Desks and Writing Tables
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Streamlined Moderne Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Plexiglass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s South African Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Ash, Oak, Walnut
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut, Plywood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Cork, Walnut
2010s Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
2010s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
2010s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Steel
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Steel
1960s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Beech, Teak
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Onyx, Brass, Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Turkish Japonisme Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
2010s Danish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Teak
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut, Leather, Wood
2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
2010s Danish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Onyx, Marble, Aluminum, Brass
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Stone, Steel
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Travertine, Marble, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Brass
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
2010s British Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
1960s Dutch Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
2010s British Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Chrome
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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