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20th Century Italian Small Mahogany Schirolli Mantova Writing Table by Gio Ponti
By Schirolli, Gio Ponti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
formica top and three drawers, each featuring a manufacturer label. The small freestanding desk has four
Category

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

Materials

Laminate, Formica, Mahogany

1950s Elegant Italian Small Desk in Ash and Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, walnut, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the
Category

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

Materials

Ash, Walnut

Antique Art Deco Industrial Simmons Small Metal Desk 1930s
By Norman Bel Geddes, Simmons Company Furniture
Located in Detroit, MI
Bel Geddes design, this small desk features the modernist, streamline furniture designs Simmons
Category

Vintage 1930s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1940 s Small elegant desk with extraordinary side uprights
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2791 Guglielmo Ulrich (1904 -1977) Small elegant desk with extraordinary side uprights, four
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Studio BBPR for Olivetti Small Spazio Desk with Drawers
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Small central desk with two drawers and open compartment
By Paolo de Padova
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2560 Small central desk with two drawers on the front, open compartment and beautiful document
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Small Louis XV Style Marquetry Desk, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
- Marquetry wood - Gilt and chiseled bronze - 1880 period - Leather top - Three drawers.
Category

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

Materials

Kingwood

19th C. Italian Writing Desk w/Decorative Inlay Sliding Top for Hidden Storage
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian smaller-sized writing desk with storage hidden beneath top from the 19th century. This
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Small Eternal Graphite W(hole) Console Desk by Majbele
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Eternal Graphite W(hole) Console Desk by Majbele Dimensions: D 50 x W 100 x H 76 cm
Category

2010s Polish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Subtle Ecru W(hole) Console Desk by Majbele
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Subtle Ecru W(hole) Console Desk by Majbele Dimensions: D 50 x W 100 x H 76 cm. Materials
Category

2010s Polish Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Custom Hand-Carved Walnut Writing Desk with Pencil Drawer by Dos Gallos Studio
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small scale, petite writing desk with barley twist legs, carved edge and apron detail as well as
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Spanish Colonial Desks and Writin...

Materials

Walnut

Charming Small Antique Knee Hole Desk with Slide Secret Cubbies
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming antique knee hole desk having beautiful wood grain and lots of drawers and cubbies
Category

Antique 19th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Small Customizable Study Desks / Console Table with Drawer
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This pair of small study desks are made with a beetroot powder-coated steel frame and a burgundy
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Antique Desk With Small Cabinet Made In Walnut From 1860s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique desk with a small side cabinet for storage, made in walnut from the 1860s. In very nice
Category

Antique 1860s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

Small Green Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This small study desk is made with a green powder-coated steel frame and a contrasting deep green
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Small White Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This small study desk is made with a paper white powder-coated steel frame and a off white colour
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

French small antique desk in oak and pine, late 19th century
Located in LYON, FR
Maison Lecan presents this small antique desk in oak and pine, dating from the late 19th century
Category

Antique 1820s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Small Double-sided Writing Table In Rosewood Louis XV Style From The 19th Centur
Located in Brussels, Brussels
bronze Small, unusual model of superb quality with a very beautiful rosewood veneer work. The desk has
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Walnut Veneered Desk Inlaid With Different Woods, Tuscany, Late 18th Centu
Located in Atlanta, GA
This late 18th-century Tuscan writing desk is constructed with a walnut veneer and detailed with
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Small Burgundy Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This small study desk is made with a beetroot powder-coated steel frame and a burgundy coloured
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Fritz Hansen 1950s Small Maple Desk with Laminate Top and Two Drawers
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Dronten, NL
tools, stationery, or other essentials, while the desk’s streamlined profile makes it ideal for smaller
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Maple

SMALL BAMBOO WOOD THREE DRAWER OFFICE DESK IDEAL FOR CHiLDRENS ROOMS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
drawer bamboo desk with a metal base idea for a small office or bedroom Please note the delivery fee
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo

American Arts Crafts Era Mahogany Side Table or Small Desk
Located in Miami, FL
handsome table/desk is exemplary of the movement. It is constructed of fine mahogany wood and has a single
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small Black Leather Top One Drawer Cabriole Carved Leg Chestnut Desk Console
By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company, Heritage-Henredon, Globe Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Small Black Leather Top One Drawer Cabriole Carved Leg Chestnut Desk Console Writing Table MINT!
Category

20th Century American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Chestnut

Small Folding Desk Cantieri Carugati Gianfranco Frattini 1959 in Italian Walnut
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small folding desk Cantieri Carugati Gianfranco Frattini 1959 in Italian Walnut, open depth 83 cm
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Small 18th Century Mahogany Brown Wood Kneehole Desk with Brass Handles
Located in London, GB
A rare and charming early 18th century mahogany kneehole desk of small proportions, with carved
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk, Oak Veneer and Chromium Plated Metal c 1930
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Berlin, DE
Small Bauhaus tubular steel desk, so-called 'typewriter desk', with 4 drawers. The desk is made of
Category

Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Danish Mid-Century Brutalist Desk / Small Table in Solid Oak Wood, 1920
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Copenhagen, DK
the square formed top works perfectly as a desk or a smaller side table - maybe even as a sculptural
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Spanish Antique Small Wooden Desk w/Unique Carved "Trunk" Appearance from Front
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish smaller-sized wood desk, with a trunk-like appearance from front, from the early 20th
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

ANTIQUE 18TH CENTRY ENGLISH GEORGIAN GEORGE II OAK SMALL DESK LOWBOY CABRiOLE
Located in Pulborough, GB
(also known as a small side or lamp table) is distinguished by its cabriole legs, scalloped apron, and
Category

Antique 18th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Small desk from the "Action Office" series by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Mobilier International
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Small desk from the "Action Office" series by George Nelson for Herman Miller, distributed by
Category

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

Materials

Steel

George Nakashima Turned Wood Dowel Shape Leg Single Pedestal Small Desk Mint
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
George Nakashima turned wood dowel shape leg single pedestal small desk mint with documents.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Carrara Marble Small Organic Shape Desk with Black Steel Base Made in France
By Slash Objects
Located in Brooklyn, NY
. This small edition of the Oni Desk is available in a unique size and finish perfect for any small
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Steel

Rare Small Desk for Bloch, by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This writing table by Joaquim Tenreiro is a paragon of Brazilian mid-century modernism
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

Late 19th Century Tyrolean Shabby Small Desk Table Art Nouveau, Pine Painted
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1980s-1990s Tyrol Austrian shabby small desk table country Art Nouveau, in solid pine with original
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Cute and stylish Italian midcentury modern desk, with a graceful chair, attributed to Paolo Buffa
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Small Victorian Oak and Ebony Partner’s Desk, Attributed to Holland and Sons
By Holland Sons
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A small Victorian oak and ebony partner’s desk, attributed to Holland and Son, the shaped
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Oak

Small Black Bamboo Desk Vivai del Sud Italia 1970s Black Crystal Top
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small black bamboo Ddesk Vivai del Sud Italia 1970s Black crystal top.
Category

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

Materials

Crystal

Small Pine Desk Table in the "Les Arcs" Style, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
small pine desk table in the "Les Arcs" style, Charlotte Perriand, with a drawer circa 1950/1960
Category

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

Materials

Pine

Superb small desk in Louis XVI style, after a model by Philippe Claude Montigny
By Philippe Claude Montigny
Located in Wien, AT
Philippe Claude Montigny (after a model by) – Superb small desk in Louis XVI style, 2nd half of the
Category

Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satin, Ebony, Oak

Small Art Deco Cubist Desk in Solid Oak The Style Francisque Chaleyssin- France
By Francisque Chaleyssin
Located in Girona, Girona
Small Art Deco cubist and double sided desk, solid oak and oak plywood, French polish. Three
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Piero Zen Small Desk with Maple and Mather of Pearl Inlays, Italy Milan
By Carlo Zen
Located in Sacile, PN
Piero Zen small desk with nickel silver feet and frezies, maple and mather of pearl inlays, circa
Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Alpaca, Wood

Small Italian Desk with Matching Chair - 60 s - Vittorio Dassi - Set of 2
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Milano, IT
The mid-century Italian desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1960s is an extraordinary example of functional elegance to the point that it is very often attributed to the work of G...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Modern Small Desk with Grey Onyx Top and Black Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of Grey onyx. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Grey Onyx Top and White Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of Grey onyx. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Calacatta Ceramic Top and White Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of calacatta c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Brown Lacquered Glass Top and Black Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of 8 mm thick ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Orange Lacquered Glass Top and White Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of 8 mm thick ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Green Lacquered Glass Top and White Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of 8 mm thick ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Black Marquina Ceramic Top and Black Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of Black marqu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Black Lacquered Glass Top and White Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of 8 mm thick ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with Black Marquina Ceramic Top and White Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of Black marqu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Modern Small Desk with White Lacquered Glass Top and White Frame, Made in Italy
By Matthias Demacker
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) Dining table with aluminum legs, structure and drawer. The top is made of 8 mm thick ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Small Oak Bureau
Located in Folkestone, GB
A rare 18th century oak bureau of particularly small and diminutive proportions. the fall with a
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George II Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

18th C. French Carved-Wood Table with Leather Writing Pad Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
(small-sized ladies writing desk), yet a versatile enough piece to be useful in just about any room in
Category

Antique 18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Directoire Style Small Bureau Plat
Located in Sheffield, MA
Directoire Maison Jansen style desk. Label inside drawer inscribed "A. Alavoine and Co., NY and
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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Small Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of small writing desks available for sale. Each of these unique small writing desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and hardwood. We have 725 antique and vintage small writing desks in-stock, while there are 39 modern editions to choose from as well. Small writing desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of small writing desks to choose from, but at 1stDibs, mid-century modern, Art Deco and Victorian small writing desks are of considerable interest. Vittorio Dassi, Matthias Demacker and Gio Ponti each produced beautiful small writing desks that are worth considering.

How Much are Small Writing Desks?

Small writing desks can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,512, while the lowest priced sells for $83 and the highest can go for as much as $495,000.

Finding the Right Desks And 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 Small Writing Desks
  • 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 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, 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.