Desks and Writing Tables
2010s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
19th Century British George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Ebony, Satinwood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Other Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
18th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 2000s Argentine Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1950s Philippine Organic Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
17th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wrought Iron
1970s French Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-19th Century Austrian Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Fir
Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Early 19th Century English Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Late 19th Century British Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Other Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Paint
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Stainless Steel, Cut Steel, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel, Iron
1860s American American Classical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Birdseye Maple
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Crystal, Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Bronze, Steel, Gold Leaf
1830s British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
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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