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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 1910s
1970s Milo Baughman Burlwood Chrome Curved Executive Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and one of a kind, sculptural Burlwood solid wood desk you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. Chrom...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Concrete table/ desk designed by Sergio and Giorgio Saporiti. Italy, 1972
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The SAPO table, designed with a concrete base and hardened Glass top, attached by two chromed bolts. The concrete base shows a beautiful imprint of the wooden mould it was made from....
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Concrete
Modern Waterfall Glass Desk or Console Table
By Pace Manufacturing
Located in Pasadena, TX
49? waterfall glass desk or console
Pace style modern and minimalist glass waterfall desk or console table. We have 2 available that would work...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl 'Directors' Writing Desk in White Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, 'Directors' writing desk, polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71
Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an international audienc...
Category
1970s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plastic
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Countryside, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
This desk measures: 52 wide x 42 deep x 31 high, with a chair clearance of 25 inches
?All pieces of furniture can...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
1980s Teal Laminated Over Wood Waterfall Desk Karl Springer Style
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and one of a kind, in the style of Karl Springer, Tiffany teal laminate over solid wood desk you co...
Category
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Late 20th Century Danish Industrial Style Painted Metal Desk
Located in Tonbridge, Kent
Mid-Century Modern Danish Industrial Style Desk with Red/Orange Steel Frame. This striking mid-century modern desk with clean lines and functional design of the 60s/70s era, featurin...
Category
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Postmodern Desk, Writing Table by Bohumil Landsman, 1970s, Fully Restored
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Exquisitely crafted in the 1970s, this vintage desk showcases a harmonious blend of style and functionality. With its sleek and lightweight design, it exudes a timeless appeal that i...
Category
1970s Czech Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Category
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch, Mahogany
1980's Cerused Oak Three Drawer Desk
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
1980's cerused oak desk with 3 large drawers and claw feet legs, fully restored with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Italian Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Desk or Vanity with two Drawers, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful desk, or can also be used as a vanity - dressing table.
Made from bamboo wood and rattan, in Italy in the 1970s.
The desk is beautiful to look at from all sides and can als...
Category
1970s Italian French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Gae Aulenti for Zanotta "Gaetano" Writing Table, Italy 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Naples, IT
Gaetano work table by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta with original glass top supported by two folding trestles in black and red enamelled metal.
Timeless object. With its dry and essential ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Post Modern Black Figural Acrylic Panther Base Glass Top Desk Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Post Modern Black Figural Acrylic Panther Base Glass Top Desk Table. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 30" H x 60" W x 30" D x 29" Leg clearance. Approx 21-24" Middle Wi...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Acrylic, Laminate
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Countryside, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel declaration mid century walnut corner desk
This desk measures: 52.5 wide x 40.25 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Campaign Style Desk by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Campaign style desk designed by John Van Koert for Drexel. The desk is supported by gold crossed wood supports with a gilt finish. The top portion offers cubby-hole storage on either...
Category
1970s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Edwardian Style Inlaid Walnut Chinoiserie Style Top Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a diamond in the rough. This is a superb smaller scale Edwardian English desk that has intricate satinwood inlay and gorgeous design and...
Category
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Italian Renaissance Savonarola Leather Top Desk
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category
1990s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather
Postmodern desk, interlübke
By Interlübke
Located in Neuss, NW
Postmodern desk by interlübke from the 1980s. High quality desk with a white asymethric working surface and white lacquered tubular steel legs.
Quality Features:
very good work...
Category
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Kroma' Desk by Antonia Astori for Driade, Italy 1980s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1980s ‘Kroma’ desk designed by Antonia Astori for Driade. This modern desk embodies a minimalist aesthetic, featuring a rectangular white surface composed of wood with fine black l...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Drawing Board and Chair by José Espinho for Móveis Olaio, 1970's
By Olaio, José Espinho 1
Located in Lisboa, PT
A rare and well-preserved Drawing Board and Chair set designed by José Espinho for Móveis Olaio in the 1970s — an iconic example of Portuguese modernist design rooted in functional c...
Category
1970s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vladimir Kagan Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Vladimir Kagan Desk.
Quilted maple, brass and Leather.
Beautiful Pistachio color Leather.
Label present.
Category
1970s North American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple
French Mid-Century Vintage Bamboo Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Desk from mid-century France made of bamboo. This piece has a solid pine wood top that sits on two pedestals made of bamboo. We love the organic details of this piece. The desk is in...
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Wonderful Milo Baughman style Black Lacquered Rosewood Desk Chrome X Base
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Milo Baughman style West Michigan Furniture (from their 'Dimension 1' collection) black lacquered and rosewood desk with chrome X base. We actually love the original finish...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Secretary's Desk, Danish, Narrow Office Table, Sibast Mobel, Circa 1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage secretary's desk. A Danish, rosewood narrow office table by Sibast Mobel, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970.
Sibast Mobel was founded by Helge Sibast (19...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Plate Glass and Chrome Dining Table Model 6060 by Leon Rosen for Pace
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish and sophisticated dining table (model 6060) designed by Leon Rosen for the Pace Collection composed of a heavy plate-glass 72" long top supported by two chrome and plate-glas...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
C.E.O. Cube Leather Desk Designed by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Poltrona Frau
Located in Zagreb, HR
Highly exclusive CEO cube desk in leather, designed by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Poltrona Frau, Italy late 90s/00s
The price of the new ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
1970s National Mt. Airy Military Campaign Style Executive Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Another good looking campaign style piece for your collection! We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage executive desk hand crafted in the Military Campaign style by Mt. Airy, which is one of the higher quality campaign manufacturers. This well-made desk executed out of oakwood which has a lovely warm patina to it, the cuts of timber are lovely with great proportions from any angle. Supporting a rectangular top with a central drawer flanked on either side by a column cabinet with four drawers each having a top and bottom drawer, two of which are double as a filing drawer in the middle offering plenty of storage space. Solid finished back all standing on a plinth base to make it more stable. The brass inset military handles & brass corner brackets are all original and in brass. Signed "National Mt...
Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Postmodern Memphis Design Writing Desk, Germany, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This striking postmodern writing desk exemplifies the bold aesthetics of the Memphis design movement. The desk features an asymmetrical green laminated wood surface supported by a bl...
Category
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Executive Abbondi Desk, 1970s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Italian executive desk in a dark Rosewood. Three pull-out drawers flank each side. Lockable drawers with original locks. Solid aluminum frame with unusual, rounded corners o...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Signed Romeo Rega Console or Desk in Chrome and Brown Plexiglass, Italy 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning desk or console table in chromed steel with a brown plexiglass top. This incredibly rare piece is signed by Romeo Rega and was designed in Rome,Italy during the 1970s.
This...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Antique oak partner desk
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique oak partner desk with 9 drawers on both sides, 1 of which is a double archive drawer. Dark green gold-edged leather top. De...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Ricardo Bofill 1990 Desk
Located in Barcelona, ES
Anabelle d'Huart & Ricardo Bofill Desk
France, 1993
Manufactured by Ricardp Bofill
Veneer
180 x 80 x 76h cm
70,9 x 31,5 x 29,9h in
Private Collection
Category
1990s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Robert Propst For Herman Miller Action Office Stand-Up Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
An Action Office desk designed by Robert Propst for Herman Miller in 1968. This mid century modern classic is wall mounted (mounting brackets included) ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Pen Shell Desk or Writing Table by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic sleek Mid-Century Modern desk crafted in a pen shell mosaic with three drawers in the case having brass highlights on elegant legs with ball feet. Signed Maitland-Smith in drawer.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Shell
1970s Chrome and Rosewood Desk
By J. Wade Beam
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Beautiful executive desk designed by J Wade Beam circa 1970. The rosewood top seems to float with a clean, geometric chrome base. Age-appropriate wear.A striking executive desk desig...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Drexel Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Decorated Leather Top Desk
By Drexel
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 30 in W: 60 in D: 27 in
An exquisite French Louis XV-style leather-top desk by Drexel, featuring stunning chinoiserie hand-painted decorations that add an air of so...
Category
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Philipp Plein office brown desk in split leather with a crocodile skin effect
Located in Oirlo, LI
In a luxurious penthouse, nestled in the heart of a bustling city, stood a desk unlike any other. It was the creation of Philipp Plein, a designer whose name was synonymous with bo...
Category
1970s German Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Writing Table or Desk by Leon Rosen for Pace in Brass & Glass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning simple and elegant modern design by Leon Rosen and produced by Pace in the 1970's. It features heavy thick 3/4 inch clear glass construction with brass brackets in a demi...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Baker Red Lacquered Chinoiserie Writing Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
Discover the allure of this Vintage Baker Red Lacquered Chinoiserie Writing Desk, a stunning piece that embodies timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship. From the esteemed Baker Furniture Co., this desk features a rich red lacquer finish that immediately draws the eye, beautifully adorned with intricate hand-painted Chinoiserie motifs depicting scenes and patterns inspired by East Asian art. The elegant form, likely featuring classic desk elements like drawers and a refined silhouette, speaks to Baker's reputation for quality and design. This desk is not just a functional workspace but a statement piece, perfect for adding a touch of exotic sophistication and vibrant color to a study, living room, or entryway, blending artistic detail with practical use.
This distinguished writing desk measures a generous 53 inches in width, 28.25 inches in depth, and 31 inches in height, offering ample surface area and legroom. While specific condition details were not provided for this item, vintage Baker pieces are generally well-made and durable; expect a condition commensurate with age and use, which may include minor surface wear that adds to its vintage character. This desk is a versatile addition to interiors ranging from Hollywood Regency and Chinoiserie to Traditional and Eclectic styles. Don't miss the chance to own this exquisite Vintage Baker desk...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Custom Knoll 9' Executive Credenza Desk in Walnut & Chrome
By Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Florence Knoll's transformative influence on Mid-Century design is evident in this elegant custom-designed Executive Credenza Desk. As a pioneer in interior design, Knoll founded the...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
French Louis XV Style Figural Maple Burl Writing Desk Napoleon Bureau Plat 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental Louis XV / Napoleon III style office desk. A serpentine form made from birdseye maple with three large dovetailed drawers in the frieze and long tapered cabriole legs. Fea...
Category
1980s Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
1970s Chinoiserie Hand Painted Malachite Green Desk Stool, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, hand painted desk and matching stool you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful...
Category
1970s Asian Chinoiserie Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Black Desk Mod. Platone design Anonima Castelli & Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Munster, NRW
The Platone Desk is an iconic desk designed by Gian Carlo Piretti & Anonima Castelli
in the 1960s. It impresses with its elegant and functional design, which takes both aesthetics a...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Boho Nautical for Lexington Campaign Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
This vintage boho nautical campaign desk by Lexington is a perfect blend of classic functionality and coastal-inspired charm. Crafted with a sturdy wood frame, the desk features a ri...
Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Executive Desk by Hans von Klier for Skipper Italian, circa 1970
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Desk by Hans von Klier in walnut wood with three drawers, a center leather writing section, and a inset storage space which includes two sliding walnut supply holders. The desk has a...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
Fantastic English Yew Wood Library Table with Articulating Accordion Brass Lamps
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very unusual library desk with an Edwardian style and covered in yewood and faux pebble grained leather. The accordion style lamps are gorgeous and bright and there is very...
Category
1980s English Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Børge Mogensen Work Desk in Oak & Linoleum by P. Lauritsen, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
Rare Børge Mogensen "BM80" work desk made by P. Lauritsen & Sons in the early 1970s. The table is made from solid oak with a beautiful grain and dark blue linoleum. Assembled with cu...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood and Macassar Ebony Executive Desk by Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern or Art Deco style executive writing desk
In the manner of Milo Baughman
By Henredon, "Scene Two" Collection
USA, Circa 1970s
Stunning bo...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Macassar, Burl
Tessellated Stone Writing Desk by Maitland Smith
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your location.
Maitland Smith Writing Desk. Mahogany Drawers. Stone rectangu...
Category
1980s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
Postmodern 1980s Pine Wood writing Desk in the style of Guillerme & Chambron
Located in Basel, BS
Absolutely fabulous, sculptural desk made of solid pine wood!
Three storage drawers on the right side with white accents and button-like solid pine knobs. Next to the drawers, lies a...
Category
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
"tip igl" Desk & chair, Ernest Igl, Hadi
By Ernest Igl
Located in Neuss, NW
Rare "tip igl" desk with chair from the 1970s by Ernest Igl for Hadi. High-quality frame with dyed through plastic corpus (NOVODUR®️) in green with hinged writing surface and storage compartments underneath, three rotating storage compartments, a magazine rack, a swivel lamp made of white lacquered metal and the very rare green glazed ceramic shell...
Category
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Rare 'Kono' Dining Table / Desk by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, 1984
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and large 'Kono' table, which works excellent as either a dining table or a desk, by Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli was designed in 1984 and this example created in the mid-to-late 1980s by Casigliani in Pisa, Italy. This rare example of the 'Kono' design features a monumental Black Granite slab for the top, two thick slabs of Imperial Red Granite which connect together to form one of the bases, and the Vignellis signature Patinated Copper cone which forms the other base.
The 'Kono' design was normally made as coffee tables so it is quite rare to find examples made scaled up in dining table size. In addition, typical Kono tables were made with glass tops and a single slab granite base. This example however, the Vignellis selected Black Granite instead of the typical glass tops. Also, rather than using a rectangular single-slab base, this example features an L-shaped base constructed with two slabs that connect together along one angled edge. It still employs the cone-shaped patinated copper base typical of Kono tables, however this example is much larger of course than cocktail table versions.
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies, which houses the artists’ archive, confirmed this table to be one of two known drawings by the Vignellis (a copy of the Vignelli sketch, which they provided, is included in the photo gallery) though it is unknown if the other table was ever produced, making this table potentially an important one-of-a-kind.
The Black Granite top in lower light settings is dark, deep and mysterious. With direct sunlight its luminosity is intense - see the photo gallery for images of the table in direct sunlight from our skylight above. It glows, shines and shimmers with incredible vibrancy, similar to diamonds - to see it in person is quite exquisite and remarkable. While we only had it set up under our skylight for a couple hours, I would describe the experience as recharging - I felt like I had just spent a couple hours meditating, this would be incredible to wake up to every day before leaving to work.
The Vignellis described the 'Kono' table as: “This design exploits the relationship between geometrical figures and material finishes." Over the course of their four-decade-long design practice, Lella and Massimo Vignelli collaborated on projects that ranged from product design and brand identity to interior and furniture design. Whether designing New York City’s subway map...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Granite, Copper
Post Modern Marble Glass Dining Table Made in Italy by Artedi
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
Vintage Maitland Smith White Tessellated Marble Scroll Desk/Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant desk/console table designed & made by Maitland-Smith in the late 1970s-early 1980s. Its simple, clean lines the scroll top table consists of white tessellated marble arranged...
Category
1970s Philippine Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone, Brass
Arts and Crafts Pitch Pine Writing Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Pitch Pine Writing Table
A good Heavy quality Pitch pine side table or writing table in the Arts and Crafts style
There are 2 drawers along the front and a wide str...
Category
1910s Arts and Crafts Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
1980s Postmodern Marble Stone Executive Two Sided Desk
Located in Madison, WI
Incredible 1980s Postmodern Marble designer desk. Great for use as an executive desk or a two sided desk. The black pieces supporting the marble writing...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Teak and Leather Desk by Finn Hansen, c. 1980
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An executive sized teak desk by Danish designer Finn Hansen. This piece features a high quality chocolate leather top and pull out trays for maximum tabletop surfaces. Both cabinets ...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Teak
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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