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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Writing Table Louis XVI Period - Solid Oak - 18th
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Small side table, writing tabke from the Louis XVI period. Work from the end of the 18th century of good quality in solid oak. The top is sheathed in a new leather enriched with gold...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

17th Century Spanish Reflectoire Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
An outstanding 17th century Spanish Reflectoire Table - Writing Desk beautifully constructed from handsome walnut in the Renaissance taste. Tremendous solid board top, carved drawer...
Category

17th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Queen Anne Rent Table "in the Chinese Taste"
Located in Dallas, TX
an early 18th century Queen Anne rent table in the Chinese Taste (with Chinoiserie decoration) having one large single drawer (that goes all the way through) with twelve (12) compart...
Category

18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Paint

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very nice stitched leather desk in bi-color brown and black feet in brass in the manner of bamboo Possibility to add an armchair who is not included
Category

1950s European Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Restored Rare Early Florence Knoll Model 17 Louvered Maple Desk Signed Madison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This rare desk was designed in the 1950s by Florence Knoll with a simplistic profile that has proven to be timeless! Of solid maple construction, it features tapered dowel legs and a...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Vintage Pine Desk from France, circa 1950
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Pine Desk From France, circa 1950. Solid pine construction with nice wear and use.
Category

1950s European Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Country House Library Partners Desk
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine 18th century Chippendale period country house library fitted partners desk. The paneled cupbards opening to one end with fitted folio shelves and one front cupboard is fitted ...
Category

18th Century European Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

16th Century Spanish Walnut Writing Table, Circa 1580
Located in Brugge, BE
An impressive and illustrated 16th century Spanish walnut writing table, exemplifying unparalleled craftsmanship. The exquisite detailing on the legs, stretchers, and even on the bot...
Category

16th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk Secretary from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in southern France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and functional; the elegant writing desk crafted from solid walnut, stands on cabriole legs over a scalloped apron and dressed with bombe drawer across the front embellished with the original patinated bronze handles. The top folds down to reveal a large writing surface, a theater with four smaller drawers on the sides, and a double compartment niche in the center. When sliding out the drawers and niche, the cabinet reveals different secret storage compartments underneath (see pictures). Both sides with scalloped apron are decorated with recessed panels. Flaunting beautiful lines, a rich patina, and complete functionality, this "Secretaire a Abattant" is in excellent condition and includes all the original keys; put a sophisticated spin on your study or bedroom with this antique slant front desk commode, or "commode scriban...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Italian Fratino Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian fratino desk with lyre legs and iron stretcher from the 18th century. This antique table from Italy, in typical fratino style, features a rectangular-shaped wood top raise...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

American Designer, Desk, Oak, Bamboo, Rattan, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small oak, bamboo and rattan writing desk designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Oak

Restored Shabby Chic Wicker & Rattan Secretary Desk with Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
White shabby chic wicker and rattan secretary desk with matching chair. This late Victorian desk features a mahogany top with rattan legs and wicker sides, a center drawer, and built...
Category

1950s American Late Victorian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

1950's Mid-Century Modernist Floating Top Curved Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Stylize your room with this impressive writing desk. This unusual desk takes its inspiration from Art Deco design. It has a curved design that gives it a distinctive appeal and a lar...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Ormolu Writing Table Desk, 18th C
Located in New York, NY
Louis XV ormolu-mounted kingwood-veneered writing table, 18th c and later, apparently unsigned, with shaped rectangular top with tooled leather inset and giltmetal molded border abov...
Category

18th Century Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Kingwood

Restored Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Desk W/ Side Shelf
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Finished in rattan and mahogany, this Mid-Century era desk has an attached single drawer for storage and two-tier side shelf built in for further storage. ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rattan, Mahogany

Rosewood Roll top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452. All Original
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452 Rosewood Tambour Door Executive Desk in very good completely original condition. Two rolltops, one on each side and three drawers. Large work se...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian 18th Century Writing Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very lovely 18th century Writing Table - Desk from Bologna, Italy. Wonderfully constructed from handsome walnut with a conforming solid board top with handsome edge finish over d...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Silver Table, English, Inlaid, Display, Writing Desk, Georgian, C.1780
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique silver table. An English, rosewood inlaid display or writing table, dating to the late Georgian period, circa 1780. Delightf...
Category

Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Fine 18th Century Mahogany Free Standing Library Desk
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine quality late 18th century mahogany free standing library desk, the flame mahogany cupboards with ebony fluting to the sides of the kneehol...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Solid Mahogany Desk
Located in Malton, GB
This is a simple very well made Georgian desk. Made from solid mahogany and as far as I can tell totally original. The drawers all run smooth and close flush. The overall condition i...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Spanish 17th Century Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very handsome 17th century Console Table - Writing Table from the Catalan region of Spain. Beautifully constructed from walnut with a solid board top, 3 drawers with unique fascia...
Category

17th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1950's George Nelson X-Leg Extension Dining Table Model 5062
Located in Hanover, MA
Early George Nelson model 5062 X-Leg extension dining table for Herman Miller, 1952. Table has two 12 inch extension leaves and pull-out metal extension tracks. Table is 29 inches...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Spanish 17th Century Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very handsome 17th century desk - writing table from the Catalan region of Spain. Soundly constructed from beautiful walnut and chestnut with a solid board top, 2 drawers and hand...
Category

17th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chestnut, Walnut

George III Mahogany Carlton House Desk
Located in London, GB
A fine quality late 18th century Sheraton period well-figured mahogany Carlton House Desk boxwood & ebony line inlaid & satinwood banded throughout, having brass galleried top above ...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

CM 178 Desk in oak and metal by Pierre Paulin, Thonet, 1957
Located in PARIS, FR
CM 178 Desk in oak and metal by Pierre Paulin, Thonet, 1957 Born in 1927, Pierre Paulin enrolled at the end of the war at the Camondo school where his artistic and technical qualities were quickly noticed by his teacher Maxime Old who encouraged him to enter the studio of Marcel Gascoin, one of the creators of the UAM. At the end of this first experience, he joined the decoration department of Galeries Lafayette where, thanks to the director of the Masters Geneviève...
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Pierre Jeanneret, Office Table PJ-BU-16-A, circa 1957
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-16-B Important: Vintage collector's item for sale with guaranteed authenticity. Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-16-B Administrative desk, circa 1957-58 Dismo...
Category

1950s Indian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Very Rare and Original Writing Table PK53 by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This stunning example is in museum condition, all completely original, not perfect, but very nicely used, the Oregon Pie top has a wonderful patine, with no real digs or scratches. T...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Secretary by Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati, 1954
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful secretary by Gianfranco Frattini from 1954 was made out of rosewood. Frattini was an italien architect and designer.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Stadera Writing Desk Model 840 Franco Albini for Poggi
Located in Rovereta, SM
Rare and important writing desk model Stadera designed by Franco Albini for the Poggi manufacture in 1959. Model 840. Made of noble wood for its shelf, in perfect preserved conditi...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Danish Cabinetmaker Teak and Oak Desk with Drawers, Denmark, circa 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Firm believers in Functionalism, Danish designers and cabinetmakers avoided short-lived aesthetic trends alike, concentrating on crafting with quality materials instead. This desk is...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian Writing Table, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian writing table, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 76 cm; W= 110 cm; D= 50 cm.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Bodil Kjaer Executive Free Standing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son Denmark
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Bodil Kjaer large freestanding rosewood executive desk, model 901 with chrome-plated metal frame, cassette top with four recessed drawers. Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark. Manufacturer’s label to the underside. Key included. The rosewood is Santos rosewood, no CITES export document is applicable. The desk featured in the 1960s in the New York Times and The Sunday Times. It became even more famous when it was in some of the first James Bond films: ‘From Russia with love’ & ‘You only live twice’. The desk also appeared prominently in BBC election broadcasts. Literature: Mobilia, June 1961. Young executives that Bodil Kjær encountered in her work in architecture and design in the late 1950es were open, creative and flexible in their way of working. So, she reasoned that it would be counter-productive for them to be offered traditional office furniture, and set out to design a system of office units...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Restored Post-War Hawaiian Koa Wood Desk W/ Rattan Border
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Stacked Mahogany secretary desk with mahogany top and rattan accents, center drawer with four drawers on each side of the desk. Measures: 29.5" high x 49" wide x 25" deep We only p...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rattan

Lord Nelson`s Family Portable Sloping Laptop Desk
Located in Dorking, GB
This desk was purchased by me at the closure of the Whitbread Archive Museum in 2001. It comes with their supplied provenance - together with several later lines of research. Includ...
Category

Early 18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Early Georgian Chippendale Bureau Bookcase Desk in Carved Mahogany
Located in Dorking, GB
An unusual and possibly unique example of a Chippendale design for a carved mahogany bureau bookcase. See included photos of scans of the designs from Chippendale’s - The Gentleman...
Category

Late 17th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

20th Century Paolo Buffa Desk and Chair in Wood for Lietti, 50s
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclass...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Crystal, Brass

French Louis XVI Period 18th Century Walnut Desk with Carved Fluted Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI period walnut desk from the 18th century, with single drawer, carved fluted motifs, tapered legs and dark patina. Created in France during the 18th century, this w...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Table by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A Dining table by Joaquim Tenreiro made of solid Imbuia with beautiful grain and veins. A wide solid wood border underlines the modernity of the lines. The table can be use as a ...
Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Pine Desk Table in the "Les Arcs" Style, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
small pine desk table in the "Les Arcs" style, Charlotte Perriand, with a drawer circa 1950/1960
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Georgian Style Wood & Hogan Burr Walnut Partners Desk Bench-Made in England
Located in North Salem, NY
For the person who appreciates high quality in all details. This desk will make the impreessive statement needed. English Bench-Made Wood & Hogan Walnut Early Georgian Style Partner...
Category

Early 18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Gio Ponti Attributed "Rosewood Desk"
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
GIO PONTI ATTRIBUTED 'ROSEWOOD DESK' c. 1950's ROSEWOOD, CRYSTAL GLASS 31.5 H x 73 W x 33 D inches.
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Late 17th Century French Hand-Pegged Pine Mountain Table, Writing Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This rustic artisan made pine writing table hails from the Auvergne region, a mountainous area in central France. Created by a goat herder in the seventeenth century while tending hi...
Category

Late 17th Century French Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

French Louis XV Style Diminutive Kingwood Writing Table by J. Lapie
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Christies label- London, 1994. A finely made French 18th c. writing table with ormolu mounts and beautiful variegated marble top. The three fine drawers with shaped front inlays and ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century Spanish Dining Table
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Spanish dining table in superb patina featuring a trestle base with forged iron supports which is typical of Spanish tab...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

18th Century French Louis XV Desk or Writing Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 18th century French Louis XV style small lady's desk with hinged drop down leather top writing surface. Made of walnut and in two parts with small top cabinet with one interio...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Restored Stacked Rattan Executive Desk W/ Solid Mahogany Top
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored large 60" wide stacked rattan desk, with Filipino mahogany. Drawer fronts, side panels, and desk top. The desk features a center drawer and six side drawers. Beautiful stack...
Category

1950s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rattan

Desk by Nanna Ditzel
Located in Milan, IT
Denmark, 1958 Manufactured by Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik Rosewood
Category

1950s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

18th C. Italian Walnut Trestle Leg & Iron Stretcher Table 'or Desk'
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian wood trestle-leg table with forged-iron stretcher bars, from the 18th century. This antique table from Italy has clean, simple lines, and features a rectangular-shaped top...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Writing Desk in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A period Rococo writing desk from the 18th century in original painted alder wood with period key hole fittings, circa 1760. There are two smaller drawers behind the writing surface ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Writing Desk Beech Italy 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawers made of beech wood with Formica-covered top.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Formica, Beech

Antique Quality Mahogany Floral Marquetry Inlaid Bombe Shaped Burea
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique 18th century quality mahogany floral marquetry inlaid bombe shaped bureau having a quality floral marquetry fall opening to reveal a fitted interior consisting of drawers, pigeon holes, door and a well above three bombe shaped floral marquetry oak...
Category

18th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

18th C. Country French Walnut Writing Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A two tiered desk with elevated section at back with slots for papers and four curved supports. The lower overhanging surface with banded sides and serpe...
Category

Late 18th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Primitive Office Desk with Built in Stool, 1950s, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible primitive Americans desk in a beautiful black paint with heavy patina and raw wood accents. Four pull-out drawers across the front of the desk as well as three individual ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Red Lacquered Wood Desk from the 50s, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Red lacquered wood desk from the 50s, Italian. Desk 1950s Country: Italian Materials: Red lacquered wood Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an ...
Category

1950s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rare Desk by Carlo de Carli
Located in New York, NY
A rare desk Manufactured by Cassina Date made: 1950 Material: walnut Size: H 30.5” x L 63” x D 28.5” Origin: Italy.
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Ico Parisi Wooden Writing Desk with Two Drawers, 50s
Located in Turin, Turin
Ico Parisi was born in Palermo, Italy, in 1916, but as early as 1925 with his family he moved to Como, where in 1936 he graduated as a building surveyor and served an apprenticeship at the Terragni studio. Discharged from the front in 1943, he returned to Como and resumed his design activity, dealing with the creation of individual furnishings, exhibition layouts and interior architecture. He collaborated with Luisa Aiani, whom he married in 1947 and with whom he opened the studio La Ruota. In the 50s he designed furniture, first in one-piece and later for Industrial Production with companies such as Cassina. In the 60s, with the "Contenitoriumani" he began a new path aimed at defining a utopian-existential IDEA of living. The culmination of his research is between 1974 and 1976 with "Operation Arcevia," aimed at designing an entire Community. Here we have a wooden desk designed...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Architect's Table circa 1760 in Mahogany with Mechanism Chippendale Period
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb and rare architect's table with mechanism from the 18th century circa 1760 in the Chippendale style and period in mahogany. the hinged,...
Category

18th Century British Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Marble Top Console Table Bar or Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant French Provincial style marble top console table, France, circa 1950s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a console table, bar, media table, stand, desk, or va...
Category

1950s French French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

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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