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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Finn Juhl Rosewood 'Diplomat' Desk, by France & Son, Denmark 1960s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' executive desk in rosewood, fitted two drawers to each side with aluminium pulls below a pullout lined with felt/glass.
Designed circa 1957 and likely manufactur...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Swedish Gustavian Style Painted Pinewood Desk Console Table
Located in Madrid, ES
Swedish Gustavian style hand carved pinewood painted console, desk table with simple drawer and clasical hardwarwe, painted in light grey typical Scandenavian taste. the top is paint...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
English Regency 1820s Table with Red Lacquered, Gold and Black Chinoiserie Decor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Regency period writing table from the early 19th century, with red lacquered, black and gilt chinoiserie decor and cabriole leg...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Fine Early 19th Century Writing Table Stamped Gillows
Located in London, GB
A fine early 19th century mahogany writing table with 6 drawers, 3 to the back and 3 to the front, with Egyptian mask handles, green leather top, all suppor...
Category
19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XV bureau plat, France, 18th-19th century.
The bureau plat is decorated with beautiful rosewood veneer and the original bronze fittings. The wri...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
L-shaped Desk by Jorge Lund & Ole Larsen for Bo-Ex, Denmark 1960
Located in Wilnis, UT
A luxurious, L-shaped desk designed by executive desk designed by Jorgen Lund & Ole Larsen, manufactured by Bo-ex in Denmark around 1960.
This eye-catching piece is made of high qu...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Danish cabinetmaker desk with unfolding double top circa late 1940s
Located in London, GB
Special one-off cabinetmakers piece with unfolding double top extending table for meetings with up to 5 seats.
This has always been my favourite piece ever.
H. 72. B. 170. D. 80/...
Category
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury Desk in Rosewood, Danish Modern, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Desk in rosewood designed and made in Denmark in the 1960s. Great condition.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Rococo Style Walnut & Gilt Bronze Bureau Plat
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant French rococo style bureau plat writing desk made in walnut with ormolu accents.
Features a top with a tooled leather writing-surface w...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Spanish Mobila Country Farm Desk with, Side Table or Butcher Block
Located in Miami, FL
A charming early 20th century Spanish pine farm table with four tapered legs and a wonderfully well-worn finish from a century of use. Table works well for dining, but can also be us...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
$3,384 Sale Price
20% Off
Jean Gillon desk in rosewood for Italma Woodart, 1960s
Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR
This exquisite rosewood desk is a standout creation by celebrated Brazilian designer Jean Gillon, crafted in the 1960s by Italma WoodArt — a prestigious manufacturer recognized for i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
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
Rare Asprey & Co. London Oak & Tooled Green Leather Pop-Up Writing Desk 1920s
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Luxurious, Asprey & Co. London (Royal Warrant) Oak & Tooled Racing Green Leather Pop-Up Writing Table Made in England in the 1920s.
Item is sold complete with a Burgundy tooled red leather desk set also from Aspreys. It's a very attractive item befit with an aluminium desk calendar, letter opener and two vertical pen rests.
The rectangular and hinged two panel top encloses a green leather writing surface which reveals itself when opened from the top, item is raised on square tapering legs.
Desk comes with two original large glass inkwells...
Category
1920s English Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Leather, Oak
19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from fruitwood with a warm patina and lovely wood grain patterns. Fronted by a single s...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood
$1,875 Sale Price
25% Off
Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Leather Top Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table
By Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1900
Solid quarter sawn oak, with original leather top, and ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper
Large Midcentury Italian Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This impressive executive desk by the 1950s Italian designer, Vittorio Dassi, features a very comfortable 1.5 cm thick floating glass top, unde...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Boomerang Desk Circa 1940
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Exceptional modernist desk from the Art Deco period. This superb piece of furniture is reminiscent of the desk made by Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Janneret with its curved top and ...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
ANTIQUE RESTORED C HINDLEY & SON ENGLISH OAK GREEN LEATHER DOUBLE SiDED DESK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and important fully restored C Hindley & Son’s circa 1845 English Oak & Green Leather double ...
Category
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Painted Desk with Single Drawer and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style desk from circa 1850 with tan painted finish, single drawer, fluted tapering legs and carved oval medallions on ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Fine French 1970s Extendable Oak Dining Table by Guillerme & Chambron
Located in Long Island City, NY
Robert Guillerme (1913-1990) and Jacques Chambron (1914-2001) :
A fine French mid-century solid oak extendable dining/writing table.
Length with the two center leaves is 82 5/8".
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Studio BBPR for Olivetti Spazio Desk
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio B.B.P.R. for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, metal, vinyl, plastic, Italy, circa 1960
This industrial 'Spazio' desk is designed by Studio B.B.P.R. A black vinyl tablet...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Antique French Empire Revival Cylinder Bureau 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An Empire Revival mahogany and parcel gilt cylinder bureau, Circa 1880 in date.
The panelled roll top enclosing a green inset leather writing surface and an arrangement of drawers a...
Category
1880s French Empire Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Solid 2" Teak Modern Rustic Dining Table in a Smooth Natural Finish
Located in Buffalo, WY
This table celebrates the natural beauty of solid wood with straightforward modern rustic styling. The simplicity of the design and subtle details make this a stunning addition to an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Teak
$2,550 Sale Price
25% Off
21st Century Shinto Writing Desk with Sculptural Bases in Lost-wax Cast Brass
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Characterized by sculptural and scenographic shapes, the pieces of furniture of the Shinto line combine the essence of classic style with a contemporary allure. The pieces are distin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Desk in Walnut Veneer, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This is a beautiful five-drawer desk from the Biedermeier period. It was made in Germany around 1830s. The piece is veneered with walnut wood with an extraordinary black oak and mapl...
Category
1830s European Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut "Mainline" Desk by Hooker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous mid-century modern walnut “Mainline” desk by Hooker Furniture in the United States, circa 1960s. This desk has been built from the highest quality walnut wood. It has a desi...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Rare Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Attributed to Zwiener
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional and rare late 19th century gilt bronze mounted Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Attributed to Zwiener
Attributed to Joseph Zwiener
The serpentine case with a rectangular top with gilt-tooled leather writing-surface within a molded border above a quarter-veneered frieze, three drawers to the front and three simulated drawers to the reverse each flanked by a large putto, the sides centered with a fine bronze Apollo mask, the cabriole legs mounted with sea shell bronze designs with foliate-cast sabots.
Born in Herdon, Germany, in 1849, Joseph Emmanuel Zwiener followed the tradition of some of the best ébnistes of the nineteenth century. He moved to Paris establishing a workshop at 12, rue de la Roquette, between 1880 and 1895. He produced a wide array of the very finest furniture, modelling in his own interpretations of the eighteenth century Louis XV Rococo style, veneered with the highest and finest quality marquetry and ‘Vernis Martin’ panels. Exhibiting at the Exposition Universelle, Paris, in 1889, Zwiener was awarded a gold medal for what the jury reported as ‘dè ses dèbuts à une Exposition Universelle, [il] s’est mi au premier rang par la richesse, la hardinesse, et le fini de ses meubles incrustés de bronze et fort habilment marquetés.’
Zwiener was closely associated with François Linke, and the two houses produced work which, at first glance, is remarkably similar and with occasionally identical mounts. The similarities are made more likely by the fact that the brilliant sculptor, Léon Messagé, worked initially for Zwiener and subsequently, upon Zwiener’s departure for Berlin to work on furniture commissioned by Freidrich Wilhelm II , he was employed in the workshop of François Linke. It appears that Zwiener, unlike Linke, did not sign all his work, although some stamped pieces with his name and/or his “Z” initial are documented. There is some uncertainty between the recorded stamp E. Zwiener and the work of a Julius Zwiener...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$95,000 Sale Price
24% Off
Classic by Carpanelli Cylinder Inlaid in American Walnut
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
The curved shapes and many secret drawers make this a cabinet maker's gem. It is enriched by mother of pearl details and floral inlays. It has a secret compartmet. This unique witing desk...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Baker Collector's Edition Brass Bound Leather Top Louis XV Bureau Plat
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
$3,960 Sale Price
20% Off
Anglo Indian Carved Oak Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Anglo Indian heavily carved oak one drawer writing table. Circa 1880. A timeless and classic touch for a fine interior. 34W x 23D x 27.5H
Category
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Danish Teak Sliding Top Desk
Located in Baltimore, MD
A desk with incredible form and presence. This attractive original Danish Modern desk by Nordisk Andels-Eksport made in Denmark, features a rectangle frame with sliding top...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
$1,356 Sale Price
20% Off
Modern Waterfall Desk in Dark Walnut Finish with Painted Brass Accents
Located in North York, ON
Modern Waterfall desk in dark walnut finish with painted brass accents. Beautiful modern minimalist design with sculpted waterfall accent. Satin dark walnut finish with hand painted ...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$4,760 Sale Price
20% Off
CARTIER PARIS SIGNED BRONZE & LEATHER MID CENTURY MODERN WRiTING TABLE DESK
By Cartier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale one of two super rare, highly collectable, original Mid Century Modern Circa 1960-1970 Cartier Paris Bronze ...
Category
1960s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Laminated Writing Table Attributed to Arco, Germany, 1970s
By Arco
Located in Den Haag, NL
very nice and stylish writing table. Chrome on steel base, comes with a curved
Laminated top. White in color.
Category
1970s German Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Laminate
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Desk. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Walnut Biedermeier Desk – Vienna, circa 1825
We are pleased to present this outstanding Biedermeier desk, crafted in beautifully figured walnut – a superb example of top...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Shagreen & Chrome Executive Desk
Located in Denton, TX
Extremely Rare Karl Springer Shagreen & chrome executive desk. Each corner has brass accents to compliment the chrome. Dark Shagreen top and draw...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Desk by Gio Ponti and Alberto Rosselli, Rima Padova, Italy, circa 1955
Located in Berlin, DE
Desk by Gio Ponti & Alberto Rosselli, Rima Padova, Italy, circa 1955
Originally designed for the Pirelli Tower in Milano.
In 1950, Alberto Pirelli, president and owner of the giant...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Bleached Biedermeier Oval Burlwood Desk or Console Table circa 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bleached Biedermeier Oval Burlwood Desk or Console Table, probably Austrian, circa mid 19th Century. It is a versatile size and can be used as a console or sofa table, desk, vanity, ...
Category
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Burl
Executive Desk By Poul Norreklit for Georg Petersen Møbelfabrik in Denmark
Located in San Diego, CA
Poul Nørreklit desk model GP 160 by Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik, Denmark
This is a rare and collectible lucite and rosewood desk. Lucite slab sides wit...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lucite, Rosewood
$9,200 Sale Price
45% Off
Scandinavian Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Scandinavian Modern Desk, an ivory finish to this modern writing table that has an angled superstructure with drawers above a rectangular writ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$4,605 / item
Guillerme & Chambron Floating Desk, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Oak desk for Votre Maison with three drawers and a double top. The very elegant joinery sits on tapered legs.
55x24x30
24 armrest space
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
"Ruby Tuesday" 21st Century Desk, Walnut and Metal by Ivan Paradisi
Located in Turin, IT
Particularity doesn't mean complexity or overloading with details. A particularity is about being different. And this is what Ivan Paradisi furniture design studio is famous for.
Ivan Paradisi Atelier is glad to present simple though functional and particular desk in walnut.
In Ruby Tuesday the designer paid tribute to the nature having implemented the elegancy and functionality in simple natural curves which render the sense of harmony and wholeness. The contemporary handmade desk with two drawers finished in leather will show to advantage in any environment due to its basic design...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Plexiglass Desk + Chair by Fabio Lenci for Formes Nouvelles, Italy 1970s
By Fabio Lenci
Located in Chicago, IL
This rare 1970s desk and matching chair by Italian designer Fabio Lenci for Formes Nouvelles embodies the forward-thinking ethos of the era. The soft lavender hued plexiglass surface...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
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
Dutch Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Vanity Desk by Everest Furniture, 1950s
By Everest
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Unusual and rare modernist vanity desk produced in the Netherlands by Everest Furniture early 1950s.
Solid birch frame and, veneered plywood and exotic wood (Wenge) details in the...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch, Teak, Wenge, Plywood
!9th Century writing table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique mahogany writing table with 2 drawers on both sides. This means that the table can also be used by 2 people. Green mixed gold-edged leather top. The table is in ver...
Category
1850s British Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Period French Directior Leather Topped Writing Table.
Located in Hudson, NY
This beautiful period writing table was constructed in France circa 1790 to 1800 of rich imported mahogany and the woods have been carefully selected to create an overall pattern of ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
Nerone e Patuzzi Desk, Gruppo NP2, Italy Mid-20th century.
Located in New York, NY
Large metal executive desk with side shelf and wooden relief by Nerone Ceccarelli and Giovanni Patuzzi.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Kingwood Bureau Plat
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite quality French Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted tulipwood and kingwood bureau plat attributed to Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
Attributed to Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener (1848...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Tulipwood, Kingwood
Alfred Waterhouse A Gothic Revival Oak Partners Desk With Two Drawers Each Side
Located in London, GB
Alfred Water House in the style of. A Gothic Revival oak Partners desk with a large open writing area and a pair of drawers to each side and a turned gallery to each end and below the drawers with a central opening for more leg room. The graduating turned legs united by conforming turned gallery to each end on original brass and ceramic castors. A well-designed architectural desk for two...
Category
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Impressive French Art Deco Desk with Secretary Table
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Stunning French Art Deco desk with pull-out secretary table. Having beautiful Deco lines and brass hardware. All the locks work making this a functiona...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Apartment-Sized Patterned Osis Desk by Llot Llov
By LLOT LLOV
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Llot Llov's Osis desk was developed specifically for the home office — it has a small footprint yet offers the necessary space to work, and it has a privacy screen to help with both ...
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$3,660 / item
Italian Chrome X-Base Trestle Dining Table or Writing Desk
Located in Danville, CA
Rarely seen X-base trestle style dining table base that can be used as either a dining table or writing desk. The base will easily support a glass or stone top as large as 48 x 108 x...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone, Chrome
Guido Faleschini writing desk for Mariani, 1970
By Faleschini
Located in Manzano, IT
Guido Faleschini writing desk for Mariani, 1970
Strong and stable, important office desk by Guido Faleschini. Glass shelf, aluminum profiles and alcantara upholstery. Aluminum 8-draw...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
$1,948 Sale Price
35% Off
Scandinavian Antique Table of Pine Wood with Green Patinated Frame, 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Scandinavian country side working table from the 19th century made of pine wood.
The frame of table is hand painted with matte green pai...
Category
19th Century Scandinavian Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Rococo 18th Century Writing Table with Drawer, Origin: Sweden, Circa 1760
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Rococo 18th century writing table with single drawer with accentuated cabriole legs, origin: Sweden, circa 1760 with all original green color.
The purity of the design lac...
Category
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Folding Red Laminate Plywood Desk by Pamio and Toso for Stilwood, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Rare folding desk by Roberto Pamio and Renato Toso for Stilwood.
Plywood frame covered with laminate.
Also available a second white matching piece.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Laminate, Plywood
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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