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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Luxury Walnut Work Desk – Minimalist Executive Office Desk Modern Craftsmanship
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A statement piece for refined workspaces – handcrafted in solid walnut, this minimalist executive desk blends functionality and sculptural presence. Elevate your workspace with this...
Category

2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Plywood

Midcentury Floating Top Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern desk by Tri Bond Furniture, with floating top and finished back. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Floating Top Desk
Midcentury Floating Top Desk
$1,540 Sale Price
30% Off
Large Deep Green Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Two Drawers, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large deep green study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk has two steel drawers...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Italian Desk
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful mid century modern desk with a sleek design that functions in any modern day setting. If features an it's original canary yellow glass top as well as three drawers on the...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Beech, Walnut

Antique English Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
English mahogany pedestal desk with tooled gilt oxblood leather writing surface, and featuring three frieze drawers and six total drawers split between both sides with brass ring pul...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Flemish Baroque Marquetry Decorated Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine 19th century Flemish ebony center or writing table having floral marquetry inlay inlaid bone insects on a walnut, ebony and faux tortoise backg...
Category

1860s Belgian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bone, Tortoise Shell, Ebony

Guglielmo Ulrich elegant walnut writing desk
Located in Milano, IT
COD-z85 Guglielmo Ulrich Elegant walnut writing desk with beautiful floor cross and 4 shaped drawers, bronze handles. Manufacturing ca. 1940. 132x55xh75
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Limed Oak Desk in the Manner of René Gabriel, France 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The materials and techniques used by mid-century French cabinetmakers were directly derived from the possibilities offered by industrial production at the time. Oak has never gone ou...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Executive desk the Italian wood 60s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
Located in Milano, MI
Executive desk model T96 designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. 1960s exotic wood top and drawer units with black painted metal support frame. The drawer units are rotatable so tha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

English Mahogany Tambour Satinwood Inlaid Writing Desk, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany tambour desk with sliding leather writing surface, interior satinwood compartmentalized drawers with the original bone knobs, five lower drawers with the original br...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Poul Norreklit Desk, Denmark 1970s
Located in New York, NY
This stunning desk, designed by renowned Danish designer Poul Norreklit, showcases the perfect blend of mid-century modern aesthetics and innovative craftsmanship. Featuring a sleek ...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Post Modern Marble Glass Dining Table Made in Italy by Artedi
Located in New York, NY
Chic, voguish, and sophisticated late 20th C large dining table by noted Italian furniture maker Artedi. The table features an impressive beveled plate glass top ( 78.25. x 39. 25 x ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Art Deco Desk by Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Charles Dudouyt oak desk with double base, made in the 1940s in France. The sturdy oak construction, adorned with front panels and a raised round inlaid top with a captivating parque...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Kem Weber Trimline for Heywood Wakefield Desk and Chair
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A very cool looking desk and matching chair designed by Kem Weber for Heywood Wakefield’s Trimline group. The desk has a great green laminate top. The matching chair is wood and stee...
Category

1960s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Design Desk, French Designer Charly Bounan
Located in Geneve, CH
Charly Bounan, is a Parisian designer renowned for its refined creative style and the important eclecticism of its influences. As an art dealer and designer he worked closely with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Resin

Beautiful Angelo Mangiarotti Teak Desk, 1952
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful, unique desk, and sculptural desk designed by Angelo Mangiarotti. Angelo Mangiarotti (* February 26, 1921 in Milan; † June 30, 2012) was an Italian industrial designer and...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

18th Century Louis XV Walnut Table or Ladies Desk
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This antique French Louis XV side table, or ladies desk, is a real 18th century gem. Crafted from walnut, and opening with a single apron drawer, it would make a fabulous end table, ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Oak Barley Twist Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular 19th century French bureau plat writing table or desk featuring barley twist legs and stretcher. Crafted from oak in the grand Louis XIII style fronted by a large 27 inch...
Category

19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Delano 5064 Desk by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Delano 5064 Desk by Redeco Dimensions: W 160 x D 60 x H 77 cm Materials: Mdf structure. One soft closing drawer, Structure in Palissandro Santos veneer with polyester matt finish. In...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk, Late 18th Century, Late 1700s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish late Gustavian writing desk, late 18th century in excellent antique condition. Key included. Restored with additions. Slight damages, wear and repairs due to age and as sh...
Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Working Desk No. 1 - Fluentum Series in Ebony by Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
This is the Working Desk No. 1 of the Studio's Fluentum Series. The construction of the table is a clean design; showcasing details and flows of a bent-wood design. Wood emerges smo...
Category

2010s Pakistani Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash, Bentwood

Executive Waterfall Metal Desk in Art Deco, Streamline Design, Germany, 2015
Located in Berlin, DE
Executive waterfall metal desk in Art Deco, Streamline Design, Germany, 2015.
Category

2010s German Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Danish Style Compact Teak Desk With Drawers
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Style Teak Desk This vintage desk is a must-have for anyone looking to add a touch of retro style and functionality to their home office or study. ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

20th Century Marcel Breuer for Gavina Desk mod. Canaan
Located in Turin, Turin
Marcel Breuer was a Hungarian-German modernist architect and furniture designer. He became one of the first and youngest students at the Bauhaus – a radical arts and crafts school that Walter Gropius had founded in Weimar just after the First World War. He was recognized by Gropius as a significant talent and was quickly put at the head of the Bauhaus carpentry shop. His designs ranged from the human anatomical scale of the chair to the domestic scale of his modern houses, the urban street scale of the museum, and the monumental scale of major international commissions. From the Bauhaus to New York to...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Midcentury Danish Modern Light Teak Desk 6 Drawers Top Lockable Drawers Key
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great Medium sized mid century Danish modern light teak desk with 6 drawers with wooden pulls. Danish compact design. No labels, made in Denmark. Top 2 drawers has original Key - Loc...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

19th Century Side Table with Frieze Drawer and Baluster Turned Legs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An absolutely charming 19th century French side table, crafted from walnut and featuring exquisitely baluster turned and tapering legs, and a beautifully curved X-form stretcher with...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous book-matched figured walnut, with original brass hardware and mount...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Style writing desk /bureau plat black lacquered finish
Located in Houston, TX
The unique black lacquered finish on this desk is dramatic And has great contrast with the silvered bronze mounts. It has an inset leather top in black with a silver hue medallion C...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine French Art Deco Palisander Dining/Writing Table Attributed to Dominique
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco rectangular dining or writing table attributed to Dominique (André Domin & Marcel Genevrière) Provenance: Lazard bank in Paris.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern Rosewood desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and exceptionally rare Mid Century Modern Desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini. The table is done in rosewood....
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style giltwood carved center gall table with marble top. The rectangular shaped frame intricately carved frame with an "X" stretcher centered...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

18th Century George III Period Mahogany Partners Writing Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
This very fine late 18th-century George III period mahogany partners library writing table is a remarkable piece. Constructed from solid mahogany, it features a moulded edge and a re...
Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Rare Jacobean Style Tapestry Covered Desk on Barley Twist Base
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Unusual and magnificent trunk shaped desk covered in gorgeous rich tapestry needlepoint and brass nailheads. The top piece opens to reveal a drop down writing surface with red leath...
Category

1920s English Jacobean Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tapestry, Oak

Antique English Inlaid Rosewood Child's or Ladies Diminutive Writing Desk
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare antique English inlaid rosewood child's or ladies writing desk with lift-up sloped lid with handsome gilt and tooled leather writing surface; fitted interior. The ink bottles ap...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 Drawers
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeles...
Category

2010s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

Art Deco Desk, 1920s France, Restored Ebony and Oak
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Walnut Art Deco writing desk made in 1920s France. Restored by our team. Completely restored to high gloss. Material: Oak and Ebony Period: 1920-1929.
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Ebony, Oak

18th Century, French Walnut Leather Top Writing Table W/ Bronze Hardware
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th century hand carved French provincial desk. The desk is carved in walnut and is extremely heavy and sturdy after all the year's of use. The finish has developed a beautiful...
Category

18th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Pierre Jeanneret Desk and Stool from the city of Chandigarh, India 1950 - 1959
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Jeanneret Desk and Stool from the city of Chandigarh, India 1950 - 1959 Teak Holland and Sherry boiled wool. Desk: 27 H x 31.5 W x 23 D inches Stoo...
Category

1950s Indian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak, Wool

Antique English Regency Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century English writing desk handcrafted in mixed exotic hardwoods, featuring a tooled leather top on a case with five drawers inlaid with graceful floral designs and b...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century "Table Soleil", Highadjustable Architects Table, Paris c. 1890
Located in Greven, DE
Antique "Table Soleil" - height-adjustable drawing or architect's table France Walnut End of 19th century. Dimensions: H x W x D: 77 x 89 x 52 - height-...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Desk 19th Century Italy Walnut Drawers Louis Philippe Green Leather Top Restored
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Center Desk of 19th Century, Italy , in Walnut with 5 Drawers, style Louis Philippe with Green Leather Top, Restored and wax polished. Height under chair 65 cm (26 inches) All original, with its beautiful antique furniture...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Napoleon III Period Ebonized Desk, 1870s
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An imposing Napoleon III center table (or 'Table de Milieu') in ebonized fruit wood, rectangular in shape, with rounded sides. Its ornate top, which is bordered all around with a gilt bronze frieze and two further inner bands, features at its centre an intricate marquetry inlaid design of a foliage cartouche framing a vase of flowers. The smoothly curving belt of the table encloses a frieze drawer on one long side, with a repeat, inlaid design that echoes that of the top. The table rests on four turned, tapered and fluted legs, ending in toupie feet, and these are connected by two half-moon spacers...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique Victorian Melodeon Rosewood Desk with Scroll Form Legs C1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Victorian Melodeon Rosewood Desk with Trestle Base having Scroll Form Legs C1860 Measu...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

French Art Deco Rosewood Desk and Bookcase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Art Deco Rosewood desk and bookcase ,in two-piece. The tiered bookcase with six half-moon shelves to the left and bronze-mounted c...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Art Deco Rosewood Desk and Bookcase
French Art Deco Rosewood Desk and Bookcase
$30,000 Sale Price / set
55% Off
Antique Louis XVI Writing Desk, Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs. Three dovetail drawers with brass details. The locks wo...
Category

1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk Walnut Black Lino, 1945
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table desk designed by Finn Juhl in 1945, relaunched in 2009. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark. During his career, Finn Juhl designed a series of different tables with ...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk Walnut Black Lino, 1945
Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk Walnut Black Lino, 1945
$2,682 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Petit Roll Top Mahogany Mechanical Desk Writing Table Tapered Legs Mid Century
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beginning of Mid Century Modern era Petit Roll Top Mahogany Mechanical Desk Writing Table Tapered Legs Mid Century MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small art deco desk
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Small art deco desk. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Eugenio Quarti desk, Chair and Trah in Style Liberty or Art Nouveau, Jugestails
By Eugenio Quarti
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Eugenio Quarti (Desk , chair and Trash ) Style: Liberty or Art Nouveau or Modernism or Jugendstil Furniture realized mainly in inlays of nacre and metallic applications, parchament bronze ferrules. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles since 1982.If you have any questions we are at your disposal Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Eugenio Quarti was born in Villa d'Almè, a small village in the province of Bergamo, from an artisan family of woodworkers. In 1881, at the age of 14 years old he goes to Paris, where he will learn new techniques and broaden his horizons. In 1886, he returned to Italy and settled in Milan where he worked, for a short period, with Carlo Bugatti and then open his own workshop in via Donizetti 3. His early works are strongly marked by Bugatti Moorish’s style, but already the exhibition of Turin of 1898 you can see the first signs of Art Nouveau and his personal style. He was always attentive to the quality and originality of his accomplishments, always attentive to every art form. Furniture realized mainly in walnut with inlays of nacre and metallic applications. Develop over time a harmonic elegance of the decor, with thread-like grounds, valuable wood species and inlays and high quality bezels with fine materials (nacre, silver, copper, bronze, pewter, etc.), this characteristic was called "the goldsmith of furniture makers." In 1900 he participates at the Paris International exposition where he received the "Grand Prix" of the jury. Will participate in a number of other exposures as that of Turin in 1902 and Milan in 1906 where he will receive the "Grand Royal Award" and the "Diploma of gold medal". Eugenio Quarti worked with the most prestigious architects of his time (Giuseppe Sommaruga, Luigi Broggi, Alfredo Campanini, etc.) well as with the great artists/craftsmen of his time as Alessandro Mazzucotelli. He also worked as a decorator, designing entire furniture for both public and private buildings. It was he who designed the furniture for Palazzo Castiglioni in Milan, Villa Carosio in Baveno, Grand Hotel and Casino in San Pellegrino Terme, Hungaria Palace Hotel in Venice Lido. One of his most significant works were the vessels of the "Bar Camparino", at the entrance site of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan. however not disdain also committed less important such as the furniture for Villa Mariani to Bordighera residence of the painter Pompeo Mariani...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Mid-20th Century Executive Desk by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Large desk, designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena in the 1960s. The desk stands on brass legs that are set back under the drawer elements, giving it an elegant, floating cha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

LOVELY ANTIQUE LATE VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL BARLEY TWiST LEG HALL TABLE OR DESK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand carved Gothic Revival Victorian Oak hall table with two large drawers Please note the de...
Category

19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood and chrome, 1940, Made in Germany
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Only the wood is restored, not the chrome metal It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

19th Century French Rosewood Bureau De Dame
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality French rosewood Bureau De Dame. The top of the bureau has a nice brass gallery above a fall front, decoratively inlaid with marquetry, opening to reveal a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

20th Century French Bureau Plat Desk in the Louis XV Style Black Ebonized Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Black ebonized, four-sided passively curved frame base on high, elegantly curved squares. Encased in finely chiseled brass fittings. Slightly protruding tabletop with profiled decora...
Category

20th Century German Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Merighi & Dall'Olmo Italian Desk in Teak, Iron and Turquoise Blue Top 1950s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Merighi & Dall'Olmo, lacquered iron, teak, painted wood, brass, Cantù, Italy, 1950s This refined desk by Merighi & Dall'Olmo was made in the 1950s in Italy. The teak wood, brass, an...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Small Work Table wit Mirror Inside, Italy, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Realized by an italian manufacture in the early 20th century, in style 19th century. Height with open mirror: 101.5 cm. Good overall condition ecept for signs of time and minor los...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Giorgio Collection Luna Ebony Macassar and Sycamore Desk in High Gloss Finish
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in the epitome of luxury with this exquisite desk. Its ebony Macassar top, adorned with a Zebra veneer filet in high gloss polyester, exudes opulence. Velvet-lined drawers offer plush storage, while brushed stainless steel feet add a modern touch. A fusion of craftsmanship and elegance, this desk is a statement of refined taste and sophistication. Desk with top in ebony Macassar with 6 mm filet in Zebra veneer in high gloss polyester with 1 full extension drawer with bottom velvet. inside and 1 file drawer on each side. Center pencil drawer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Macassar, Ebony

Oval Desk in Natural Shagreen and Brass by Ginger Brown
Located in Bourguebus, FR
This desk is made of original shagreen in a natural colour, with brass caps on the legs. It has three drawers with brass handles. It can be used as a writing desk or as a vanity tab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Leather Desk, Dark Grey
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Art Deco style shagreen embossed leather desk in a dark antiqued grey. With gilded highlight trim, three frieze drawers with modern round pulls, and raised on square tapered...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather

Architectural Desk In Walnut By Carlo de Carli, Italy 1950's
Located in Hellouw, NL
Architectural Desk in walnut by Carlo De Carli.This desk has a very solid and a kind of determined look with the unmistakable charm of the Italian design of the fifties. According to...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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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