Skip to main content

Desks and Writing Tables

1
935
to
106
469
435
935
935
935
217
74
62
43
26
15
14
10
9
8
8
8
8
6
5
4
2
1
489
1,806
3,995
1,752
590
2,249
716
90
31
93
197
165
601
649
137
31
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
787
375
172
147
145
691
287
164
148
141
12
8
8
6
6
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1970s
Period: Late 19th Century
Campaign Desk On Faux Bamboo Metal Base With Brass Hardware
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1970s Campaign desk on faux bamboo metal base. Brass hardware, glass top. Some nicks in finish.
Category

1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique French Carved Oak Writing Desk Secretary AND Chair Breton Brittany SET
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Carved Oak Writing Desk Secretary AND Chair Breton Brittany SET. Direct from France, a wonderful antique French writing desk AN...
Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Giotto Stoppino Set of Desk and Armchair in Yellow Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giotto Stoppino, desk and armchair, lacquered wood, lacquered metal, fabric upholstery, Italy, 1970s Playful combination of a desk and armchair designed by Italian architect Giotto ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Compact Plywood Desk in the Style of Gerrit Rietveld, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Compact plywood desk in the style of Gerrit Riettveld. Geometric composition of plywood slabs with formica details for the drawers.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Formica, Plywood

19th Century Louis XV-Style Marquetry Desk with Gilt Bronze Accents
Located in NICE, FR
This exquisite desk, designed in the Louis XV style and originating from the late Napoleon III era. It showcases meticulous craftsmanship through its rich marquetry ornamentation. It...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Eclectic 19th century carved walnut desk and chair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved walnut desk and chair circa 1880. Superb quality desk with original chair made by anders svensson of malmo.  Svensson was a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Carved Mahogany Folding Desk Writing Table
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning antique heavily carved mahogany desk/writing table from the late 19th century. Note the detail and carvings throughout. All hand carved and features a sliding writing servic...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Mahogany Writing Table / Server Turned Legs Wheels, c. 1890
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Handsome Antique Writing Table or Server featuring turned legs on castors, c. 1890. Two drawers with lovely pulls, a gilt embossed leather top and interesting period casters. Perfect...
Category

1890s Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Wood Lovig Desk
Located in Phoenix, AZ
The iconic Løvig teak flip top desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960s, Denmark. It’s versatile in that the back shelf can flip down on its brass hinges to create a larger work s...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Gianni Moscatelli desk for Formanova 70’s.
Located in bari, IT
Desk design by Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova 1970s. Palisander desk surface rests on flat stainless steel legs with floating drawers on either side. Original locks without keys.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

“MODUS” table and chairs by Borsani – Italy 1970
Located in Girona, ES
Triangular table and 6 integrated swivel chairs made for various uses (school and university refectories, offices and libraries) in wood, plastic and steel. Model: MODUS Design: Osva...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Charles Dudouyt Cubist Inspired Walnut Desk / Dining Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Cubist inspired walnut desk in the fashion of designers like Charles Dudouyt with cheery stained hardwood veneer, two-tier stepped top and sharp squared legs.
Category

1970s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Cognac Leather Desk by Guido Faleschini for Mariani, Italy, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This desk is a stunning creation by the visionary Italian designer Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani. Embracing the vibrant spirit and vivid hues of the seventies, this desk encapsulat...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Carlton House Writing Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Carlton House writing desk in wonderful fiddlegrain mahogany with a D shaped platform surrounded a series of raised drawers and covered co...
Category

1880s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Gilt Bronze Brown Desk Table, Napoleon III Boulle Louis XVI 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Louis XVI style Beautiful table desk, France 19th Century Napoleon III period. With 2 hidden sliding extensions. Full walnut veneer. Important ornamentation of gilded bronzes with ...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of the hottest items currently with interior designers are these gleaming brass 'Trilobi' Mastercraft dining table bases, which also work excellent for a desk or work table, feature a hefty triangular design with sculpted ends. The gorgeous brass displays subtle signs of an admirable patina, which can be highly desirable, bringing more vibrancy to this set of 1970s brass table bases by Mastercraft. And most importantly - these are authentic vintage examples... there is now an inferior (but still pricey) knock-off by RH and many dealers do not know how to spot the difference and will sell the fakes as authentic. We have owned and sold over 30 of these over the course of the last 10 years and can guarantee the ones we offer are authentic 'originals' of the design by Mastercraft. *Please note, the table bases in this listing are priced individually. **In addition, the Trilobi bases in the photos have already sold, however we two more in similar condition that are en route to us now and are available for pre-sale. Please message us with any questions. You can use a single base for a round or square top. Looks excellent with glass or marble tops - we can assist in the production of a new glass or stone top - contact us for more details. Or you can pair 2, 3 or even all 4 bases together to form a larger dining table, conference table or desk with a large rectangular or oval top. These Mastercraft brass 'Trilobi' dining table bases would be great as part of a classic or contemporary dining room, living room, family room, sunroom or kitchen. These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Provincial Louis XV Style Cherry Bureau Plat or Writing Desk
Located in Birmingham, AL
A 19th century French Provincial Louis XV style bureau plat or writing desk handcrafted of solid cherry wood in Dinan, a beautiful medieval-walled town in the Brittany region, circa ...
Category

1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Louis XVI French Black Gilt Bronze Desk Table Boulle 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Louis XVI style desk table from the Napoleon III period, made in brass Boulle marquetry style on a solid black dark wood veneer background. Beautiful marquetry with foliage ...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique walnut leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1890-1910 period. It is of extremely fine quality, with a gorgeous cushion top ...
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

French Black Desk Table Napoleon III Boulle Louis XVI Gilt Bronze 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Table desk with drawbars decorated with bronzes from the Napoleon III period and Boulle style. Beautiful desk with 2 opening side parts. Full walnut veneer. Important ornamentation o...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Hand Carved Walnut Two-Sided Desk, 1860s
Located in Miami, FL
Found in the South of France, this 19th century hand carved French walnut table or desk can be placed in the middle of a room as it is beautifully carved on all sides. It features a ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

White Desk 'Quaderna 2830' by Zanotta, Italy 1970s
Located in Greding, DE
Desk with laminated white surface with check pattern. The lines are 3 cm apart and merge seamlessly at the edges and smooth sides. The digital print has been painstakingly transferre...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Lounger and ottoman "Alta" by Oscar Niemeyer / Authentic
Located in Zürich, CH
Lounge chair "Alta" was designed in 1971 by Oscar Niemeyer, in collaboration with Anna Maria Niemeyer and produced by Mobilier International. Niemeyer was a Brazilian architect consi...
Category

1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Spanish 19th century Writing Table - Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming later 19th century Writing Table - Desk from the Catalan region of Spain. Soundly constructed from natural and painted pine with a single drawer, "X" stretchers and sligh...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique Roll-Top Desk, English, Bureau, Aesthetic Period, Victorian, Circa 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique roll-top desk. An English, mahogany and leather tambour bureau in Aesthetic Period taste, dating to the late Victorian era, circa 1880. Beautifully appointed desk...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Francois Linke Louis XV Carved Wood & Marble Top Console
Located in Los Angeles, CA
FRANCOIS LINKE LOUIS XV CARVED WOOD MARBLE TOP CONSOLE TABLE, CIRCA 1890, By Francois Linke. The table is composed of a veined marble top rais...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 1970s Desk by Michel Mortier
Located in Long Island City, NY
Michel MORTIER (1925-2015)- A writing table with a beech base and a white laminated plywood top. Model MP2 (Mortier/ Perrigault), 1979.
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Beech

Gampel-Stoll Elephant Desk in Kidney Form
Located in Norwalk, CT
Gampell-Stoll furniture offers the penultimate in whimsical, exotic themed furnishings. This desk is perhaps their most iconic design, featuring four elephant heads holding a kidney-...
Category

1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Louis XIV style desk - 19th century
Located in Manzano, IT
Small Louis XIV style desk - 19th century Elegant Louis XIV style writing table in solid cherry wood. Its elegantly veined top surrounded by a carved and turned frame. Style Antique ...
Category

1890s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

1970s Italian Dining Table in Natural Stone
Located in Hilversum, NL
Presenting an exquisite Italian dining table from the 1970s, unbranded yet radiating timeless elegance. Its distinctive curvy edges rest upon a rectangular travertine column base, sh...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Travertine

Antique French Table Dining Breakfast Table Writing Desk Carved Oak SUPERB
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB Antique French Renaissance Revival Oak Breakfast Dining Table or Writing Desk ~~HIGHLY CARVED~~Cherubs~~ This table is a true "statement piece" mostly likely a commissioned p...
Category

Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Walnut Large Executive Desk
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut executive Desk by Standard Furniture Company Herkimer, NY. Large Beautiful remarkable statement in design and craftsmanship. This large mid century walnut...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Regency Desk Writing Table Mahogany 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sheraton Revival Mahogany Writing Desk. The term "Sheraton Revival" typically refers to a style of furniture that draws inspiration from the designs of the late 18th-century English ...
Category

1880s Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Post Modern artistic funky Painted 2 Drawer narrow Desk or console table
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-Century Post Modern artistic funky painted yellow orange green splatters with 2 drawers wood narrow desk or console table. Would make a great entry way or hallway table. Beautifu...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th century campaign Reading desk on later stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century campaign Reading desk on later stand. Zebrawood with brass handles and toed leather interior Dedicated black 1892 18 x 10.5 x 20
Category

1890s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Zebra Wood

Antique Bonheur Du Jour, French, Walnut, Ladies Writing Desk, Victorian, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bonheur du jour. A French, walnut ladies writing desk, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Sumptuous colour...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Beautiful Victorian Leather Top Writing Table
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this stunning Victorian rounded rectangular writing table, tooled and gilt writing surface, drawers to frieze, turned and panelled legs, ceramic caster...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Ernest 'Igl' Hofmann Corner Desk in White Fiberglass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest 'Igl' Hofmann for Wilhelm Werndl, corner desk, model 'Jet', fiberglass, Germany, designed in 1970 This design truly fits within the ethos of the seventies – a bright and bol...
Category

1970s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Mid Century Danish Desk With Shelves By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, CA
Mid Century Drexel Danish Desk with shelves. This desk set has a lot to offer is the foot print it provides. The desk has a great area for work space and offers plenty of shelf space to keep you space organized. This desk set has a small 2 door cabinet...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Writing Table combines classic architecture with modern sensibilities creating a table that can be used for a wide variety of purposes, all while...
Category

1880s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1970s desk, Luigi Colani, Flötotto
Located in Neuss, NW
Space age desk from the 1970s by Luigi Colani for Flötotto. Corpus and height-adjustable plastic frame with a hinged writing surface with wood effect and the original Flötotto lamp. ...
Category

1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Neo-Classical R.J. Horner Style Desk / Table Green Leather Top & Dolphin Base
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century Neo-classical R.J. Horner style ebonized desk with carved dolphin base and tooled green leather top. It has wonderful patina! The desk is very heavy and m...
Category

Late 19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

1970s desk, Luigi Colani, Flötotto
Located in Neuss, NW
Space age desk from the 1970s by Flötotto. The design is attributed to the Italian designer Luigi Colani. Corpus and height-adjustable plastic frame with a hinged writing surface and...
Category

1970s German Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plastic

19th Century Simulated Marble Painted Italian Desk
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Painted Italian Desk, smart cabriole legs, extraordinary faux marble painted top, blue base. Later painted, recent refreshing and colour matching to the base although the impressive ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Exhibition Quality Mahogany Cylinder Desk, Maple & Co
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn5493 Superb quality and very attractive, late Victorian flamed cylinder bureau by Maples & Co, having fine carved gallery to top above three mahogany lined and satinwood crossbande...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

William Sklaroff Uniplane Desk, 1971 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning fiberglass desk by William Sklaroff for Vecta. Made in 1971. Two rosewood drawers flank each side of desk with a rosewood panel running along the backside. Great display pie...
Category

1970s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass, Rosewood

Mid-Century MOD Jean Maneval Inspired Chunky White Desk with Rolling Storage
By Jean Maneval
Located in Los Angeles, CA
MOD Jean Maneval inspired white laminate desk with a two drawer rolling storage cabinet. In original condition with visible wear, discoloration and...
Category

1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Desk table Patrice Maffei for Kappa brushed steel smoked glass 1970
Located in Paris, IDF
A rare brushed stainless steel desk table designed by French designer Patrice Maffei for Kappa editor in the 1970s, it features two locki...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique Victorian Oak & Mahogany Desk, Writing Table, English, Circa 1880
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Antique Victorian oak & mahogany desk, writing table, English Beautiful antique oak & mahogany Victorian desk, writing table. Made up of one large single central draw, and two dummy...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Orix desk, Vittorio Parigi & Nani Prina, Molteni & Co, Italy, circa 1970
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Orix desk, Vittorio Parigi & Nani Prina, Molteni & Co, Italy, circa 1970. "You write on it and I read on it, but she mirrors, the other puts away his books, while they study and they...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Antique Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Architects Desk by Edwards & Roberts
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique Victorian mahogany satinwood and Goncalo Alves marquetry inlaid and satin wood crossbanded Architects desk by the renowned Victorian retailer and cabinet mak...
Category

1880s English High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Architect's Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 19th century ebonized wood architect's desk. Features elegant utilitarian lines and exquisite hand-carved detail work. With its dark, rich patina and versatile proportions, th...
Category

1880s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Fine C19th French Thuya wood & Marquetry Bureau Plat
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine C19th French Thuya wood & Marquetry Bureau Plat Top with Green inset Leather writing surface, with gold tooling decoration, possibly the original leather , worn & faded, Cros...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Jens Risom Style BL Marble Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Style BL Marble Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk This desk measures: 66 wide x 30 deep x 28.75 high, with a chair clearance of 25.25 inches All...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

19th Century, Bureau Plat, by Francoise Linke.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality French kingwood and marquetry, ormolu-mounted Bureau plat, signed Linke. Having three frieze drawers to one side, dummy drawers to the reverse, inset Moroccan leather...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl 'Igl-Jet' Writing Desk in Fiberglass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, directors writing desk model 'Igl-jet', fiberglass, Germany, 1970s. This design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies – a bright and bold era – f...
Category

1970s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Carved desk from Spain with hand carving and iron stretcher
Located in Houston, TX
The exceptional wood used in this piece reflects great Quality. The craftsmanship executed is also Very good. It has a gadrooned edge and the top has No marks or problems. It has a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Fine C19TH French Kingwood & Marquetry Bureau Plat /Writing Table
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine C19TH French Burr Walnut & Marquetry Bureau Plat /Writing Table Black Leather inset top, gold tooling decoration, with Walnut cross banding. thumb mould edge. Shaped Burr Waln...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique 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.

Recently Viewed

View All