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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Late 19th Century
Period: Early 1900s
Very Fine Edwardian Pedestal Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine Edwardian mahogany and satinwood line inlaid pedestal desk, the moulded top inset with gilt embossed red tooled leather writing skiver surface raised over frieze with two...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Russian Mahogany and Gilt Eagle Design Leather Top Desk
Located in New York, NY
Russian (19th Century) mahogany desk with inset black leather top, key-locked drawer & pull out writing tray with a stretcher having a centered black & gi...
Category
Late 19th Century Russian Egyptian Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Spanish Side Table with Cared Turned Legs and Wood Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish Side Table with cared turned legs and wood stretcher and also an iron stretcher
The top has a carved edges and a beautiful grai...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Colonial Mahogany Handmade Writing Table Cum Console On Porcelain Castors
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Simplicity of form and elegance shines through this beautiful Victorian writing desk; hand-crafted from old growth Mahogany. Warm, free flowing...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Finely Carved Renaissance Study Set, Late 1800s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Neo-Renaissance studio, late 1800s early 1900s, carved on solid walnut. Lombard origin. Origin Villa Campari.
Study sideboard 224x62x121H, serving sideboard 183x50x132h, table 185x8...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Neoclassical Marquetry Bureau De Dame in the Style of Giuseppe Maggiolini, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
Italian Neoclassical style freestanding slant front desk, in the manner of Giuseppe Maggiolini, late 19th c. Exquisite marquetry veneer in rosewood, satinwood and other decorative woods. The rectangular top with inlaid marquetry foliate sits above a sloping fall front centered by a foliate cartouche and corner cartouches, the kneehole. Open to reveal a nicely fitted interior with an arrangement of open compartments flanked by two short drawers and an inlaid hinged writing surface. Below this there are two large graduated drawers. Side panels inlaid with conforming scrollwork all rising on four elegant squared tapering legs finished with the original brass castor cups.
The shape and the inlaid designs are similar to those on pieces of furniture produced by Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814), the foremost cabinet-maker in late 18th-century Milan. Maggiolini and his workshop specialized in marquetry scenes inspired by antiquity, based on drawings by late 18th-century artists and designers such as Andrea...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Renaissance Leather Top Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance leather top writing table is perfect for adding an Old World touch to any room! Boldly carved edging around the too...
Category
1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XIV Writing Table, Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XIV writing table ~ desk is a handsome piece that is perfect for adding a little elegance to your room while providing a very useful surface with storage. Hand-crafted from solid old-growth oak, it features a simple plank top with beveled edge, with an upper tier that holds two drawers, and is finished on all four sides making it ideal for placement anywhere in the room. The drawers feature fine molded detail, subtle foliate accents, and cast brass pendant...
Category
1890s French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Rare Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Attributed to Zwiener
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and rare late 19th century gilt bronze mounted Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Attributed to Zwiener
Attributed to Joseph Zwiener
The serpentine case with a rectangular top with gilt-tooled leather writing-surface within a molded border above a quarter-veneered frieze, three drawers to the front and three simulated drawers to the reverse each flanked by a large putto, the sides centered with a fine bronze Apollo mask, the cabriole legs mounted with sea shell bronze designs with foliate-cast sabots.
Born in Herdon, Germany, in 1849, Joseph Emmanuel Zwiener followed the tradition of some of the best ébnistes of the nineteenth century. He moved to Paris establishing a workshop at 12, rue de la Roquette, between 1880 and 1895. He produced a wide array of the very finest furniture, modelling in his own interpretations of the eighteenth century Louis XV Rococo style, veneered with the highest and finest quality marquetry and ‘Vernis Martin’ panels. Exhibiting at the Exposition Universelle, Paris, in 1889, Zwiener was awarded a gold medal for what the jury reported as ‘dè ses dèbuts à une Exposition Universelle, [il] s’est mi au premier rang par la richesse, la hardinesse, et le fini de ses meubles incrustés de bronze et fort habilment marquetés.’
Zwiener was closely associated with François Linke, and the two houses produced work which, at first glance, is remarkably similar and with occasionally identical mounts. The similarities are made more likely by the fact that the brilliant sculptor, Léon Messagé, worked initially for Zwiener and subsequently, upon Zwiener’s departure for Berlin to work on furniture commissioned by Freidrich Wilhelm II , he was employed in the workshop of François Linke. It appears that Zwiener, unlike Linke, did not sign all his work, although some stamped pieces with his name and/or his “Z” initial are documented. There is some uncertainty between the recorded stamp E. Zwiener and the work of a Julius Zwiener...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Fine Antique circa 1880 Victorian Pollard Oak Partner Desk Green Leather Top
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime exceptionally rare circa 1880 Pollard oak partner desk with green leather top
What can I say, a 140+ year old desk, in ...
Category
1880s English High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
Important French Brass Inlaid Paint Decorated Rolltop Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
The lock of this desk is stamped with the crossed key logo of Vachette Freres, which only made locks for the best French ebenistes and furniture makers. The desk is a work of art with gorgeous paintings of courtship...
Category
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Howard & Sons London Leather Topped Faux Bamboo Writing Table, circa 1875
Located in Kinderhook, NY
English circa 1875 Aesthetic Movement writing table or desk by London cabinetmakers Howard & Sons having original green leather top; the oval form case with single drawer and origina...
Category
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Maple & Co. London Partner's Desk, Ca 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English chippendale mahogany partner's desk signed "Maple & Company London," Circa 1890. Beautiful old leather.
Category
Late 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Late Victorian Mahogany Writing Table Signed Edwards & Roberts 1880
Located in Roma, RM
Antique fine quality Victorian mahogany twin pedestal desk Edwards & Roberts.
This particular desk is a Chinese Chippendale revival, circa 1880, late Victorian period.
The desk top s...
Category
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Walnut Inlaid Bonheur du Jour
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th-century walnut writing table of serpentine form, the raised superstructure top with fitted shelves and brass gallery, flanked by two banks of drawers. To the well figured serpen...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Charles Bevan, Attri. A Gothic Revival Oak Library or Sofa Table with Marble Top
By John Marsh and Edward Jones, Charles Bevan
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan, attri. probably made by Marsh Jones and Cribb of Leeds.
A super quality Gothic Revival oak library or Sofa table with semi-circular veined marble top, arched supports...
Category
1880s English Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Antique Ladies Morning Room Desk, English, Writing Table, Aesthetic Period, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ladies morning room desk. An English, walnut and satinwood pedestal writing table with Aesthetic Period taste, dating to the Victorian ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Hand Carved Oak Desk with Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Design
19th French hand carved oak wood table desk with iron stretcher.
This antique French hand carved oak wood desk features a bea...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Queen Anne Style Pedestal Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an absolutely gorgeous Queen Anne Style pedestal desk.
Made of walnut, butterflied walnut, burl walnut and oyster wood, the veneers on this piece are STUNNING !
Made in England at the end of the 19th Century (circa 1890) this is a stunning replica of an original Queen Anne piece from the late 17th/early 18th Century !
The attention to detail is outstanding from the use of the correct period veneers, right down to the banding and parquetry inlays, to the hardware.
It is a diminutive desk as it should be as desk from the Queen Anne period were much, much smaller than desks made today due to the fact that in the 17/18th Century people were much smaller.
It consists of 2 pedestals with 2 drawers on each pedestal facing to the front, and 2 doors that open to a single shelf on the other side. The removeable top has 3 working drawers to the front only. It has a fabulous distressed and aged brown leather insert on the top in an oval/floret shape.
It sits on 4 curved padded feet.
Not marked but obviously made by a top, top maker !
This desk was acquired and owned by a Mr. Jim Quist a well known businessman and high society character in Dallas, who resided at Swiss Ave., Dallas until his death in 2020.
Provenance: From the Quist Estate in Dallas
Condition: Very good original condition. The 2 teardrop pulls on the front center drawer are later replacements but compliment the period and style. Some very minor veneer repairs, professionally touched up. No keys.
Dimensions: 29 inches tall, 54 inches wide and 33 inches deep. Kneehole Clearance 23.5 inches tall and 18.5 inches wide.
Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland between 8 March 1702 and 1 May 1707. On 1 May 1707, under the Acts of Union, the kingdoms of England and Scotland united as a single sovereign state known as Great Britain. She continued to reign as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland until her death in 1714.
Anne was born in the reign of Charles II to his younger brother and heir presumptive, James, whose suspected Roman Catholicism was unpopular in England. On Charles’s instructions, Anne and her elder sister, Mary, were raised as Anglicans. Mary married their Dutch Protestant cousin, William III of Orange...
Category
Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Handcrafted Colonial Teak Campaign Table with Folding Legs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1890's
Solid teak hand crafted Campaign folding table from the days of the British Raj. Has flaps that pivot outwards and tuck away ben...
Category
Late 19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
19th Century English Adam Style Vanity
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Superb quality, embellished with fine classic paintings.
Very nicely detailed with elaborate twin cross stretches and appointed
with a lather top. The drawer is finished with dust ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Adam Style Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
19th Spanish Walnut Desk with Two Drawers and Solomonic Turning Legs
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish walnut desk with two drawers and solomonic turning legs and solomonic stretcher
it is carved in four sides
It has a central lock for...
Category
1890s French Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Dresden Porcelain Mounted Ebonised Bureau Cabinet
Located in London, by appointment only
A rare 19th century ebonised bureau cabinet in the high Napoleon III style, the desk is ebonised and mounted with numerous plaques of fine porcelain de...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Porcelain
Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Figural Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style giltwood carved figural center or hall table fitted with a Brêche violette marble top. The rectangular frame with four scrolled cabriol...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Rare 19th Century English Eclipse Patented Telescopic Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an exceptionally rare 19th century English eclipse patented telescopic desk.
Made of oak in the Rococo style in Great Britain, circa 1880.
Fully marked as “The Eclipse” ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Stunning Victorian 1880 Marble Topped Satinwood Console or Writing Table Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely lovely light satinwood writing console table with twin drawers and solid marble top
A good looking and well made piece, the timb...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
19th Spanish Walnut Desk with Two Drawers and Solomonic Turning Legs
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish walnut desk with two drawers and solomonic turning legs , it has an iron stretcher between the legs.
The top is made of walnut with a...
Category
1890s French Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
19th Century English Walnut Desk
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A charming walnut desk. Made in England in the late 19th century. Lovely patine throughout. Panneled back, leather inset, castor wheels.
Chairspace is 62.5 H x 52 W cms.
Category
1890s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style giltwood carved center gall table with marble top. The rectangular shaped frame intricately carved frame with an "X" stretcher centered...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Mahogany Parquetry Bureau Plat
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 19th Century
Louis XVI gilt bronze mahogany parquetry bureau plat. Rectangular trellis work above three drawers, with scrolling basket handles and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Figural Griffin Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid walnut Renaissance Revival trestle table which features carved trestle ends depicting griffins with female busts, northwind fac...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
19th Century Italian Louis XV Style Walnut Large Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Majestic antique Italian louis XV style large writing desk. Rare and precious walnut wood. Comfortable size for a practical use. The desk has elegan...
Category
1880s Italian Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
RJ Horner Style Carved Maiden Figural Mahogany Partners Desk Writing Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful late Victorian era 1880s solid mahogany partners desk. The desk is done in the manner of RJ Horner and has carved maid...
Category
1870s American Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Outstanding Quality Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Reading Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality antique Edwardian inlaid mahogany reading table having a quality lift up ratchet top with charming satinwood inlaid urns, bows and swags above three frieze drawer...
Category
Early 1900s European Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Other
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Dickens Pedestal Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a truly superb antique Victorian Period burr walnut Dickens pedestal desk, circa 1880 in date.
The sunken central superstructure is flanked on either side by columns of five...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mahogany Two Drawer Writing Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany writing table the large rectangular top with inset black tooled leather with gilt-tooled border. Above the frieze fitted with two drawers, all raised up on cylindrical suppo...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Rectangular Bouillotte Louis XVI Desk Table with Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
This important writing table is after Jean-Henri Riesener, perhaps the most important furniture maker working in Paris during the reign of Louis XVI. The desk thus demonstrates a cur...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Victorian Burr Walnut Free Standing Pedestal Desk by Druce & Co
By Druce & Co.
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian burr walnut free standing pedestal desk by Druce & Co, of rectangular form with a later green leather inset top above three disguised fri...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Antique Victorian Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk, 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique late Victorian flame mahogany partners pedestal desk, circa 1880 in date. Measures: 4ft.
The rectanglular top features a stunning inset green and gold t...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk Bureauplatt, Bronze Gilt Mounts Leather Top
Located in Miami, FL
Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1870 in the style of Francois Linke and built of walnut , the large antique desk stands on elegant cabriole legs dec...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Style Walnut Writing Table with Red Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A Louis XV style French writing table in walnut with bronze hardware and an antique red leather tooled top.
This beautiful table is probably from ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Regence Style Trellis Parquetry Bureau Plat by François Linke, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Magnificent Regence Style gilt bronze Mounted Trellis Parquetry Bureau Plat by François Linke.
French, circa 1890.
Linke Index No. 795.
Signed to the gilt bronze border ‘F....
Category
Late 19th Century French Régence Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique Liberty Chinoiserie Hardwood Writing Side Occasional Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality carved Chinoiserie hardwood writing side or occasional table. Believed to have originally come from Liberty C1900. Decorated with Foo dogs, trees and plants.
...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Rare Victorian Burr Oak & Walnut Merryweather London 1885 Stamped Desk, Leather
By Merryweather and Sons 1
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Victorian Merryweather Holloway London 1885 stamped burr walnut and oak twin pedestal desk
A very fine desk indeed, made ...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak, Walnut
19th Century Grey French Oakwood Partners Desk - Antique Bronze Writing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extendable, antique French partners desk with a white, grey rectangular top, made of hand carved oakwood, in good condition. The writin...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Mahogany Writing Table, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French Louis XVI style mahogany bureau plat. Having an inset leather top, gilded ormolu mouldings and scrolling foliate mounts to the frieze, two fri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique English Victorian Marquetry Writing Desk by Donald Ross
Located in London, GB
Antique English Victorian marquetry writing desk by Donald Ross
English, c. 1890
Measures: Height 75cm, width 108cm, depth 64cm
This superb mahogany writing desk by Donald Ross ...
Category
1890s English Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique English Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Desk by Donald Ross
Located in London, GB
Antique English gilt bronze and marquetry desk by Donald Ross
English, c. 1890
Measures: Height 75cm, width 108cm, depth 63cm
This elegant mahogany writing desk by Donald Ross f...
Category
1890s English Neoclassical Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Writing Desk by François Linke
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superior craftsmanship and elegant bronze work characterize this tambour front roll top writing desk by François Linke, the most important French ébéniste of his time. Linke is celeb...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
English Mahogany and Gold Accented Roll Top Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian style mahogany roll top desk that opens to reveal drawers, letter holders, and a gold embossed leather desk surface, with a gilt bronze filigree...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
19th Century Satinwood Ladies Writing Table in the Sheraton Style
Located in Martlesham, GB
A super quality 19th century satinwood ladies writing table in the Sheraton style, having a shaped superstructure with two short over one long oak lined drawers with original turned ...
Category
1890s British Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
Rococo Style Writing Desk Mounted with Gilt Bronze
Located in London, GB
Rococo style writing desk mounted with gilt bronze
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 78cm, width 134cm, depth 64cm
This superb ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
A 19th Century English Mahogany Kneehole Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A nineteenth century English mahogany kneehole desk. Two drawers and kneehole flanked by two mahogany panel doors opening to reveal shelves inside.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Voysey Style of Arts & Crafts Oak Dining Table with Dove Cut-Outs below the Top
Located in London, GB
C F A Voysey in the style of.
An Arts & Crafts oak dining or library table with four stylized floral cut-outs flanked by dove cut-outs to each corner to the angled apron underneath ...
Category
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Piero Zen Small Desk with Maple and Mather of Pearl Inlays, Italy Milan
By Carlo Zen
Located in Sacile, PN
Piero Zen small desk with nickel silver feet and frezies, maple and mather of pearl inlays, circa 1905.
The friezes around the top carry small ruby glass half-spheres.
Signature ...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Alpaca, Wood
Late 19th Bureau Antique Cartonnier Sliding Top for Hidden Storage
Located in Miami, FL
An Italian smaller-sized writing desk with storage hidden beneath top from the 19th century. This super cute desk, or occasional table from I...
Category
Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk, Rosewood and Ormulu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Antique Louis XV style bureau plat writing desk, rosewood and Ormulu mounts, raised on cabriole legs. Tooled leather top.
Dimensions: 43” W x 31.5” H x 25.5” D
Side drawers (2): ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date.
The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Category
1870s French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
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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Cabriole Bureau
Writing Slope Desk
Writing Desk Sloping
18th Century Style Desk
Bureau Plat Bronze
Black Glass Top Desk
Xvi Bureau
Wood Partners Desk
Vintage Bank Desk
Writing Table Mahogany Regency
Writing Table Brass Mount
Carved Walnut Desk French
Blue Painted Desk
American Desk 19th Century
Mid Century Black Writing Desk With Drawers