Desks and Writing Tables
to
995
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3,611
3,349
5,675
1,770
90
1,607
657
348
332
326
217
203
190
143
110
100
93
80
53
53
26
22
7
442
1,680
3,552
1,860
587
1,972
613
90
32
93
182
137
503
573
346
110
32
6,431
3,126
1,504
1,199
1,021
5,192
1,383
1,264
1,202
1,052
7,535
6,004
6,235
107
62
51
41
36
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Art Deco era desk by French Art Deco Modernist designer Jacques Adnet. Iron frame with 4 posts, inverted u-shaped bases and brass support ...
Category
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Iron
Melting Vanity Table in Blue Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines.
The melting vanity table...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Italian Desk in Wood from the 70s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Wood desk from the 70s, Italian.
Desk 1970s
Country: Italian
It is an elegant and sophisticated desk.
If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
We have specialized in the s...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Organic Natural Plaster Desk 323cm by Isabelle Beaumont
Located in Ranst, BE
Contemporary Belgian design, handmade natural plaster desk with a textured and earthy character.
This unique first of its kind design is handcrafted with multiple layers Mortex® on ...
Category
2010s Belgian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Concrete, Cement, Composition, Limestone, Stainless Steel
19th Century French Ebonised Bureau Plât
Located in London, GB
A 19th Century French ebonised extendable bureau plât in Louis XV style with a red leather top.
Decorated with brass fillets, bronze mountings and four arched feet with gilt bronze ...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
George III Partners Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
George III partners desk. Red leather and gilded trim top with bronze mounts. Four drawers on one side five drawers on the other.
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables
$12,500
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI-Style Executive Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI-Style executive desk
Mahogany with excessive bronze mounts and trim with tooled dark leather writing surface.
Dimensions:
31" H x 71.75" ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Italian Mid-Century Writing Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite writing desk, so well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, stands as a testament to the collaboration between Dassi and the renowned Gio Ponti.
The structure is fi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Space Age Yellow Chapter One Desk by Broyhill Premier, 1970's
By Broyhill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Space Age Yellow Chapter One desk by Broyhill Premier, 1970's. In good vintage condition.
Category
1970s American Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Pair of Early 20th Spanish Light Walnut Country Farm Desk with Two Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
A charming early 20th century Spanish pine farm table with four legs and back side trestle and a wonderfully well-worn finish from a century of use.
Height from to the drawers : 23...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Standing Desk
Located in London, GB
This Danish mid-century standing desk is a striking example of Scandinavian craftsmanship, combining functionality with a refined aesthetic. Made from richly grained hardwood, the pi...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$1,941
20th Century Grey Italian Brutalist Galvanized Metal Writing Desk, Office Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A silver-grey, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Brutalist writing, office desk made of hand crafted galvanized metal, designed by an unknown artist from Milan, in good condition. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Gordon Walnut Desk
Located in Paris, FR
Desk Gordon Walnut with solid walnut structure with outside frame in solid walnut
and outside frame covered with beige leather with stitching. With storage unit on the
desk top wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
$56,021 / item
French Louis XV Style Walnut Table with Bronze Mounts, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Louis XV-style table with bronze mounts, the 1930s
This elegant Louis XV-style table or writing desk is made of walnut with a veneered walnut parquetry design and elegant bron...
Category
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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
Next General Desk by Jonathan Nesci in Wax Polished Aluminum Plate
Located in Columbus, IN
Next General desk made in three eights inch thick waxed aluminum. The tiered top has cord drop offsets in the back as well as the bottom. Variations, leather and powder colors are av...
Category
2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
20th Century Italian Vintage Walnut Writing Table in the Style of Carlo Ratti
By Carlo Ratti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rectangular, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian writing table, desk made of hand crafted polished Walnut, composed with two drawers in the manner of Carlo Ratti, in good condition....
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
Antique Asian Oriental japaneese Burned Bamboo Hand Painted Decorated Desk Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique Asian Oriental Chinese burned bamboo hand painted decorated desk writing table.
Category
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root Onyx Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Armona stone desk draws inspiration from the serene landscape of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Quartz, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
Pembroke Writing Desk by AMBROZIA, Claro Walnut, Stainless Steel, Camel Leather
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
This Organic/Modern Pembroke writing desk/table is handmade to order from a hand selected bookmatched wood slab desk top with a hand rubbed natural oil ...
Category
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel
Louis XV Style Gilt Metal and Kingwood Bureau Plat
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XV Style Gilt Metal Mounted Kingwood Bureau Plat, 20th century, the rectangular inset leather top above a frieze drawer on masque head mounted cabriole legs and hairy paw feet....
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Tubular Steel Desk RA 44 by Mauser Werke 1950s
By Mauser Werke
Located in Wien, AT
Tubular steel desk RA 44, designed and produced by Mauser Werke/Germany in the 1950s.
A chromed tubular steel construction with 2 drawers made of painted sheet steel on each side.
T...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
A Lovely French Desk w/Scalloped Apron & Sunflower Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French bleached and painted wood desk with drawer, by furniture maker Auffray & Co., from the mid 20th century. This mid-century table from France features an overall rectangular s...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1930's Thonet Desk B 282By Bruno Weill with Unique Dutch Family Provenance
By Bruno Weil, Thonet
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
1930's Thonet B282 desk by Bruno Weill with unique family provenance of history and including its original Thonet key
This desk comes from the family Brandt Corstius who lived right...
Category
1930s French Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Mini Willy Van Der Meeren Writing Desks for Tubax with Black Base and Black Edge
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mini Willy Van Der Meeren industrial desks for Tubax—perfect as an entry table or vanity, with a printed laminate top, black enameled metal wire frame, and ...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Early 19th C. Italian Fratino Walnut Table w/Forged Iron Stretcher
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian fratino walnut table with lyre legs and iron stretcher from the early 19th century. This antique table from Italy, in typical fratino style, features a walnut wood top, re...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Provincial French Tea Table with Drawer, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant tea table was crafted of in late-19th-century France in the Louis XV-style, defined by its scalloped apron and thin cabriole legs. The s-form legs curve outwards from th...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
Walnut Barley Twist Leg Desk, Italy, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
19th century Italian barley twist leg and stretcher desk.
Large single drawer.
Original hardware.
Walnut.
Ball shaped feet.
Newly refinished.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Danish Vintage Desk by Nanna Ditzel for Soren Willadsen
Located in London, GB
An extremely stylish and iconic Danish vintage desk by Nanna Ditzel for Soren Willadsen. Originally designed in 1955, this dates from the 1960’s.
It is of outstanding quality, it is...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
NONO Elefante Console Table 57, Solid Wood, Contemporary Flair
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 57, Solid Wood, Contemporary Flair
—————————————————————
Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO
Crafting Elegance with a Moderni...
Category
2010s Mexican Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
$11,494 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Streamline Moderne, Executive Metal Desk, Germany, 2018
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Streamline moderne, executive metal desk, Germany, 2018.
Category
2010s German Streamlined Moderne Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Metal
Enamel Decorated French Louis Revival Ormolu Mounted Bureau Desk Table Console
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Enamel decorated French Louis Revival Ormolu mounted Bureau plat partner desk table console mint
Both sides symmetrical, yet one side has ability to open.
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Regence Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau Plat
By Charles Cressent
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Regence style gilt-bronze mounted parquetry bureau plat, in the manner of Charles Cressent.
This fine parquetry inlaid bureau plat has a too...
Category
19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
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
Burlwood Mid-Century Modern Floating Desk, Console, 1960s, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare Burl-wood minimalist desk with a solid wooden top and aluminium base. The top of the desk gives a floating effect. A perfect desk, table or console to place against the wall bec...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
$2,189 Sale Price
44% Off
Pierre Jeanneret Pigeonhole Mid-Century Desk PJ-BU-02-A
Located in London, GB
An increasingly scarce teak mid-century desk by legendary design Pierre Jeanneret.
India, circa 1960s, for Chandigarh projects.
Designed for various administrative buildings in the city.
Black re-covered leather top. A single drawer to the front, open pigeonhole shelving to the reverse ideal for books and curios to create and artistic display.
A particularly good model, remaining in good vintage condition, priced accordingly.
Recent sales...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Museum Grade Sculpted Tall Oak 2-Drawer Writing Windsor Chair / Desk, C.1890s
Located in Germantown, MD
The Comb-Back, spindle and brace back Windsor Writing chair / Desk features a traditional sack-back style Windsor with a comb. It includes a hand...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
French 1970s Steel Desk
By Raymond Cohen
Located in London, England
For Cohray
An extremely handsome brushed and polished steel desk with clean lines, the drawer pull with pale, subtle brass finish. Hemispherical steel sections support the 10mm glass top.
Two extending...
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
$16,410
Italian Mahogany & Lacquer Dining Table
Located in Denton, TX
Italian mahogany & lacquer dining table. This table top stands on a black lacquer and wood accented pedestal. One leaf extends this table out to fit up...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer
French Louis XVI Period 18th Century Walnut Desk with Carved Fluted Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI period walnut desk from the 18th century, with single drawer, carved fluted motifs, tapered legs and dark patina. Created in France during the 18th century, this w...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XV Carved Serpentine Cherry Desk with Parquetry Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique partner desk was created in the Poitou region of France, circa 1790. Made of wild cherry timber, the large writing table stand...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
$7,600 Sale Price
36% Off
Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Desk, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite French Empire Revival pedestal desk, circa 1880 in date.
This desk has been beautifully crafted from flame mahogany. The top has a striking gold tooled black leather inset writing surface which has a decorative geometric inlaid satinwood and ebony border around it.
It features beautifully cast gilded Ormolu mounts including angels, pharaonic herms above paw feet and swan escutcheons. It is further enhanced with male masks wearing nemes headress's on the sides, making it an incredibly imposing and impressive item of furniture.
The desk features seven drawers for maximum storage, it is freestanding with a beautifully panelled back and comes complete with the original working locks and keys.
This desk will soon become the centrepiece of your furniture collection, there is no mistaking the sophisticated quality and design and it is certain to enhance the style and elegance of any living area, bedroom, or reception.
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, French polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 76 x width 150 x depth 80
Dimensions in inches:
Height 29.9 x width 59.1 x depth 31.5
Empire style,
is an early 19th century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until circa 1830.
The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon's leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France.
The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of neoclassicism which is also called "Directoire", after a government system.
Furniture typically had symbols and ornaments borrowed from the glorious ancient Greek and Roman empires.
The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N."
Gilded bronze (ormolu) details displayed a high level of craftsmanship.
Flame mahogany
Thomas Sheraton - 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as "best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works...
Category
1880s French Empire Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
A Fine Anglo-Indian Carved Padouk Writing Table, Ceylonese
Located in New York, NY
19th Century
The solid rectangular top with carved gadrooned edge; over two frieze drawers with drop handles flanking an arched kneehole ,rope detail and further linear, raised on b...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Padouk
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
$1,578
Maarten Baas ”Sculpt" Office Desk, 2009
By Maarten Baas
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Title: sculpt office desk
Series: sculpt
Edition: 3/8 (+2AP)
Material: steel with a dark walnut veneer finish
Size: 160 x 85 x 74 (w x d x h).
Category
Early 2000s Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Victorian Davenport Desk Burr Walnut 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful period Victorian Davenport desk we date to circa 1880
Crafted from burr walnut with elegant patina
Lovingly restored and refinished red tooled leather writing surface with ...
Category
1880s Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Jean Prouve Desk, 1934
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Prouvé
"C.P.D.E" variable equipment office, 1934-35.
Legs in aubergine lacquered folded sheet metal. Drawers in green lacquered folded sheet metal.
Rubber top.
Bibliog...
Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$52,629
Louis XVI Leather Top Mahogany Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and brass mounted bureau plat desk, with a leather inset writing surface and three frieze drawers, on turned legs French. The original Lou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$8,175 / item
Minimalist Desk Produced by Sormani c1960
By Sormani
Located in London, GB
Minimalist Desk designed by the architect Antonello Mosca.
Produced by Sormani in the 1960s
Support base in white painted metal.
Top with suspended chest of drawers
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Olivetti Desk 1960's
By Olivetti
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Founded in the early 20th century in Italy, Olivetti is an iconic office equipment manufacturer that set new standards in industrial design.
Beyond functionality, the company consist...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$2,400
Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with inset tooled red leather top and cross banded edge over three drawers front and back. Raised on circular tapered legs. Casters. Sold Bonhams , London, February 1...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Hugh Acton Style Rosewood Executive Desk
By Hugh Acton
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Hugh Acton Style Rosewood Executive Desk. Featuring a straight line design, large rectangular rosewood top, floating black metal cabinets, fl...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Marquetry Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Marquetry console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada.
Measures: W 160 x D 34 x H 110.8 cm.
Structure in MDF coated with painted multiple veneers.
Fronts in matte paint finish.
Metal l...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$4,795 / item
20th Century Swedish Art Deco Jacarandawood Writing Table - Vintage Bronze Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A freestanding, vintage Art Deco Swedish writing table made of hand crafted polished Jacarandawood, in good condition. The rectangular Scandinavian desk has one large drawer in the c...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
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
Driftwood Table/Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive all teak wood desk or table. Solid driftwood top and three sturdy legs. Great for indoor or outdoor use.
(Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer)
Category
20th Century Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Driftwood
$490 Sale Price
38% Off
19th Century English Victorian Marble-Top Library Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Curvaceous 19th century English Victorian library table or writing table desk. The table features a 1" inch thick slab of Carrara marble on top with a serpentine shape and an ogee ed...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble
$2,520 Sale Price
28% Off
Charlotte Perriand Marble Center Table à Plateau Interchangeable by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1937. Relaunched in 2020.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
The first model of this historic design table was crafted in 1937 for Charlotte P...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
“Column Table” Minimalist Solid Wood Oak Dining Table or Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The “Column” series is inspired by the structural columns of New York City’s industrial factory buildings. The same simplicity of shape that lends structure to those architectural el...
Category
2010s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
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
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.
Read More
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
18 Home Offices for Workaholic Design-Lovers
Proof that working from home is a perk.