Desks and Writing Tables
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Faux Leather
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Steel, Chrome
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Ash
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Plywood
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Other
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass, Steel
1920s American Aesthetic Movement Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Fabric, Birch
1950s British Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Bamboo, Burl
1950s Italian Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech, Walnut, Lacquer
Early 20th Century English Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Satinwood
1920s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak, Walnut
1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ceramic, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
1910s Danish Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Macassar
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal, Brass
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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