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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: Early 1900s
Modern Wood and Glass Desk at cost price.
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
One-drawer desk with onyx, top in glass showing a ceramic plate.
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx

Jet Desk / Igl-Jet by Ernest Igl aka Ernest Hoffmann for Wilhelm Werndl, 1970s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
ernest “igl” hoffmann was on an artistic mission: in 1970, for example, he designed the legendary „igl jet desk” as a rebellion against „a style of furnit...
Category

1970s Czech Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Dining Table/Desk, Chrome and Glass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table/Desk, Chrome and Glass, Italy, 1970s.
Category

1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Early Franco Albini for Knoll Model '80' Desk
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini for Knoll, model 80, glass, lacquered wood, lacquered steel, Italy, 1949 Franco Albini’s model 80 desk combines glass, steel and wood which resu...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Hand-Crafted Early American Style Solid Pine Slant Front Writing Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautifully hand-crafted early American Style Solid Pine Writing Desk in good vintage condition. Measures 28" in width, 28" in depth and stands 32.25" tall. Knee clearance is is ...
Category

Late 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

1970s Renato Zevi Vintage Chrome Brass Glass Console Table Desk Romeo Rega Sofa
Located in London, GB
This is an amazing console table in large proportions that came from a grant residence in Hyde Park London and used to decorate one of their entrance rooms. The table ordered on this...
Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Danish Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk with Dovetail Drawers. Finished Back
Located in Seattle, WA
Danish Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk with Dovetail Drawers. Finished Back Dimensions. 49 W ; 23 D ; 28 1/2 H Knee Clearance. 17 W ; 25 1/2 H.
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Scrivania Anni 80
Located in Milano, IT
Scrivania con cassetti laterali in legno rivestito in formica, metallo smaltato. Una simpatica scrivania che ricorda le linee del Gruppo Memphis degli anni 80, con i suoi colori acce...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Rare Smaller Version of the Oak Desk by Lou Hodges California Design Group
Located in Pasadena, CA
Lou Hodges was an American designer whose way to work could be compared to American craftsman by its clean lines, sturdy construction, it's lack of nonfunctionality adornment and the...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

1900s French Wooden Desk
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden desk created in 1900s France. Unassuming and sturdily composed, this classic writing desk offers a calming sense of purpose and thoughtfully com...
Category

Early 1900s French Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

L-Shaped Desk by Guido Faleschini for Mariani, 1970
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A beautiful executive desk designed by Guido Faleschini, manufactured by Mariani in Italy around 1970. This eye-catching desk has an L-shaped design and a very impressive appearance because of it’s large size and leather upholstery. One side is the main desk part, the other side holds an additional integrated desk...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

Carrara Marble Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
- 29.5" H, 58" W, 34" D - Hand-made column base Italian Carrara marble desk with inset Calacatta viola marble detail - Condition: Good: repaired crack to interior side of one base ...
Category

1990s Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble

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

French Louis XV Style Leather Top and Brass Mounted Desk in the Manner of Baker
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 30in W: 49in D: 24 1/2in This French Louis XV Style Leather Top Desk In The Manner of Baker is a lovely piece of furniture that is a great example of quality furnitu...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

Ghianda & Regondi "Talete" desk for Rosenthal, 1980s
Located in Neuss, NW
Talete desk/dining table from the 1980s by Pierluigi Ghianda and Gabriele Regondi for Rosenthal. Solid frame in black stained ash with embedded wire glass plate and a drawer for writ...
Category

1980s German Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wire

Vintage '80s Maple Writing Desk by Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fantastic blonde writing desk from the master craftsmen of North Carolina's Thomasville Furniture Company. Beautiful light wood grain along with chrome legs and accents allow this de...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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

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

Vintage Flame Mahogany & Crossbanded Pedestal Desk 20th C
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite Victorian Revival crossbanded flame mahogany desk dating from the late 20th Century. This desk has been beautifully made from ...
Category

1980s Victorian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bureau Plat Louis XVI Style in Marquetry and Gilt Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Elegant Louis XVI style Bureau Plat in mahogany and marquetry in rosewood frieze. Beautiful ornamentation of very finely chiseled gilt bronze. Moroccan leather top surrounded b...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

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

Post Modern Campaign Style Table or Desk.
Located in Chicago, IL
1/2" Glass top with, with polished aluminum "X" base with stretcher. Could be used as a dining table or desk.
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

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

Mid-Century Danish Modern Live Edge Paul Evans Style Executive Desk
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Danish modern live edge Paul Evans style executive desk Offered is a super cool Mid-Century Danish modern live edge Paul Evans style executive desk. This desk has 1 brus...
Category

1990s North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Oval Dining Table or Desk by Florence Knoll in Carrara Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An elegant executive table designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a beautiful polished white & gray Carrara marble top and a chrome-plated star base. This was ...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Chrome

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

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

Martin Nyrop, Desk, Oak, Brass, Denmark, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and brass desk, designed and produced for the Copenhagen City Hall by Martin Nyrop Denmark, c. 1900
Category

Early 1900s Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

Original Vintage Karl Springer Executive Black Lacquered Desk
Located in East Hampton, NY
This large scale executive desk belonged to the late fashion designer, Geoffrey Beene. Sourced from his Estate in Oyster Bay, NY, it is in good vintage condition, 4 invisible drawer...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Louis XV Style Distressed Painted Desk Writing Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your deliv...
Category

1990s Unknown Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Sculptural Postmodern Desk by Tidis Belgium, 1980
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Highly extraordinary postmodern desk designed and manufactured by unknown artist called Tidis, Belgium 1980s. This sculptural desk has high quality features and extraordinary woodwor...
Category

1980s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone

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 Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk This beautiful secretary’s desk from Spain is handcrafted from Walnut Burl and Rosewood. It has a dro...
Category

Early 1900s Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

Vanity Desk Postmodern 1980s Including Chair
Located in Untersiggenthal, AG
Unique sculptural postmodern vanity desk in cherry wood with chair included. Beautifull handcrafted details with sliding doors.
Category

1980s Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Compass Writing Desk Bureau by Pedro Miralles Claver for Punt Mobles, circa 1990
Located in London, GB
The compass desk was designed by Pedro Miralles Claver for Punt Mobles, circa 1990. One of Pedro Miralles last designs before his untimely death in 1993...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry

White Distressed Painted French Louis XV Style Ladies Vanity Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautifully done shallow depth French Louis XV style American made ladies vanity or writing desk. The piece can be used as a desk because the...
Category

1980s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

Late 20th Century Vintage Coastal Wrapped Rattan Writing Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Coastal writing desk. Chic wrapped rattan frame with inset woven rattan panels. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rattan

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

Late 20th Century Art Deco Style Desk & Chair in Maple by Rupert Williamson
Located in Southampton, NY
Late 20th Century Art Deco Style desk & chair crafted in Maple by English Furniture Maker, Rupert Williamson. A custom commissioned Art Deco style desk ...
Category

Late 20th Century English Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Rare Fiberglass Directors Desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, 1970s
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful Space Age directors desk, in very good condition. Designed by by Ernest Igl in the 1970s. Manufactured by Wilhelm Werndl, Germany. The body of this desk is entirely made of molded fiberglass and lacquered in a white color. The carved wood drawers...
Category

Late 20th Century German Space Age Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Rare 1980s Mid Century Art Deco Executive Table Desk by Pierre Paulin for Baker
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare Art Deco executive desk designed in 1984 by Pierre Paulin for Baker Furniture. Desk features bird's-eye maple with walnut inlays, chocolate-brown, leather-top writing surface an...
Category

1980s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Maple, Walnut

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

1970s Modern Italian Chrome and Glass Vanity Table & Seat
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful midcentury Italian vanity table and stool set from the 1970s. Architectural in the design of a column of ten tiers of chrome bars. E...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Modern Style Patchwork Burl and Chrome Desk / Writing Table by Bernhardt
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a patchwork burl and chrome desk with modern styling by Bernhardt Furniture. The desk is in very good condition and is marked in the drawer. My shipping is for the Contin...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Ron Seff Cantilevered Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Ron Seff Mid-Century Modern "Cantilevered" desk with ostrich style brown leather wrapped top and stainless steel polished drawer fronts and base.
Category

1980s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

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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