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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Knee Hole Desk
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality mahogany knee hole desk having a quality mahogany rectangular shaped crossbanded top with a moulded edge above one long and six small cockbeeded oak lined drawers with original brass handles, secret drawer to the knee hole and a single panelled door...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

Argentinian Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Writing desk with column of drawers and open compartment under the top; solid beech wood stained and mahogany veneer.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech, Mahogany

Elegant Italian Desk Convertible into Sewing Machine
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant Italian desk convertible into sewing machine from the 1950s. The desk through its shapes and lines is very reminiscent of Gio Ponti's design line. The desk is made by the Vigorelli ( of Pavia) manufactory. The small desk has in the left side five pull-out drawers and the top one has a key. In the right leg we have a door that can be opened by knob with the sewing machine mechanism inside. At the base we find a cast-iron riser...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Iron

Elegant Modern Desk, Designed by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons, circa 1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
This is a rare and elegant modern desk, designed by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons, circa 1950s. Beautiful graining to the Italian walnut, especially to the top. Schaefer was on...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

George III Mahogany Roll-Top Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular writing table fitted with two frieze drawers and with pull-out candle slides to the sides; raised on square tapering legs ending in brass caps and casters; surmounted...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Georgian early 18th Century cross banded walnut bureau desk writing tabl
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian walnut and fruitwood drop well bureau desk writing table early 18th Century. This is a lovely bureau, that is full of age, charm and charac...
Category

18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th - 19th Century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire i...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Arne Jacobsen Black Egg Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Arne Jacobsen egg table. Newly refinished ebonized black finish. Perfect to use in a small dining area or as a writing desk. Great classic Dani...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian Red Lacquered Wood Desk from the 50s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Red lacquered wood desk from the 50s, Italian. Desk 1950s Country: Italian Materials: Red lacquered wood Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an ...
Category

1950s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Italy 18th Century Baroque Walnut Organic Shape Table Desk
Located in Brescia, IT
This walnut rectangular Tuscany table, has been hand made in Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) in 1760 circa. Its elegant shape, with the black border, makes this ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Ico Parisi Attributed Sculptural Desk With Glass Top 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Architectural desk in walnut with sculptural legs with brass sabots and floating thick glass top attributed to Ico Parisi, Italian 1950's. This desk is beautifully outfitted with dra...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Bureau Plat or Desk with Gilt Griffin Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Bureau Plat or Desk, France, circa 1950s. Elegant design in black lacquered wood with brass hardware and an inset black leather...
Category

1950s French Empire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Metal

Gio Ponti Teak and Brass Desk Designed for the BNL Offices, ISA Bergamo, 1950s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This Gio Ponti Desk, designed for BNL offices and manufactured by Isa Bergamo during the 1950s, is a beautiful piece of furniture that showcases the designer's signature style. Made of solid teak wood, the desk features a sleek and elegant design with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The piece also features brass feet and details, which add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall design. The desk top - with a dimension of 161x80.5cm (WxD) - has ample surface space for writing and working and the three drawers provide ample storage for documents and office supplies...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Italian Writing Table, Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very handsome 18th century writing table - desk from Tuscany. Beautifully constructed from painted chestnut with the top in a solid board of exposed chestnut, 2 drawers, molded pan...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chestnut

Carlo di Carli: Desk in Fruitwood, Brass, and Glass, Italy 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Carlo de Carli (1910 - 1999)   An important sculptural desk with six drawers by seminal Milanese architect and theorist Carlo de Carli, in fruitwood with polished brass handles and s...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Chestnut and Oak Desk from Le Grand Monarque À Chartres, circa 1720
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved, circa 1720, using chestnut and oak woods, this desk was recently part of Le Grand Monarque hotel in Chartres, France. The desk has been stripped at some point, allowing the beautiful wood grain and round dowel construction to become focal points. The stunning desk has a shaped top with quarter round molding. A 23 ½” W seat opening is topped by a concave front drawer with a bronze drop handle affixed by a pair of rosette mounts. Similar handles can be seen on each of the four main drawers, which are surrounded by thick cavetto molding. These drawers also have a scalloped keyplate and mounts of two putti hunting dragons hidden amongst foliage. Interestingly, the sides are comprised of four rectangular panels, with the two nearest to the straight back side being functional drawers. Known as a bureau caissiers (“cashier’s desk...
Category

1720s French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Bronze

1950's John Van Koert Drexel Vanity Desk
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern vanity desk for sale. Designed by John Van Koert for Drexel in the 1950's, and part of the Profile series. This vanity de...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Sicilian Writing Desk in Ebony Embellished with Tortoiseshell Inserts and Silver
Located in Barletta, IT
Writing desk in ebony embellished with tortoiseshell inserts and silver finishes. Drawers along with a sliding and folding top. Origin: Southern Italy, Sicily Period: mid-1700s Di...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Silver

Friso Kramer Reform Table Small Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice small and rare sized industrial 'Reform' table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1955. This dining table was a part of the Reform table program that was designed by Friso Kramer in 1955. The Reform series contained a lot of variety of tables in different sizes and editions to the client’s needs. One thing was always the same, the structure of the base, applied in several different sized and shaped tables. This base was a folded metal frame which was light but also very strong. The tops varied from hardcore, linoleum, Formica and wood. Whatever the client wanted. This has a rectangular shaped top, finished with white formica and an aluminum edge. The table has a grey painted frame in good condition with normal wear and losses. This table comes from TH Delft...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Pierre Paulin & Thonet Desk with Drawer, Metal Teak & Formica, France Circa 1955
Located in La Teste De Buch, FR
Desk with a single drawer designed by Pierre Paulin and manufacture by Thonet. France circa 1955 Black lacquered metal feet, teak veneer drawer on the right side and a teak venee...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Hans J. Wegner Drop Leaf Desk or Table Model "AT-305" for Andreas Tuck, 1955
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Danish Modernist drop-leaf table/desk by Danish designer Hans J. Wegner can be used both as a work desk and as a dining table. The design is from 1955 and this particular tab...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Teak

Charlotte Perriand, Mid-Century Modern, Wood Metal Cansado Table, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950. Wood, metal frame legs. Provenance: Cansado, Mauritania (Africa). In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) she was born in Paris in 1903 and attended the E´cole de l'Union centrale des Arts de´coratifs from 1920-1925. Charlotte Perriand designed furniture made of anodized aluminium and chromium-plated steel, showing it at the 1927 "Salon d'Automne" in Paris. After meeting Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand worked with him and Pierre Jeanneret until 1937. The revolutionary tubular steel furnishings and system furniture designed by the three were presented as "E´quipement de l'habitation" (home equipment) at the 1929 "Salon d'Automne," where they were widely acclaimed. In 1930 the Union Des Artistes Modernes (UAM) was founded in Paris, a group that viewed itself as a countermovement challenging such establishment organizations as the "Salon d'Automne" and also advocated Art Deco and Modernism. From 1931 Charlotte Perriand showed her own work solo there. In 1937 Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret collaborated on designing a mountain chalet of sheet aluminum, which they showed at the "Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne" and later they came up with plans for prefab houses...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Jorge Zalszupin Folding Desk by L'atelier Brazil 1959
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Folding desk designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by his own company L’Atelier, Brazil 1959. As Zalszupin gained more and more momentum with his practice during the early and...
Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Leather, Rosewood

18th Century Painted Lamp Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
18th C English painted oak lamp table on cabriole legs. 1780. Reference: 7727 Dimensions 34 inches (86 cms) Wide 20 inches (51 cms) Deep 30.5 inches (77 cms) High
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mahogany Desk by Thomas Chippendale
Located in New Orleans, LA
This writing desk from the highly esteemed Thomas Chippendale is exceptionally rare and unique. The renowned cabinetmaker was the first craftsman to exhibit such a strong following that an entire style bears his name and not that of a monarch. He was famous for using the highest quality timbers, the finest quality mounts and for striving for perfection in every piece of furniture he created. Chippendale's clients included Catherine II of Russia, famed actor David Garrick...
Category

18th Century English Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955. Professionally restored in showroom condition, this beautiful desk has a drop leaf on the left side with all orig...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Solid Mahogany Desk Says Knee, Late 18th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
A small Georgian period mahogany knee-hole desk with blue leather sliding writing surface. It has a single full width central drawer topped by a hinged cupboard door in the knee ho...
Category

18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Giuseppe Pagano: Eight Drawer Desk in Fruitwood and Brass, Italy 1940
Located in New York, NY
Giuseppe Pagano (1896 - 1945) An imposing eight-drawer desk by rationalist architect and designer Giuseppe Pagano, in fruitwood with mahogany-stained trim and polished brass hand...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 18th Century Bleached Desk
Located in Seaford, GB
A stunning 18th Century Desk. Made from solid Cherry having 2 cupboards and a central drawer, key present. Finished round the back so can be free st...
Category

Late 18th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

18th Century English Vernacular Oak Work Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1780. 18th century English vernacular oak work table We can also customise existing pieces to suit your scheme/requirements. We have our own workshop, restorers and finishers...
Category

18th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Painted Aluminium Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Painted aluminium desk with laminate top from Carlotti, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

18th Century, Louis XV Provencal Center Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Louis XV table from Provence. Made of solid walnut with deep hand-carved apron and thick cabriole legs. Two dovetailed dr...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Stylish Sophisticates Walnut Desk and Chair Lubberts & Mulder for Tomlinson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning 1950s walnut desk by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson, from the Sophisticates collection. We love the stylish curved front with a built-in bookcase along with the five side drawers and a center drawer. Beautiful figured light walnut. . The original chair is included and adds to the total...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique George III Mahogany Library Writing Table Desk, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique George III mahogany and marquetry library table, circa 1780 in date. The table features beautiful floral and scrolling foliate marquetry throughout, with flame mahogany marquetry panels and gonçalo alves crossbanding. The rectangular top is fitted with the original emerald green gold tooled inset leather writing surface above a pair of crossbanded frieze drawers, raised on square tapered legs. It is freestanding, finished on all sides, so that it can stand freely in the middle of a room, making it extremely suitable for a large home or office. Complete with original brass handles, working locks and keys. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, and only shows minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 76 x width 144 x depth 84 Dimensions in inches: Height 29.9 x width 56.7 x depth 33.1 Marquetry is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, pewter or brass silver) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers. The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique. Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs. Flame mahogany Thomas Sheraton - 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as "best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Vintage Industrial Jean Prouvé Style One Seat School Desk
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful Vintage Industrial school desk. In the style of Jean Prouvé Striking French design from the 1950s /60s. Green lacquered met...
Category

1950s French Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Widdicomb Painted and Gilt Wood Desk
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Carved, painted and giltwood Hollywood Regency style desk on brass castors with walnut burl top by Berkey Furniture Co. for John Widdicomb. Signed.
Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Cabinet with Flowers Inlaid Inside, Mounted on an X-Shaped Base in Gilt Metal
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cabinet with flowers inlaid inside, mounted on an X-shaped base in gilt metal.
Category

1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Table, Centre, Dining, Writing, Walnut, Octagonal, French, Renaissance
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- This table is a rare and attractive octagonal form with characteristic Renaissance legs. - It can serve as centre, dining or writing table. - The...
Category

1620s French Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Wood & Hogan English Bench-Made Chippendale Style Mahogany Writing Table
Located in North Salem, NY
Fine Wood & Hogan English bench-made mahogany Chippendale style three drawer writing table with tooled leather shaped top and pull out slides on each end. Each fitted drawer with sol...
Category

18th Century English Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-century Small Wooden Table
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful Italian wooden desk made in the 1950s, from the house on Lake Como, of fine Italian craftsmanship. The desk is finely crafted in wood. The frame is supported by four wooden legs, thin and very distinctive, but powerful and strong. The top is also made of fine wood, very durable, and shows the very elegant wood grain. The top contains two small drawers, useful for resting documents or writing objects. The two drawers open via semi-rectangular brass handles. The vintage wooden desk...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Country French Child's Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 18th century Country French child size desk, made of solid cherry. Beautifully crafted with turned legs and carved stretcher with center finial. Candle stand on the right, att...
Category

Late 18th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Hans Wegner for Andreas Tuck Desk with Drop-Leaves in Oak and Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for Andreas Tuck, desk, model 'AT305', solid oak, teak veneer, Denmark 1955 Hans Wegner created a coherent table which is achieved by the implementation of purely geo...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Teak

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching desk chair. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s Black and white lacq...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid m...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk Produced in Germany
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare desk by unknown designer. Produced in Germany.
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Pine & Brass Rødby Rådhus Desk by Ebbe & Karen Clemmensen, 1953
Located in London, GB
A teak, Oregon pine, and brass desk, designed by Ebbe & Karen Clemmensen, in 1953 for the Rødby Rådhus (Town Hall), Denmark.The desk is in a late Classicist style, characterised by symmetrical design and simple ornamentation. Constructed with a pine kickboard, and a teak top, the legs finish with patinated brass shoes. The top is a slight trapezoid shape tapering at the front, originally to allow for serial desks to be attached resulting in a gentle crescent curve for a meeting room. A small circular recession, intended to be used to hold ashtrays, has its original petrol blue finish, popular with the two designers, and frequently used in their Copenhagen house constructed in the same year as this project. Today, this can be used to hold a pen pot...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Georgian Writing Bureau Desk
Located in London, GB
A lovely antique Period Georgian writing bureau. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1790-1810 period. This bureau has lovely s...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Franco Albini for Poggi Model 840 Stadera Desk
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and important desk model Stadera designed by Franco Albini for the Poggi manufacture, in 1959. Model 840. Made of noble wood for its shelf, the desk is the perfect modernist ele...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italinao, Roller Desk from the 1700s in Walnut and Maple
Located in Barletta, IT
Roller desk in walnut and maple. Inside the roller, a pull-out drawer desk top, a central open compartment and 4 drawers. At the base of the roller two dra...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple, Nutwood

Charlotte Perriand Cansado Gray Table, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950. Wood, metal frame legs. Provenance: Cansado, Mauritania (Africa). In original condition, with wear consistent with age and ...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

George III Satinwood Oval Writing Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine Georgian Satinwood oval writing/library table, the inset leather top with rosewood banding, over four drawers with original gilt lacquered brass pulls and standing on squar...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century English Mahogany Leather Top Partners Desk with Carved Birds
Located in Milford, NH
A fine proportion mahogany rectangular partners desk with brown leather top with a crossbanded border with delicate carving, surmounting a frieze with two fitted and cockbeaded document drawers...
Category

18th Century English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Table Centre Dining Library Dismantable X Trestles Oak Fruitwood
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A South German oak, shaped X' ended table with detachable fruitwood top with decorative cleated band This table is easily dismantled and retains the original pegs The cleated edge ...
Category

17th Century German Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood, Oak

Exceptional 18th C. Office Desk Center Table Console Hand Carved Wood & Stone CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Exceptional 18th C. Office Desk Center Table Console Hand Carved Wood & Stone CA . Rare large 18th century Regence Period chateau 18th Century Table D’appui Regence console...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble

George III Green Japanned Table
Located in Essex, MA
With possible later painted decoration. With a great look and nice appearance. The rectangular top with a fold over top to form a writing surface over a frieze with a single drawer,...
Category

1770s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rectangular Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Back-painted glass, brass, walnut. Can easily be used as a dining, entry, or writing table. A rare model.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Italian Desk by Gianfranco Frattini, 1950s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice writing desk, designed by Giancarlo Frattini. It is fabricated in Italy in the 50's. This desk has three drawers and is in good vintage condition (see the pictures).  
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk by Robert Charroy for Mobilor, Cité Universitaire Jean Zay d'Antony, Oak
By Mobilor, Robert Charroy
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Modernist desk by French designer Robert Charroy produced by Mobilor in the mid-1950s (1955-1956). This series of furniture was chosen to equip the Jean Zay university residence in t...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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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