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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1970s
Period: Late 19th Century
Karl Springer Ming Writing Desk/Console in Embossed Crocodile 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted Ming Writing Desk/Console in lacquered embossed crocodile leather with 3 drawers by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This was originally designed as a console whi...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Restored Louis XV-Style Mahogany Desk with Leather Writing Surface
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Experience the fusion of classic elegance and modern craftsmanship with our Louis XV-style mahogany Desk, a piece that radiates vintage charm and refined style. This desk has been ex...
Category

1970s Italian Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Angelo Mangiarotti Rare desk with single cast iron foot - Italian Design 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Rare desk designed by Angelo Mangiarotti. This elegant and material piece recalls the designer's style by infusing into a new concept elements already used for other furniture create...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk, Bergwood, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk, Bergwood, 1970s
Category

1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Danish Modern Floating Vanity by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Incredible Danish Modern floating vanity by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik. Features brass insiders which keep it suspended. Table by op opens...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

English Pine One Drawer Writing Table
Located in Wilson, NC
English pine one drawer writing table which was most likely painted originally and stripped and wax finished in the last 30 years. It has a pl...
Category

1890s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Mid Century Modern Model T333 desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
Located in London, GB
Model T333 desk produced in 1975 from a design by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Geri and manufctured by Tecno. The top is black lacquered walnut with an inset area of black leather. There are two minimal slim drawers, perfect for storage of pens etc and polished cast aluminium legs. with black trim. Manufacturer's label to side. This large and impressive desk with its minimal, sophisticated design would work well in both a modern or contemporary home. Literature: Giam Piero Bosoni, T Tecno L'eleganza discreta della tecnico, was established in 1953 the twin brothers Osvaldo and Fulgenzio Borsani with the goal of developing their father’s furniture company, Arredamenti Borsani, using the industrial process for the manufacturing of modern furniture. The history of the company goes back to the early 1920s, when woodworker and upholsterer Gaetano Borsani founded Atelier Borsani Varedo (later called Arredamenti Borsani Varedo) in Varedo, Italy. In spite of Arredamenti Borsani’s traditional approach, Osvaldo, designed the modernist Casa Minima furniture collection, while still attending architecture school at Accademia di Brera, and he won the silver medal at the V Triennale di Milano in 1933. Osvaldo’s ongoing involvement at the atelier continued to grow as he designed and built modernist furniture for the wealthy Milanese society. In 1954, a year after Tecno’s founding, the company unveiled its first factory-produced collection of sofas, chairs and tables and received accolades at the X Triennale di Milano. That same year, Osvaldo created the adjustable D70 sofa bed, which became an instant commercial success, and in 1956 he launched the P40 lounge chair, an adjustable reclining chair...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

MidCentury Black and Creme Glass Desk, 1970
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant and refined desk in black lacquer and glass. Particular its design which provides for a slight curvature. The writing desk is in lacquered wood in black shellac, the lacquer...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

American Gilded Age Hepplewhite-Style Writing Desk in Satinwood w/ Marquetry
Located in Miami, FL
From the American Gilded Age, a lovely writing table in satinwood with ebonized details and featuring marquetry inlays depicting classic Hepplewhite themes which include lilies of th...
Category

Late 19th Century American Hepplewhite Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Satinwood

Gerald McCabe Shedua Executive Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American made desk, c.1970s, by Gerald McCabe is beautifully crafted from Shedua, also known as African Walnut. This piece features a desk and return with natural wood grain variance...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Exquisite Antique English Marquetry Inlaid Mahog. Adam style Bonheur du Jour
Located in Charleston, SC
Quite possibly one of the prettiest Antique English Edwardian period Adam style Bonheur du Jours or Ladies Writing Tables with magnificent "Adam" style marquetry inlaid urns and Welk...
Category

Late 19th Century English Adam Style Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

American Mahogany Partner's Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Mahogany Partner's Desk with glass knobs. Top refinished and everything else cleaned and ready to go! Two wide drawers per each side with smaller drawers below. Beautiful c...
Category

1880s American Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Superb Antique English Inlaid Mahog. Secretaire a' Abbatant or Bonheur du Jour
Located in Charleston, SC
This is a wonderful and rare Antique English small or diminutive Abbatant a' Secretaire or Bonheur du Jour Writing Table and is unique and wonderful. The exterior is exquisitely mad...
Category

Late 19th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood

Mahogany Kidney Shaped 19th Century Writing Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A quite exceptional quality late 19th century mahogany kidney shaped writing table, having gilt tooled decoration to leather inset top, over one drawer to frieze, with superb marquet...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Large Scandinavian Desk from 1970's
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Scandinavian desk from 1970's in rosewood and bocote wood with three drawers and brass fittings.
Category

1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Michelle Pigneres 1970s Desk Chrome Smoked Mirrored Table Art Deco Style office
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare desk by designer Michele Pigneres made in the 1970s. This desk is having all the characteristics from his designs such as the drawer pullers, the chrome framing and...
Category

1970s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Louis XV Petite Mahogany and Kingwood Marquetry Kidney Writing Table, Paris 1870
Located in Germantown, MD
A Recently refinished French transitional kidney-shaped desk. 19th century French transitional design between Louis XV and Louis XVI is timeless, elegant, and understated it works we...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

1970s Rare Royal Blue Floating Lucite Executive Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, Lucite wood desk you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Lucite, Wood

Lovely Victorian circa 1880 English Panelled Hardwood Twin Pedestal Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely English paneled Mahogany Victorian Circa 1880 twin pedestal partner desk with original fittings and brass castors A good looking an...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Primitive Antique Early American Country Farmhouse Slant Top School Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Primitive early American schoolhouse / country / farmhouse writing desk. Made of poplar featuring a slanted top and dovetailed joinery. ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Classical Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Poplar

French Rococo Style Bureau Plat
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant French rococo style bureau plat writing desk made in walnut with ormolu accents. Features a top with a tooled leather writing-surface w...
Category

Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Burled Walnut & Mahogany Ladies Roll Top Desk Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English ladies desk offers burled walnut and mahogany construction with roll top opening to writing surface and storage compartments ove...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut, Burl

Antique English Victorian Mahogany Desk circa 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique English Victorian Mahogany Desk circa 1880 Solid mahogany wood, with numerous drawers and a cupboard. Lockable. The desk offers a lot of storage space.
Category

1880s English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Rustic Console Table
Located in New York, NY
19th century rustic console table. Antique rustic three drawer console table. Chinese Elm wood with three drawers set on tapered legs term...
Category

1890s Chinese Qing Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

19th Century French Louis XV Inlaid Palisander Ladies Desk with Brass Ornaments
Located in Sofia, BG
French elegant small desk in palisander veneer, decorated with floral marquetry, revealing drawers, 66X92X43, Louis XV style.
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Palisander

Postmodern Design in Style of Milo Baughman Burl Wood Desk, 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern design burl wood desk in the style of Milo Baughman, 1970's / 80's. Made in Italy. Architectural in design. Burl wood top and drawers on brushed metal and brass co...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

1970s Italian Drop Leaf Dining Table or Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian drop leaf dining table or desk, Italy, circa 1970s. Interesting drop leaf joinery on either side. This would be the perfect size for an NYC apartment...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Antique Writing Desk, French, Decorative Centre Table, Louis XV Taste, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique writing desk. A French, kingwood reverse breakfront decorative centre table in Louis XV revival taste with marquetry top, dating to the late Victorian period, circ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th C. Refinished Regency Walnut and Maple w/ Tooled Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 19th Century Refinished Regency Style Walnut and Maple, tooled leather top Partners Desk that has been recenlty hand-rub refinished. All drawers and door with functional lock...
Category

Late 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Birdseye Maple

Jens Risom Midcentury Walnut and Formica Top Writing Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom midcentury Walnut and Formica top writing desk This desk measures: 72 wide x 35.25 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches All pieces of furniture ca...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Formica, Walnut

Rosenthal Writing Table 'Talete' by Regondi & Ghianda
Located in Dronten, NL
Rare Talete dining table designed by Gabriele Regondi & Pierluigi Ghianda for Rosenthal. Steel wire reinforced black safety glass top on solid dark stained ash frame. Exceptional and...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stained Glass, Ash

Leather Topped Mahogany Campaign Desk with Brass Moulded Edge
Located in Port Chester, NY
Theres alot to admire about this beautiful original campaign desk. Both the mahogany and the original green embossed leather are in good antique condition, as are the brass accents. ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Early American Country Pyrography Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, one-of-a-kind antique American folk decorated desk with beautifully aged distressed patina found in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Hand-crafted in the Southern United States in the late 19th century, featuring elaborate hand carving and pyrography wood burning decoration in classical motif, kneehole desk form with raised gallery dated "1899", having a topped with a single door cabinet, supported by two columns of three drawers. Provenance / Acquisition: Found in a Mt. Juliet, Tennessee farmhouse Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Bright Star Antiques, Sulfur Springs, Texas. Specializing in early American antiques...
Category

Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

White Orix Desk by Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina for Molteni
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
1970s desk made of a single sheet of molded plastic creating the shape for various holders and storage spaces. There is also an integrated glass panel than can be lifted up and a ret...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary Desk & Bookcase, circa 1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique secretary offers walnut and burl paneled construction with upper bookcase having broken arch crest over double glass door case seated on desk with cylinder opening to writ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Luciano Frigerio Presidential Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Luciano Frigerio Presidential Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy 1960s This is a rare presidential mid-century desk designed by Luciano Frigerio for the "Norman" series, manufactured i...
Category

1970s Italian Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Granite

Rare Danish Modern Secretary Desk by Vitré in Teak, Denmark, c. 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
A rare and gorgeous build by Vitré constructed from teak. The top portion of the cabinet locks for security with a skeleton key. With this securing function and the drop down the cabinet can double as a bar cabinet as an alternate use to the secretary desk. Behind the drop down portion of the cabinet is ample storage space. There is a single shelf to the left-hand side and 2 shelves to the righthand side all of which are adjustable shelves. The cabinet has three drawers providing additional storage with stunning recessed oval drawer...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

A Fine 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in London, by appointment only
A very fine and good looking pedestal desk, the leather top with brass bound edges, above a bank of four drawers on each side with one central drawer, the back with dummy drawers. Th...
Category

Late 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

A French 19th/20th Century Louis XV Style Tulipwood Marquetry Writing Table/Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine French 19th/20th Century Louis XV Style Tulipwood Marquetry and Gilt-Bronze Mounted Ladies Writing Table or Desk. The single drawer center table surmounted on each corner with...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

1970s Executive Desk Billy Joe McCarroll-David Gillespie Surfaces Santa Barbara
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Executive Desk by Billy Joe McCarroll and David Gillespie Forms Surfaces Inc Santa Barbara, California. Very elegant desk brutalist pattern gray...
Category

1970s American Brutalist Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique Victorian Oak & Mahogany Desk, Writing Table, English, Circa 1880
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Antique Victorian oak & mahogany desk, writing table, English Beautiful antique oak & mahogany Victorian desk, writing table. Made up of one large single central draw, and two dummy...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Swedish Country 3 Drawer Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish country 3 drawer desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1880s Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Abattant Desk Fall Front Secretary Chest Drawers Renaissance Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Exquisite 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Abattant Chest of Drawers and Desk with Fall Front Secretary Top~~Leather Writi...
Category

1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and petite antique Arts & Crafts period writing bureau in oak. This was made in England, it dates from around 1880-90’s. The size of the pull...
Category

1880s British Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Walnut Writing Table or Desk with Drawer
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French Henri II Renaissance style hand pegged walnut writing table or side table is finished on all sides, allowing it to be placed in the center of a room. It...
Category

Late 19th Century French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

A Wonderful Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Louis XVI Style Desk
Located in New York, NY
A Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Louis XVI Style Desk A leather top above a single bronze mounted drawer, centered bronze motif depicting a pair of rams centered by cornucopi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Patrice Maffei Desk for Kappa, 70s, Brushed Stainless Steel, Smoked Glass, 1970
Located in Paris, FR
Superb desk, design Patrice Maffei for Kappa, 1970s. . Blue box, two lockable drawers, a gray smoked glass top. . Following the stainless steel trend of the 1970s, inspired by Maria Pergay, this desk features a steel frame, drawers covered in stainless steel. The combination of steel and smoked glass is superb, and gives an architectural touch to this desk. . A very decorative piece, with only a few traces of wear and very slightly oxidized in a few places. . Slight stain on the top of the blue box and some micro rust pitting on the steel. . In godd vintage condition. . Dimensions : Width: 120 cm Depth: 60 cm Height: 77 cm . Marries Willy Rizzo Perriand Guariche Artemide Mortier Le Corbusier Prouvé Reggiani Paulin Ico Parisi Knoll Guermonprez Eames Gascoin Charles Ray Guzzini Magisttreti Interform Bertoia Hans Wagner Osvaldo Borsani Motte Minvieille Vintage Lighting Castelli Reggiani Magnani Paolozzi Herman Miller Minvielle Minimalist Brutalism 1950s 1960s 1970s Mid Century 1930s Architecture Prouvé Roche Bobois 1980s Adnet Ceramic sandstone and Mategot or Ron Arad design...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

19th Century Spanish Baroque Oak Desk, Console
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
19th century Spanish antique oak desk, writting table with two drawers. This elegant console was crafted in Spain, circa 1900, it featur...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century, Country French Louis XV Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XV secretary is a classic slant-front design, originally conceived as a compact writing desk that c...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Stunning Jewellers Table and Chair, France, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
Stunning French 19th century jewellery maker's table with lovely layers of time worn patina. Wonderful unique ergomonic cut out and primitive design. A small pivoting / hidden silver...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Antique Aesthetic Period Bur Maple Edward & Roberts Writing Table Desk, 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique aesthetic period burr maple and ebonized writing table, stamped 'Edwards & Roberts' circa 1870 in date. This elegant desk is crafted from the most beautiful maple with ebony banded decoration and ormolu beaded stringing. The rectangular top is inset with a gold tooled dark green leather writing surface above two frieze drawers. It is raised on elegant twin turned and fluted column supports joined by a decorative stretcher and raised on outswept legs. It is finished on all sides so that it can stand freely in the centre of your room. Complete with workig locks and key. Provenance: Collection of the late Nigel Alington, Little Barford Manor House, Bedfordshire. Condition: In really excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 73 x Width 122 x Depth 63 Dimensions in inches: Height 2 foot, 5 inches x Width 4 foot x Depth 2 feet, 1 inch Edwards & Roberts The firm Edwards & Roberts was one of the best English antique furniture cabinet...
Category

1870s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Hon Stephen Tenant`s Writing Desk
Located in Dorking, GB
This superb and unusual pedestal writing desk was formerly owned and used by Stephen Tenant. It came from his home where he lived until his death in 1987 - being Wilsford Manor in Wi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish 3 Drawer Country Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Country Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1880s Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Desk: Timeless Elegance & Quality
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the timeless elegance of our 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desk, a vintage gem meticulously restored to its original glory by our dedicated team. Crafted from quality mahogany wo...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Ladies Work Table, English, Walnut, Writing, Waring & Gillow, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique lady of the house work table. An English, burr walnut and leather writing or sewing table by Waring & Gillow, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Delightfully presented table with striking figuring and colour Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order Burr walnut stocks present exceptional grain interest Rich caramel hues beam beneath a quality wax polish finish Shield form to the well appointed upper, the top accentuated with fruitwood marquetry Lid lifts to reveal a leather skiver, raising upon an adjustable rest Pair of inset compartments flank the tooled and embossed, red leather pad Useful partitioned drawer to fascia dressed with an inset brass lined lock — key absent Lock engraved with the Waring & Gillow - London, Liverpool & Paris maker's mark Deep wool bag...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Black Lacquered Louis XV Style Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A French Louis XV style black lacquered writing table or bureau plat. With three working drawers, including original key and blind drawers at the front. Fitted throughout with fine g...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Vintage Teak Secretaire, Produced in Denmark by Falster
Located in Porto, PT
Vintage teak secretaire, produced in Denmark by Falster. It has 3 big draws, 2 small draws, mirror. There is a flap that can be folded. Behind ...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Maple + Aluminum Desk by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare Italian desk unit designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti in the 1970s. This desk has one main section with an additional table top attachment, creating an L-shape. It was constructed with wood and has a maple wood veneer with an exquisite birdseye grain. This piece features brushed aluminum connectors and has an additional rolling modular cabinet with three drawers, which can be placed below or beside the desk. The top drawer has a cream acrylic insert organizer with five compartments. Unmarked. Sourced in Italy, 1970s. Dimensions: 61"W x 28.75"D x 28"H; extended piece 47"W x 17.75"D x 28"H Giovanni Offredi (1927-2007) was a prominent Italian furniture and product designer recognized for his use of angular lines and exposed wood or metal frames. He began making furniture for the wealthy elite of Milan...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

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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