Early American Writing Desk
Antique Late 19th Century American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Poplar
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Early 20th Century American Mission Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Pine
Early 20th Century American American Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Maple, Lacquer
Vintage 1970s American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood, Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Industrial Desk Sets
Iron
Early 20th Century American American Empire Desks
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Desks
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Federal Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Bookcases
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century American Secretaires
Poplar, Pine
Early 20th Century American Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century European American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Leather
Antique Early 19th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Poplar, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry
Antique 19th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Antique 19th Century Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Antique Early 1800s North American Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s American Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century North American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker, Wood
Early 20th Century North American Mission Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century North American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century North American Primitive Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century North American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century North American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century Central American Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century North American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century North American Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century North American Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century North American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century American Desks
Wood
Early 20th Century American More Desk Accessories
Pine
Vintage 1960s American Colonial Desks
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Desks
Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American American Empire Desks
Mahogany, Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Regency Console Tables
Cherry
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Table Lamps
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Early 20th Century North American American Classical Desks and Writing T...
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Early 20th Century North American Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Mission Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Birdseye Maple
Early 20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century North American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Mirror, Oak
Early 20th Century North American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Early 20th Century North American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Pine
Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century American Schoolhouse Desks and Writing Tables
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Side Tables
Birch, Elm
2010s American Minimalist Wardrobes and Armoires
Oak
20th Century American Books
Paper
Antique 18th Century American Rustic Console Tables
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Stools
Oak
2010s Turkish Modern Canapes
Bouclé, Hardwood, Foam, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Jacobean Benches
Wood
Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables
Wrought Iron
Antique 1890s Great Britain (UK) Arts and Crafts Fireplaces and Mantels
Copper, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Vintage 1970s Armchairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century North American Federal Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
Cherry
Early American Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Early American Writing Desk?
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.
Read More
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
This Alain Delon–Designed Table Is Almost as Handsome as He Was
Fans of the French film star may be surprised to learn that he had a flair for furniture with sleek lines and disco-era flash.
Uchronia’s Plant Stand Gives Pots a Pretty Perch with All the Trimmings
Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Inspired by the Cosmos, Sandra Nunnerley’s Nova Table Has a Futuristic Feel
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
In Guadalajara, These Luscious Side Tables Are Chiseled from Volcanic Rock
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.













