Small Writing Desks
to
41
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
413
353
735
39
4
185
34
33
32
31
25
25
22
17
7
6
5
4
4
4
2
1
1
53
243
439
43
73
290
26
10
5
10
32
29
100
60
14
1
3
634
211
127
114
105
625
197
153
123
95
777
740
745
11
10
7
6
5
Sort By
Small Early 18th Century Walnut Kneehole Desk
Located in Lymington, GB
A small English antique walnut kneehole desk or dressing table, circa 1730.
The crossbanded
Category
Antique 1730s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Portuguese Art Deco Small Desk, 1930
s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This desk was designed and produced in Portugal during the 1930's. It is an elegant Art Deco design
Category
Vintage 1930s Portuguese Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Vittorio Dassi Wood Small Desk, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Naples, IT
Small desk also called 'dattilo', very well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. It has a solid
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
A Transitional Ormolu Mounted Ladies Writing Desk or
Bounheur du Jour
Located in Berlin, DE
A small bonheur du jour or writing desk with a raised back section with a fall front opening
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Bamboo, Wood and Rattan Writing Table Desk, Italy, 1970s
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Southampton, NJ
An unusual small scale bamboo rattan & grasscloth writing desk with single drawer, door & shelf
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Rattan, Glass, Wood
Small 19th Century Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk
By Edwards and Roberts
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Superb Quality Late 19th Century Burr Walnut Pedestal Desk, Of Unusually Compact Proportions
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
small 1930
s Art Metal Co. Desk
By Art Metal Co.
Located in Bainbridge, NY
early Art Metal Desk Industrial Modern Desk with single (20"W) drawer. Sturdy, heavy gauge Steel
Category
Vintage 1930s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Small Modern Charcoal Color Drexel VanKoert Desk
By Drexel
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful Drexel Furniture Company desk refinished in a charcoal stain. The last image of the side
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
A Classic Small Desk By Florence Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic Knoll desk by F.Knoll for Knoll in birch. Note the one leg design, staggered drawers
Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Italian Small Desk, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Italian desk with 3 side drawers in brown wood.
Nothing touches
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Small Mid Century 1950s Italian Desk by Dassi
By Dassi
Located in London, London
Small desk
By Dassi
Walnut and brass
Three drawers,
circa 1956
Italy.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Console or Small Desk by Gärsnäs Mobler
By Gärsnäs Mobler
Located in London, GB
A midcentury walnut and mahogany console table, or small desk, by Gärsnäs Mobler.
Sweden, circa
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Small Late 18th Century Figured Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A fine quality late 18th century flame-figured mahogany pedestal desk of small proportions, having
Category
Antique 18th Century English Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Inlaid Wood French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk Table, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Small French writing desk of the 20th century. Elegant Louis XVI style furniture nicely inlaid in
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Small Desk by Hjalmar Jackson 1930
s, Sweden
By Hjalmar Jackson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A small desk by one of Stockholm's most skilled carpenter and cabinetmaker, Hjalmar Jackson. Made a
Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Italian Small Desk by Vittorio Dassi
By Dassi
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
DESK BY VITTORIO DASSI
Introducing a stunning piece of mid-century Italian design, the desk created
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Zebra Wood
Small desk with its chair by Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
Black imitation leather and brass
Desk with briefcases
1 drawer in front
"x
Category
Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables
Small desk/ vanity table with blue glass top
Located in London, GB
A 1950s Italian 3 drawers desk in cherrywood with laminated stripe detailing on the front and a
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1930s Small Desk in the style of Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in CA, CA
A 1930’s desk in the style of Jacques Adnet with two drawers to the front and glass handles set in
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Early Victorian Walnut and Tulipwood Crossbanded Pedestal Desk
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A small early Victorian walnut and tulipwood crossbanded pedestal desk the rectangular top inset
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Gustavian White Painted Side Table Small Writing Table, Sweden circa 180
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish Gustavian style side table, may also be used as a small desk.
Lovely turned and carved
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Danish Modern Writing Desk GE 125 by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA 1970s
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish modern writing desk GE 125 by Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA 1970s
Mid-century Danish modern
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
1960s Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Walnut Brass Glass Top Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern small desk or writing table with stylish carved legs veneer
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
20th Century Small Scale Estate Clerks Desk and Stool
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Small scale estate clerks desk and stool, wonderfully patinated textured surface. Great small scale
Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Small Stained Pine Three-Drawer Desk
Located in Santa Monica, CA
French 19th century small stained pine three-drawer desk.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Small Mid-Century Teak Desk, Danish Design, Denmark, 1960s
Located in München, Bavaria
Minimalist small desk from the 1950s, designed and manufactured in Denmark.
This mid-century desk is made of
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Small walnut desk with two drawers and storage compartment.
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2641
Small walnut desk with two drawers and storage compartment.
Italian manufacture, ca. 1950.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rationalist Small Desk Manufactured By Columbus In The
30s
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Beautiful rationalist small desk manufactured by Columbus in the '30s, fully original vintage
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
French 18th Century Painted Louis XV Table / Small Desk
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful small Louis XV table /desk with stunning patina. Great feature is the hidden drawer on
Category
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk Or Side Table
Located in BARSAC, FR
Small Louis XVI style desk or side table in mahogany and brass fillet marquetry, opening a large
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vittorio Dassi Brass Feet Wood Small Desk, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Naples, IT
Small desk also called 'dattilo', very well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. It has a solid
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vittorio Dassi Brass Feet Wood Small Desk, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Naples, IT
Small desk also called 'dattilo', very well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s.
It has a
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Petit Compact Small Desk by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern walnut desk by Dunbar.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique, Small Ladies Walnut Partners Desk by Lovell
COX
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Small walnut partners desk.
A fine Victorian free standing walnut partners desk made in the
Category
Antique 1880s English Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Small 19th Century Mahogany Bonheur de Jour or Ladie
s Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
A small 19th century mahogony bonheur de jour or ladie's desk with a rectangular hinged top fitted
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Boxwood, Leather, Mahogany
A 19th French Charles X Rosewood and Fruit Wood Marquetry Small Writing Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine and lovely small french writing table would also work well as a small console as it is
Category
Antique 19th Century French Charles X Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Rosewood
Antique White Side Table Small Writing Table With 3 Drawers, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
an informal writing table or desk.
Drawers function; unique to this table is the center and right
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Pine Writing Table
Located in Baltimore, MD
A plain and sturdy pine writing table, small enough for desk use in the tightest spot and shallow
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
$1,195
Rudolf Wolf Small Dining Table /Desk, Elsrijk, Netherlands, 1950s
By Rudolf Wolf, Elsrijk
Located in London, GB
Rudolf Wolf dining table, designed in the 1950s for Elsrijk, Holland. A beautiful minimalistic design, it has a black metal frame and light grey formica top, edged in black. The heig...
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Small Teak Desk by G. Tibergaard for Ikast Møbelfabrik, Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
. These small desk are highly loved and quite rare to find, a really nice small desk, that can fit in any
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Small Writers Desk by Gio Ponti for Schirolli, Italy, 1960s
By Schirolli, Gio Ponti
Located in Hellouw, NL
Small writers desk by Italian Mid-Century Modern designer Gio Ponti. This desk is manufactured for
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Danish Midcentury Small Executive Teak Desk Attributed to Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Danish small executive desk in teak designed attributed Kai Kristiansen and made in
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Danish Midcentury Small Executive Teak Desk Attributed to Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Danish small executive desk in teak designed attributed Kai Kristiansen and made in
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Italian Mid-Century Rosewood small Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Lissone, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This stylish Italian petite desk, elegantly named 'dattilo', was designed by Vittorio Dassi in the
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
Small Art Deco Desk, Black and Chrome, France, circa 1925
Located in Regensburg, DE
TTiny and very rare Art Deco desk from France, circa 1925
The desk is made of walnut wood, that
Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Small Dutch Enameled Metal Industrial "3353" Desk by Gispen, 1965
By A.R. Cordemeijer, Gispen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Gispen industrial enameled metal desk or vanity with linoleum top and one side drawer enameled
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Pierre Paulin Small Yellow Formica Desk and Drawer, France 1957
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Munster, NRW
wonderful desk in bright & warm yellow formica by Pierre Paulin..
black metalframe, wooden shelf
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica
Gianfranco Frattini Bernini Small Desk with Central Roller Rosewood, Italy, 1957
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Catania, IT
roller so it can double the size of the writing surface.
The drawer is equipped with a small lock with a
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Danish Midcentury Rosewood Small Executive Desk by J. Svenstrup 1960s
v
By Svenstrup Ap Mobler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Danish small executive desk in the style of ai Kristiansen and made of rosewood in
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Sculptural Smaller Walnut Desk for American of Martinsville by Merton Gershun
By Merton Gershun
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A nice smaller sized walnut desk with a sculptural styled top having two drawers with brass handles
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Small Italian Desk Manufactured by Fimsa in Wood and Metal, Label
By Fimsa
Located in Milano, IT
Small Italian desk made by Fimsa Roma in wood and metal from the 1950s early 1960s. The small desk
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Gracious Small Desk Stained Mahogany Rosewood Veneer Glass Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
A gracious small desk, stained mahogany wood, rosewood veneer, back-painted glass. Manufactured in
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Rosewood
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
Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Elegant modernist small desk by an unknown designer. Teak veneer and black coated steel frame all
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Modernist Small Desk in Teak Veneer with Black Frame, Netherlands, 1960
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Elegant modernist small desk by an unknown designer. Teak veneer and black coated steel frame all
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Warm Rustic Vintage Oak Desk or Small Dining Table with Drawer
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome warm roomy oak desk or small dining table having rustic charm, large drawer that opens on
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
- 1
- ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Small Writing Desks", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
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, 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.
- 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 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.
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.
More Ways To Browse
Leather Items
Lock And Key
Floral Inlay Desk
Drexel Heritage Desk
Simmons Metal Furniture
Small Secretary Desk
Simmons Industrial
Ikea Desk
Pedestal Nakashima
Antique Watchmakers Desk
Greek Key Drawer Pulls
Neoclassical Bureau Plat
Queen Anne Writing Bureau
Watchmakers Desk
1860s Writing Desks
Nakashima Pedestal Desk
Schirolli Mantova
Used Classroom Desk