Desks and Writing Tables
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1930s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Elm
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wenge
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Crystal, Steel, Chrome
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Teak
20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Grasscloth, Bamboo
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1950s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Teak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker, Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1910s Scottish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Burl
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1990s Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birch
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1960s Brazilian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Jacaranda, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1960s Brazilian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Jacaranda
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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