Desks and Writing Tables
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Oak, Plywood
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Birch, Oak, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Wicker
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Plywood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1880s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Wood, Oak
2010s American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1970s Philippine Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone, Brass
2010s Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Ash, Hardwood, Bentwood
1860s British High Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Walnut
1860s British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Oak
20th Century American Country Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Poplar, Fir
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
1950s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
1980s North American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Goatskin
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Leather
2010s French Desks and Writing Tables
Milk Glass, Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1920s Chinoiserie Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
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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