Desks and Writing Tables
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fiberglass
1980s Victorian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s German Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Ash
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Shagreen
1890s Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Late 20th Century Danish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fiberglass, Rosewood
1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Breccia Marble, Aluminum
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Goatskin
1970s German Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fiberglass
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fiberglass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Ebony, Rosewood, Satinwood
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century French Futurist Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
1980s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Kingwood
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Maple, Walnut
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Nickel
1970s American Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1890s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1980s Belgian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1890s English Adam Style Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech, Plywood
1980s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Ormolu
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome, Aluminum
1980s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s French Bohemian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Enamel, Steel
Late 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Laminate
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Crystal, Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Lucite, Wood
1890s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1970s Unknown Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone, Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Oak
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1890s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Plastic, Wood, Beech
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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