Desks and Writing Tables
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
1960s German Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Formica, Teak
1880s American Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Faux Leather
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
20th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Burl, Lacquer
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
2010s British Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood, Teak
Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
2010s Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Zinc
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
2010s Argentine Other Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Wood
20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Stone, Brass
2010s Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Fruitwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Ceramic, Beech
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1860s British Mid-Century Modern Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ceramic, Wood
1930s German Other Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Ash
2010s American Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Birdseye Maple, Ebony, Walnut
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Nutwood
1930s Slovak Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Wood
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Elm
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
19th Century English Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
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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