Desks and Writing Tables
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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Victorian
Style: Arts and Crafts
Important Original Edward & Roberts Restored Chinese Thomas Chippendale Desk
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, exceptionally rare and very fine, fully restored Edward & Roberts stamped, Chinese Chippendale desk
The firm Edwards and Roberts were among the best English antique furniture cabinet...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
True White Ancient 200 year Walnut Waterfall Live Edge Writing Desk Contemporary
Located in København N, DK
People say that the color white does not exist. That our eye just perceives it that way. I don't want to believe that. White to me is the color of purity, the color that is hard not to get dirty, the color of renewal, the color that looks the richest. I really enjoy the way the slabs and roots of old walnut look in the snow-white resin. It looks really contrasting. Like a painting forever placed in an expensive frame. I think in this table we've managed to show the really white color that exists.
The table is made from old slabs and walnut roots and white epoxy resin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
The Source Handcrafted Live Egde Ancient 140 Year Walnut L-Shaped Desktop
Located in København N, DK
When I was making this table I had thoughts about how a river is formed. How do lots of streams know where to flow to fill the main river? Why is the purpose of the existence of thes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
A Fine 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in London, by appointment only
A very fine and good looking pedestal desk, the leather top with brass bound edges, above a bank of four drawers on each side with one central drawer, the back with dummy drawers. Th...
Category
Late 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Restored Victorian Carved Walnut Whatnot Console Table
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Restored Walnut Console Table with Burr Walnut Wood.
A walnut console table with inlaid burr walnut wood and a whatnot design is a beautifu...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Fine Victorian Jas Shoolbred Green Marble Topped Watchmakers Desk Writing Table
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning original Victorian circa 1880 James Jas Shoolbred Watchmakers table / desk with green ...
Category
1880s European High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Gustav Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered coppe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Antique Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Pedestal Desk, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique Late Victorian Flame mahogany string inlaid and satinwood crossbanded pedestal kneehole desk, circa 1880 in date.
It is made from fabulous flame mahogany...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Victorian Rosewood Inlaid Davenport
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a Victorian rosewood inlaid davenport, inlaid with swags and urns above a leather writing surface, with drawers to one side and dummy drawers on the opposing side. Overal...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Stunning Antique Victorian Fully Restored Sheraton Revival Desk Oxblood Leather
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite fully restored Victorian Sheraton Revival partner desk with oxblood leather writing surface
This is pretty much the fi...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Mahogany Kidney Shaped 19th Century Writing Table
By Maple & Co.
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A quite exceptional quality late 19th century mahogany kidney shaped writing table, having gilt tooled decoration to leather inset top, over one drawer to frieze, with superb marquet...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Burr Walnut Davenport by Edwards & Roberts
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning 19th century figured walnut Davenport desk with brass grill. It has a fall front with a tooled leather writing surface, opening to reveal four small interior drawers with ...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century English Carved Oak Green Man Bureau Desk
Located in Norwich, GB
An antique English carved golden oak green man bureau/desk, circa 1890.
The bureau has a wonderful rich golden colour and has been sympathetically re-finished by hand in a shellac...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Leather
Large Twin Pedestal Office Desk with Green Inlaid Leather Top
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hardwood twin pedestal desk.
It has a green leather inlaid top with gold embossing around it. On the top of the desk, there's a gr...
Category
20th Century British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Walnut Breakfront Pedestal Desk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A fine quality Mid-19th Century burr walnut pedestal desk, of good proportions, having gilt tooled leather inset to inverted breakfront top, over nine drawers with original turned wo...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Ebonized Pine Pedestal Desk
Located in Batley, GB
An attractive ebonised pine pedestal desk with green baize top. Handy pull out tray drawers and nicely worn throughout. In good solid order. Early 20th cen...
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Antique Writing Desk, French, Decorative Centre Table, Louis XV Taste, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique writing desk. A French, kingwood reverse breakfront decorative centre table in Louis XV revival taste with marquetry top, dating to the late Victorian period, circ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk
By Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with copper hardware.
Measures: 36" W x...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Antique L. & J.G. Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak writing desk, library table, or center table.
By L. & J.G. Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Measures: 40" W x 26" D ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Oak Arts & Crafts Pedestal Desk by Alexander J. Kropholler, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Arts & Crafts pedestal desk.
Design by Alexander J. Kropholler.
Striking Dutch design from the 1890s.
Executed in solid oak and original wrought iron, this stunning and one of a kind museum piece has a hand-carved quotation " A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing" by Alexander Pope (1688-1744), one of the leading Neoclassical or Augustan poets of the first half of the 18th Century.
Two original hand-carved owls and hand-carved elements on top of the desk.
Original lock and key and in good working order.
Measurement from ground to writing top is 76 cm or 29.92 in.
This wonderful Arts & Crafts desk by Alexander J. Kropholler is in very good refinished condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
We offer the matching bookcase...
Category
1890s Dutch Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1900
Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware.
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...
Category
19th Century American High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
1961 Hand Painted Custom Victorian Foldable Bed Tray Lap Tray
Located in Germantown, MD
This is an amazing vintage wood lap tray - perfect for breakfast in bed. It could also be used as a writing or reading table.
This table tray is very versa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Lovely Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Cushion Drawer Brown Leather Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine fully, Antique circa 1900, Burr Walnut twin pedestal partner desk with hand dyed brown leather top.
It’s been lightly restored to...
Category
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Partners Pedestal Desk 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a fine and very rare antique Victorian burr walnut twin pedestal partners desk, Circa 1860 in date.
It is made from fabulous burr walnut, the rectangular top with a fabulous inset gold tooled green leather writing surface.
One side has an arrangement of three drawers in the frieze over a pair of pedestals each with three graduated drawers, the other side has a central frieze drawer with a cupboard in each pedestal, each opens to a central shelf.
The desk is fitted with the original turned walnut handles and it stands on a plinth base raised on brass castors.
The desk has its original locks and keys and the locks are stamped H&C, By Royal Letters Patent.
Instil the elegance of a bygone era to a special place in your home with this fabulous decorative antique desk...
Category
1860s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Burr Walnut Davenport
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century burr walnut davenport, the sloping top has the original tan colour leather writing surface decorated with blind tooling, which lifts...
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Porcelain and Ormolu Mounted Bonheur Du Jour by Donald Ross
By Donald Ross
Located in London, GB
Porcelain and ormolu mounted bonheur du jour by Donald Ross.
English, late 19th century.
Measures: height 136cm, width 108cm, depth 62cm
This beautifu...
Category
Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century American Mahogany Serpentine Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 19th Century American mahogany serpentine slant front secretary bureau desk.
Nice quality mahogany, dovetails drawers and ball and claw feet.
Category
1880s American Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Four Drawer Partners Writing Table Desk 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique Victorian partners writing table, crafted from beautiful flame mahogany and dating from Circa 1860.
The rectangular top features a moulded edge with an inset faded green and gilt tooled leather writing surface over four drawers, two on on either side. It is raised on four elegant shaped tapering legs that terminate in their original brass castors.
It is a partners desk and finished on all sides so that it can stand freely in the middle of a room. Complete with working locks and keys.
THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 76 x Width 143 x Depth 114
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 4 foot, 8 inches x Depth 3 foot, 9 inches
A partners desk
is an antique desk form, which is basically two pedestal...
Category
1860s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Victorian Amboyna Writing Slope
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Victorian brass strapwork mounted amboyna writing slope, with a fall front and hinged top opening to reveal a fully fitted int...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Amboyna
19th Century Victorian English Partner Desk Column Shaped Legs Writing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century Victorian English partner desk column shaped legs writing table
Column shaped table legs. Desk with 4 drawers, slightly protruding tabletop. Writing surface with exce...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Fine Early Victorian Burl Walnut Kidney Shaped Desk
Located in Essex, MA
A rare and hard to find desk of the finest quality. Most likely made by the firm of Gillow of Lancaster and London. With a kidney shaped top with a new tooled green leather top an ex...
Category
1850s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Pagodic Desk
Located in DE MEERN, UT
The style of this standing desk is a mix between Japanese pagodas and modern skyscrapers.
It is an artisanal piece consisting of:
A curved top, with inlaid motifs and high-quality ...
Category
2010s Dutch Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Bamboo, Padouk, Purpleheart, Teak
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN FULLY STAMPED MORRIS & CO CIRCA 1880 SATiNWOOD PEDESTAL DESK
By Morris & Co.
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and important original fully stamped Morris & Co Satinwood Victorian pedestal desk with gallery top
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price
This is a very rare and fine piece of English craftsmanship, the timber is sublime, it simply glows in any light, the gallery rail edge is a nice feature and reminds me of Navy map...
Category
1880s English High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
Antique English Victorian Double Sided Oak Twin Pedestal 18 Drawer Kneehole Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1880 Victorian English oak antique knee hole 18 drawer desk
A wonderful desk, ...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
Early Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Library Table or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk, library table, or center table
By Gustav Stickley (original label present)
USA, Circa 1900
Measures: 3...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Oversized Victorian 1870 Burr Quarter Cut Walnut Knee Hole Pedestal Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1870 solid walnut twin pedestal oversized knee hole desk
This desk is sublime, the walnut patina on the drawers is rich and ...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl
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
Antique Victorian Satin Wood Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian pedestal desk, beautifully made from satin wood. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-188...
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Satinwood
Lovely Victorian circa 1880 English Panelled Hardwood Twin Pedestal Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely English paneled Mahogany Victorian Circa 1880 twin pedestal partner desk with original fittings and brass castors
A good looking an...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Victorian Library Table by Holland & Sons
Located in New Orleans, LA
This handsome library table is a remarkable example of the English furnishings that represented wealthy Victorian tastes. The piece is attributed to Holland & Sons, a firm regarded as one of the most important cabinetmakers of the era. Crafted of rich mahogany with gilt brass mounts and a tooled leather writing surface, this table characterizes the superb craftsmanship of Holland & Sons and exudes Victorian elegance.
The well-known British cabinetmaking firm of Holland & Sons was considered the top of their class in their day. Found in 1803 by William Holland...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Irish Coromandel Satinwood Writing Slope Box by Austins Dublin Ireland
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of an Irish well grained Ladys or Gentlemans Coromandel Travelling Writing Slope of good size proportions, made in Dublin, Ireland by George Austin. Third q...
Category
19th Century Irish Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Rare Hampton & Son's Pall Mall Hardwood Twin Pedestal Writing Partners Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall Victorian, circa 1870 twin pedestal partner writing desk
A very good looking well-made mahogany desk with a leather top made by the highly coveted Hampton & Son’s
The top left and right drawers are fully stamped Hampton & Son’s Pall Mall, all other drawers have Hobbs & Co locks, the handles are all period correct and original
The top has multiple patina marks and colour variations, the timber on the desk is in a similar order, we have deep cleaned hand condition waxed and hand polished it
Dimensions
Height 71.5 cm
Width 137 cm
Depth 80 cm
Legroom
Height 56 cm
Width 60 cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point
In 1830 William Hampton opened a shop for the sale of general household furniture in Cranbourn Street. He was subsequently joined by his two sons George and William Powell (the sons of George Hampton; Harold, Fred and Clarence also later entered the business). In 1869 the business expanded with new premises on the corner site comprising 8 Pall Mall East and 1-3 Dorset Place (now Whitcomb Street). Throughout its history the firm suffered a number of serious fires, the first of which occurred in 1890. As the firm continued to expand it took over control of a number of other firms, beginning with James Coulson and Co of Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1898, and in the early 1950's Goodall, Lamb and Highway of King Street, Manchester and Robson and Sons...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Victorian burr walnut writing table, having an inset leather top, with two turned and carved legs united by a central stretcher, standing on scroll feet ra...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Louis Philippe Ebonised Marquetry Inlaid Bronze Extending Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original 19th century Louis Philippe Ebonised & Marquetry inlaid writing table with extending side leaves and gilt bronze fixtures an...
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Antique French Victorian Louis XV Style Oak 2 Drawer Writing Desk Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Victorian Louis XV style oak 2 drawer writing desk console table. Item features inset glass top, carved stretcher base, carved and...
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Victorian Davenport Desk Lift Top Pop Up Mechanism Concealed File Compartment
Located in Rockaway, NJ
English Victorian Davenport Desk Lift Top Pop Up Mechanism Concealed File Compartment.
Beautiful burl wood cabinet.
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Oak, Burl
English Bamboo Desk or Writing Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming 19th century three drawer desk featuring leather panels on top, foldout writing shelf, grasscloth panels on the top and side and floral decoupaged drawer fronts and pull out...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Freestanding Desk
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality antique Victorian inlaid mahogany freestanding desk the superstructure having the original brass gallery to the breakfront top above an arched mirror backed reces...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Other
Antique Victorian Architects Desk
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very unusual antique early Victorian architects desk. This was made in England, and I would date it from the 1840-1860 period.
It appea...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather
Rhamtail
Located in DE MEERN, UT
While designing Rhamtail desk, I was looking for experience. A feeling, a glorification, a comfort to sit in front of it.
Thereby I imagined the uses, someone who continues clients conversations at his office. Thereby welcoming them inside and letting them be surprised by the interior object. Once seated, they can admire the tray up close. Once that conversation progresses they will see new details of the desk. This will create a reference of atmosphere during the conversation which the client takes home.
The design of the top has a masculine character. Partly because of the profiled edge and thickness. Wherein the cones in the profile offers some grace. Which creates togetherness with the feminine cabinets underneath. With the concave cabinets...
Category
2010s Dutch Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plexiglass, Walnut
Vintage Oak Double Pedestal Desk, Scotland 1930, H350
Located in Vancouver, BC
Vintage oak double pedestal desk, Scotland 1930, H350
Scotland 1930
Solid Oak
Original Finish
Rectangular Top with beaded moulding
Central dr...
Category
1930s Scottish Victorian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century English Oak Desk with Two Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak desk from England with a thick plank top, following down to a hand-carved apron, in a nulled pattern, on all four sides for easy placement in any room. There are two...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Large Mid 19th Century Mahogany Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A large mid 19th century Mahogany writing having black gilt tooled moulded edge rectangular top above six oak lined drawers, supported on reeded tapering legs ending on original bras...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Fine Antique Early Victorian Military Campaign Writing Slope Davenport Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this early Victorian Military Campaign writing slope in the form of a Davenport desk circa 1840-1860 in solid mahogany
I’ve only ever seen one o...
Category
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century English Mahogany Double Pedestal Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
English Victorian mahogany double pedestal desk newly refinished with a traditional French polish and fitted with a new gilt tooled leath...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
With Certificate Antique Shannon File Co Victorian Walnut Tambour Desk Must See
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, very rare, original Antique Victorian Shannon File Co LTD, tambour fronted desk in Waln...
Category
1880s English High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique 19thC English Victorian Hobbs Kneehole Cylinder Roll Writing Bureau Desk
By Hobbs & Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century Hobbs & Co London kneehole cylider writing desk. Made of oak featuring seven drawers with roll top that opens to multiple compartments and cubbies, three more dr...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
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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Antique Large Oak Desk
Corner Desk Mid Century Modern
Antique Lift Top Desk
Empire Writing Desk
Executive Walnut Desk
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Mid Century Modern Brass Walnut Desk
Partners Desk Used
Small Metal Writing Table
Wood Brass Inlay Desk
Kingwood Writing Desk
Large Antique Oak Desk