Desks and Writing Tables
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
2010s Portuguese Desks and Writing Tables
Lacquer
1940s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rattan
1970s Asian Chinoiserie Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Plastic
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 1900s English Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1890s Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1870s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Sycamore
Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
17th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum, Steel
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
19th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Walnut
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-19th Century European Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Walnut
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Maple
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
20th Century Italian Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Steel, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century North American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
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.
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.