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18th Century Italian Louis XVI Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. Louis XVI period with classic spiked legs
Category
Antique 1780s Italian Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. Rare and precious solid walnut wood
Category
Antique 1850s Italian Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Cherry Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. Louis Philippe period with Classic shapely legs
Category
Antique 1850s Italian Louis Philippe Desks
Materials
Cherry
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian writing desk. Rare and precious solid walnut wood. Comfortable size for a
Category
Antique 1850s Italian Louis Philippe Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. Louis Philippe period with classic shapely legs
Category
Antique 1850s Italian Louis Philippe Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. Louis Philippe period with Classic shapely legs
Category
Antique 1880s Italian Louis Philippe Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. Louis Philippe period with Classic shapely legs
Category
Antique 1850s Italian Louis Philippe Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Charles X Walnut Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian writing desk. Rare and precious solid walnut wood. Comfortable size for a
Category
Antique 1820s Italian Charles X Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Mahogany Wood Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. Rare and precious veneered Mahogany wood
Category
Antique 1850s Italian Desks
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Style Oak Writing Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant late 19th-century French writing desk in the style of Napoleon III sourced from Provence
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks
Materials
Oak
Arne Vodder Teak Vanity / Writing Desk for Sibast Møbler
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the workshop of Sibast Møbler in Denmark during the 1950s. Our elegant Scandinavian writing desk is
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Teak, Lacquer, Mirror
19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Cherry Wood Antique Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian writing desk. Rare and precious solid cherry wood. Comfortable size for a
Category
Antique 1840s Italian Louis Philippe Desks
Materials
Walnut
20th Century Italian Louis XVI Style Inlaid Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant Italian Louis XVI style writing desk. Rare and precious solid walnut wood. Comfortable size
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Italian Charles X Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian Charles X writing desk. The desk is made of walnut wood. Simple essential
Category
Antique 1820s Italian Charles X Desks
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Italian Louis XV Walnut Writing Desk, Cabriolet Legs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. 18th century Louis XV period with classic
Category
Antique 1740s Italian Renaissance Desks
Materials
Walnut
Arne Vodder Teak Wood Vanity / Writing Desk for Sibast Møbler
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the workshop of Sibast Møbler in Denmark during the 1950s. Our elegant Scandinavian writing desk is
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Teak
19th Century Italian Florence Renaissance Style Walnut Writing Desk, Lyre Legs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant and essential antique Italian writing desk. 19th century Renaissance style period with
Category
Antique 1890s Italian Renaissance Desks
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Inlaid Walnut Antique Writing Table, Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian Louis XVI writing desk. The desk is made of solid walnut wood. Simple
Category
Antique 1780s Italian Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk Secretary from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
elegant writing desk crafted from solid walnut, stands on cabriole legs over a scalloped apron and dressed
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Bombe Cherry Desk Secretary Scriban from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
functional; the elegant writing desk crafted from solid cherrywood, features four serpentine drawers across
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
60
s Desk by Hooker
By Hooker Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 1960's walnut writing desk with four drawers, by Hooker
Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks
Materials
Walnut
$4,900
19th Century Swedish Desk Circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant Swedish writing desk, dating to the late 19th century, is a timeless example of
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Pine
Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk by Nanna Ditzel
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Historic and elegant three-drawer writing desk by Nanna Ditzel.
Professional, skilled furniture
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
1960s Danish Modular Wall System by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Victoria, BC
, an elegant writing desk with dual drawers, and multiple shelving options—all designed to adapt to
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Elegant Carved Wood 19th Century French Louis XV Table Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
perfect for a small dining table or impressive writing desk.
#3515
Measures: H skirt 22.5".
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
18 century tuscany cerrywood desck
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant neoclassical writing desk from the end of the 18th century entirely veneered in cherry wood
Category
Antique 1770s Italian Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Fruitwood
Midcentury wood writing desk designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy 1970
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant midcentury wood writing desk designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy 1970.
Two drawers.
The
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Bookcases slash Writing Desks BB02 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman
Located in Doornspijk, NL
the white inner lay-out make the bookcases slash writing desks very elegant.
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Teak Eu02 Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Nijlen, VAN
Elegant Dutch writing desk.
This model (EU02) was designed by Cees Braakman. it's a desk
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Furniture
Materials
Teak
Rustic French Trestle Table in Pine from France
Located in Schellebelle, BE
writing desk,
elegant Rustic,Antique table for multi purposes.
Category
Vintage 1920s French Center Tables
Materials
Pine
Scandinavian Modern Teak Secretaire by Gunnar Falsig 1960s
By Holstebro Møbelfabrik, Gunnar Falsig
Located in Asaa, DK
with curved front. Very elegant and versatile, both a writing desk and a chest of drawers. Manufactured
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Vintage Thonet Dining Table No. 119, c. 1930s
By Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
table, writing desk, or elegant accent table in traditional, transitional, or minimalist spaces.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Dining Room Tables
Materials
Beech
Shanghai Deco Chinese Reeded Leg Dining Table, c. 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
rich patina. Ideal as a dining table or writing desk, the elegant table includes a removable center
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
Elegant Writing Desk with Zebra Motif Stone Top by Maitland Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Elegant writing desk, top with hand-set stone marquetry in zebra motif, by Maitland Smith, American
Category
Late 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Art Deco Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Macassar veneer - table desk with shaped top; three drawers underneath. Keyed middle drawer
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Elegant Writing Desk by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Peabody, MA
Sensuous writing desk with tapered saber legs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Writing Desk Teak Italy 1950s-1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant writing desk in teak veneered wood with three drawers under the top.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Jacob Kjaer Mahogany Writing Desk
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant writing desk made in mahogany. Legs with brass shoes. Made in high quality. We have reason
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An elegant writing desk designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The desk features a rosewood top
Category
Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Louis XVI Style Writing Desk
Located in Austin, TX
museum quality French polish. This elegant writing desk features three dovetailed drawers, square tapered
Category
Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Marguerite Contemporary design Maple Wood Writing Desk by Giordano Viganò
By Giordano Viganò
Located in Novedrate, IT
Marguerite is an elegant writing desk made of maple wood with a thin edging in amaranth wood. A pen
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Danish Desk in Rosewood and Black Steel Frame
Located in Waalwijk, NL
metal. This functional, minimalist and elegant writing desk is designed with high attention to detail
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Elegant Tessellated Horn Writing Desk in the Style of Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Ferndale, MI
Elegant writing desk with three drawers on one side. Covered in rectangular horn tiles.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Desks
Materials
Horn
Mid 18th Century Tuscany Flap Desk
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant writing desk with walnut veneered drop-leaf top with solid wood parts. Particular for the
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Four Drawer Pedestal Desk, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Finely crafted of northern elmwood (yumu), this elegant writing desk once stood centerpiece in the
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Danish Freestanding Desk in Oak, 1960s.
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-Century Danish Freestanding Desk in Oak, 1960s.
Stylish and elegant writing desk in solid
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk with Distressed Leather Top
Located in Buchanan, NY
An elegant writing desk made in solid mahogany with brass trims and a tooled leather writing
Category
Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-Century Danish Freestanding Oak Desk attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s.
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Asaa, DK
elegant writing desk in solid and veneered Nordic white oak attributed to Danish architect Henning
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Mid-Century Danish Freestanding Oak Desk attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s.
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-Century Danish Freestanding Oak Desk attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s.
Stylish and elegant
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Danish Rosewood Desk with Steel Frame
Located in Waalwijk, NL
metal. This functional, Minimalist and elegant writing desk is designed with high attention to detail
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Elegant Mahogany Vintage Writing Desk with Black Leather Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An elegant custom mahogany writing desk having 3 smoothly functioning drawers on one side
Category
Vintage 1970s American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Elegant Hardwood Asian Campaign Style Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A gorgeous and rare Huanghuali wood desk purchased 25 years ago at an antiques store in Singapore
Category
Antique 19th Century Singaporean Chinese Export Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Elegant Edwardian Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
An elegant Edwardian mahogany writing table
The desk stands on elegant turned legs joined by a
Category
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Elegant 19th Century Boulle French Antique Centre Table or Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Napoleon III French kidney shaped centre table and desk with overall Boulle
Category
Antique 1880s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Black Lacquer Writing Table Desk by Maison Jansen, France, 1950
By Maison Jansen
Located in Brussels, BE
drawers, 3 keys, brass details and green finely tooled leather top.
Elegant tapered legs ending with
Category
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Elegant Black Bureau Plat / Writing Desk in Louis XV, Beech
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century elegant black bureau plat / writing desk in Louis XV, beech
Exclusive bureau plat
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Elegant Black Bureau Plat / Writing Desk in Louis XV, Beech
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century elegant black bureau plat / writing desk in Louis XV, beech
Exclusive bureau plat
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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Elegant Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the elegant writing desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every elegant writing desk was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for an elegant writing desk, we have 133 options in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer elegant writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. An elegant writing desk made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made elegant writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Paul Frankl, Baker Furniture Company and Haslev Mobelsnedkeri are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Elegant Writing Desk?
Prices for an elegant writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $645 and can go as high as $27,100, while the average can fetch as much as $4,800.
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.
Questions About Elegant Writing Desk
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.
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