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Aluminium Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Desk in painted aluminium with laminate top from Carlotti. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Vintage Hekman White Chinoiserie Rattan Desk with Glass Top
By Hekman Furniture
Located in Sarasota, FL
This vintage Hekman rattan desk combines elegance and functionality with its intricate fretwork
Category

Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rustic Industrial Aged Patina Wooden Desk with Metal Accents
Located in High Point, NC
This vintage wooden desk exudes rustic industrial charm with its weathered green patina and
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Rustic Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Fornasetti Desk and Chair "FIORI NELLA NOTTE" - Unique Pieces
By Fornasetti
Located in Rome, RM
that seats four. Hand painted lacquered wood. Desk: 76cm x 74cm x 40cm Chair: 94cm x 47cm x 47cm
Category

Early 2000s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Ebonised and gold painted table, 1920s
Located in Lisboa, PT
Rectangular Art Nouveau console writing table, or desk with an ebonised table top and a gold and
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Knoll K. Stand Electric Height-Adjustable Rectangle White Table Desk
By Knoll
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Elegant K. stand ergonomic height-adjustable table desk/work center by Knoll. An electric
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

The Chiquita Desk. Brazilian Solid Wood and Natural Straws.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita writing desk features smooth and delicate lines, with 4 drawers featuring fronts made
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Straw, Wood

19th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk ~ Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
plat or flat desk was designed as a bridge between a heavy, cumbersome executive desk and a writing
Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Oak Wood MiMi Desk White by Miduny, Made in Italy
By Miduny, Ale Preda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi desk creates a slender
Category

2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Oak, Plywood

Antique Petite French Rustic SIde Table or Small Desk Pink
Located in Atlanta, GA
Petite Pink Side Table or Desk with Rustic Pink Distressed Finish and Wood White Washed Top
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Executive Waterfall Metal Desk With Roll Container, Plated Metal, Glossy Lacquer
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist executive waterfall metal desk. High-quality metal construction finisher in glossy
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Pair of Gustavian Style Painted Tables, Repainted in Light Gray
Located in Atlanta, GA
balance. The later painted surface, with its light wear and patina, adds both freshness and character
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Floating desk manufactured by Tijseling Nijkerk, The netherlands, 1960 s.
By Tijsseling
Located in CASTENRAY, NL
Dutch design teak desk by Tijsseling Nijkerk The Netherlands. Hairpin leggs. Look in my
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

19th Century American Mahogany Serpentine Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 19th Century American mahogany serpentine slant front secretary bureau desk. Nice quality
Category

Antique 1880s American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Brazilian Modern Desk in Hardwood Three drawers, Jorge Zalszupin, 1965
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The renowned “Diplomata” desk, designed by Jorge Zalszupin in 1965 to meet the rising need for
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

1940s Petite Mahogany Ornate Painted Secretary Bureau with Flip Leather Top
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautifully painted and decorated mahogany Secretary Bureau writing table with Flip green Leather
Category

Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Paint

The Chiquita desk with 8 drawers in Brazilian sollid wood
By Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita desk features smooth and delicate lines. In this version, it has 8 drawers with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Doge Bureau with Red Chinoiserie
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Doge Bureau
Category

2010s Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Child, Student Desk manner of Jean Prove
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid-Century Modern Childs ,Student Desk manner of Jean Prove,,green metal,steel painted
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian Empire Painted and Parcel Gilt Bureau Plat
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The boldly proportioned painted and parcel gilt desk. Having 2 large drawers with fine carving
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Franco Albini for Knoll Desk Model 1928 in Glass and Metal
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini for Knoll, desk model '1928', glass, wood, chromed steel, Italy, design 1949
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Arts Crafts Mission Style Black Solid Oak Desk with Side Shelves
Located in North Miami, FL
Arts & Crafts Mission Oak Desk. Original black painted. This beautiful Mission style desk
Category

20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Brazilian Modern Desk in Hardwood with File Cabinet, Jorge Zalszupin, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this desk with a file cabinet, designed by Jorge Zalszupin and produced by his
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Light taupe Provenza Table with drawers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Provenza Table
Category

2010s Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Modern Galaxy Desk with Églomisé Mirror and Earl Grey Oak by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
has one pencil drawer. The desk is made of Oak and has a Earl Gray Paint finish. The drawers of this
Category

2010s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cut Glass, Oak

18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Ivory Stra Table with little flowers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
with hand-painted little flowers decors. This beautiful creation can be used both as desk table and
Category

2010s Italian Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rare Desk by Carlo Hauner, Móveis Artesanal, 1950s, Brazilian Mid-Century
Located in New York, NY
Eisler's Móveis Artesanal. The desk has an iron structure with a top in Pau-marfim wood and painted-black
Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Space Age Yellow Chapter One Desk by Broyhill Premier, 1970 s
By Broyhill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Space Age Yellow Chapter One desk by Broyhill Premier, 1970's. In good vintage condition.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Poul Kjærholm PK52 Professor Desk in Black Oak for Carl Hansen Son
By Carl Hansen Søn, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Glendale, CA
'PK52' desk in black painted oak without drawer module. In stock lead time 7-8 weeks. Out of stock lead
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writin...

Materials

Steel

20th Century Lacquered, Painted and Gilded Wood Italian Venetian Trumeau, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian trumeau from 20th century. Double body cabinet in lacquered, gilded and painted wood with
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Grey metal Pagwood 1960s Dattilo low desk/console by BBPR for Olivetti Synthes
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Varese, Lombardia
small typist's desk, arco model for olivetti synthesys. Ideal as a console, service table or
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century MOD Jean Maneval Inspired Chunky White Desk with Rolling Storage
By Jean Maneval
Located in Los Angeles, CA
MOD Jean Maneval inspired white laminate desk with a two drawer rolling storage cabinet. In
Category

Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

1970s Monumental Carved Oak Wood Parchment Natural Travertine Console Table Desk
By Karl Springer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
table or desk you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful table is
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Travertine

18th Century Rustic Desk Table, Country Table, Original Pinewood Laquered Waxed
Located in Vigonza, Padua
18th century rustic desk table or country table, original pine wood laquered, restored the top and
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Merighi Dall Olmo Italian Desk in Teak, Iron and Turquoise Blue Top 1950s
By Cantu
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Merighi & Dall'Olmo, lacquered iron, teak, painted wood, brass, Cantù, Italy, 1950s This refined
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Large blue Secretary Desk - design Eric Gizard, Paris - made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is designed by the famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Desk /Table by Bengt Johan Gullberg, Metal and Teak, Sweden, 1950s
By Bengt Johan Gullberg
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk by Bengt Johan Gullberg. Produced by Gullberg trading company in Sweden during the 1950s. Made
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ormolu Vernis Martin Desk, Attr. Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Style Lady's Petit Writing Table Desk, attributed to Louis Majorelle (French, 1859-1926). The ornately
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Poul Kjærholm PK52A Student Desk with Drawer in Black for Carl Hansen Son
By Poul Kjærholm, Carl Hansen Søn
Located in Glendale, CA
additional fee. Prices vary. This listing is for the 'PK52A' desk in black painted oak with drawer module
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writin...

Materials

Steel

Brazilian Mid Century Modern Desk with Armchair, Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Brazilian Modern desk with Chair designed by Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Tan Leather Top Faux Bamboo 56" Wide Desk Drexel MINT!
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Tan Leather Top Faux Bamboo 56" Wide Desk Drexel MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

The Square Desk, Square Armchair, Carbonized Finish with Shou Sugi Ban, Japanese
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Square Desk was inspired by the design of Brazilian modern furniture from the 1950s and 1960s
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Straw, Wood

Dark blue secretary desk in wood, scandinavian design by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
ÉGÉE collection This secretary desk is part of the ÉGÉE collection designed by Eric Gizard in Paris
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...

Materials

Ash, Wood, Lacquer

Danish Mid Century Modern Boat Shape Drop Leaf Rosewood Desk Two Drawers MINT!
By John Stuart, Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid Century Modern Boat Shape Drop Leaf Rosewood Desk Two Drawers MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Dom Hans van der Laan Unique Desk with Copy of Original Drawings c. 1970
By Dom Hans van der Laan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dom Hans van der Laan unique desk with copy of original drawings. From a private doctor’s practice
Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Set of Desk and Stool in Oak with Green Blue Patina, Spain 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Industrial Desk and Stool, Oak, Spain, 1930s A lovely set composed by an industrial desk with Art
Category

20th Century Spanish Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Pine, Wood

White Large Secretaire Desk, Design by Eric Gizard in Paris, made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is mounted in our French workshops and delivered fully assembled. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Louis XIII Period 1630s Carved Walnut Barley Twist Table with Black Painted Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XIII period walnut writing table from circa 1630 with two lateral drawers, barley
Category

Antique 17th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Bureau Plat/Desk high gloss white with gold after C. Boulle
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Bureau Plat/Desk high gloss white with gold after C. Boulle This model was built by
Category

20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

1940s Paul Frankl Eight-Drawer Desk Art Deco Style By Johnson Furniture Co.
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Paul Frankl designed eight-drawer desk for the Johnson Furniture Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Single Drawer Stand, Table or Nightstand, Paint Decorated
Located in Manhasset, NY
Original Paint Decorated Stand or End Table, Writing Desk. Having long sleek tapering legs leading to a
Category

Antique 1890s Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XIII Period 1630s Carved Walnut Barley Twist Table with Black Painted Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
furniture. Perfect as a statement writing desk, console, or center table, it brings noble charm and
Category

Antique Early 17th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert attr, Gillow Co. A Gothic Revival Polychrome Painted Davenport.
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attr, made by Gillows of Lancaster. An Gothic Revival Tall Polychrome Painted
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Antique French Painted Wood Bonheur-du-jour or Occasional Table w/Single Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French smaller-sized painted wood table, with single drawer, from the turn of the 18th and 19th
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Boulle Louis XVI Style Mazarin
Located in Houston, TX
craftsmanship. Adorned with intricate detailing characteristic of the Boulle style, this desk stands as a
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Danish Johannes Torpe "Maria" Laptop Table for Haworth
By Haworth Design Studio, Haworth
Located in TORQUAY, AU
mobile standing desk, an occasional side table, or a reading lectern in any premium home or office
Category

2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Walnut Black MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
By Miduny, Ale Preda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
, elegant profile punctuated with painted surfaces that capture light. This modern and graceful design
Category

2010s Italian Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech, Oak, Plywood

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Painted Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic painted writing desk available at 1stDibs. A painted writing desk — often made from wood, metal and paint — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a painted writing desk, we have 622 options in-stock, while there are 23 modern editions to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer painted writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A painted writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Louis XVI and Louis XV styles are sought with frequency. A well-made painted writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Ale Preda, Miduny and John Widdicomb are consistently popular.

How Much is a Painted Writing Desk?

A painted writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,262, while the lowest priced sells for $325 and the highest can go for as much as $78,500.

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 Painted Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs 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 12, 2021
    A 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 ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A 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 ExpertJune 15, 2023
    What 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, 2023
    In 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021
    Yes, you can paint a leather desk top. You can transform an old leather desk top and add visual appeal with easy-to-use leather paint. If you don’t feel confident in trying this by yourself, get in touch with a furniture restorer or related professional for help. Find a variety of leather desk tops on 1stDibs.