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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
1970s Burl Wood Waterfall Desk by John Widdicomb for John Stuart
Located in Boston, MA
John Widdicomb for John Stuart burl wood waterfall desk, circa 1970s. Acquired from the Searles Castle in NH. Comes with original glass topper, which ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique French Louis XV Style Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive antique French desk crafted in walnut with a tooled tan leather top on a case with geometric marquetry, five drawers retaining the original hardware and drapery ormolu sup...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Mid Century Italian Wall Desk in Brown Teak with Panels and Shelfs, around 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
The "Mid-Century Italian Wall Desk in Brown Teak with Panels and Shelves, around 1960" is a quintessential example of mid-20th century design, blendi...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Swedish Mid Century Modern Solid Pine Desk, Roland Wilhelmsson, Made in 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming mid-century solid pine desk / dining table with visible dowels and a fine X frame. Hand crafted by a Swedish cabinetmaker in 1960s. Made in the style of Roland Wilhelmsson...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Marzio Cecchi Diapason Desk, Italy, 1968
Located in Padova, IT
Iconic desk one of only 40 made designed by Marzio Cecchi and manufactured by Studio Most, Italy 1968. This stainless-steel desk has a cantilevered tapering top with curved edge and ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Desk with Roll-Top, Walnut Veneer, 1950s, Fully Restored
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This is a legendary and mysterious project that was probably commissioned for a chain of exclusive Polish Fashion salons in Poland, circa 1950s. It is not known to this day who is be...
Category

1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Small art deco desk
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Small art deco desk. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Contemporary dressing table and stool in cherry
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Contemporary dressing table and stool in cherry circa 1990. Well made in cherry wood, concave shaped dressing table with decorative brass ...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire Desk
Located in Rio Tinto, PT
An elegant writing desk built in marble with polished brass details. Its cracks are hand-carved and inserted through polished brass sheets, which are hand-hammered for a unique finis...
Category

2010s Portuguese Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

19th Century Well Figured Tiger Maple Desk With Chair - a Set of 2
Located in Charleston, SC
A nice size with a shaped open back splash and a single apron drawer with fine wood knob pulls. Raised on finely turned legs. The drawer is hand planed and the dovetail predates mach...
Category

Mid-19th Century American American Empire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Swedish Gustavian Unique Scalloped Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Unique Scalloped Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1850s Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Achille Castiglioni Quark desk BBB Bonacina Italy 1982
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice post-modern 'Quark' desk designed by Achille Castiglioni and manufactured by BBB Bonacina, Italy 1982. The Quark series included multiple desks designed as a modular system. The desks have a consistent structure and customers could customize the side parts and cabinets according to their preferences. These desks are made of beech wood painted in black. Each desk has containers on both sides each equipped with three drawers. On the back of these containers, there is an open space suitable for placing items like books. The frame of the desk is made of a sturdy triangular wooden structure featuring an angled plywood rib on the inner side. This design not only makes the desk strong but also gives it an iconic and recognizable shape. In good condition with normal surface wear. The collaboration with BBB Bonancina began with the Tric chair...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Organic Modern Accent Home Office Writing Desk Black Oak Wood Black Lacquer
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
João Faria created the stunning home desk ROOTS for contemporary and home offices. Rather than placed against a wall, it should stand in the middle of the room and be admired from al...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cut Steel, Metal, Steel

Small Queen Anne Period Walnut Bureau
Located in Folkestone, GB
A most enchanting Queen Anne period burr walnut bureau of highly desirable small proportions and superb colour. The herringbone and cross-banded fall enclosing a fully fitted stepped interior with small drawers and central cupboard door all cross...
Category

Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Ennio Fazioli terni desk for MIM Roma Italy 1958
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic desk designed by Ennio Fazioli and manufactured by his own company M.I.M Roma, Italy 1958. This desk is often sold as a design by Ico Parisi but as the Parisi book states, thi...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Walnut Leather Top Desk with Four Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style walnut desk from the 19th century with leather top, lateral pull-outs and tapered legs. This exquisite French Louis XVI style walnut desk from the 19th centu...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Mission Arts & Crafts Quartersawn Oak Library Table Desk 52"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Mission desk featuring rectangular form and quartersawn oak construction with classic slatted sides and lower shelf / foot rest. Includes ...
Category

Early 20th Century Mission Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Jesus Ballester Marco Spanish Revival Mahogany Sideboard Library Console Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Jesus Ballester Marco of Valencia, Spain sideboard, library console or writing desk. Made of mahogany featuring rectangular form with scrolled...
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

L. & J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak slant front writing desk or secretary desk By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 42"W x 17"D x 43"H. Writing surface...
Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Antique French Art Deco Cherry Wood Writing Desk Table by Quinet
Located in Detroit, MI
This antique French Art Deco writing desk table by Jacques Quinet (attr.) is circa 1940 with a provenance from the Hotel "Ma Campagne" in ...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry

19th Century Spanish Walnut Desk with Two Drawers & Strong Legs, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish walnut desk or console table with two drawers and strong turning legs and stretcher.
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Modern Arco da Augusta Console Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Arco da Augusta Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Inspired by Lisbon's historical arch and as a homage to the Portuguese architecture...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Directoire Walnut Desk Writing Table One Drawer, 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French 19th century Directoire walnut writing table. This antique table was very carefully reworked in the 20th century: part of the top was replaced and the legs were lengthened. A...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Directoire Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Modern Silhueta Console Table Carrara Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Silhueta console, Modern Collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Inspired by the organic shapes and lean silhouettes, this console adds a modern touch to every li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Brass

L. & J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Server or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak sideboard buffet server or writing desk By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 34"W x 20"D x 34.63"H. Tab...
Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

'Desk' by Six Dots Design surrealist metal
Located in London, GB
A unique surrealist desk that is the perfect statement piece in your office or home. Each of these pieces is hand made by artist and designer Joseph Ellwood, along side his team of ...
Category

2010s British Futurist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Desk In Mahogany Veneer Attributed To Gio Ponti, Italy 1950's
Located in Hellouw, NL
This desk is unassuming yet quietly captivating. Attributed to the renowned designer Gio Ponti, its elegant tapered legs draw the eye effortlessly. Veneered in rich mahogany, the des...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Charlotte Perriand Mexique Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charlotte Perriand, Mexique Table designed 1952, produced 2013 for Cassina, oak, enameled metal height 28in (71cm); width 45in (114cm); depth 31in (79cm)
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Wooden travel writing desk early 20th century with red velvet top
Located in Miami, FL
Travel writing desk in Mahogany wood with fruit wood filets . 3 Drawers The writing spot inside in red velvet. (The under table is not part of the writing box desk and is not for ...
Category

Early 20th Century Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid Century Leather Top Walnut Desk
Located in Denton, TX
Strong bold design by John Van Koert for Drexel furniture. A combination of walnut and oak makes this desk a stunning vintage piece of art. The writing surface is 30.25" high.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut

Kittinger Vintage Leather Top Inlaid Federal Style Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome vintage writing desk crafted in walnut in classic form featuring three tooled leather panels on a case with three drawers in front, the reverse side with false drawers, bra...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Italian Louis XVI Style Desk with Painted Charcoal Top and Light Brown Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Louis XVI style painted desk from the 20th century with five drawers and tapered legs. This exquisite Italian Louis XVI style painted desk from the 20th century captures t...
Category

20th Century Italian Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Regency Mahogany Writing Table By Gillows Of Lancaster
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top with leather writing surface that can adjust. The ends with hinged compartments. The frieze with a drawer. Raised on a trestle base with spindles and turned st...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Mid Century Danish Teak Executive Desk With Floating Top
Located in Chicago, IL
57” x 29.5” x 29.5”H; knee hole 28.5” x 25”H Striking Danish teak desk with a floating top. •extra large work surface •six drawers, two of which lock •long tapered legs •finished b...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

French writing Table 2 drawers in Solid Cherry Wood - Louis XVI Directoire style
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is part of the Mélanie collection, a modern interpretation of the French Directoire style of the late 18th century. This style is famous for its straight, classi...
Category

2010s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

Mid-Century Oak Curved French Desk
Located in London, GB
An oak curved desk. French, c1960s. Two drawers to each side. Generally very good condition, however there is one ding to the edge (see photos). PLEASE NOTE PRICES LISTED ARE...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Side Table Desk with Drawer
Located in Dallas, TX
This versatile, antique fruitwood end table could easily be mixed into any room in your home. The simple, linear Louis Philippe style side table was carved in the Poitou region of France, circa 1830. The small writing table...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Carved Lacquered Wood Italian Louis XVI Style Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Large Italian writing desk from the mid-20th century. Furniture in carved and lacquered wood in Louis XVI style of beautiful lines and pleas...
Category

1950s Italian Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Edwardian Desk / Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A smart and very well made antique Edwardian desk / writing table. This was made in England, it dates from the 1900-1910 period. It is of lovely quality, standing on tapered legs an...
Category

Early 1900s British Sheraton Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Early 20th century leather top desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century leather top mahogany desk circa 1910. Original red leather writing surface with gold tooling, with obvious signs of use.  Fitted with 3 drawers above the the knee...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

French Louis XV style inlaid writing table
Located in Cesena, FC
French Louis XV style inlaid writing table French writing table, elegant in form, Louis XV style, with drawer and decorative bronzes in the legs and contour of the top. Era: late 18...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Milo Desk (oak)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This desk is custom made in Los Angeles. The solid oak boards are cut to size and joined. The clean lines create functional cord management. OAK + BIRCH INTERIOR HARDWAX OIL FINISH ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Contemporary Veneered Dining Table. ALPI Sottsass Veneered Table Top 200 x 90cm
Located in London, GB
This stunning table is an original Studio James Stickley design. This post modern influenced but contemporary dining table is both bold and unique. A perfect statement piece for ...
Category

2010s European Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Executive desk designed by Luisa & Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, 1960
Located in Argelato, BO
An executive desk designed by the Italian Designers Ico & Luisa Parisi for MIM Rome in 1962 . Structure made from lacquered steel with aluminium supports , there’re three floating dr...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Light taupe Provenza Table with drawers
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Provenza Table in light taupe. In a refined solid wood structure, this beautiful writing table wit...
Category

2010s Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1560 Black Double Drawer Desk, 1950's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon Black Lacquer Desk. Featuring a rectangular frame with large smooth solid wood work surface, 2 spacious drawers, with 4 threaded dowe...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Contemporary Wood Veneered Dining Table. Yellow ALPI Sottsass Veneered Table Top
Located in London, GB
This stunning table is an original Studio James Stickley design. This post modern influenced but contemporary dining table is both bold and unique. A perfect statement piece for an...
Category

2010s European Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Desk in Mahogany Designed by Frits Heningsen, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Freestanding desk in mahogany with three drawers, designed and made by cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, great original condition.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

VINTAGE HARRODS KENNEDY BROWN LEATHER ARITECTURAL WRiTING TABLE OR DESK
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage, Harrods London retailed, REH Kennedy made, architects writing table with large single top drawer and brown leather writing surface Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price This is a wonderful find, this is a writing table that one large top drawer, traditionally these were found of navy campaign desks and they were known as map drawers...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

1930’s French Ebonised Desk with Leather Top
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style minister's desk in ebonized blackened wood with drawers and leather top from circa 1930’s. Good quality and elegant proportions in the Louis XVI style. Brass & gilde...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Wood

Jens Risom Executive Walnut Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American walnut executive desk designed by Jens Risom with four drawers on the right, one drawer in the middle, and one drawer and a filing drawer on the left. Both sides have writing pull out slides...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk ~ Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk ~ Bureau Plat is a beautifully preserved historical piece the design for which has inspired furniture makers since the middle of the 18th cen...
Category

1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Wood Veneered Dining Table. Red ALPI Sottsass Veneered Table Top
Located in London, GB
This stunning table is an original Studio James Stickley design. This post modern influenced but contemporary dining table is both bold and unique. A perfect statement piece for an...
Category

2010s European Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Dom Hans van der Laan Unique Desk with Copy of Original Drawings c. 1970
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dom Hans van der Laan unique desk with copy of original drawings. From a private doctor’s practice, Sint-Michielsgestel, the Netherlands c. 1970. Spruce, copper nails, paint. Colo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

19th Century French Ebonised Bureau Plât
Located in London, GB
A 19th Century French ebonised extendable bureau plât in Louis XV style with a red leather top. Decorated with brass fillets, bronze mountings and four arched feet with gilt bronze ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Fine Bronze Mounted Lion Head Mahogany French Louis XVI Style Desk Manner Linke
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular desk and features superb quality bronze and lion head pulls and ormolu. The desk has two sides and one side is faux and doesn't have drawers. Look for the keyho...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Gio Ponti's walnut desk and chair
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2602 Gio Ponti ( 1891-1979) Desk with walnut uprights and top, two drawers with brass handles and a chair designed for the University of Padua in the early 1950s. Italian manufa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Danish Vintage Desk by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A superb Danish vintage desk by Kai Kristiansen. This was recently imported from Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully made and is a gre...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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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