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20th Century Venetian Baroque Style Theater Prop Standing Desk
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
This unique outstanding high/standing desk in the Venetian Baroque style served as a prop in the
Category
20th Century European Baroque Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paper
Tubular Desk in Black Lacquered Metal and Glass Slab, 1930
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Rare modernist desk in black lacquered metal, Boussois glass top cast on sand citrine, 1930. The
Category
Vintage 1930s European Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Double Sided Desk in Black Lacquered by Florence Knoll, 1960s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brussels, BE
Double Sided Desk in Black Lacquered Wood And Chromed Steel Base by Florence Knoll, 1960
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Italian Wood Small Desk with Drawers by Schirolli Mantova, 1960s
Located in IT
Italian 1960s wood and brown wood effect laminated top small desk with drawers. On each drawer is
Category
Vintage 1960s European Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Midcentury Desk by Ate Van Apeldoorn, from Holland, circa 1970
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage midcentury desk by Ate Van Apeldoorn, from Holland, circa 1970. Heavy pine construction
Category
Vintage 1970s European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Rare Freestanding Desk by Frode Holm for Illums Bollighus, 1950s
By Illums Bolighus, Frode Holm
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A very rare freestanding desk designed by Frode Holm around 1950. Ultra minimalist design with
Category
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
1800
s Antique Renaissance Revival, Carved, Walnut, Musician Motif Table Desk
Located in Austin, TX
charm to their indoor space.
Renaissance Revival carved walnut side table/ small writing desk, late
Category
Antique 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
English Green Nautical Ship Painted Plymouth College Double School Desk Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid wood and metal English painted double school desk or child's writing table with depictions of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European British Colonial Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Metal
Mid-20th Century Rosewood "Boomerang" Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen Danish
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in London, GB
The exceptionally beautifully shaped Danish rosewood 'Boomerang' desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen for
Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Antique dressing table, Northern Europe, circa 1880. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Dressing table from the end of the 19th century.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 157 cm / width 110 cm / depth 47 cm
Category
Antique 1880s Norwegian Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid century modern front facing desk made of teak, circa 1960s
Located in Houston, TX
Mid century modern front facing desk made of teak, circa 1960s. This piece comes with six
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Important Art Deco Desk Table in Walnut with Black Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and important beautiful notched Art Decó desk.
It's made in walnut root and mahogany inside
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1960s French Unique Marquetry Wood Inlaid Desk/Vanity in Geometric Brown
White
Located in Aspen, CO
1960s French unique marquetry wood inlaid desk/vanity with a geometric black, brown, and white
Category
Vintage 1960s European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
John Vesey Style Brass and Steel Embossed Leather Top Executive Directoire Desk
By John Vesey
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
while providing a smooth workspace for writing, reading, or computer use.
The desk features three
Category
Early 2000s European Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Nick Karey, Burr Walnut Bespoke Made Desk for The Brake, 2000
s
Located in London, GB
This is a burr walnut bespoke made desk by Nick Karey for The Brake c.2000's
The rectangular top
Category
Early 2000s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
French Louis XV Style Three-Drawer Grey Desk with Brass Hardware
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous and unique French Louis XV style grey desk with brass hardware. Features three drawers
Category
Early 20th Century European Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Gilles Bouchez for Airborne Chrome and Glass Desk, France, circa 1965
By Gilles Bouchez
Located in London, GB
Midcentury French desk... The larger of this model 180 cm x 87.5 (depth)
Sleek Minimalist desk
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Antique English Arts
Crafts Oak Wood Drafting Work Table Desk Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Arts & Crafts oakwood drafting work table desk stand. Listing includes cast iron
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Franco Albini, Model 80 Desk in Chromed Steel and Glass, 1949
By Franco Albini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Franco Albini for Knoll, attributed to.
Model 80 desk with a right-side compartment with two
Category
Vintage 1940s European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Gio Ponti Small Desk Mid-Century Italian Design Laminate Brass Walnut
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Gio Ponti small desk mid-century Italian design laminate brass walnut.
including Certificate of
Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Altuglas Architect
s Office by Gacita and Tiberi for Mode Europe, 1970
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Architect's desk in smoked altuglas and rectangular glass top by Marcello GACITA and Pierre TIBERI
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Altuglas
Scandinavian Style Design Desk in Beechwood and Orange Lacquered Library, 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Scandinavian style design desk in veneered beech wood opening with three drawers in apron enhanced
Category
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
Chippendale Style Slant Top Desk in Black Lacquered Wood, circa 1900
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chippendale style slant top desk in black lacquered wood. Inferior part opening by three drawers
Category
Antique Early 1900s European Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Oak Carved and Barley Twist Library Table Desk Sofa Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
frieze with two corresponding false drawers to the reverse side. The desk is punctuated with six hand
Category
Antique 1880s European Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Desk or Dining Table Designed by Poul Volther for FDB Mobler, Denmark, 1950’s
By FDB Møbler, Poul Volther
Located in Antwerp, BE
Interesting desk or dining table designed by Poul Volther for FDB Mobler, Denmark 1950’s. The top
Category
Vintage 1950s European Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Teak
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Freestanding Carlton Ho
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian quality mahogany and satinwood inlaid freestanding Carlton house desk
boasting a
Category
Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Other
Bureau Plat, late 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small ebonized bureau plat from the later 19th century with red leather-covered writing surfaces
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather
19th Century Signed P. Sormani Side Table
Located in Dallas, TX
pull-out leather top sides. Drawer opens to reveal writing surface and inkwell.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Oak Table
Located in Dallas, TX
desk.
Measurements: 56” L x 29.5” D x 31” H.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$2,100
1800
s Antique Cont
al Gothic Revival, Black P
d, Armorial, Fall-Front Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
painted, Armorial, Fall Front desk. A stunning piece that stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of
Category
Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
17th C. Italian Walnut Baroque Trestle Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
supports. Perfect size to use as a writing table, sofa or center table.
Category
Antique Late 17th Century European Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport
Located in Suffolk, GB
lid with a brown leather writing surface crossbanded in walnut. The lid opens to reveal a fitted
Category
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
French Renaissance Style Library Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
homage to the early European craftsman.
The Fine table is decorated with carvings of egg and dart
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$8,430 / item
19th Century Carved Rosewood Occasional Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality carved rosewood occasional table or desk, circa 1880.
Beautiful grain and color to
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Empire Bureau Plat, First Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Bureau plat standing on curved legs with blackened lion’s paws. The desk has three drawers and is
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Louis XV Provincial Walnut Occasional Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Louis XV provincial walnut single drawer occasional table / writing table, with serpentine shaped
Category
Antique Late 18th Century European Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Midcentury Pine Table Designed by Ate Van Apeldoorn, Holland, circa 1970
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage midcentury table designed by Ate Van Apeldoorn, Holland, circa 1970. Solid pine construction with nice wear and patina.
Category
Vintage 1970s European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Rare Brutalist Table from France, 1960s
Located in Nashville, TN
Rare brutalist table from France, 1960s. Solid stained pine construction with nice wear and patina. Very unusual model.
Category
Vintage 1960s European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Goncalo Alves Bureau Plat Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in London, by appointment only
Nicholas wells antiques is delighted to offer this magnificent gilt bronze mounted coil walnut Goncalo Alves and tulipwood bureau plat attributed to Gillows,
England, circa 1860
...
Category
Antique 19th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Quality Burr Walnut Side Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique quality burr walnut side table having a delightful carved gallery back and a fantastic quality burr walnut shaped top with a carved edge above a serpentine shaped drawer flan...
Category
20th Century European Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Victorian Ebonized and Fruitwood Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with a drawer below and fruitwood knob, raised on barley twist legs joined by a turned stretcher. Ex William Hodgins Estate.
Category
Antique Early 1700s European Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Paint
Victorian Burr Walnut Inlaid Davenport
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Victorian burr walnut and inlaid davenport in nice condition. It has a brass gallery to the top with an ink well either side with decorative inlay surrounding each. The top has a tan...
Category
Antique 1870s European Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Continental Empire Style Karelian Birch Bureau Plat
Located in New York, NY
The black tooled leather inset top over a frieze drawer flanked by two drawers, all with diamond stringing and escutcheons set between ebonized pilasters with foliated capitals, with...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Louis XV Style Gilt Metal and Kingwood Bureau Plat
Located in Astoria, NY
rectangular top inset leather writing surface above three frieze drawers, on tall cabriole legs. 31.5" H x 60
Category
Early 20th Century European Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Italian Cypresswood Library or Dining Table, 2nd Quarter, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rectangular top with molded edge atop an apron above turned legs, the upper sections of the legs with a peculiar characteristic, a seemingly octagonal turning with only five stra...
Category
Antique 1840s European Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cypress
Bureau En Palissandre Des Années, 1960
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
Exceptionnel Bureau en palissandre toutes face des années 1960, dans l'esprit du design italien de la seconde moitié du XXéme siècles, à 3 tiroirs en ceinture. La facade visiteur est...
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Palisander
Scrivania in Rattan e Cuoio Italo Gasparucci
Located in Conversano, IT
Esclusiva scrivania in rattan tinto rosso con pregevoli dettagli in cuoio intrecciato, dotata di un resistente piano in legno massello realizzata dal designer italiano Italo Gasparuc...
Category
Vintage 1970s European Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Rattan, Hardwood
18th Century Georgian Elm Lowboy Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
18th century elm lowboy with a quartered veneered moulded edge elm top with walnut crossbanding with a single oak lined drawer with original handle, standing on cabriole legs termina...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century European Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
18th Century French Work Table with Cloven Hoof
Located in Hudson, NY
Graceful and beautiful French Rococo work table. With graceful Cabrio legs terminating in petitly carved feet.
Made entirely of fruitwood the patina is absolutely gorgeous not to men...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century European Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Oak
Georgian Mahogany Eight-Drawer Leather Top Drum Table, A. Solomon, circa 1780
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful English Georgian mahogany eight-drawer drum table with its original leather top, supported by a turned pedestal with four splayed legs, terminating with brass feet on cas...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century European Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Continental Metal Perforated Black Table, Late 1960s
Located in London, GB
Continental metal and wooden perforated black table with yellow and white panels.
Late 1960s-early 1970s.
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Oval Black Glass Table
Full Length Mirror on Tulip Foot
Located in London, GB
the table very sculptural. This table is metamorphic, it can be a dining table / desk when the black
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut, Burl and Leather Library Table, circa 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Renaissance Revival single drawer library table features walnut construction with burl die joint legs connected by stretcher with central finial supporting an inset leather t...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century European Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing ...
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Burl
18th Century George III Period Light Oak Country House Bureau
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
in Bruges (Belgium) Europe.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century European George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Adjustable Jugendstil Working Table with Inkwell for Craftsman
Artists
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautiful design jugendstil work table.
This solid beechwood table with lid and original glass inkwell certainly has signs of usage, but the overal condition in terms of ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Jugendstil Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
C19th European painted cylinder writing desk
By Bonzanigo
Located in Dereham, GB
C19th European painted cylinder writing desk
Cream with blue stencil decoration.
Recently re
Category
Antique 1860s Italian Baroque Desks
Materials
Walnut
Regency Mahogany Desk/Writing Table
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in Folkestone, GB
A fine quality early 19th century mahogany writing desk in the manner of Gillows of Lancaster and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Regency Desks
Materials
Mahogany
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European Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal European writing desk for your home. A European writing desk — often made from wood, metal and mahogany — can elevate any home. Find 277 options for an antique or vintage European writing desk now, or shop our selection of 28 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer European writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A European writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Victorian and Louis XV styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one European writing desk that is appealing in its simplicity, but Jacques Adnet, Lukas Friedrich and Privatiselectionem produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a European Writing Desk?
The average selling price for a European writing desk at 1stDibs is $3,691, while they’re typically $540 on the low end and $184,235 for the highest priced.
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 European 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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