Desks and Writing Tables
20th Century European French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Swedish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak, Walnut
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fruitwood
20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Late 20th Century Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1950s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Bamboo, Burl
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1940s French Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
20th Century English Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1970s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Macassar
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Fabric, Formica, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1940s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Elm, Mahogany
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1940s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Teak
1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Teak
Late 20th Century British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Other
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
1970s Philippine Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Upholstery, Bamboo
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1930s French Directoire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
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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