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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Late 19th Century
Period: Early 1900s
Antique French Louis Revival Ormolu Bureau Plat Desk, 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous antique French Louis Revival gilt bronze mounted amaranth bureau plat, Circa 1880 in date. The rectangular top has a decorati...
Category

1880s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

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

Sliding Top, Italian Desk
Located in Newport Beach, CA
A wonderful, veneered and inlaid, sliding top writing table inset with drawer and an embossed leather tablet. The whole in walnut and olive woods atop tape...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Olive, Walnut

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Writing Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality, impressive 18th century style Kingwood Bureau plat, in the manner of Zweiner. Having an inset green leather writing surface with gilt tooling. gilded ormolu moul...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Piero Zen Small Desk with Maple and Mather of Pearl Inlays, Italy Milan
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

French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Mahogany & Brass Inlay Secretary Boulle Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare French 19th century Louis XIV style mahogany and brass inlaid drop-front freestanding secretary desk in the manner of André-Charles Boulle. The slender mahogany body ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

VR Stamped Victoria Regina Hardwood Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Victorian, 1860
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely English Victorian Circa 1880 twin pedestal partner desk with original castors and VR stamped locks for Victoria Regina...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Swedish Biedermeier Style Birch Kneehole Desk
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Biedermeier style (19/20th Century) birch kneehole desk with three drawer above two cabinet doors enclosed 4 drawers with a gold embossed black leather top.
Category

Late 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Leather

Antique Victorian Mahogany Twin Pedestal Desk Edwards & Roberts
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality Victorian mahogany twin pedestal desk Edwards & Roberts (famous London maker), circa 1895. This is a lovely quality piece, that is full of age, charm and char...
Category

1890s Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique English Mahogany Hepplewhite Style Writing Desk with Original Brasses
Located in Charleston, SC
Fabulous quality antique English inlaid mahogany Hepplewhite style writing desk or Carlton House style desk with original oval brasses, and h...
Category

Late 19th Century English Hepplewhite Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Louis XV Style Marquetry Bureau Plat Attributed to François Linke
Located in Montreal, QC
A fine and Important Louis XV style Bureau plat attributed to François Linke (1855-1946) after a model by Jean François Oeben. Typical of the work by François Linke, this desk featur...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Walnut Davenport Desk
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine quality Victorian walnut Davenport desk, incorporating candle slides, a pen tray, a satinwood interior and decorated with fine inlaid boxw...
Category

1870s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

English Regency Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
19th century English Regency style mahogany writing table (desk) with inset green leather top above 2 frieze drawers to either side on trestle supports and splayed legs.
Category

Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Victorian Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique late Victorian mahogany partners pedestal desk, circa 1880 in date. The rectanglular top features a stunning inset green and gold tooled leather writing surface. This stunning desk is the same on each side. Each side is fitted with three frieze drawers, three further drawers in one pedestal and a cupboard to the other pedestal, all fitted with the original brass drop handles. The drawers are all oak lined and the pedestals are raised on plinth bases with brass castors underneath. Complete with original brass locks and keys. Instill the elegance of a bygone era to a special place in your home with this fabulous antique partners pedestal desk. 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, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 76 x Width 151 x Depth 106 Dimensions in inches: Height 29.9 x Width 59.4 x Depth 41.7 Mahogany is probably one of the largest ‘families’ of hardwood, having many different varieties within its own species. Mahogany has been used for centuries in ship building...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Cast Iron Drafting Table by A. Hoffman Co. 1910 Rochester, NY
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
1910 drafting table by A. Hoffman Co. blackened cast iron and steel with wood. Stamped "Peerless" "ROCHESTER NY" "A HOFFMAN CO". Cast iron tripod base. Fu...
Category

Early 1900s American Industrial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Satinwood Ladies Writing Table
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century satinwood ladies writing table in the Sheraton style, having a shaped leather writing surface decorated with blind tooling, decorativ...
Category

1890s British Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

Nice Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat
Located in New York, NY
A nice late 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted bureau plat The rectangular top with gilt-tooled leather writing-surface within a molded border, above a quarter-veneered serpentine frieze, three drawers to the front and three simulated drawers to the reverse, each drawer with acanthus scroll handles, the sides centered with a floral motif, the cabriole legs mounted with sea shell bronze...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Mid-19th Century Ebonised Wood, Gilt Bronze and Pietra Dura Desk
Located in London, GB
Antique Mid-19th century ebonised wood, gilt bronze and Pietra Dura desk, French, c. 1860s Dimensions: Height 77cm, width 134cm, depth 78cm This ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Ormolu

Antique Classical American Philadelphia Desk in Mahogany with Double Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome and functional classical American bureau desk in dark Cuban mahogany, likely from Philadelphia. Offers three drawers along the apron, o...
Category

Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French circa 1870 Bonheur Du Jour Hardwood Marble Desk Bureau Faux Books
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare fully restored circa 1870 hardwood and Parquetry Bonheur Du Jour with marble top surmounted by brass gallery rail, leather top and f...
Category

1870s French High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Boulle Desk .
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Boulle Desk from 1880
Category

1870s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Writing Desk by Poteau
Located in London, GB
Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted writing desk by Poteau French, late 19th century Size: Height 78cm, width 180cm, depth 87cm This beautiful Louis XV style writing desk is rais...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Rare circa 1880 Antique Howard & Son's Pollard Oak Patner Desk Oxblood Leather
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime exceptionally rare circa 1880 Pollard oak partner desk with oxblood leather top made by and fully stamped Howard & Son’s Berners Street What can I say, a 140 year old desk, in one of the best timbers around and made by one of the greatest furniture makers England has ever produced. Howard & Son’s history is extensive, I’ll include a short bio below The desk has the normal partner desk drawer configuration, there are divider slots and some dividers in most drawers, most likely this was a watch makers desk...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

19th Century Salon Empire Writing Desk, 1890
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood, mahogany veneer. Rectangular cover plate over an inconspicuous frame. The base is arched. Fine chiselled bronze applications, gilded. Removable worktop / writing table un...
Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Sheraton Revival Satinwood Cylinder Bureau
Located in Cheshire, GB
Sheraton revival satinwood and rosewood crossbanded cylinder bureau, the raised three-quarter galleried superstructure above a roll top with marquetry ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

19th Century Enlish Victorian Corner Desk with Green Leather Top in Maple.
Located in Dallas, TX
An English Victorian birdseye maple corner desk with an old green leather top with large drawers behind the two front doors with three large and three small drawer. This is a charmin...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Birdseye Maple

19th Century, French Louis XV Style, Lacquered Wood Desk
Located in IT
19th century, French Louis XV style, lacquered wood desk This elegant lacquered wooden desk was made in France between the end of the 19th centu...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style Pietre Dure Mounted Ebonised Writing Table, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Louis XVI Style gilt bronze and Pietre Dure mounted ebonised writing table, retailed by Edwards & Roberts. French, circa 1870. The drawer edge stamped 'Edwards & Roberts'. This Fine ebonised writing table has a three-quarter galleried superstructure with cavetto moulding above three cupboards, each with a panel door inset with Fine pietre dure panels of vases issuing flowers. The lower part of the table has a pullout / pull-out writing slide with a dark blue leather writing surface, above a long drawer centred by a tablet mounted with a foliate pietre dure panel. The table is raised on tapering square section legs united by an 'X'-frame stretcher centred by a gilt bronze vase. The beautiful Florentine pietre dure panels are inlaid in high relief with shaded agates marble, and semi-precious stones. The combination of Fine gilt bronze mounts on an ebonised ground enriched with Fine pietre dure inlay indicates the work of one of the best Parisian ébénistes of the period. Edwards & Roberts, was one of the principal London companies working in the nineteenth century in the taste of the late Eighteenth Century. They started business in 1845 and by 1854 were trading as 'Edwards & Roberts, 21 Wardour Street, Antique and Modern Cabinet Makers and Importers of Ancient Furniture'. Wardour Street became an important furniture retailing area in the second half of the 19th century. Contemporary documents note '... a fine and complete library...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Agate, Bronze

Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Desk, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite French Empire Revival pedestal desk, circa 1880 in date. This desk has been beautifully crafted from flame mahogany. The top has a striking gold tooled black leather inset writing surface which has a decorative geometric inlaid satinwood and ebony border around it. It features beautifully cast gilded Ormolu mounts including angels, pharaonic herms above paw feet and swan escutcheons. It is further enhanced with male masks wearing nemes headress's on the sides, making it an incredibly imposing and impressive item of furniture. The desk features seven drawers for maximum storage, it is freestanding with a beautifully panelled back and comes complete with the original working locks and keys. This desk will soon become the centrepiece of your furniture collection, there is no mistaking the sophisticated quality and design and it is certain to enhance the style and elegance of any living area, bedroom, or reception. 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, French polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 76 x width 150 x depth 80 Dimensions in inches: Height 29.9 x width 59.1 x depth 31.5 Empire style, is an early 19th century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until circa 1830. The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon's leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France. The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of neoclassicism which is also called "Directoire", after a government system. Furniture typically had symbols and ornaments borrowed from the glorious ancient Greek and Roman empires. The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N." Gilded bronze (ormolu) details displayed a high level of craftsmanship. 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

1880s French Empire Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat by Maison Forest. Paris, circa 1900. Bearing two labels to the underside: 'FOREST/TAPISSERIE/EBENISTERIE/31 RUE CAMBACERES.PARIS...
Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Mahogany Art Nouveau Writing Desk Signed Louis Majorelle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Signed ‘Louis Majorelle’ Art Nouveau desk with the sinuous lines and curves typical of the style. Four curved-front drawers retaining their original ormolu Art Nouveau pulls...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XVI Style Side Table or Writing Table, Entretoise Legs
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Louis XVI style side table or writing table, Entretoise legs. Lovely model decorated with musical instruments, scrolls, ribbons and feathers in the classical Louis XVI vernac...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Walnut Center Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th century walnut writing table the shaped top with inset leather enclosed by a walnut banding. To the frieze fitted with gilt metal decoration...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

English 1880s Faux-Bamboo Desk with Copper Hued Leather Top and Five Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English faux bamboo desk from the late 19th century, with copper leather top and five drawers. Created in England during the later years of the 19th century, this desk features a ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Faux Bamboo

Superb Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Center Table by Francois Linke
Located in New York, NY
A superb late 19th century gilt bronze mounted Regence style center table by François Linke The inset shaped marble top above a single drawer centered with a winged cherub head, t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Lovely circa 1900 Late Victorian French Pine Brown Leather Gold Gilt Desk Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique French circa 1900 late Victorian pine writing table, desk or occasional centre table with brown leather top and giltwood frame ...
Category

Early 1900s French Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Pine

Sculptural Cast Iron Pedestal and Glass Industrial Dining / Work Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural cast iron pedestal base and glass Industrial dining / work table. Beautiful patina on the base. Heavy custom made glass top with cable opening in the middle. Impress...
Category

Early 1900s North American Industrial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Louix XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Center Table, Paris, circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Louix XVI style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany center table Paris, circa 1890 surmounted by a Sarrancolin marble top with rounded corners above a long single frieze drawer and rai...
Category

1890s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Adjustable Citronnier Wood Reading Table, England, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Adjustable citronnier wood reading table, England, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Kingwood Bonheur du Jour, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century French Kingwood Bonheur Du Jour, having a wonderful faded patina, white marble to the top, with three quarter...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Porcelain, Kingwood, Mahogany

Antique Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk Table France
Located in Munich, DE
This charming small ladies writing desk – so called 'Écritoire de Dames' was made in France circa 1890-1900 . It is executed in mahogany in k...
Category

1890s French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Restored Baroque Revival Oak Writing Desk, circa 1890
Located in Opole, PL
Restored Baroque Revival Oak Writing Desk, circa 1890 This Neo-Baroque writing desk is entirely made in oak wood. Presented piece of furniture is...
Category

Late 19th Century European Baroque Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Fine Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Tulipwood Bureau Plat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Louis XV style gilt bronze-mounted tulipwood bureau plat. Late 19th century. The replaced gilt-stamped green leather writing surface with...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

English 1870s Faux Bamboo Walnut Desk with Oval Top, Drawers and Root Style Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English faux bamboo walnut desk from the late 19th century, with oval shaped top, two drawers and bamboo root style feet. Created in England during the third quarter of the 19th c...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Walnut

Large Scale Bamboo Desk with Black Leather Top
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully restored large size bamboo desk with black leather top and two large drawers. The desk looks stunning from all 4 sides. Some flaws on the leather top.
Category

Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Leather

Late Victorian Burl Walnut Cushion Curve Pedestal Desk Brown Leather Surface
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original circa 1900 late Victorian burl walnut with brown leather writing surface pedestal desk made by Withy Grove Stores LTD Manche...
Category

Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Victorian Davenport Desk Burl Inlaid over Four-Side Drawers
Located in Plainview, NY
Victorian Davenport desk burl inlaid over four-side drawers. The desk features dummy drawers to one side and real working drawers to the other. The leather top is in good condition ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Leather

Sheraton Revival Inlaid Desk, 19th Century, Edwards and Roberts
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century mahogany inlaid writing desk, stamped Edwards and Roberts. Having a brass gallery to the top, with an inset leather tooled top. Three frieze dra...
Category

Late 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Late 19th Century Table, Writing Desk, Hand Carved Walnut, Testolini & Salviati
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century table, writing desk, in hand carved walnut, by Testolini & Salviati. The important desk is all in solid walnut, with a veneered top. Neoclassical legs with 4 lions...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau Plat After Cressent
By Charles Cressent
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic late 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted inlaid parquetry bureau plat The rectangular top with gilt-tooled leather writing-surface within a molded border a...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Superb Sheraton Revival Satinwood Desk
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4637 Fine late Victorian satinwood bureau, having arched tambour top which open to reveal pigeons holes, small inlaid drawers and slide out, green leather writing surface, all abov...
Category

1890s English Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

Mid-19th Century Georgian Style Mahogany Knee Hole Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-19th century Georgian style mahogany knee hole desk in very nice original condition. The case having a single top drawer with a knee hole center flanked by three by three drawers...
Category

Late 19th Century Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Linke Influenced Bureau Plat, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century French Louis XVI style mahogany bureau plat, in the manner of Francoise Linke. Having an inset leather top, gilded ormolu mouldings, three friez...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Walnut Partners Desk
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a walnut and Kashmir walnut partners desk made in England, circa 1890. The top of the desk is Walnut with 3 shaped pieces of beautiful brown lea...
Category

1890s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

English Pine Server
Located in Wilson, NC
English pine server is of a Hepplewhite vein and has molded appliqué decorations of egg and dart. There is a repeating scroll design with bell flower moldings on straight tapered leg...
Category

Late 19th Century English Hepplewhite Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI style gilt bronze and Jasperware mounted mahogany Bureau plat. Stamped 'FOURNIER' to the reverse of the bronze mount to the drawer apron. . This fine bureau plat or...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Victorian Satin Birch Writing Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4565 fine quality Victorian satin writing table or dressing table, having shaped upstand, stunning top with moulded edge and 2 oak lined drawers fitted with original turned knobs, ...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satin

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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