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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1970s
Period: Early 1900s
1970s Rare Royal Blue Floating Lucite Executive Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, Lucite wood desk you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Laminate, Lucite, Wood
1970s Teak Work Table Desk Borge Mogensen FDB Vintage Mid-Century
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavy solid and stable mid-century Danish Worktable that could also be used as a dining table for two.
The top is solid wood core with a Teak ...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech, Teak
Angelo Mangiarotti Rare desk with single cast iron foot - Italian Design 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Rare desk designed by Angelo Mangiarotti. This elegant and material piece recalls the designer's style by infusing into a new concept elements already used for other furniture create...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk, Bergwood, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk, Bergwood, 1970s
Category
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Modern Model T333 desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno
Located in London, GB
Model T333 desk produced in 1975 from a design by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Geri and manufctured by Tecno. The top is black lacquered walnut with an inset area of black leather. There are two minimal slim drawers, perfect for storage of pens etc and polished cast aluminium legs. with black trim. Manufacturer's label to side.
This large and impressive desk with its minimal, sophisticated design would work well in both a modern or contemporary home.
Literature: Giam Piero Bosoni, T
Tecno L'eleganza discreta della tecnico, was established in 1953 the twin brothers Osvaldo and Fulgenzio Borsani with the goal of developing their father’s furniture company, Arredamenti Borsani, using the industrial process for the manufacturing of modern furniture. The history of the company goes back to the early 1920s, when woodworker and upholsterer Gaetano Borsani founded Atelier Borsani Varedo (later called Arredamenti Borsani Varedo) in Varedo, Italy.
In spite of Arredamenti Borsani’s traditional approach, Osvaldo, designed the modernist Casa Minima furniture collection, while still attending architecture school at Accademia di Brera, and he won the silver medal at the V Triennale di Milano in 1933. Osvaldo’s ongoing involvement at the atelier continued to grow as he designed and built modernist furniture for the wealthy Milanese society.
In 1954, a year after Tecno’s founding, the company unveiled its first factory-produced collection of sofas, chairs and tables and received accolades at the X Triennale di Milano. That same year, Osvaldo created the adjustable D70 sofa bed, which became an instant commercial success, and in 1956 he launched the P40 lounge chair, an adjustable reclining chair...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
L-Shaped Desk by Guido Faleschini for Mariani, 1970
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A beautiful executive desk designed by Guido Faleschini, manufactured by Mariani in Italy around 1970.
This eye-catching desk has an L-shaped design and a very impressive appearance because of it’s large size and leather upholstery. One side is the main desk part, the other side holds an additional integrated desk...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Gerald McCabe Shedua Executive Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American made desk, c.1970s, by Gerald McCabe is beautifully crafted from Shedua, also known as African Walnut. This piece features a desk and return with natural wood grain variance...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
MidCentury Black and Creme Glass Desk, 1970
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant and refined desk in black lacquer and glass. Particular its design which provides for a slight curvature.
The writing desk is in lacquered wood in black shellac, the lacquer...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Postmodern Design in Style of Milo Baughman Burl Wood Desk, 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern design burl wood desk in the style of Milo Baughman, 1970's / 80's. Made in Italy. Architectural in design. Burl wood top and drawers on brushed metal and brass co...
Category
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Michelle Pigneres 1970s Desk Chrome Smoked Mirrored Table Art Deco Style office
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare desk by designer Michele Pigneres made in the 1970s.
This desk is having all the characteristics from his designs such as the drawer pullers, the chrome framing and...
Category
1970s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Large Scandinavian Desk from 1970's
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Scandinavian desk from 1970's in rosewood and bocote wood with three drawers and brass fittings.
Category
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Danish Modern Floating Vanity by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Incredible Danish Modern floating vanity by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik. Features brass insiders which keep it suspended. Table by op opens...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1970s Italian Drop Leaf Dining Table or Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian drop leaf dining table or desk, Italy, circa 1970s. Interesting drop leaf joinery on either side. This would be the perfect size for an NYC apartment...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Patrice Maffei Desk for Kappa, 70s, Brushed Stainless Steel, Smoked Glass, 1970
Located in Paris, FR
Superb desk, design Patrice Maffei for Kappa, 1970s.
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Blue box, two lockable drawers, a gray smoked glass top.
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Following the stainless steel trend of the 1970s, inspired by Maria Pergay, this desk features a steel frame, drawers covered in stainless steel. The combination of steel and smoked glass is superb, and gives an architectural touch to this desk.
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A very decorative piece, with only a few traces of wear and very slightly oxidized in a few places.
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Slight stain on the top of the blue box and some micro rust pitting on the steel.
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In godd vintage condition.
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Dimensions :
Width: 120 cm
Depth: 60 cm
Height: 77 cm
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Marries Willy Rizzo Perriand Guariche Artemide Mortier Le Corbusier Prouvé Reggiani Paulin Ico Parisi Knoll Guermonprez Eames Gascoin Charles Ray Guzzini Magisttreti Interform Bertoia Hans Wagner Osvaldo Borsani Motte Minvieille Vintage Lighting Castelli Reggiani Magnani Paolozzi Herman Miller Minvielle Minimalist Brutalism 1950s 1960s 1970s Mid Century 1930s Architecture Prouvé Roche Bobois 1980s Adnet Ceramic sandstone and Mategot or Ron Arad design...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Rosenthal Writing Table 'Talete' by Regondi & Ghianda
By Rosenthal
Located in Dronten, NL
Rare Talete dining table designed by Gabriele Regondi & Pierluigi Ghianda for Rosenthal.
Steel wire reinforced black safety glass top on solid dark stained ash frame.
Exceptional and...
Category
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stained Glass, Ash
White Orix Desk by Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina for Molteni
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
1970s desk made of a single sheet of molded plastic creating the shape for various holders and storage spaces. There is also an integrated glass panel than can be lifted up and a ret...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Bureau Plat Louis XVI Style in Marquetry and Gilt Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Elegant Louis XVI style Bureau Plat in mahogany and marquetry in rosewood frieze.
Beautiful ornamentation of very finely chiseled gilt bronze.
Moroccan leather top surrounded b...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Luciano Frigerio Presidential Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Luciano Frigerio Presidential Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy 1960s
This is a rare presidential mid-century desk designed by Luciano Frigerio for the "Norman" series, manufactured i...
Category
1970s Italian Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Granite
Martin Nyrop, Desk, Oak, Brass, Denmark, c. 1900
By Martin Nyrop
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and brass desk, designed and produced for the Copenhagen City Hall by Martin Nyrop Denmark, c. 1900
Category
Early 1900s Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
MCM Danish Teak Desk by Nordisk Andels Eksport 1970s
Located in Carmel, NY
A remarkable desk that exudes elegance and sophistication. This exceptional Danish Modern desk, crafted by Nordisk Andels-Eksport in Denmark, boasts a s...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table/Desk, Chrome and Glass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table/Desk, Chrome and Glass, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Maple + Aluminum Desk by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare Italian desk unit designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti in the 1970s. This desk has one main section with an additional table top attachment, creating an L-shape. It was constructed with wood and has a maple wood veneer with an exquisite birdseye grain.
This piece features brushed aluminum connectors and has an additional rolling modular cabinet with three drawers, which can be placed below or beside the desk. The top drawer has a cream acrylic insert organizer with five compartments. Unmarked. Sourced in Italy, 1970s.
Dimensions: 61"W x 28.75"D x 28"H; extended piece 47"W x 17.75"D x 28"H
Giovanni Offredi (1927-2007) was a prominent Italian furniture and product designer recognized for his use of angular lines and exposed wood or metal frames. He began making furniture for the wealthy elite of Milan...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Writing Desk by Henry Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Striking writing desk in oak with drawers. By Henry Kjærnulf.
Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Desk: Timeless Elegance & Quality
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the timeless elegance of our 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desk, a vintage gem meticulously restored to its original glory by our dedicated team. Crafted from quality mahogany wo...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Faux Bamboo Brass & Wood Weiman Console Table or Desk with Drawers
By Weiman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage wood, faux bamboo & brass console table or desk with 2 drawers. Brass has been polished. Marked in drawer and underneath Weiman. Original wood finish has a few minor scratche...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Teak Secretaire, Produced in Denmark by Falster
Located in Porto, PT
Vintage teak secretaire, produced in Denmark by Falster. It has 3 big draws, 2 small draws, mirror. There is a flap that can be folded. Behind ...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk
This beautiful secretary’s desk from Spain is handcrafted from Walnut Burl and Rosewood. It has a dro...
Category
Early 1900s Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Oak Harvest Trestle Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
French oak harvest trestle table,
circa 1900.
X-framed pine trestle with a replacement oak top made from 300 year old oak beams.
A good versatile dining table, desk, work table ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Pine
Rare Danish Modern Secretary Desk by Vitré in Teak, Denmark, c. 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
A rare and gorgeous build by Vitré constructed from teak. The top portion of the cabinet locks for security with a skeleton key. With this securing function and the drop down the cabinet can double as a bar cabinet as an alternate use to the secretary desk. Behind the drop down portion of the cabinet is ample storage space. There is a single shelf to the left-hand side and 2 shelves to the righthand side all of which are adjustable shelves. The cabinet has three drawers providing additional storage with stunning recessed oval drawer...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Stunning Vintage Italian Scallop Edged Ebonised Desk or dressing table
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Vintage scallop edged Italian desk with an ebonised high gloss finish and black glass top set upon splayed sabre legs with single drawer storage to the front. This super stylish piec...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Vladimir Kagan Rosewood and Aluminum Desk/Dining Table
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Amazing 1970s Brazilian Rosewood with aluminum stretcher desk with glass top, it can also be use as a dining table with a larger piece of glass, in vint...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Post Modern Tessellated Stone Tile Brass Desk Robert Marcius for Maitland Smith
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A 1970s Post Modern tessellated stone tile and brass executive desk by Robert Marcius for Maitland Smith. This marvelous piece is constructed w...
Category
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak desk, Edition Votre Maison circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Faux Leather
1970s Live Edge Walnut Waterfall Desk Inspiration George Nakashima
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Custom Desk in natural Walnut wood, Live edge Waterfall Form, inspiration George Nakashima.
Desk 55.75 w x 34 d x 28.25 tall, Knee clearance 26 tal...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
White Parsons Desk with Embossed Leather, Shagreen, by Karl Springer
Located in New York City, NY
A sleek desk covered in eye-catching embossed leather. In excellent condition.
Category
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood, Lacquer, Shagreen Stingray
1970s Executive Desk Billy Joe McCarroll-David Gillespie Surfaces Santa Barbara
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Executive Desk by Billy Joe McCarroll and David Gillespie Forms Surfaces Inc Santa Barbara, California.
Very elegant desk brutalist pattern gray...
Category
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Vintage Baker Furniture Regency Style Burled Writing Desk
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a vintage Baker Furniture Regency style burled writing desk. Featuring a beautiful rectangular burled wood top, Regency sty...
Category
1970s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy, 1970s
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Impressive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA, designed in 1975 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA Italy.
It is made ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Office Set by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi, 1970, Italy
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
The set has the same beautiful brown color and is covered with leather, the glass is in top condition. Heavy glass plate 1.5 cm thick
Modern set of 2 chocolate brown vintage chair...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Glass
Kittinger Colonial Williamsburg Collection Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a Kittinger Williamsburg collection desk. The desk is in good used condition with minor signs of age and wear as shown.
Category
1970s American Chippendale Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Desk with Drawer Unit in Solid Pine by Dutch Designer Ate Van Apeldoorn
Located in Beerse, VAN
Desk with drawer unit designed by Dutch designer Ate van Apeldoorn for Houtwerk Hattem.
Ate van Apeldoorn designed in a minimalist style that reminds us of the designs of Charlotte ...
Category
1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Pencil Reed Coffee Table in the Style of Gabriella Crespi, circa 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Boho chic pencil reed rattan square coffee table in the style of Gabriella Crespi, circa 1970s newly lacquered in white with a new glass top...
Category
1970s Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan, Reed, Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Italian Brass Desk with Leather Top
Located in East Hampton, NY
Chic brass bureau plat style desk with red leather insert..... it has been stripped of it's lacquer and polished.... light wear to leather top as shown in...
Category
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mount Airy Janus Mid Century Walnut Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Mount Airy Janus mid century walnut desk
This desk measures: 46 wide x 24 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches
A...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
Located in Benington, Herts
This attractive mahogany Edwardian Davenport / writing desk, circa 1900s has been constructed from quality solid mahogany having a raised back above a fall front moulded edge writing slope with a raised and fielded panelled cupboard door standing on bracket feet.
The Davenport's top section has a brass hinged mahogany lift up lid to reveal an original lead lined storage...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
M.W. Jr American Studio Roll Top Desk
By Michael Watson, Jr.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
signed, dated, numbered edition 5/5
Category
1970s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Maple
T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy 1970s
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Impressive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA, designed in 1975 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA Italy.
It is made ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
President Senior Frosted Green Glass and Chrome Desk by Gallotti and Radice
Located in Miami, FL
President Senior desk with frosted sea-foam green glass (12mm) and a chrome plated steel frame. Originally designed by Gallotti & Radice in 1971, this piece is from the 1990s.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
1970s Walnut Executive Campaign Waterfall Desk And Cabinet, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, Mid Century desk and cabinet set you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, t...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1970' S Brass & Oak Italian Desk
Located in Nijlen, VAN
Brass & oak Italian desk
Very nice and compact desk from the 70's. This desk was made by an unknown italian maker. but it is a very nice piece of craftsm...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Vintage Plate Glass and Chrome Dining Table Model 6060 by Leon Rosen for Pace
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish and sophisticated dining table (model 6060) designed by Leon Rosen for the Pace Collection composed of a heavy plate-glass 72" long top supported by two chrome and plate-glas...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Small Black Bamboo Desk Vivai del Sud Italia 1970s Black Crystal Top
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small black bamboo Ddesk Vivai del Sud Italia 1970s Black crystal top.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Crystal
1970s Modern Italian Chrome and Glass Vanity Table & Seat
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful midcentury Italian vanity table and stool set from the 1970s. Architectural in the design of a column of ten tiers of chrome bars. E...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
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
"Etudient" Oak Desk by Guillerme et Chambron, France, c. 1970
Located in New York City, NY
"Etudient" Oak Desk by Guillerme et Chambron, France, c. 1970.
This spectacular desk consists of a solid oak construction, faux leather top, three drawers with cut-out handles, and...
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Oak Art Nouveau Pedestal Desk by J.J. Terburg & Zoon Arnhem, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Nouveau pedestal desk.
Design by J.J. Terburg & Soon Arnhem.
Striking Dutch design from the 1900s.
Solid oak with hand-carved floral decorative elements a...
Category
Early 1900s Dutch Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Warren Platner for Knoll Writing Desk in Cherry and Black Leather
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, cherry, chrome-plated metal, black leather, United States, 1970s.
This writing table with two drawers and an extendable panel...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
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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