table with Drawer, Origin: Sweden, Circa 1760
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Rococo 18th century writing table with single drawer with accentuated cabriole legs, origin: Sweden, circa 1760 with all original green color. The purity of the design lac...
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Paint, Pine

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

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

Rococo Style Side Table with Porcelain Plaques
Located in London, GB
This beautiful side table was designed in France in the 19th century in the fashionable Rococo, or Louis XV, style. The piece has been crafted from kingwood and decorated with painte...
Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Venetian Rococo Revival Lacquered Ladies Desk
Located in New York, NY
Venetian Rococo Revival lacquered wood ladies desk or writing table raised on tapered cabriole legs, having two drawers to front, floral motif painted...
Category

Late 20th Century Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swiss Walnut Writing Table with Parquetry Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful Swiss walnut writing table with a burled parquetry top from the Neauchatel region of Switzerland. These tables are ideal to use next to a sofa, bedside or has a tea or co...
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Mid-18th Century Swiss Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

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...
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19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Early 20th Century French Carved Oak Table
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a fabulous quality, very highly carved table made in France, circa 1920. The table has extremely Fine quality carvings throughout. The side...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood Bureau en Pente, attributed to Migeon
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The hinged fall front opening to reveal a fitted interior with drawers above a slide enclosing a concealed well with two drawers, raised on cabriole legs headed by scrolling chutes r...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine 18th Century Swedish Rococo Desk
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine 18th century Swedish Rococo desk / console table with one drawer and in Its original colour. Ca 1770 Sweden.
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Early 20th century French carved poker work writing table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century french carved poker work writing table circa 1900. Unusual profusely carved small writing table. Carved tulips into the top surface, around the apron and down the...
Category

Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware....
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Swedish Rococo Period Slant Front Desk Painted in Black with Distressed Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period two-part slant-front desk from the 18th century, repainted in black with a blue interior and later iron hardware. Created in Sweden during the Rococo period, ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

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

Rococo Black Lacquered Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Rococo black lacquered desk with gilt-tooled red leather top, carved and gilded decorations with three shaped frieze drawers and cabriole...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, 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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