Desks and Writing Tables
Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Bronze
1990s Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker, Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s American International Style Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fiberglass, Polystyrene
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
Late 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Plywood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1980s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Glass
1980s Victorian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1980s French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Cherry
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Teak
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Formica, Wood
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Parchment Paper
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s Swiss Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 1900s British Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1990s Canadian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Stainless Steel
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fiberglass
1970s German Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Ash
1980s Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Beech
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Plastic
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s German Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Plastic
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birdseye Maple
1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ceramic, 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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