Desks and Writing Tables
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine
Late 19th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Spanish Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1870s English Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1880s American Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1930s French Louis XIV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
1830s English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 19th Century European Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Carrara Marble
1980s Italian Minimalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Smoked Glass, Pine
19th Century Scandinavian Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary European Futurist Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1860s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Late 18th Century Danish Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Aluminum, Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Oak
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1860s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary English Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Quartz, Brass, Steel
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Laminate
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Lucite, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
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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