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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 2010s
Period: 1940s
Dining Table, Unique Daté Kan Stone Sculptural Design by Okurayama
Located in Geneve, CH
Dining table, Unique Daté Kan Stone sculptural design by Okurayama Materiel: Daté Kan Stone and forged iron Sculpted in the Okurayama's Studio in Miyagi's Prefecture, Japan Each c...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone

Stainless Steel Materico Desk by Matteo Cibic for Delvis Unlimited
Located in Milan, Milan
Matteo Cibic offers multiple complementary pieces with a style and color palette the designer defines as “futuristic vintage.” In the style of a painter, Cibic uses his palette to cr...
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Stainless Steel

Nestep by DMNTS Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Nestep by DMNTS Design Dimensions: 20 x 40 x 20 cm Materials: Recycled fibre-glass and expanded plastic boards Unique piece.   NESTEP, is based on the reuse of manufacturin...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plastic, Fiberglass

Touch Me Iron Desk Big, White
Located in Fermo, FM
Touch me is a monolithic desk. It comes to life from the joining of two sheets of metal, an upper one that gives it its shape, and a lower one that ...
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Natural Wood Desk
Located in Barranco, PE
This beautiful desk is made of cachimbo peruvian wood. You can place your favorite lamp on the table and store your personal belongings in the drawers. T...
Category

2010s Peruvian Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Colorful Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada Measures: W 160 x D 30 x H 110 cm or W 130 x D 30 x H 110 cm Top in painted ash veneer • fronts in ma...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Colorful Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada Measures: W160 x D30 x H110 cm or W130 x D30 x H110 cm Top in painted ash veneer • fronts in matte pa...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antonia Dresser by Lorena Vieyra
Located in Geneve, CH
Antonia dresser by Lorena Vieyra Dimensions: D 120 x W 47 x H 160 cm Materials: walnut wood, Calcatta marble. Dressing table made of walnut and steel. Includes mirror without di...
Category

2010s Mexican Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Steel

Vintage Writing Desk Sessile Oak Veneer from the, 1940s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawers and under-top drawer in oak veneered wood with linoleum top.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Set of 2 Void 03 by Dmnts Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Void 03 by DMNTS Design Dimensions: 42 x 39 x 50 cm (each piece) Materials: Quercus suber cork One of A Kind Void 03 is a multipurpose object based on the analysis of ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cork

Knurly Desk Designed by Lotti Gostic Studio
Located in Volčji Potok, SI
Limited edition Knurly elements were inspired by what is known as a function-based surface treatment of metal knobs called knurling. Pushing the process to its limits reveals a new p...
Category

2010s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Bricks, Shelf Desk L1
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kueng Caputo is a Zurich, Switzerland based design practice comprised of Lovis Caputo and Sarah Kueng. Their material adventures are often rooted in the complexities of crafts techni...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 2 Nestep by DMNTS Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 nestep by DMNTS Design Dimensions: 20 x 40 x 20 cm (each piece) Materials: Recycled fibre-glass and expanded plastic boards One of a kind.   NESTEP, is based on the...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plastic, Fiberglass

Oak Niguel Desk by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Niguel desk features brass cap feet and a brass cross-stretcher with lacquered interior drawers. Shown here in Rocky Beach pigmented oak The Lawson-Fenning Collection is desig...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bodil Kjær ScandinOffice Desk Table, Wood and Steel by Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Bodil Kjær in 1959. We are proud to present our first design from a Danish designer. In this case, Danish architect, professor, and designer, Bodil Kjær. The iconic desk, designed in 1959, was the first of its kind with its pure and simplistic design, almost floating mid-air. Bodil Kjærs’ design has been called ‘The most beautiful desk in the world’ – or, the ‘James Bond desk...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Big Crocco Desk by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Crocco desk by Egg Designs Dimensions: 60 L X 160 D X 74.5 H cm Materials: Ardmore ceramics, Glass, Walnut, Genuine Crocodile Skin Handles Founded by South Africans and life...
Category

2010s South African Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bodil Kjær Office Desk Table, Wood and Steel by Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Bodil Kjær in 1959. We are proud to present our first design from a Danish designer. In this case, Danish architect, professor, and designer, Bodil Kjær. The iconic desk, designed in 1959, was the first of its kind with its pure and simplistic design, almost floating mid-air. Bodil Kjærs’ design has been called ‘The most beautiful desk in the world’ – or, the ‘James Bond desk...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Bespoke Executive Metal Desk, Lacquered Metal, Industrial Design, Germany, 2018
Located in Berlin, DE
Executive metal desk in classical industrial design style. The timeless essential form with two cests of drawers, creates a clear and distinctive ...
Category

2010s German Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Lifting Desk by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Lifting desk by kar Dimensions: W 120 x D 45 x H 75 cm Materials: MDF Frame Available in black. Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetitio...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Criss Cross Desk by Alex Muradian
Located in Westhampton Beach, NY
Introducing our exquisite nickel-plated criss-cross desk, meticulously handcrafted in our Westhampton Beach, NY studio. This stunning piece is expertly fashioned from hand-cut and polished steel, resulting in a flawless finish. The desk is skillfully welded with invisible welds, ensuring seamless joints and a sleek aesthetic. Topped with an elevated low iron glass surface, it exudes contemporary elegance. The standout feature of this desk is its two X-shaped legs, elegantly bridged by a mirror-polished support beam, adding structural integrity and visual appeal. While designed to comfortably accommodate one person, it can also double as a contemporary games table...
Category

2010s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk Burr Walnut and Leather Desk with a Hidden Drawer
Located in London, GB
The Fleming desk is a revised version of our famous Fleming console table. The desk feature an hidden middle drawer integrated in the structure openable from underneath. The internal...
Category

2010s British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary 100x60-1 - White
Located in Berlin, BE
A lot of work requires a lot of space. But only until it is done. That's why we now have the large Fläpps Secretary (100x60-1). After work, this fully-grown desk folds back up so discretely against the wall that you can no longer see anything of your work. But it's not just a folding wall desk...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mr. Note Desk - Oak - 160cm
Located in Monte-Serzedo, 13
Following the principles of the “rational design,” Mr. And Mrs. Note Desks embody timeless elegance. Design to reflect the identity of the brand, where function creates attractive pu...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut, Plywood

Antonieta Vanity Table Designed by Tana Karei
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
The Antonieta table was thought as a vanity table but can be used as a writing desk. It has an exquisite brass inlay in the cover. It also has five drawers. It has a hand made mirror...
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 1940s Leather Top Mahogany Desk
Located in Buchanan, NY
Unusual and handsome mahogany French desk from the 1940s-1950s with a distressed leather top. There is one large central drawer as well as two side drawers on either side and the bac...
Category

1940s French Neoclassical Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Contemporary Console Table in Gold Leaf
Located in New Orleans, LA
The custom regal gilded finish on this Tara Shaw Maison collection console table ensures it will stand out in any space. Pairs with Tara Shaw's gold leaf martini table. Handcrafted in New Orleans. Custom dimensions and finish available for additional fee. Due to the nature of handmade furniture, slight variations in overall dimensions may occur. All furniture is custom made to order and is final sale. All shipping is to be arranged and paid by the Buyer to a third-party shipper. Lead-time on most items varies 6-12 weeks. Price is exclusive of packing and shipping fees. White-glove shipping carrier required for all items. Warehouse pickup is available. The Rococo table is custom fabricated in hard wood and requires a two-person carry to ensure that the product is not damaged in transport of moving. The weight and artisan finish require white glove movers or purchasers use extreme caution to transport due to weight. Table cannot have items stacked on top for moving and uneven carpet surfaces will cause cracking in structure due to heavy wood construction. No representations or warranties, either express or implied, of merchantability, fitness for a specific purpose, the products to which the information mentions may be used without infringing the intellectual property rights of others, or of any other nature are made with respect to information or the product to which information mentions. In no case shall the information be considered a part of our terms and conditions of sale.
Category

2010s American Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Direttorio Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
Strict and classic lines for the small and large Direttorio Writing desks. Pieces, which combine function and elegance making each room unique ...
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Leather

"Symmetric" Console / Desk, Black Walnut, Patina Steel
Located in North Branch, NY
The "Symmetric" console / desk is a perfectly balanced design of interlocking steel plate joinery and a solid black walnut surface. Customizable to any variation of dimensions, mater...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Severin Hansen Model 36 Oak Desk
Located in London, GB
The iconic Model 36 desk from Danish designer Severin Hansen was designed in 1958 and exhibited at the annual Cabinetmaker’s Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen in...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Louis XV Marquetry Style Mahogany Brass Ormolu Mounted Bombe Leather Top Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Louis XV Marquetry Style Mahogany Brass Ormolu Mounted Bombe Leather Top Desk A unique French Louis XV style ornate ormolu gilt mounted figural desk. The desk has a...
Category

1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Le Corbusier LC16 Writing Wood Desk and Shelve by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Writing desk designed by Le Corbusier in 1957. Relaunched in 2010. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Defying the laws of physics, going beyond what we normally understand by the conditions of equilibrium, this bookcase is nothing short of a manifesto for Cassina’s design and construction capabilities. After a lengthy period of research and development, ably assisted by state-of-the-art technology, the company’s designers created a production prototype of the original 1940 piece that architect Franco Albini made as a one-off for his Milan home. Respecting the authentic underlying concept of the design, with its compelling experimental feel, as well as its surprisingly spare, linear looks, today’s model preserves the minimal ideal of the original: a feeling of air and light so that the books and objects seem to float free. Thus does Cassina restore to the contemporary world of design one of its most emblematic artefacts, a piece that has acquired the status of a work of art, as magical now as it was when it was first seen. Important information regarding images of products: Please note that some of the images show other colors and variations of the model, these images are only to present interior design proposals. The item that is selling is on the first image. Important information regarding color(s) of products: Actual colors may vary. This is due to the fact that every computer monitor, laptop, tablet and phone screen has a different capability to display colors and that everyone sees these colors differently. We try to edit our photos to show all of our products as life-like as possible, but please understand the actual color may vary slightly from your monitor About the designer: Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, was born in La Chauxde-Fonds, in the Swiss Canton of Jura, in 1887; and died in France, in Roquebrune-CAP-Martin, on the French Côte d'Azur, in 1965. At the beginning of his career, his work was greeted with some reluctance due to its supposed "revolutionary" character and the radical aspect it acquired through his "purist" experiments; In any case, already at that time, he received the recognition he deserved and the admiration of the majority. His message is still being assimilated by an increasing number of people in the profession, but his eccentric avant-garde attitude should be properly taken into account for the use of rational systems in his planning method, as reflected in extremely simple modules and forms based on functional logic. "A functionalism that does not tend to exalt the mechanical function to the detriment of the symbolic but rather to the rejection of the symbol, which he now considers obsolete and insignificant, and the recovery of the practical function as a symbol of new values" (¹) In his activities as an urban planner, architect and designer, his method of study continued to develop, sometimes going from one extreme to another in a complex plastic language. Some examples of this are: Unité d'Habitation, Marseille (1946-52); the Chapel in Ronchamp (1950-55); the Dominican Monastery «La Tourette» (1951-56); the Zurich Center (1964-65) the Hospital in Venice (1965). The same dedication will be found in the design of diverse furniture, such as: the furniture of "Equipement intérieur de la maison" (tables, chairs, sofas and armchairs) designed for the Salon d'Automne in 1928 with Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand and “Casiers Standard...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Tecta M23 Cantilever Wood Dining Table
Located in London, GB
A collaborative design, the M23 dining table is very similar in style to that of the M21 table which was inspired by Jean Prouvé and manufactured by Tecta. Constructed from solid ...
Category

2010s German Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Macassar Executive Desk
Located in North York, ON
Art deco macassar executive desk. France, circa 1940’s. This iconic, stunning art deco creation is out of this world. Rich, luxurious macassar ...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Thrim Glass Dining Room Table, Designed by Massimo Castagna, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The bases of table Thrim follow the top playing with different angles and lengths. The vast availability of configurations and dimensions give space to many customizations and make i...
Category

2010s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Onda Medusa Iridescente Desk by Carlo Rampazzi
Located in Milan, IT
Eye-catching since its asymmetrical design, this desk is an artful piece celebrating waves even when far away, in urban private studies. A special iridescent finish - named "Medusa" ...
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Cork-Topped Oak Parkman Desk by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Parkman desk features a Parsons-style waterfall shape with cork on the top and sides and three drawers. Available in American walnut or white oak and ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Cork

Bon Coffee Table from Ringvide, Black Oil, Black Glass Top, Scandinavian
Located in Visby, SE
Bon coffee table. Since the dawn of man, the fireplace has played a central role in gatherings. Everything was based on some collected burning logs. Here people gathered to prepare...
Category

2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Smoked Glass, Pine

Lupa Desk by Gisbert Pöppler
Located in Geneve, CH
Lupa desk by Gisbert Pöppler. Dimensions: D 170 x W 74,5 x H 76 cm. Materials: high gloss lacquered wood, black walnut. Work should not dominate our lives, so Lupa is a dainty d...
Category

2010s German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Bon Coffee Table from Ringvide, Pine Wood, Glass Top, Scandinavian
Located in Visby, SE
Bon coffee table Since the dawn of man, the fireplace has played a central role in gatherings. Everything was based on some collected burning logs. Here people gathered to prepare ...
Category

2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Smoked Glass, Pine

Rails Functional Sculpture Plywood Trestles Table Desk
Located in London, GB
Composition of x2 RAILS 750 with a tabletop. Bespoke accessories can be made to order in various materials and finishes. A modern system for fluid living. RAILS® is a unique con...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Antique Brass Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass plated desk, Pols Potten Studio. Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm. Materials: Black powder coated iron frame, aluminium, anti...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Iron

Epifania Desk & Cube by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Epifania desk & cube by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: Desk: W 70 x D 140 x H 75 cm. Cube: W 40 x D 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Wood, burl venner. Christine Kalia is a design ...
Category

2010s Cypriot Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Burl

Brutalism Inspired Modern Walnut Desk by Eero Moss
Located in Ghimbav, RO
Step up your office game with this stunning post-modern style walnut desk from Eero Moss Studio. Expertly crafted with the finest materials and a keen eye fo...
Category

2010s Romanian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash, Walnut

Jameson Desk, Solid Oak and Walnut by Lynnea Jean
Located in Venice, CA
This custom wood desk is hand-made in the United States with all hardwood construction. This modern design is characterized by its solid white oak body, minimalist walnut inlay detail, and unique split leg detail. Convenient and accessible storage drawers feature integrated hardware and a soft-closing mechanism. This contemporary design can look beautiful floating in a room as an executive desk or anchored against a wall or other furniture piece. The natural finish brings out the beautiful golden tones of white oak. Jameson Collection by Lynnea Jean...
Category

2010s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Hardwood

Woa Desk by Culto Ponsoda
Located in Geneve, CH
Woa Desk by Culto Ponsoda Dimensions: D 76 x W 160 x H 80 cm Materials: Velvet, wood, gold stainless steel, iron, glass. Available in other colors and finishes. Please contact us....
Category

2010s Spanish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Iron

N2 Writing Desk by Aaron Scott
Located in Geneve, CH
N2 writing desk by Aaron Scott Dimensions: D 56 x W 132.5 x H 150 cm Materials: bleached cherry, glass. Also available in other woods: lacquered cherry, bleached walnut. Broo...
Category

2010s American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Cherry

Aphanès Desk by Roberto Sironi
Located in Pireaus-Athens, Greece
Custom works and dimensions upon request.
Category

2010s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Table À Plateau Interchangeable, by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1937. Relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The first model of this historic design low table was crafted in 1937 for Charlotte Perriand’s studio in Montparnasse. The first example of this table was made in 1937 for Charlotte Perriand’s Parisian studio in Montparnasse. The structure of the base of the Table à plateau...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Temporal Collection, Limited Edition, Marble, Glass, Steel Desk 'Exercise 2'
Located in Madrid, ES
"Exercise 2" desk is part of the collection 'Temporal', commissioned by the Machado Muñoz Gallery in 2016. Where the other pieces in this collection aim to go beyond their physicalit...
Category

2010s Spanish Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Bon Coffee Table from Ringvide, Black Oil, Transparent Glass Top, Scandinavian
Located in Visby, SE
Bon coffee table Since the dawn of man, the fireplace has played a central role in gatherings. Everything was based on some collected burning logs. Here people gathered to prepare ...
Category

2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Smoked Glass, Pine

Shanghai Desk in Ziricotte Wood, Leather Top and Silver Patined Leg
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Shanghai desk in Ziricotte wood, leather top and silver patined leg. The inside is made in Sycomore. PLease ask for a shipping quote to get the best offer.
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Dining Table
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table by Dada est. manufactured in Barcelona, 2021. Material: Oak Dimensions: 72.5 cm D x 140 cm W x 72.5 cm H There is the possibility of making it in different measures and...
Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Catrame Desk
Located in Milan, IT
Giving a functional purpose and a contemporary style to a "primitive" material is at the heart of ROU Materiaal's philosophy. This unique desk has a top fashioned from a piece of a c...
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Square Drop Console Table by Nów
Located in Geneve, CH
Square drop console table by Nów. Designed by Square Drop. Dimensions: D 60 x W 120 x H 76 cm Materials: stained, solid ash wood, brass hardware, natural stone. Agnieszka Sniad...
Category

2010s Polish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Brass

Desk in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Desk in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq Limited Edition of 12 pieces. Materials: Burned and waxed Iroko wood. Dimensions: W 233 x D 100 x H 75 cm Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art...
Category

2010s Belgian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Whitewashed Ash Linderman Wall-Mounted Desk with Leather Wrapped Drawer in Stock
Located in Accord, NY
New York Heartwoods' Linderman wall-mounted desk is influenced by Mid-Century Modern, Shaker and Asian design, and features a hand-shaped base, leather wrapped pen drawer (shown here...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Ash, Leather

Modernist Desk in Solid Wood 40s / 50s Bauhaus Style Vintage
Located in Lyon, FR
French desk from the 40s / 50s in modernist Bauhaus style. Structure of the desk in veneered and solid Rio rosewood with a triple tubular base in chromed steel quite rare. The desk i...
Category

1940s French Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Bodil Kjær Office Desk Table, Wood and Steel by Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Bodil Kjær in 1959. We are proud to present our first design from a Danish designer. In this case, Danish architect, professor, and designer, Bodil Kjær. The iconic desk, designed in 1959, was the first of its kind with its pure and simplistic design, almost floating mid-air. Bodil Kjærs’ design has been called ‘The most beautiful desk in the world’ – or, the ‘James Bond desk...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern 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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