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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 1930s
Industrial Vintage Adjustable c 1930 Cast Iron Drafting Table
Located in Hudson, NY
Industrial Vintage Adjustable c 1930 Cast Iron Drafting Table, nice early drafting table with original makers mark stamped on underside, adjustable from 30-42 inches. Table can be in...
Category
1930s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
Mid Century Modern Model T333 desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By 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
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
1970s Spanish Washed Wood 2-Drawer Farmhouse Table w/ Crossbeam
Located in Marbella, ES
Rustic 1970s Spanish washed wood 2-drawer farmhouse table with crossbeam legs.
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Alva Alato Table Red Lacquer Table Top, 1930
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very early desk, writing table by Alva Aalto, circa 1930, red lacquer tabletop, birch, bentwood, table size 182 cm x 90 cm x 72 cm.
Category
1930s Finnish Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch, Bentwood
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
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
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
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
French Art Deco Black Lacquered Executive Desk, 1930s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning French desk from the 1930s with an elegant design characterized by linear and symmetrical shapes typical of Art Deco. The stepped top is a beautiful example of this style, a...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Post Modern Marble Dining Table or Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking marble dining table or desk from Italy circa 1990's. It features beautifully grained marble slab construction.
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
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
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
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
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
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
Rosenthal Writing Table 'Talete' by Regondi & Ghianda
By Rosenthal
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
Vintage '80s Maple Writing Desk by Thomasville
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
Mid-Century Modern Oval Dining Table or Desk by Florence Knoll in Carrara Marble
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
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
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
Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk in beech from Hotel Knaust by Nordiska Kompaniet / NK, Sweden 1931.
With brass details and signed with NK badge and tracking number (easy to see who ordered the furniture and w...
Category
1930s Swedish Empire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
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
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
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
White Lacquer Console or Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
White lacquered desk, two drawers with brass ring pulls. Clearance height 23.5. Desk or console finished on all sides.
Category
1990s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
Walnut Desk by Vittorio Valabrega, Italy, 1930s
Located in Rivoli, IT
Beautiful wooden desk made by the designer and cabinetmaker Vittorio Valabrega.
Small drawer under the top.
The Fratelli Valabrega company was born in Turin (Italy) in 1884, where it distinguished itself and established itself with the production of eclectic and Art Nouveau furniture...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Nutwood
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
Patrice Maffei Desk for Kappa, 70s, Brushed Stainless Steel, Smoked Glass, 1970
Located in Paris, FR
Superb desk, design Patrice Maffei for Kappa, 1970s.
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Blue box, two lockable drawers, a gray smoked glass top.
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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.
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A very decorative piece, with only a few traces of wear and very slightly oxidized in a few places.
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Slight stain on the top of the blue box and some micro rust pitting on the steel.
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In godd vintage condition.
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Dimensions :
Width: 120 cm
Depth: 60 cm
Height: 77 cm
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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
Anthroposophical Children's Desk by Felix Kayser for Schiller Möbel, circa 1930
By Felix Kayser, Schiller Möbel
Located in Berlin, DE
Anthroposophical children's desk, attributed to Felix Kayser. Handcrafted ashwood, probably manufactured by Schiller-Möbel, Stuttgart, Germany, circa 1930.
Literature: Reinhold J. Fäth - Dornach...
Category
1930s German Other Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
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
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
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
Louis XV Style Desk By Baker Furniture Co. With Bronze Mounts
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a special piece! This is a Louis XV style writing desk by Baker Furniture Co. it has a black leather top and bronze appointments. The chinoiserie pastoral scenes are on a bla...
Category
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
Ladies Desk from Hikor, 1980s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
A Simple beech wood writing desk from the Hikor Písek company, 1980´s, Czechoslovakia
The design is very simple and elegant. It features a section with 4 drawers. The surface of thi...
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Beech
Modern Oak and Iron Boomerang Form Desk, France, circa 1930s
Located in Norwalk, CT
A real statement piece, this French early modernism desk features a boomerang shaped top in solid oak. The distinctive iron base hold a storage space t...
Category
1930s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Modern Style Patchwork Burl and Chrome Desk / Writing Table by Bernhardt
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
By Ron Seff
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
Writing Desk by Henry Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Striking writing desk in oak with drawers. By Henry Kjærnulf.
Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Big Desk Art Deco in Wood and Parchment, with 3 Drawers, 1930, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk style: Art Deco
Year: 1930
Material: wood and parchment leather
It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk.
The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used ...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Parchment Paper, Wood
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
Desk designed by Alvar Andersson for Hyresgästföreningen, retailed by G.A. Berg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk designed by Alvar Andersson for Hyresgästföreningen, retailed by G.A. Berg
Sweden. 1930s.
Black lacquered birch, elm and pewter inlay.
Dimensions:
H: 75 cm/ 29 1/2''
L: 150 cm...
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm, Birch
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
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak desk, Edition Votre Maison circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Faux Leather
French Art Deco Desk/Vanity
Located in Austin, TX
Desk, vanity, from France made of figured walnut. This piece is finished in a lustrous French polish finish and features a dovetailed single drawer hidden in the apron.
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy, 1970s
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Impressive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA, designed in 1975 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA Italy.
It is made ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Post Modern Tessellated Stone Tile Brass Desk Robert Marcius for Maitland Smith
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A 1970s Post Modern tessellated stone tile and brass executive desk by Robert Marcius for Maitland Smith. This marvelous piece is constructed w...
Category
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
Winner Book Motif Leather Wrapped Maitland Smith Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome Maitland Smith leather wrapped writing desk having trompe l'oeil book decoration with two drawers. Top has embossed and gilded leather.
Opening for chair 23.5.
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
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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