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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 2010s
Period: 19th Century
Neo Renaissance Walnut Table, 1890s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Walnut table in Neo-Renaissance style dating from the late 19th century. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is included. If the wooden packaging is needed (fumigated crat...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Unique Design Desk, French Designer Charly Bounan
Located in Geneve, CH
Charly Bounan, is a Parisian designer renowned for its refined creative style and the important eclecticism of its influences. Dimensions: Height 80 cm, width 240 cm, dep...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Shave Console Desk, Hand-Sculpted and Signed by Cedric Breisacher
Located in Geneve, CH
Shave console desk, hand-sculpted and signed by Cedric Breisacher Hand-sculpted and signed by Cedric Breisacher Materials: Oak, Oxyde black Dimension:...
Category

2010s French Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Robert Kuo Repousse Curve Desk Table in Antique Copper and Black Lacquer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Repoussé Curve Desk Antique Copper Hand Repousse Black Lacquer Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This technique ...
Category

2010s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Gustavian Style 1870s Swedish Gray Painted Desk, Fluted Drawers and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style gray blue painted desk from circa 1870 with five fluted drawers and tapered legs. Step back in time with this exquisite Swe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern Table Black Wood and Marble by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid Century Modern Table Black Wood and Marble by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1937. Relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century Wood and Gold Bronze French Antique Napoleon III Writing Desk, 1880
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French writing desk from the late 19th century. Napoleon III furniture, wavy and rounded, carved and veneered in mahogany wood. Finished for the center desk enriched with gilded and ...
Category

1880s French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Transition-Style Writing Desk from the Napoleon III Period
Located in NICE, FR
This small writing desk from the 19th century is crafted in rosewood with inserted brass fillets. It exhibits a transitional blend of elements representative of both Louis XV and Lou...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Next General Desk by Jonathan Nesci in Wax Polished Aluminum Plate
Located in Columbus, IN
Next General desk made in three eights inch thick waxed aluminum. The tiered top has cord drop offsets in the back as well as the bottom. Variations, leather and powder colors are av...
Category

2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Pegaso Writing Desk Walnut Wood with Leather
Located in Desio, IT
Writing desk in Canaletta walnut with large drawer with push and pull mechanism, small drawers with metal handles in the upper part. Legs in solid wood in Canaletta walnut tone. Top ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

1800's Antique French Henri II Style, Carved, Walnut, Bureau, Writing Desk!!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous 1800's Antique French Henri II Style, Carved, Walnut, Bureau, Writing Desk!! Antique Desk, Writing, French Henri II Style, Carved, Walnut, Bureau a Gradin, 1800s, 19th Cent...
Category

19th Century French Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Large 19th Century Partners Library Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Large 19th Century partners library table with tooled Green Leather top. The moulded rectangular top sits above three cross banded drawers compl...
Category

19th Century Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Women's eclectic desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Women's desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: walnut dimensions height 110 cm width 86 cm depth 52 cm
Category

1860s Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Weave Desk from Ringvide, Birch Wood, natural oil, Scandinavian
Located in Visby, SE
Weave Desk Birch desk, made of solid birchwood and birchveneér. Modern yet classic, bold yet modest the desk serves as a great example of Scandinavian cont...
Category

2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Oak

French Tulipwood Writing Desk
Located in Cheltenham, GB
"Hutton-Clarke Antiques is delighted to present a stunning French Tulipwood Writing Desk, dating back to approximately 1860. This exquisite desk stands as a testament to the timeless...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tulipwood

Francoise Linke cylinder bureau.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A magnificent, fine quality late 19th Century French Mahogany cylinder bureau, by Francoise Linke. Having a three quarter pierced rococo ormolu gallery to the top, three drawers bene...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique William IV Leather Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic original William IV period desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840’s. It is of amazing quality and is of lovely proportions. The top has three...
Category

Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality antique burr walnut pedestal desk, the top having three leather skiver inserts, each decorated with gold tooling, with three drawers below. The top fits on...
Category

19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert for Gillows Attributed Gothic Revival Two-Tier Library Table
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, Attributed, a Gothic Revival walnut library or serving table with turned gallery below the upper serving area, on turned legs with ebonized details united by a full si...
Category

Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Lyon, FR
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Folk Art Side Table or Desk, Scandinavia
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish or Swedish Rectangular Folk Art Table or Desk. The table has tonnes of charm, wear and tear to the finish that gives thus table an unbeatable patina. Most of the original pai...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Antique 19th Century English Leather Inset Library Table, C.1840
Located in London, GB
Antique 19th century English Mahogany and leather inset library table C.1840. A neatly proportioned library desk with two drawers, standing on beautifully turned legs, terminating...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Ladies writing, jewellery cabinet, French, circa 1890
By Jonathan Levien
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An early Victorian porcelain and ormolu mounted rosewood and tulipwood jewellery coffer on stand or coffre a bijoux attributed to Johann Martin Levien (1811-1871) Circa 1845, an iden...
Category

19th Century English Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tulipwood

Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

English Writing Table or Desk with Embossed Leather Top in the William IV Style
Located in Austin, TX
A fine large English writing table or desk of patinated mahogany in the William IV style - featuring a moulded rectangular top with a handsome embossed leather writing surface, over ...
Category

19th Century English William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Fine marquetry bureau plat, after Edward Holmes Baldock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 19th Century English Victorian marquetry inlaid bureau plat in the French style. Having wonderful scenes of garlands of flowers and ribbons to the top and frieze. Thre...
Category

19th Century English Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Spanish 19th C. Desk or Console Table with Beautiful Lyre-Carved Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish walnut wood table with lyre legs from the 19th century. This antique table from Spain features a rectangular-shaped top which is raised upon a pair of sinuously carved tres...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1800's Antique Bronze Mounts, Porcelain Plaques, Writing Continental Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Antique Desk, Writing Continental, Bronze Mounts, Porcelain Plaques, 1800's, 19th Century!! Antique Continental nineteenth century wr...
Category

19th Century European Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

19th Century English George III Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a very good quality burr walnut dome top bureau bookcase. The top of the bookcase has three finials with two glazed doors below. The doors open to reveal a superbly fitte...
Category

Early 19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Antique Gustavian Console Table Desk Grey White Carved Detail 1850-1870
Located in LONDON, GB
Shipping update - please message us directly with your city and zip/postcode for a delivery cost to your location on this item - please do not request shipping from 1st dibs Rare Antique Gustavian console...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Scrittoio Arthur Blain, Liverpool 1840 ca
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio in palissandro sorretto da montanti tortili a inquadrare elementi torniti a pinnacolo, sono poggianti su piedi dotati di rotelle, connessi da una traversa centrale imbottit...
Category

1840s English Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Palisander

English Partner Desk, Writing Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood, mahogany stained. Baluster-shaped table legs with roller feet. Profiled 2-drawer frame box, slightly protruding tabletop. Green writing surface decorated with extraordinary gold embossing. Decorative brass fittings. Victoria style. According to our agreement with Tammy Connor Interior Designs...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Custom Clad Mirrored Desk, Custom Design
Located in New York, NY
The desk / vanity is mirrored clad, has five pull-out drawers with an Art Deco style.
Category

2010s Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mirror

1800's Antique Renaissance Revival Burl Veneer Bambocci Cabinet / Secretary!!
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning 1800's Antique Renaissance Revival Burl Veneer Bambocci Cabinet / Secretary!! Bambocci, Cabinet Renaissance Revival Burl Veneer Secretary, Gorgeous,1800s!! Add a touch of ...
Category

19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Roll Contemporary Desk in Metal and Wood
Located in London, GB
Writing desk by day and vanity table by night; roll desk 02 is a minimal piece with four metal legs supporting a solid wooden top. The top is upholstered in ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Victorian center desk, six drawers, with double lectern. Nineteenth Century
Located in Torino, IT
Victorian Desk from center, six drawers, with double lectern, wood and leather tops. ORIGIN England PERIOD Nineteenth Century MODEL Center desk with six drawers and double lectern...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Victorian Period Burr Walnut Davenport Desk
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning 19th century figured burr walnut Davenport desk. The piano top fall lifts to reveal 2 burr walnut veneered drawers and a pull out and ...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Flagg Desk Walnut Writing Desk or Home Office Computer Desk by Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
We handcrafted this classic writing desk with walnut hardwood from Birmingham's urban forest. For your home office, computer desk or a place to work from home, comfortable and focuse...
Category

2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

Antique Mahogany Writing Table / Server Turned Legs Wheels, c. 1890
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Handsome Antique Writing Table or Server featuring turned legs on castors, c. 1890. Two drawers with lovely pulls, a gilt embossed leather top and interesting period casters. Perfect...
Category

1890s Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Victorian Walnut Writing Table Desk Hindley & Sons 19th Century
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian walnut writing table, circa 1850 in date. One of the drawers is stamped by the maker: C.Hindley & Sons, late Miles & Edwards, 134 Oxford Street, London. It bears the inventory number 12451 The rectangular top features a moulded edge with a striking inset red leather writing surface over two cedar lined drawers to the frieze, fitted with Bramah locks. It is raised on four decorative barley twist legs terminating in brass castors. It is finished on all sides so that it can stand freely in the middle of a room. Complete with working Bramah locks and special key. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 76 x Width 123 x Depth 69 Dimensions in inches: Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 4 foot x Depth 2 foot, 3 inches Hindley, Charles & Sons Berners Street & Oxford Street, London; cabinet makers, upholsterers and retailers (fl.c.1820-1892) Charles Hugh Hindley (b.1792- d.1871) was the son of Christopher, a merchant in Mere, Wiltshire. He moved to London with an elder brother to live with his uncle, who was possibly running the London branch of the Wiltshire business. In 1817 Charles joined the upholstery firm of Benjamin Merriman Nias at 32 Berners Street. Within a few years he bought the Nias business with a £1,000 investment from his family. Despite his business being described as a 'carpet warehouse' in London directories from 1820-1841, by the mid-1830s upholstery and cabinet work had joined his repertoire and he had taken on more showroom space next door at 31 Berners Street. Family records of the 1840s showed that individual custom-order business expanded to also ‘supplying established furnishing houses with goods on wholesale terms’. Jobs ranged from supplying Pentonville Prison with 100 hair mattresses and pillows, to altering spring roller blinds, to fulfilling private commissions with suites of parlour furniture. Hindley was the father of eleven children with three involved in the business: Charles Hugh (b. 1818), Frederick (b. 1820), and Albert Daniel (b.1822). Charles Hugh and Frederick joined the family firm about 1832, thus establishing the family partnership, Charles Hindley & Sons. Albert Daniel learned the carpet manufactory and trade in Kidderminster and eventually established a carpet manufactory in Liversedge, Yorkshire, supplying the family’s London store and others. In 1845 he patented an early tufted carpeting technique. Charles Hindley & Sons acquired the firm, Miles & Edwards in September 1844, including their premises at 134 Oxford Street. Both companies operated from this address until 1845 when Miles & Edwards was closed. The purchase of Miles & Edwards enabled Hindley & Co. to compete with other West End firms by offering everything from cabinet making and upholstery to painted decoration and interior design for the middle and upper class market. In a sample of 737 orders from October 1842-June 1845, six per cent of the clientele were upper and lower aristocracy with approximately seventy per cent gentry or middle class. The aristocratic clientele included the surnames of Hoare, Kirland, Drummond, Montefiore, Ashburton and Rothschild, and the Oriental Club at 18 Hanover Square (1824). Bramah is London's oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Marylebone, London and Romford, Essex. Bramah made their first lock in 1784 and the patent was awarded in 1787. The designer was Joseph Bramah. Joseph Bramah was a leading inventor of the industrial revolution, patenting over 18 new ideas, including a new valve for the water closet (toilet), the hydraulic pump, a fountain pen, and a fire engine. Bramah also introduced a beer hand pump for use at the bar, to prevent fluid loss when barmen went downstairs to pour a new jug! Due to the quality of his manufacturing, his name became a by-word amongst British Engineers for engineering excellence and many of his inventions are on display in the Science Museum in London. You can find one of his original toilets still working in Osborne House, Queen Victoria's home on the Isle of Wight. The Bramah lock was unique and advanced property and valuables protection enormously. Indeed it was 50 years ahead of any Chubb lock...
Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Katsura 60" Desk
Located in San Jose, CA
The bold Katsura Collection is inspired by the understated luxury of Asian heritage palace architecture that combines both feelings of modern and traditional design. Our Katsura Desk...
Category

2010s Asian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

19th Century Louis XV-Style Marquetry Desk with Gilt Bronze Accents
Located in NICE, FR
This exquisite desk, designed in the Louis XV style and originating from the late Napoleon III era. It showcases meticulous craftsmanship through its rich marquetry ornamentation. It...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Georgian English Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Carved Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, 19th century. 19th century English partners' desk, the top with a gadrooned edge and inset with a gilt tooled green leather writing surface, all raised on carved curving fe...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Free Standing English Regency Tambour Roll Top Writing Desk
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant 19th century freestanding mahogany roll top writing desk. Tambour top rolls back to reveal a fitted interior with drawers, pigeon holes and a slant lid leather writing su...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fusion Desk by Daniele Lo Scalzo Moscheri
Located in Milan, IT
Designed for presidential offices, this desk's large scale conveys a sense of importance. The soft lines of its rope-colored leather desktop contrast the sharp edges of its dark canaletto-walnut legs, making it extremely modern, sophisticated and visually striking. Central drawer. Front modesty panel...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique 19th Century mahogany twin pedestal desk, dressing writing table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique, fine-quality large 19th Century mahogany twin-pedestal desk, dressing, or writing table. Exhibiting a lovely age, color, and patina, it stands on concealed brass and ceramic...
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

19th Century Antique Mahogany Royal Crown Stamped Pembroke Table
Located in STOKE ON TRENT, GB
Antique Royal Pembroke Table Scarcely found Royal Pembroke table previously owned by the marquess of Salisbury. It is stamped to the underside—the 'S' standing for the Salisbury f...
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Live Edge "Satin Walnut" Table on Cast Pedestal Black Wishbone Base
Located in Birmingham, AL
This Live Edge "Satin Walnut" Table on Cast Pedestal Black Wishbone Base is Hand-cast at a National Historic Landmark, Sloss Furnaces. The Legacy base c...
Category

2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Viennese enamel bureau cabinet, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality Viennese late 19th century, gilt-bronze and enamel mounted ebonised bureau-cabinet decorated all-over with shaped enamel plaques depicting mythological scenes, inters...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Enamel

Cloud Desk by Francesco Profili
Located in Geneve, CH
Cloud Desk by Francesco Profili Dimensions: W 150 x D 50 x H 78 cm Materials: Multilayer and MDF. Linear, sinuous and essential desk, made in curved wood ...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

Soriana Armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Soriana armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Manufactured in Italy. The idea of comfort itself becomes a sofa. Soriana came into being in 1969, thanks to an intuitive vision...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Blade/S Modern Wooden Desk with Chest of Drawers by Casamanara
Located in Lentate sul Seveso, Monza e Brianza
Blade/S is a wooden desk with bronze finishes, whose left leg is parallel to the surface, creating a discreet passage for outlets and electrical cables. Designed by Piero Manara - Ca...
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Edwards and Roberts 19th Century mahogany writing dressing table desk
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique, fine-quality 19th Century Edwards and Roberts mahogany writing, dressing, side table desk. Exhibiting a lovely age, color, and patina and standing on melon-fluted legs. Thi...
Category

19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

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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