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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1920s
ANTIQUE FLAMED HARDWOOD DESK FROM PRINCESS DIANA'S FAMiLY HOME SPENCER HOUSE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal house antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime antique Edwardian circa 1910-1920 Flamed Mahogany twin pedestal desk with green leather writing surface from Princess Diana Spencer’s London family home Spencer House...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Pine and Oak Table, 1920's
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Table from the 1920s with one drawer. The table is made of pine with a top of oak. The top has a star inlay.
Category

1920s French Rustic Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Pine

French Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials: Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art Deco Desk Year 1920 French Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. It has a large work surface. The quality of the furniture make it unique. ...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Elm Desk with Two Drawers and Ornate Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty period Chinese elm wood desk from the early 20th century, with two drawers, brass hardware and carved spandrels. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty per...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique American Industrial Iron and Maple Childs School Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American industrial iron and maple childs school writing desk. Item features a lower cubby storage to side, iron frame, pivoting backrest, very nice antique item, quality Ame...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Art Deco Writing Table and Chair by Sue et Mare
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
DESK AND CHAIR BY SUE ET MARE A French Art Deco ladies writing desk and chair of exceptional quality by Louis Sue and Andre Mare produced...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Art Nouveau Beech Writing Table, Desk or Side Table, circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
French writing table, little desk or side table, circa 1900. Made in the art Nouveau period : the carving of the drawer and its handle is typical of the lines of this artistic movem...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk Art Deco, 1920, France, Materials: Wood and Bronze
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk Style: Art Deco Year 1920 Wood and bronze Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk, Jindrich Halabala, UP Zavody, 1930s, Czechia
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Restored Bauhaus oak writing desk designed by Jindrich Halabala. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia Maker: UP Zavody. Material: Oak, chrome-plated steel Color: Brown The chr...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Swedish Art Deco Axel E Hjorth "Roma" Desk
Located in Uccle, BE
Produced by Bodafors in Sweden. Stained flamed birch desk "Roma" for Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, SMF. Designed by Axel Einar Hjorth. Axel Einar Hjorth (1888-1959) was an importa...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

School Blackboard, Italy, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Revolving free-standing blackboard for school, in wood and slate (also called Lavagna stone), with chalk drawer. Paravia, Milan Italy circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone

Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk Designed by Jindrich Halabala, Czechia, 1920s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Art Deco walnut writing desk designed by Czech Architect Jindrich, 1920-1929. Maker: UP Zavody. Completely professionally restored. The...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Oak Art Deco Modernist Writing Table or Dining Table by Architect Caspers, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Art Deco Modernist writing table or dining room table. Design by architect Caspers. Striking Dutch design from the...
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique L. & J.G. Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak writing desk, library table, or center table. By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 40" W x 26" D ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

A Fabulous Edwardian Desk attributed to Edward and Roberts
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous Edwardian mahogany desk attributed to Edward and Roberts, richly patinated, line inlaid and with exquisite marquetry detail throughout depicting Neoclassical motifs compri...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Art Nouveau Freestanding Writing Table, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
Art Nouveau freestanding desk with 5 drawers. Very good condition according to age. Only minimal scratches, surface gently restored.
Category

1920s European Art Nouveau Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Leather Top Vanity Desk Mirror and Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Style leather top vanity desk with mirror and side chair. Item features a white washed finish, floral carved accents, blue floral print fabric, fli...
Category

Early 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Walnut Double Pedestal Desk, Writing Table, Leather Top, Scotland 1930
Located in Vancouver, BC
Vintage Walnut Double Pedestal desk, writing table, leather top, Scotland 1930, H736 Scotland 1930 Solid walnut Original finish 3 leather se...
Category

Early 20th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Regency Mahogany Work / Sewing Table
Located in New York, NY
Regency mahogany work / sewing Table.
Category

Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Lovely Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Writing Table with Original Stool Leather Top
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning small Chinese Chinoiserie hand painted and lacquered writing table with black leather writing surface and matching stool. This is ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Turn of the Century French Patinated Ecritoire with Display Glass Top
Located in High Point, NC
A patinated ecritoire produced during the turn of the century in France, this desk organizer is as functional as remarkable. Featuring a slant-top case crowned by a unique glass disp...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Country French Double-Faced Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French Double-Faced Desk was crafted by master artisans creating a superlative choice for any office! Finished on all four sides, it can be placed anywhere in the ro...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Country Louis XV Walnut Writing Desk Table, Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic antique French desk. The desk is in good condition and measures 19 inches deep x 31 wide x 30 inches tall. The desk dates to teh 1920s.
Category

1920s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Sculptural Baroque Style Desk in Stained Pine, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A fabolous french baroque style freestanding desk in solid stained pined. Finely handcrafted in the first half of the 20th century. Decorative decadent carvings. This fine desk w...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

19th Century French Belle Époque Table in the Louis XVI Style by Lexcellent
Located in London, GB
A Louis XVI style writing table By Lexcellent of Paris Of restrained elegance and sumptuous finish with gilt bronze mounts, the mahogany-veneered writing table supported on taper...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Louis XVI Neoclassical Double Faced Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI Neoclassical Double Faced desk has captured the essence of the architecture and embellishment of ancient Greece and Rome! Han...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Mahogany Writing Desk Dressing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality C1910 mahogany writing desk or dressing table. Stamped W.FOWKES. Solid heavy, no loose joints and no woodworm. Full of age, character and charm. The drawers s...
Category

1910s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Solid Walnut Baroque Lyre-Leg Trestle Refectory Desk Writing Table
Located in Miami, FL
20th Century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid walnut with turned legs joined by wrought iron stretchers. Two drawers with orig...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Catalan Spanish Cabinet on Stand in Carved Walnut and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th Catalan Spanish cabinet on stand in carved walnut with two doors in the cabinet.
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

English Decorative Chinoiserie Bureau Writing Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1900 English decorative chinoiserie bureau writing desk - Bonheur Du Jour. Great colour and patina with chinoiserie decoration. sku 1006...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Original Otto Wagner for Thonet 1905 Writing Desk Postal Saving Bank Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Otto Wagner writing desk from the Postal Saving Bank in Vienna. Made by Thonet, Vienna.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Adams Edwardian Inlaid Carlton House Desk, Hand Painted, Angela Kauffman
By Angelica Kauffmann
Located in Stamford, CT
Adams Edwardian Inlaid Carlton house desk, hand painted, satinwood, An absolutely stunning Adams Carlton House desk in the manner of Angelica Kauffman. Typical form, the superstructure fitted with four banks of two small drawers flanked by curved cupboard...
Category

Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Oak Double Pedestal Desk, Leather Top, Scotland 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Oak Double Pedestal desk, leather top, Scotland 1910, H704 Scotland 1910 Solid Oak Original finish Freestanding pedestal desk With original brown leather top Eight dovetailed drawers with original brass pear...
Category

Early 20th Century Scottish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Very Large Mahogany Centrepiece Partners’ Desk in the Chippendale Style
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very large mahogany centrepiece partners’ desk in the Chippendale style, attributed to Maples or Gillows, of oval form with a replaced green leather top, the frieze with six small ...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Fully Restored Thonet Writing Desk, 1910´S, Austria
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This is a nowadays quite rare desk from the workshop of the Thonet company, produced around 1910. The table is made of bent beech wood, the table top is made of beech wood as well. B...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Palatial Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau-François Linke
Located in New York, NY
A very special and Palatial early 20th century Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted Mahogany and Bois Satine Parquetry Bureau a Cylindre by François Linke François Linke – Index Num...
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Victorian Louis XV Style Oak 2 Drawer Writing Desk Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Victorian Louis XV style oak 2 drawer writing desk console table. Item features inset glass top, carved stretcher base, carved and...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials, Wood and Chrome
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Material: Wood and chrome It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. ...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Boho Hand Turned PostMaster’s Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Boho PostMaster’s desk. A chic hand turned frame with a large upper cabinet. Perfect as a writing desk, small hotel check in or col...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Spanish Double Drawer Rustic Table in Off-White Patina
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th century Spanish rustic off-white painted pine farm kitchen table or occasional table. Charming pinewood Spanish farmhouse or kitchen tabl...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Rustic Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Pine

Antique Stickley Brothers American Colonial Maple Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique American Colonial style maple writing desk By Stickley Brothers USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 38"W x 21"D x 34.63"H. Professionally refinished....
Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

20th Century Spanish Carved Walnut House Desk with Lyre Legs
Located in Miami, FL
An 20th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid walnut with lyre shaped legs joined by wood stretchers. Hand carved decoratio...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Wood Louis XV Style French Writing Desk, 1920
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Great French writing desk of the first half of the 20th century. Louis XV style furniture in walnut, mahogany and oak richly adorned with gilded and chiseled bronze and brass of exce...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Angel Head Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Heavily carved "angel head" table. Great paint and patina.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Early Rare Kem Weber Petite Desk for Lloyd
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Rare Kem Weber Petite desk for Lloyd early Label attached.
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Spanish Wooden Desk with Ten Drawers and Iron Pulls
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish wooden desk with ten drawers and iron pulls.
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Early Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Library Table or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk, library table, or center table By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 3...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Material: Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it un...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Oak Restaurant Counter Desk, France, 1920
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Authentic and charming French oak customer counter / desk. In its heyday would have stood in a brasserie / bistro in the gourmet city of Lyon, and welcomed expectant guests. The almost 100-year-old...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk Rare calligraphy table in great antique condition, with original color and patina. Can be used as a large desk, a tall dining table...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Elm

France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material, Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Material: carved wood It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It i...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Six Leg Table / Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Six leg table / desk with two drawers and excellent patina.
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Louis XVI Mahogany Wall Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XVI mahogany wall desk is ideal as an ancillary desk in the office, or at home in the library, study or as a student's desk! Drawers and cabinets provide the per...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Gustavian-Style Grey-Painted Dining Table w/ Dark Faux-Bois Grained Top
Located in Miami, FL
A rectangular dining table with hardwood top & square tappering legs. Base was newly painted in a grey-white Gustavian color with a faux bois tooled & grained top, made to look like ...
Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Oak

Art Deco Desk from Paris "Villa des Arts" in Rosewood
Located in Greven, DE
Impressive Art Deco desk in noble rosewood and black piano lacquer - all parts including glass and locks are original and in very good condition. The entire desk has been restored an...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Wooden Children's Writing Tables Desks and Adjustable Seats
Located in Sofia, BG
Two French vintage writing desks or school tables with seats, all attached together, made of oakwood. Adjustable foot part all in very good condition...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style giltwood carved center gall table with marble top. The rectangular shaped frame intricately carved frame with an "X" stretcher centered...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Beautiful live Edge Cherry Desk - In The Manner of George Nakashima
Located in Peekskill, NY
If I had a place in my own home I would be keeping this desk. The legs are turn of-the-century industrial Iron. The original paint patina was untouched to offset the perfectly finish...
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

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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