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Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Lovely George III circa 1780 Double Sided Walnut Partner Desk Original Handles
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
twin pedestal double sided partner desk with period handles and green leather surface A very well
Category

1780s English George III Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Ostrich Leather, Walnut

Antique Restored Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partners Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
pedestal, double sided partners desk which has been fully restored A truly stunning and exquisitely made
Category

1880s Danish High Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Original George III circa 1780 Double Sided Walnut Partner Desk Lion Head Handle
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
twin pedestal double sided partner desk with Lion head handles and brown leather surface A very well
Category

1780s English George III Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Walnut

ANTIQUE RESTORED C HINDLEY SON ENGLISH OAK GREEN LEATHER DOUBLE SiDED DESK
By Charles Hindley Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
important fully restored C Hindley & Son’s circa 1845 English Oak & Green Leather double sided partner desk
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Oak

Stamped Gillows Lancaster Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Figured Oak
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
pedestal double sided partner desk in panelled figured oak An exceptionally rare example of a early
Category

19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Amboyna

MUSEUM QUALITY ANTiQUE PARTNER DESK 17TH CENTURY HAND CARVED RELIGIOUS PANELS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
, Exhibition Museum quality, hand carved Walnut double sided partner desk circa 1860 and made with original
Category

1860s European High Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Rare Victorian Holland and Sons Double Sided Hardwood Partner Desk Writing Table
By Holland Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Son’s mahogany double sided library table or partner desk fully stamped. A very rare and luxury desk
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Antique Rare Victorian Holland and Sons Double Sided Hardwood Partner Desk Writing Table
Rare Victorian Holland and Sons Double Sided Hardwood Partner Desk Writing Table
$24,038 Sale Price
30% Off
H 29.73 in W 71.66 in D 47.45 in

Recent Sales

Beautiful19th Century Lions Head and Claw Foot Partners Desk
By Herter Brothers
Located in Mount Penn, PA
19th century deeply carved double-sided partner desk with a drawer on both sides of the desk. In
Category

1870s American High Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Double Sided Wrought Iron Partners Desk
Located in Pasadena, CA
Gorgeous old partners desk . Often were in old art nouveaux French banks.Great waxed raw metal
Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Wrought Iron

French 19th century double-sided burled elm partners desk
By Lalalurette
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional French 19th century double-sided burled elm partners' desk with leather embossed top
Category

19th Century French Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

IMPORTANT WALNUT BROWN LEATHER DOUBLE SIDED PARTNERS DESK CUSHION DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Victorian circa 1880, Walnut twin pedestal, double sided partners desk with hand dyed brown leather top
Category

1880s English High Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Huge Antique Double-Sided Partners Desk, Victorian Era, circa 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Important minister / notary desk / double desk / partner desk in walnut. This desk has: - 17
Category

1880s European Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Bronze

Georgian 12 Drawer 2 Cupboard Campaign Twin Pedestal Double Sided Partner Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
12 drawer 2 cupboard Georgian Campaign mahogany luxury premium twin pedestal partner desk with dark
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Victorian 12 Drawer 2 Cupboard Twin Pedestal Double Sided Partner Desk Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
12 drawer 2 cupboard Victorian mahogany luxury premium twin pedestal partner desk with green gold
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

19th Century English Partners Desk
Located in Hanover, MA
Massive mahogany double-sided partners desk constructed of fine mahogany with green gold-tooled
Category

19th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Partners Desk
19th Century English Partners Desk
H 31 in W 72 in D 43 in
Antique Mahogany Double Sided Executive Partners Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and imposing antique mahogany double sided partners desk of large proportions, the
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Original Double Sided Twin Pedestal Victorian Mahogany Partner Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Lovely original Victorian solid mahogany twin pedestal double sided partner desk Please note the
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Mid 1800s English Mahogany Partner Desk With Tooled Leather Top
Located in Centennial, CO
A gorgeous antique mid 1800s English mahogany double sided partner's desk with tan leather top that
Category

Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Brass

William IV Mahogany Double-Sided Partner s Library Writing Table or Desk
Located in Downingtown, PA
The leather lined rectangular top above two frieze drawers on each side, raised on tapering reeded
Category

Mid-18th Century English Regency Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Large Victorian 16-Drawer Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Brown Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this large Victorian twin pedestal 16 drawer 4 sliding work shelf, double sided
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Huge 18 Drawer Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Mahogany Oxblood Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this huge Victorian twin pedestal 18-drawer double sided
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Victorian 12-Drawer 2 Cupboard Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
double sided mahogany partner desk with green leather top This desk is a good medium size, the main
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Victorian Oak 18 Drawer Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Green Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this large Victorian twin pedestal 18 drawers double sided solid
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Oak

19th Century Victorian Mahogany Double-Sided Partner s Library Writing Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique Victorian partners writing desk. The table has three drawers on both sides. Warm
Category

1860s British William IV Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Swedish Partners Desk
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century double sided Swedish partners desk. With fourteen drawers, the top two are faux
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Partners Desk
19th Century Swedish Partners Desk
H 30.71 in W 48.82 in D 27.17 in
19th Century William IV Mahogany Double-Sided Partner s Library Writing Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique William IV partners writing desk. The table has three drawers on both sides. Warm
Category

1830s British William IV Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century William IV Mahogany Double-Sided Partner s Library Writing Table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique William IV partners writing desk. The table has three drawers on both sides. Warm
Category

1830s British William IV Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

George III Rosewood Library Partner s Desk
Located in Lymington, GB
An exceptional George III period rosewood library partner's desk, circa 1810. It is unusual to
Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Rosewood

George III Rosewood Library Partner
s Desk
George III Rosewood Library Partner
s Desk
H 31.5 in W 59.06 in L 31.5 in
English Late Regency Mahogany Partner s Desk Library Table
Located in Essex, MA
Mahogany Late Regency Double Sided Library Table or Partner's Desk. Turned Neoclassical Sheraton
Category

19th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

c. 1860 Double Sided English Paper Mache Desk Standish
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 double sided papier mache desk standish, English. Unusual double sided form for a small
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Paper

STUNNING RESTORED ANTIQUE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAYS STAMPED TWO SiDE PARTNERS DESK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
late Victorian Great Western Railways stamped double sided twin pedestal partner desk with extra
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Oak

Huge Rare Hand Carved Double Sided English Oak Edwardian Pedestal Desk Green Man
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Edwardian Oak double sided 12 drawer 2 cupboard partner desk A very rare find, these desks pop up from time
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Oak

Antique RJ Horner Carved Oak Partners Desk circa 1900
By R.J. Horner Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique RJ Horner partners desk (double sided allowing two people to work at the desk
Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Oak

Antique 1880 Double Sided 15 Drawer 2 Cupboard Burr Elm Military Campaign Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very rare and highly collectable, double sided, original Military
Category

1880s English Campaign Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Elm

Campaign Desk
Located in New York, NY
is a double-sided faux partner's desk.
Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Campaign Desk
Campaign Desk
H 29 in W 52 in D 24.5 in
12 Drawers 2 Cupboard Victorian 1880 Double Sided Partner Desk Oxblood Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
pedestal partner desk with oxblood leather writing surface This desk is large and in charge, its
Category

1880s English High Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Restored Antique Georgain 1820 Double Sided Oak Pedestal Desk Brown Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
dyed brown leather top, twin pedestal double sided partner desk A very well made piece, the timber
Category

1820s English Georgian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Oak

Victorian Sapele Wood Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Brown Leather Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
wood double sided partner desk with reddish brown leather top and oversized castors This desk is a
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Wood

32 Drawers Double Sided Twin Pedestal Oak Partners Desk Haberdashery Edwardian
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very large double sided twin pedestal partner desk from the
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Oak

19th Century George III Double-Sided Partner Leather-Top Library Table or Desk
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Antique George III leather and mahogany double sided partner writing table desk. We love the
Category

Late 19th Century English George III Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Brass

Monumental Victorian 9 Drawer 2 Cupboard Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
drawers 2 cupboards double sided mahogany partner desk. This desk is massive, originally designed as
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Big Victorian 18-Drawer Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Oxblood Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this large Victorian twin pedestal 18 drawer double sided
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Huge 9-Drawer 2-Cupboard Double Sided Twin Pedestal Partner Desk Oxblood Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
sided Mahogany partner desk with oxblood leather top This desk is monumental, originally designed as
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

William IV Mahogany Leather Top Double Sided Partners Library Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
inset leather and it stands on long elegant turned chevron and tulip carved legs. The desk has a three
Category

Early 19th Century English William IV Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

George III Period Mahogany Library Partner s Desk
Located in Lymington, GB
all the locks. This double-sided antique English Regency period partner's desk divides into three
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Huge Victorian Double Sided 8 Drawer 2 Cupboard Mahogany Leather Writing Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Victorian, circa 1880 double sided solid mahogany partner desk with a green leather lot and monumental
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Huge Antique Double Sided Partners Desk.
Located in Lancashire, GB
Huge Antique Double Sided Partners Desk. This is a fabulous, 19th century antique work station
Category

19th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Pine

Huge Antique Double Sided Partners Desk.
Huge Antique Double Sided Partners Desk.
H 30.31 in W 66.54 in D 49.61 in
19th Century Impressive Georgian Mahogany Double Sided Partners Desk
Located in London, GB
An impressive double sided partners desk with dark red tooled leather top over three drawers to
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

A Georgian Partners Desk.
Located in Dublin, IE
A Georgian mahogany double sided partner's desk with brass carrying handles on each side. Height
Category

18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Brass

Large Louis XVI Style Double-Sided Ebonized Desk
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very smart and unusually large, circa 1920s French ebonized double-sided partner's desk in the
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Wood

Large Louis XVI Style Double-Sided Ebonized Desk
Large Louis XVI Style Double-Sided Ebonized Desk
H 29.53 in W 77.17 in D 43.71 in
Exceptionally Large English Partners Desk, An Attorney s Dream
Located in Miami, FL
Superb very large, double sided partner's desk, with two drawers on each length and one on each end
Category

19th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Double Sided George V Partners Desk in Oak with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Tarleton, GB
Partners desk  This desk is absolutely stunning.  An original partners desk sourced
Category

1910s British Art Nouveau Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Oak

Large 19th century 18 drawer double sided mahogany partners desk
Located in Chelmsford, GB
A fantastic large Victorian mahogany partners desk . The desk has18 drawers in total 9 each side
Category

Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Partners Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very fine antique English Regency double pedestal partners' desk. Both sides with 4 apron drawers
Category

19th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Partners Desk
Antique English Partners Desk
H 30 in W 71 in D 47 in
Antique Partners Desk Oak 19th Century Victorian, circa 1850
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
, comes with one working. Summary: Antique 19th century Victorian Partners desk Double sided Oak
Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Oak

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18th Century Mahogany Large Pembroke Dining Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Good Quality And Unusually Large Late 18th Century Mahogany Pembroke Dining Table Having Well Figured Top With Two Hinged Flaps Over One Drawer And One False Drawer Raised On Eleg...
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Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany

RESTORED CHESTERFIELD TUFTED HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER LIBRARY RECLINER ARMCHAiR
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, top to bottom restored, hand dyed deep Cigar brown leather reclining armchair Ple...
Category

20th Century English Chesterfield Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather

Custom Regency Style 56" Diameter Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Swathed in the finest figured mahogany, this 56” diameter table features a bold pedestal comprised of a tapered octagonal column having an ebonized collar and terminating on a platfo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood, Ebony

LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Brass

LU Swing Sconce
LU Swing Sconce
$1,800 / item
H 15 in W 5 in D 25.25 in
French Style Wrought Iron Greenhouse with Door and Windows in White Color
Located in Marbella, ES
French style wrought iron greenhouse with doors and windows that open outwards. Ready for glass panels to be installed.
Category

2010s French Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Iron

19th Century English Olivewood and Brass Inlaid Cabinet
By Town Emanuel
Located in London, GB
A William IV cabinet attributed to Town and Emmanuel Constructed in a strongly grained olivewood and dressed with gold brass inlays and an etched and engraved brass panel; rising fr...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century English Olivewood and Brass Inlaid Cabinet
19th Century English Olivewood and Brass Inlaid Cabinet
$51,511
H 46.25 in W 33.5 in D 16.75 in
Pair 19th Century Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century diminutive Italian Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère chairs composed of mahogany and gilded accents. and newly upholstered in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet.
Category

19th Century Italian Empire Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Set of 12 Minton Gold Rimmed Porcelain Ball Dinner Plates
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
One of Minton's most popular patterns is named "Porcelain Ball” which features a large diameter plate bordered by a gold and white floral decoration and trimmed with an acid etc...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century French Gothic Style Hand Carved Oak Armchair, Throne
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Gothic style oak coffer armchair features eight hand carved panels in the lower apron and seat back, each with different Gothic motifs. The two lo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Gothic Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Oak

Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection.  A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influentia...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Linen

Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
$5,023 / item
H 38.98 in W 33.86 in D 37.41 in
Inverary Set of Fifteen Leather Bound Books
Located in New York, NY
Inverary set of fifteen leather bound books. The Annual Register or A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for the year comprising the years 1765-1792: volume 8, 9, 10, 11,...
Category

18th Century English Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Paper

Inverary Set of Fifteen Leather Bound Books
Inverary Set of Fifteen Leather Bound Books
$995 / set
H 8.5 in W 5.5 in D 1.5 in
George IV Gilt Sugar Bowl
By Benjamin Smith
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite George IV period silver sugar bowl by the celebrated Benjamin Smith is crafted in an exuberant Rococo style. From the floral and foliate handles to the delicately engr...
Category

19th Century English Rococo Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Sterling Silver

George IV Gilt Sugar Bowl
George IV Gilt Sugar Bowl
$16,850
H 5.25 in W 9.63 in D 6 in
English 1930s Art Deco Walnut Double Bed
Located in Devon, England
Wonderful 1930s English walnut double bed. The veneers really make this bed outstanding book paged veneers throughout with walnut feather banding to the edges. Standard English doubl...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Iron

English 1930s Art Deco Walnut Double Bed
English 1930s Art Deco Walnut Double Bed
$2,541 / set
H 45.48 in W 53.94 in D 74.02 in
EXQUISITE ANTIQUE CIR 1840 HAND CARVED LIONS HEAD CHESTERFIELD LiBRARY ARMCHAIR
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, collectable circa 1840-1860 English Victorian hand carved Mahogany framed Library reading armch...
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

19th Century French Renaissance Hand Carved Desk or Writing Table with Carved St
Located in Miami, FL
We are delighted with this four-sided carved desk with five dark oak drawers. This is a collectible desk. It has five front drawers and another five false drawers at the back, maki...
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Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

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Walnut

19th Century Regency Limestone Mantelpiece
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Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Double Sided Partners Desk

Materials

Limestone

19th Century Regency Limestone Mantelpiece
19th Century Regency Limestone Mantelpiece
$22,692
H 45.25 in W 60 in D 7 in
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Antique Double Sided Partners Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic antique double sided partners desk available at 1stDibs. Each antique double sided partners desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and animal skin. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer antique double sided partners desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right antique double sided partners desk, those designed in Victorian, Georgian and Regency styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one antique double sided partners desk that is appealing in its simplicity, but Gillows of Lancaster London and Holland Sons produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Antique Double Sided Partners Desk?

Prices for an antique double sided partners desk start at $1,900 and top out at $33,701 with the average selling for $4,718.

Finding the Right Desks-writing-tables for You

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.