Desks and Writing Tables
21st Century and Contemporary Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
1920s European Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Early 2000s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1860s British High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary English Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
2010s German Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1970s Italian Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Granite
1970s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1920s English George I Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Crystal, Brass
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass, Bronze
2010s German Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Asian Chinoiserie Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Teak, Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Stone, Rock Crystal, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 17th Century French Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Leather
2010s American Desks and Writing Tables
Ash, Sapele Wood, Walnut, Maple
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1830s British William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Mexican Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
2010s Mexican Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Danish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Burl
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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