Desks and Writing Tables
to
995
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3,604
3,347
5,667
1,769
90
1,609
656
345
332
327
216
202
190
143
110
99
93
80
53
53
26
22
7
440
1,682
3,544
1,859
584
1,971
610
90
32
91
181
137
502
572
344
110
32
6,425
3,123
1,503
1,196
1,019
5,186
1,382
1,263
1,199
1,051
7,526
5,996
6,227
107
62
51
41
36
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Antique Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Charles Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper har...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Large Scandinavian Art Deco Desk in the Style of Jindrich Halabala
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous vintage oversized Scandinavian Art Deco desk in the style of iconic furniture designer Jindrich Halabala, circa 1950s. The desk is ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Restored Modern Original Desk by Widdicomb, c. 1950
Located in Wilton, CT
Offering a beautifully restored Art Deco desk by Widdicomb, USA, one of America's great names in mid-century furniture making. This rare desk fr...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Austrian Biedermeier 1840s Walnut Desk with Three Drawers and Ebonized Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Biedermeier period walnut desk from the mid-19th century, with three drawers and blond patina. Created in Austria during the second quarter of the 19th century, this Biedermeier wa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique L. & J. G. Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By L. & J.G. Stickley
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware....
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Superb Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Center Table by Francois Linke
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Superb Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Center Table By François Linke
François Linke
The inset shaped marble top above a single drawer centered with a winged cherub head, t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Kittenger Wood Lawyer's Desk
By Kittinger
Located in Dallas, TX
A Kittinger solid wood lawyer's desk. The desk is made of solid mahogany wood. The desk has a long thin drawer in the center flanked by four drawers to the sides. The desk has ornate...
Category
1980s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Fine 18th Century Double Bonnet Georgian Tombstone Mirror Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Double Bonnet English walnut Secretary Desk. 2 pieces. Has a secret drawer with a latch. The top piece has 2 mirrored doors containing a fitted interior. 2 pull-out shelves. The bott...
Category
18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Estate Desk, Scottish, Oak, Library Table, Gothic Revival, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique estate desk. A Scottish, oak library table with leather skiver in Gothic revival taste, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
W...
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Dining Table by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dining table or desk designed by Yngve Ekstrom, produced by Swedese, Sweden, 1960s.
Very good condition with small signs of usage.
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
1970s Spanish Wood Brutalist Style Console Table Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
This exuberant console table or desk originates from Spain and shows the highly decorative characteristics of the 17th century Spanish baroque style. As is typical for baroque furnit...
Category
1970s Spanish Spanish Colonial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Italian Olive Burl Wood Cabriole Leg Bombay Drop Front Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine craftsmanship Italian made burl wood drop front secretary.
Category
20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Olive, Burl
1950's Compact Surveillant Desk - Atelier Jean Prouve
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Compact Surveillant Desk – Atelier Jean Prouve.
Prouvé is one of the most respected French designers of the 21st Century. Prouve regarded himself as an engineer, famously bo...
Category
1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto Desk/Dining Table by Franco Albini for Poggi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Bamboo, Rattan & Wicker Writing Desk Table by Dal Vera, Italy 1960s
By Dal Vera
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful Italian writing table or desk in bamboo and wicker rattan with 2 side drawers with typical brass handles from renowned Dal Vera manufacturer.
Made in Italy in t...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century French Hand Carved Oak Kidney Shaped Console Table or Desk
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A very elegant hand carved oak console table, writing desk or dressing table, France, circa 1910-1920. A very good quality piece with molded edges and carved detailing on cariole leg...
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$3,052 Sale Price
25% Off
19th Century Englisch Davenport Secretary in Mahogany
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Davenport desk is a compact and elegant piece of English furniture, originally designed in the late 18th century and widely popular throughout the 19th century. Typically made fr...
Category
19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$1,286 Sale Price
44% Off
Jens Risom Solid Wood Desk, Denmark, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Utrecht, NL
Jens Risom: wood desk, manufactured by Risom Design. 1960s.
This nicely shaped Jens Risom desk has a well sized desktop, two drawer units with drawers and a pull-out leaf with glass top on each side. An internal lock allows you to lock the drawers with a key. The black steel drawer handles are mounted onto chrome rings and have a minimal design. The desk has cylindrical legs and refined adjustable feet. The back legs are a bit detached from the drawers which give the desk an open look to what otherwise would have been a quite solid / closed desk. The wood of the desk has a wonderful grain, that has come out beautifully over the years. It was manufactured by Risom Designi in the 1960s.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor marks and scratches. One key is enclosed. Some drawers don’t come out totally fluid. Manufactured by Risom Design.
Dimensions:
66.93 in. W x 35.44 in. D x 28.75 in. H
170 cm W x 90 cm D x 73 cm H
Shipping:
This solid wood desk...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Primitive Antique Varnished Chestnut Lift Top Child Desk Secretary w/Bench NICE!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Primitive Antique Varnished Chestnut Lift Top Child Desk Secretary w/Bench NICE!
Category
20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chestnut
Unusual Antique American Sheraton Clerk's Desk with Gallery
Located in Morristown, NJ
An unusual 19th c., American Sheraton Clerk's Desk. A shaped gallery with a larger rectangular pigeon hole flanked by three square pigeon holes to each side. The slant writing surfac...
Category
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
An Extremely Fine Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Writing Table Attributed To Gillows
Located in Benington, Herts
An Extremely Fine and rare Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Writing Table Attributed to the Oxford Street Workshop of Gillows.
English c.1820-1830
With a raised back comprising a thre...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Center, Writing Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th century Louis XVI style ebonized gilt bronze-mounted tulipwood, kingwood and fruitwood floral marquetry single-drawer center table, desk or writing table. The ornately decorated marquetry top, centered with a floral bouquet, butterflies, scrolls and acanthus. The raised on four fluted ebonized legs surmounted with gilt-bronze spigots...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
$14,850 Sale Price
24% Off
Decoene Freres, Art Deco Desk in Macassar Ebony, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Decoene Freres, Art Deco desk in Macassar ebony.
Fully restored.
Category
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Macassar
Hans Von Klier Mid-century Steel, Mahogany and Leather Desk, Skipper Italy 1970
Located in Dublin 8, IE
In the world of vintage mid-century desks the Hans Von Klier desk is one of the most desireable. I love a good desk and this is one of the best in my opinion. I have sat at this desk...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Library Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese bamboo library table. Amazing Chinese export center or library table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo
Mid-Century Modern Design Office Desk Violet Marble with Details Polished Brass
Located in Porto, PT
Queena Desk promises to be the next statement design for a modern office project. Contemporary offices need to keep a corporative language, but that doesn’t mean they need to be boring. Take your home office design...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
$9,824 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Rare Fine Antique Early Victorian Military Campaign Writing Slope Davenport Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
$3,227 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Ormolu Mounted Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French writing table, also known as an escritoire. This dates from around the 1930’s.
It is has a very beautiful and useful design, with a very elegant form. Ther...
Category
1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
"Locust" Wood Desk by Alexandre Caldas
Located in Geneve, CH
"Locust" Wood desk with "Nest" chair by Alexandre Caldas
Desk:
Width: 120 cm
Depth: 80 cm
Height: 76 cm
The design can be inspiring for those who deal with it in a day-to-day use. In this case, the comfort and the organization frees us for the creative process, while is functionality tries to be unobtrusive and restrained, without harming the environment that surrounds it. Without great effort, its user can easily reach everywhere and access the tools of work…LOCUST Working Desk
The construction of the legs in an “X” mode, confers an extreme stability without further lockups, since the locking is already part of the design.
Also the way the top trapdoors are designed conceals the hinges, making imperceptible the way they open and close.
The fact of being higher in the back create a slope which allows a better reading and writing.
This difference combined with the 48 degree tilt of the front drawers, creates an illusion of thickness that completely eliminates the viewing of all the front storage when we are standing at it.
The inner hole in one leg carries internal electric power...
Category
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$11,604 / item
French Provincial Louis XIV Period Os de Mouton Oak Side Table
Located in Troy, NY
Small 17th century side table or desk, charming country piece of nice proportion and warm color, three-board top above one drawer, wavy Os de Mouton legs joined by conforming stretch...
Category
Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
'Arco' desk by BBPR for Olivetti Anni 60-70
By Studio BBPR
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawers, enameled metal and wood-effect plastic laminate top, plastic drawer fronts. Good conditions.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Elefante Console Table 59 by NONO, Deep Solid Wood, Luxurious Touch
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 59 by NONO, Deep Solid Wood, Luxurious Touch
—————————————————————
Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO
Crafting Elegance with a Mo...
Category
2010s Mexican Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Figured Walnut Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique figured walnut leather top desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1900-1910 period.
The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully constructed an...
Category
Early 1900s British Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Edwardian Walnut and Marquetry Writing Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Edwardian Walnut and Marquetry Writing Table, early 20th century, the rectangular inset leather top with gallery and writing compartment above a central frieze drawer, on square tape...
Category
Early 20th Century Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Swedish Biedermeier Style Birch Kneehole Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier style (19/20th Century) birch and black trimmed kneehole desk with black leather top.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Birch
20th Century Spanish Baroque Style Cabinet on Stand, Bargueno or Varqueno
Located in Miami, FL
This Bargueno is embellished with a carving of Don Quixote de la Mancha bordered with branches of leaves. The desk is supported by a pedestal joined by a bridge of turned columns. Th...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Waterfall Parchment Console Table Handmade in UK Contemporary 21st Century
Located in London, GB
Jean-Michel Frank inspired console table in parchment by Simon Orrell Design
Measures: Width 160cm Depth 58cm Height 75cm
Finish: Parchment - Goat Skin
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Goatskin
$27,351 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Victorian Soapstone Laboratory Writing Desk Bohemian Rustic Farmhouse Steel Fire
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful example of 19th century Laboratory (Institutional, Academia) Furniture. Writing desk with pullout vulcanized surfaced writing board and single drawer.
Estimated weight: ...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Soapstone, Brass, Steel
$3,800 Sale Price
60% Off
Impressive Art Deco desk, Poland, ca. 1930.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Impressive Art Deco desk with chair, Poland, ca. 1930.
Very good condition, after professional renovation.
Wood: walnut
Dimensions: height 75 cm width 150 cm depth 80 cm
Category
1930s Polish Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$2,573 / set
Alexandra Von Furstenberg Blacksmith Acrylic Desk Sawhorse Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic opaque black acrylic sawhorse blacksmith desk or writing table designed by Alexandra Von Furstenberg. The bold desk features two A framed acrylic saw horse style supports to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Acrylic, Lucite
$3,750 Sale Price
50% Off
Large Boomerang shaped Walnut Desk with Green Leather patinated top Italy 1950’s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Boomerang shaped Walnut Desk with Green Leather patinated top, Italy 1950’s.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Nutwood
Post Modern artistic funky Painted 2 Drawer narrow Desk or console table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Post Modern artistic funky painted yellow orange green splatters with 2 drawers wood narrow desk or console table. Would make a great entry way or hallway table. Beautifu...
Category
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
English Mahogany Writing Table, Early 19th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite writing desk is crafted of rich mahogany and features the straightforward design prevalent in England during the early 19th century. A luxurious leather-covered top pr...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Figured Walnut Ladies Writing Desk.
Located in Nantwich, GB
Attractive rare Victorian ladies writing desk with two short drawers below two tambour roll tops, having a highly decorative panel between, supported by a beautiful figured walnut top.
The kneehole has two drawers on either side, flanked by a gallery and two shelves raised by tapered legs on solid brass...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Italy 1920 Art Deco Walnut Dining Table or Desk
Located in Brescia, IT
This exquisite 1920s Italian dining table brilliantly captures the sophisticated essence of Early 20th Century design. This elegant walnut table, a creation of Italian Art Deco desig...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$4,385 Sale Price
25% Off
Rationalist Desk Made Of Chrome Plated Steel And Stained Wood, Italy, c. 1930
By Cova, Italy 1
Located in Berlin, DE
Rationalist desk attributed to Cova - Milano, c. 1930. The desk is made of chrome plated tubular steel and stained wood.
Restored on request, delivery time 10-12 weeks.
Category
1930s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Ottino Desk
Located in NIEPOŁOMICE, PL
The Ottino desk is a marriage of a discreet, postmodern form, the nobility of natural materials that cannot be used with artificial composites, and a tribute to classic craftsmanship...
Category
2010s Polish Other Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
$8,186
Italian Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Wood Console Table or Writing Desk
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian early 20th century cherrywood console table or writing desk is a fine Art Nouveau period piece of furniture. Its beautiful mellow honey colour and stylishly curved pilla...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Walnut Pedestal Desk by Laszlo Hoenig
By Laszlo Hoenig
Located in London, GB
A spectacular vintage walnut pedestal desk by Laszlo Hoenig. This was made in London, there is a label beneath the top with the production year of 1951.
It is of outstanding quality...
Category
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Reed desk with wooden shelf, drawers and leather bindings, by Gervasoni, 1970s
By Gervasoni
Located in Roma, RM
Reed desk with wooden shelf, drawers and leather bindings, 1970s.
Product details
Dimensions 110 W x 78 H x 55 D cm
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
Very rare Børge Mogensen Desk 1940s for FDB Møbler
Located in Handewitt, DE
Very rare Børge Mogensen desk / library table in teak and beech. Designed in 1940s and produced by FDB Møbler Denmark. Desk plate and end of legs i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Very Large Mahogany Centrepiece Partners’ Desk in the Chippendale Style
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very large mahogany centrepiece partners’ desk in the Chippendale style, attributed to Maples or Gillows, of oval form with a replaced green leather top, the frieze with six small ...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Hans Von Klier For Skipper Executive Desk And Credenza, Italy, 1970s
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Impressive executive desk and matching credenza designed by Hans von Klier in the 1970s. A striking combination of differently textured materials in three colors makes this desk an i...
Category
1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Antique High-Quality Antique C1920 Mahogany Washstand Side Dressing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique High-Quality Antique C1920 Mahogany Washstand Side Dressing Table. This piece boasts a lovely age, color, and patina, standing out as a rare decorative find. Very attractive line inlays and quality marble top and splash back...
Category
1920s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
$1,431 Sale Price
30% Off
18th Century Tyrolean Farmhouse Dining/ Kitchen Table in Fruitwood from Austria
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptionally beautiful farm house table from the Tyrolean region of Austria in fruitwood with the rich patina of age acquired from its 250 year history! A multipurpose table, it would have served as a dining table as well as a table used in the preparation of food. Utensils and bread would have been stored in its deep and long drawers, which are decorated with small etched field flowers on the fronts. The box stretcher would have provided a footrest in addition to rendering the table stronger. Offers pegged construction, dovetailed drawers and original wooden pulls. This Alpine table...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood
RARE THEODORE ALEXANDER ART DECO STYLE OFFICE DOUBLE SiDED DRAWERS DESK
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Truly Rare Theodore Alexander Art Deco Style Office Desk.
A stunning statement piece destined to elevate any office room or workspace. Craf...
Category
20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Portuguese Style Ebonized Spinet Secretary Desk by Tommy Bahama
By Tommy Bahama
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome Portuguese style secretary writing table or desk by Tommy Bahama. The spinet or piano style case has a flip top opening to reveal a pull-out writing table with a leather sur...
Category
20th Century Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Mahogany Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Globe Form Work Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Biedermeier (19th Century) globe-form work desk with a mahogany structure that opens to reveal a several small compartments, with parcel gilt and ebonized detail, with applied lions'...
Category
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood
Mid modern danish standing desk in teak Hans Wegner style
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid modern danish standing desk in teak attriduted to Hans Wegner. 3 drawers in the apron and two flip-down leaves
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Early 20th Spanish Desk with Lyre Legs and Carved Edges on Top
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th Spanish desk with lyre legs and carved edges on top
An 20th century Spanish Baroque style desk, or writing table made of solid walnut with lyre shaped legs joined by wrou...
Category
20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
$3,180 Sale Price
20% Off
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.