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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Baroque
Style: Louis XV
18th Century French Cherrywood 'Bureau de Pente' Slant Top Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Larger than the typical Louis XV writing desk, this cherrywood bureau de pente was hand-carved in France during the late 1700’s, just after the period ended. This type of desk went by several names, including bureau dos d’âne and secrétaire à dessus brisé, and they almost always featured a fold-down writing surface.
Four long, slender cabriole legs, which are typical of Louis XV writing desks, provide a sturdy base for the beautiful desk. The curvaceousness of the legs continues throughout the desk, from the subtly contoured sides to the highly sinuous apron on all sides. Set within the apron are two drawers with round bronze pulls that flank a faux center drawer with a foliate and shell handle.
The fold-down writing surface, which has a functioning lock with a foliate escutcheon, opens to reveal eight small arbalete drawers arranged in four columns. Above the topmost drawers of each column is an open storage compartment. There are two more larger storage compartments in the center above a false-bottom hidden compartment. The fold down writing surface is held by a set of polished steel arms.
A graceful and functional bureau de pente from the late 18th century, this cherrywood slant top writing desk...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Bois-Satiné Writing Table
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A fine French kidney shaped bureau plat desk, having an inset beige leather top. Two side drawers over cabriole legs with ormolu mounts.
Category
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XV Leather Top Walnut Partner Desk with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Add sophistication and grandeur to your office or study with this exquisite 19th-century French partner desk. Crafted in France circa 1880, this Louis XV-style writing table is cons...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Cylinder Bureau by François Linke in the Louis XV Style
Located in London, GB
A Petit Bureau à Cylindre in the Transitional Manner
After the design by Jean-François Oeben
By François Linke
Index no. 1626
A rare small cylinder bureau, after the celebrated exa...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Table Rent Center Desk Tavolino Tuscan Italian Walnut Oval Baroque
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Exceptionally rare, large, museum quality, Tuscan, Baroque, walnut, rent or center table or tavolino with detachable top and single drawer
- This beautiful, rent table is an unco...
Category
Early 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century, French Louis XV style Natural Wood Center Desk with Gilt Bronzes
Located in IT
19th Century, French Louis XV style Wood Center with gilded bronze applications desk table
This elegant centre desk, therefore finished on all four sides, was made in the first half...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century, Louis XV Revival Ormolu-Mounted Bonheur Du Jour by Diehl
Located in London, by appointment only
Highly important and palatial Napoleon III Louis XV Revival Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry Bonheur Du Jour by Charles Guillaume Diehl, Designed by Jean Brandely, The Marquetry by E. Varlot, Paris. The rarity & importance of this magnificent piece cannot be overstated, it is without question one of the finest examples you will see. Originally commissioned for European nobility as a statement of love and marital grandeur. Incorporating the finest & rarest veneers and timbers of the time, including Harewood, Thuya, Purpleheart, palm wood and tulipwood.
The beautifully shaped ormolu gallery on the top, gracefully curving outwards inset with fretted heart shapes highlight the incredible attention to detail that flow throughout this majestic piece. The upper section set either side with ormolu mounted fluted pilasters, aside two doors both individually set with masculine & feminine central marquetry panels of the most supreme quality, as you would expect from the master E. Varlot. The colors incorporated in the inlay are outstanding to behold, simply perfection. Opening to reveal the double top & bottom lock, engraved with Diehl's mark and address. Internally veneered in Rosewood of the richest color with one shelf. With two drawers below the doors, both veneered on the inside with Sycamore, one fitted for inkwells. The ormolu edged writing flap again centrally set with both a male & female figure now seated, holding hands with the lady holding a Mandoline, a true sign of happiness & love. The writing flap opening to reveal the original richly tooled velvet leather surface. The stand with one central frieze drawer, again lined inside with rosewood and with a top and bottom lock. On ormolu-mounted fluted legs.
This grand Museum Quality masterpiece is in excellent condition for its age.
Charles Guillaume Diehl (1811-1885) was of Germanic origins, he is considered among the most important & influential of cabinetmakers of the 19th century. He was born in Steinbach, Germany later moving to France, establishing his atelier in Paris in 1840, at the 3, Rue de Thorigny and then at the 170, Rue Saint...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Parquetry Inlaid Writing-Table by François Linke, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XV Style gilt bronze-mounted parquetry inlaid writing-table, by François Linke.
French, circa 1890.
Stamped 'FL' to the reverse of the centre bronze mounts to the front...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th C. French Louis XV Carved Mahogany and Marble-Top Lady Table Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or boudoir with this elegant antique lady’s desk. Crafted in France, circa 1900, the cabinet shaped as a kidney sits on four carved ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Louis XV Black Ebonized Bureau Desk With Leather Top by Bodart
Located in Elkton, MD
This ebonized bureau was manufactured by Bodart, known for producing furniture inspired by historical styles. Stamped "Bodart" in the upper left drawer, this desk reflects the ornate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Louis XV Style Sloping Desk in Lacquer and Gilt Bronze.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis XV style sloping desk in lacquer and gilt bronze.
Louis XV style sloping desk, lacquer with Chinese scene decoration, gilt bronze, early 20th century...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Vintage John Widdicomb French Country Carved Walnut Writing Desk with Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage John Widdicomb French Country/Louis XV Ornately Carved Walnut Writing Desk with Dovetailed Drawer, Carved and Finished Back, and Attractive Distressed Finish. Circa Mid 20th ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
17th century Spanish Baroque inlaid walnut Desk or Center Table
Located in Troy, NY
Superb model with a deeply paneled frieze, having geometric fruitwood inlay, containing three drawers. The strong disc-turned legs connected by shaped side stretchers and wrought iro...
Category
Mid-17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
18th Century Baroque Table
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique baroque table made around 1750 in South Germany.
Exquisite marquetry in cherrywood, kingwood, walnut and elm. The marquetry depicts presentations of roman weapons and armor...
Category
1730s German Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Black Lacquered Desk
Located in New York, NY
Louis XV style black lacquer Bureau plat
French 19th century Louis XV style black lacquer Bureau plat, raised on bronze mounted cabriole legs, the sca...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XV Style Ebonized Writing Desk
Located in Locust Valley, NY
An ebonized writing desk in Louis XV style with cabriole legs and ormolu mounts to the feet, two drawers, a curved apron and a glass top.
Category
20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
A fine 19th c French Louis XV signed Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
A very Fine 19th century French Louis XV mahogany and gilt bronze mounted bureau blat signed Jemont Paris.
Finest gilt bronze mounts with two side pull outs . Original leather top . French polished . Jemont exhibited alongside the likes of Francois Linke at the 1900 Paris Exposition .
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Louis XV Style Writing Desk with Serpentine Legs Painted with Gold Highlights
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV style writing desk made by La Maison London.
Painted in a French grey with gold highlights.
mounted on Serpentine legs with decorative bronz...
Category
2010s British Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Veneer Desk with Leather Top and Brass Hardware
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV style 19th century kingwood inlaid veneer desk with inset brown leather top with gilt embossed edge design with a brass top border and brass fluted trim legs and feet.
Category
19th Century Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Italian Writing Desk or Dressing Table
Located in London, Park Royal
A charming, hand-painted, Louis XV style, Italian writing desk or dressing table from the early 20th century depicting floral motifs with Rococo flourishes and gilded highlighting.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk, Rosewood and Ormulu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Antique Louis XV style bureau plat writing desk, rosewood and Ormulu mounts, raised on cabriole legs. Tooled leather top.
Dimensions: 43” W x 31.5” H x 25.5” D
Side drawers (2): ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French 1800s Louis XV Style Walnut Desk with Green Leather and Lifting Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style walnut desk from the early 19th century, with lifting panel, green leather writing surface and cabriole legs. This French Louis XV-style walnut desk, dating b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Leather
Enamel Decorated French Louis Revival Ormolu Mounted Bureau Desk Table Console
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Enamel decorated French Louis Revival Ormolu mounted Bureau plat partner desk table console mint
Both sides symmetrical, yet one side has ability to open.
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Louis XV Style Verne Martin Painted Desk
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV style (19th Century) Verne Martin painted desk with bronze trim.
Category
19th Century Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Baroque Table, Switzerland, 1770
Located in Belmont, MA
Baroque table, Switzerland, 1770.
This pretty Baroque table dates back to the Rococo period and comes from Berne in Switzerland. The base with the curved legs is made of cherry wood....
Category
1770s Swiss Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Kingwood
Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Figural Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style giltwood carved figural center or hall table fitted with a Brêche violette marble top. The rectangular frame with four scrolled cabriol...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Veneer Desk with Tooled Leather Top
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV style (19th Century) kingwood veneer desk with 5 drawers and gold tooled leather top with bronze sabot feet and escutcheons.
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Louis XV Brown Leather Carved Cherry Writing Table Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study, home office or library with this antique writing table. Crafted in the Poitou region of France circa 1850 and built of cherry wood, the desk stands on elegant cabri...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Cherry
19th Century, French Louis XV Style, Lacquered Wood Desk
Located in IT
19th century, French Louis XV style, lacquered wood desk
This elegant lacquered wooden desk was made in France between the end of the 19th centu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat in the style of the Louis XV Napoleon III Paris, circa 1850-1880.
In Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round full-length mirror veneer with seed beads. With very finely chiselled,...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Beech
18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk
Located in IT
18th Century, Franch Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk
Measures: cm H 94 x W 83,5 x D 46; D with the open panel 82 cm, H of the desk top 69,5 cm
This elegant desk was made in France ...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Attractive Louis XV style bureau plat, gilt embossed tanned leather top writing surface centered on a beautiful satinwood veneered panel and...
Category
Late 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century Antique Louis XV Style French Oak Desk from Pierre Deux
By Pierre Deux
Located in Chicago, IL
19th C. Antique Louis XV Style French oak desk with two drawers and original hardware. Its carved back and side aprons and sabre legs lend a regal standing to this piece.
Additio...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century, French Louis XV Style Wood Centre Desk with Gilt Bronze
Located in IT
19th century, French Louis XV style wood centre desk with gilt bronze
This elegant centre desk, therefore finished on all four sides, was made in the 19th century in France, in the Louis XV style. The slightly wavy and curved top has a green leather insert, stamped along the gold border. On the front the cabinet has three drawers: a central and two deeper side. The four legs are arched and give gracefulness to the overall composition. The feet have bronze gilded and chiselled tips with volutes and vegetable...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Francois Linke Louis XV Carved Wood & Marble Top Console
Located in Los Angeles, CA
FRANCOIS LINKE LOUIS XV CARVED WOOD MARBLE TOP CONSOLE TABLE, CIRCA 1890, By Francois Linke.
The table is composed of a veined marble top rais...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
18th Century Veneered and Inlaid Wood Italian Louis XV Writing Desk
Located in IT
The elegant antique north Italian (Genoa) Louis XV period writing desk, called also bureau plat, is made of veneered and inlaid woods. It have a beautiful wavy line with slender but ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Transition Marquetry Gilt Bronze Desk Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
18th Century French Louis XV Transition Marquetry Gilt Bronze Desk Bureau Plat
An 18th century gilt-bronze mounted double-face desk or bureau plat with herring-bone marquetry. The k...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Elegant antique Louis XV Style Veneered lady Bureau Plat / Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
Exclusive Louis XV style ladies bureau plat/desk
Solid beech wood with exotic root veneer.
Extremely fine, floral bronze fittings.
Cambered and ...
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Sèvres Porcelain-Mounted Bureau Plat
Located in New Orleans, LA
Form and function converge in this exceptional Louis XV-style bureau plat graced with eight elegant Sèvres Porcelain plaques. Framing these delightful, hand painted floral and fowl-themed plaques is a network of exquisite gilt bronze. Supporting the leather-topped table are graceful cabriole legs, a hallmark of fine Louis XV taste, that are crowned by gilt bronze caryatids and terminate in gilt bronze mounts. What makes this desk even more stunning is the inclusion of three concealed drawers that are opened only by the spring-loaded secret release mechanisms located underneath.
The first porcelain mounted furnishings appeared sometime in the mid-18th century in the shops of the foremost Parisian art dealers. These furnishings successfully, and quite beautifully, married renowned Sèvres Porcelain with fine furniture to create a new segment of the decorative arts that appealed greatly to the aristocracy, especially women. The Duchesse de Mazarin, Comtesse du Barry, Marie-Antoinette and the Grand Duchess Maria...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Louis XV Desk in Cherry Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful desk in Louis XV cherrywood from the beginning of the 19th century
very beautiful curved legs
Elegant sculpted frieze
two drawers in the frieze
Very beautiful pati...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century German Baroque Table
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique baroque table made in Southern Germany around 1750-60. The top, the apron and the foot of the table are decorated with an exquisite walnut and yew tree marquetry. The table is...
Category
1750s German Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Yew
18th Century French Louis XV Period Walnut Chateau Bonheur Du Jour or Secretary
Located in Birmingham, AL
A rare 18th century French Louis XV period chateau bonheur du jour or secrétaire handcrafted of walnut by very talented artisans in Lyon for a wealthy chateau owner near Villeurbanne, circa 1750s. This impressive antique French secretary features a chapeau de gendarme crown above a pair of carved serpentine doors with brass mesh grilles and beautiful green and gold damask fabric backings that open to reveal a painted interior with two display shelves. Three carved drawers are below. The lower section features a flat serpentine shaped writing surface that lifts opens to reveal plenty of storage above a carved, scalloped apron with C-scrolls and a center carved shell motif. Raised on four elegant cabriole legs ending in scrolled French toes. This grand Lyonnaise French library desk...
Category
1750s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and extremely high quality French 18th century Louis XV period Kingwood, Tulipwood, and ormolu desk circa. 1750. The Bureau à Cylindre desk...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Fantastic French 19th Century Boulle Desk with Bronze Mounts
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent 19th century tortoiseshell Boulle desk features gorgeous bronze mounts and sculpted brass inlaid in the tortoise shell. The desk is created in the style of Louis XV ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Solid Walnut Spanish Baroque Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
An 18th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid Walnut Wood with turned legs joined by a Two drawers with original iron drawe...
Category
18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Louis XV Tuscany Walnut Veneered Writing Table
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant writing table in walnut veenered poplar. Top centered by a star motif, a comfortable drawer in the band, curved legs typical of mid-18th century Tuscan manufacture.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Poplar, Walnut
19th Spanish Side Table with Cared Turned Legs and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish side table with cared Solomonic turned legs and iron stretcher.
The top has a carved edges and a beautiful grain and patina.
Category
Mid-19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Francois Linke Quality Bronze Mounted Leather Top Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular bureau plat with the quality level of Francois Linke of Paris. The desk features gold Dore' Bronze mounted ormolu and a superb gold tooled embossed leather top ...
Category
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Bureau Plat with Floral and Blue Porcelain Plaques
Located in London, GB
A very fine bureau plat in the manner of Edward Holmes Baldock.
After a model by C.C. Saunier.
English made, in the Louis XVth taste, constructed in kingwood, with purpleheart crossbanding and adorned with bleu celeste porcelain plaques with hand-painted floral decoration and extensive fire gilt bronze mounts; rising from cabriole legs with brass sabots and bronze enrichments, in the apron, the one large central drawer is flanked by two smaller drawers with twenty four ‘Sevres’ porcelain plaques enclosed in symmetrical gilt bronze boss studded frames, chased and with a sand form ground. The serpentine top framed with a conforming bronze guard...
Category
19th Century English Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Side Table or Writing Table from the XVIII Century in Walnut
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely side table or small writing table from the 18th century Louis XV in walnut
Very nice little table which has a drawer in the belt and a beautiful walnut table top with a sup...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Console Table, XVIII Century, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Console table,
Made with cherry wood.
Lacquered in black.
Central drawer, with brass handle.
Carved hoof legs.
Very decorative.
XVIII Century, Fra...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Lacquer
Unusual Transition Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Double Sided Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
Unusual Transition style marquetry and gilt bronze double sided writing desk
French, early 20th Century
Height 98cm, width 130cm, depth 94c...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Desk Swedish Baroque Period 18th Century Veneer Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Desk Swedish Baroque Period 18th Century Veneer Sweden. A stunning desk made during the Baroque period in Sweden. Veneered with elm and burl woo...
Category
18th Century European Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th Century Louis XV Marquetry Ladies' Desk Manner of J.C. Ellaume
Located in Berlin, DE
18th Century Louis XV Marquetry Ladies' Desk Manner of J.C. Ellaume
A mid-18th century ladies' desk or so-called "bureau de pente", its shaped fall-front opening to reveal a red lea...
Category
1750s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Rococo Style Writing Desk Mounted with Gilt Bronze
Located in London, GB
Rococo style writing desk mounted with gilt bronze
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 78cm, width 134cm, depth 64cm
This superb ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Majestic French Bureau Plat Desk antique According to Andre C. Boulle bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Root veneer on solid beech and oak. Extremely finely chiselled bronze. Slightly protruding, profiled tabletop and gold-imprinted leather insert, flanked by a grotesque mask on each c...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Louis XV Side Table - France, 18th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Charming carved table on cabriole legs, with central drawer.
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
20th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table Piano Black
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat writing table in the style of Louis XV style, silvered bronze fittings. Piano lacquer black on solid beech wood. Heavily arched, four-sided passively curved tripod frame ...
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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.