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Unique Custom Made Executive Desk In Wenge Beechwood, The Netherlands
By Rudolf Bernd Glatzel
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
executive's office of a Psychiatric institute in Holland. Most likely this unique desk was produced by
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Unique stainless steel desk, Anonymous French production from the 80s
Located in Marseille, FR
Unique anonymous desk designed and made in France, near Limoges, circa 1980. Made from stainless
Category

Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Most Unique Handcrafted Organic 3-Legged Laminated Cherry Wood Desk
Located in Izegem, VWV
A quirky three-legged desk with integrated drawers. An organic interplay of different types of
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bone, Wood, Cherry, Maple, Plywood

Swedish 19th Century Painted Wood Desk with Uniquely Carved Apron
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish 19th century painted wood desk. This 4 foot long antique table from Sweden features an
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Writing Desk With Inlay Works, Austria ca. 1835
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
corners and confer this one of a kind Biedermeier writing desk a classy charm. A real unique and valuable
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Unique Secretary Desk by Louis Van Teeffelen for Wébé, 1960s
By WéBé, Louis Van Teeffelen
Located in Hilversum, NL
Modern design from the Netherlands by Louis Van Teeffelen. Two large drawers, organic shaped handles. Good original vintage condition.
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Unique Bodil Kjaer Rosewood Chrome Desk E. Pedersen Søn Denmark, 1960s
By Bernhard Pedersen Son, Bodil Kjaer
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a unique desk, called the “working table” by Bodil Kjaer when she designed it in 1959
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Unique "Secret" desk in burnt wood and brass by Erwan Boulloud
By Erwan Boulloud
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Unique "Secret" desk in brunt wood and brass with hidden drawers. Unique and signed piece by Erwan
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Unique, Rare French Desk Napoleon III, Boule Style Marquetry
Located in Paris, FR
Unique, rare French bureau à gradins desk, Boulle style marquetry with brass on the drawers. Many
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf

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

Italy 1970 s Unique Walnut Laminate Desk Chair with Black Metal Accents
Located in Aspen, CO
Unique 1970's Italian Walnut & Laminate Desk and Chair with Black Metals in beautiful condition.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Unique Modernist Desk, 1970s French Design in the Style of Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Unique modernist design desk manufactured by cabinetmaker. Three green drawers with dark green
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Børge Clausen, Unique Oak Desk / Library Table, Studio of Artist, Denmark, 1940s
By Børge Clausen
Located in High Point, NC
A unique, modernist oak desk / library table by Danish cabinetmaker Børge Clausen. Made in the
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Unique Danish Modern Freestanding Work Desk by Kurt Østervig, Teak Ash, 1950s
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Odense, DK
. Østervig needed a desk that suited his own needs and came up with this unique design. The table is
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash, Teak

Whimsically Carved Table with Single Drawer Unique Feet or a Great Desk!
Located in Atlanta, GA
apron and the floor. This unique table with whimsical touches would make an excellent desk, which could
Category

20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century French Pine Writing Desk with Hutch
Located in Mckinney, TX
A unique writing desk found in France. Crafted from pine, the desk has been stripped to its natural
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks

Materials

Pine

A Stylish and Unique Bauhaus Meets Industrial Desk, Circa 1940 s/50 s
Located in Hastings, GB
This stylish and highly functional desk was probably a one off commission, its rarity suggests so
Category

Vintage 1940s French Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Unique Painted Wood Desk with Animal Legs and Hooved Feet of Grey-Green Color
Located in Atlanta, GA
A painted wood desk with unique carved animal legs. This wooden desk features three drawers over
Category

20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Unique Freestanding Desk or Dining Table by Jean Batenburg for E.M.Y., 1965
By Jean Batenburg
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
remains in mint condition. Very interesting and unique table desk!
Category

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

Materials

Metal

A Unique French Neoclassical Walnut 4-Seater Schooldesk
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a flat top sloping to either side with a hinged lid above a storage well, of pegged construction and raised on square tapering legs ending in large carved feet, the interiors ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Unique Leather Top English Made Four Piece Executive with Superstructure
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
superstructure. The desk dates to the 1950s era and measures 63 wide x 33 deep x 42 tall. The writing surface
Category

Vintage 1950s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Very Unusual and Probably Unique Bent Ply Midcentury Table
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is one we have definitely never seen before, it has a top and sides all made from one sheet of bent ply and the corners cut out to take the turned solid teak legs. If anyone kn...
Category

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

Materials

Teak, Plywood

Unique Bauhaus Electrified Green Reading Table, Original Good Condition, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
(38.2 in) Desk height 52.5 cm (22.7 in) Width 48 cm (18.9 in) Depth 35 cm (13.8 in).
Category

20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

French Faux Bamboo Desk by Maison Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
A very unique writing table/desk/vanity by Maison Jansen, overall ebonized and parcel-gilt, the
Category

Vintage 1940s Argentine Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Glass

French Louis XVI Neoclassical Desk Mahogany Colored Marquetry, 1970s
By Mathieu-Guillaume Cramer, Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful and unique bureau plat French writing desk was made in solid mahogany wood covered
Category

Vintage 1970s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Arne Vodder Style Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk, Newly Restored
By West Michigan Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
Mid-Century Modern Arne Vodder style walnut writing desk with unique drop-down file drawer Made
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Studio PFR Office Desk with Drawers in Metal and Wood by Rima 1965 Italy
By Studio PFR ( Ponti Fornaroli Rosselli ), RIMA
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Unique angular writing desk with two tops and some lateral drawers (three for each side) with
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

A Unique French Provincial Walnut Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Savannah, GA
18th Century French Provincial Walnut Ladies Writing Desk
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Country Desks

Materials

Walnut

Secretary, Designed by Sigfred Omann for Ølholm Møbelfabrik Denmark, 1960s
By Sigfred Omann, Ølholm Møbelfabrik
Located in Chorzów, PL
A unique writing desk made of rosewood. He comes from Denmark in the 1960s. The Sigfred Omann
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Zhejiang Writing Desk/Console Table
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique writing desk has two drawers in the front with antique hardware. Both sides and back
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid 20th Century Vintage Chinese Carved Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique writing desk has two drawers each side and one bigger drawer at center of the front and
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Antler Writing Desk from, 1875
Located in New York, NY
This unique and striking writing desk is a true one-of-a-kind piece that is sure to captivate and
Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Desk Sets

Materials

Antler

Rosewood Scandinavian Modern Desk, Danish Design, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Unique dark rosewood desk / writing table in Danish design. Soft legs shape and crafted handles
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Signed Teak Desk by Architect Svend-Madsen
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Toronto, ON
A gorgeous and unique designed writing desk in teak wood with cane wrapped side arms, open back
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Fantastic George Nelson Office Suite Desk and Return
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Fantastic desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This unique roll-top writing desk is from the
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

19th Century Unique Czech Walnut Biedermeier Secretary/Writing Desk, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Shipping to any US port only for $290 USD Biedermeier secretary and writing desk, (Cylinder
Category

Antique 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Unique Austrian Empire Cylinder Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Cherry, Wien
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Shipping to any US port only for $290 USD Empire Secretary/Writing desk - (Cylinder) Material
Category

Antique 1810s Austrian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Original Antq. French Louis XVI Carved Painted Tea/Hall Table
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
table, as a charming console, for serving tea to guests in the front parlor, or even as a unique desk
Category

Antique 19th Century French Center Tables

Bar Height Table or Island Made From Reclaimed Maple
Located in Round Top, TX
use. Imagine this as a kitchen island, the ideal work space, or a unique tall writing desk or bar
Category

2010s American Dining Room Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern "Magic Box" Mummenthaler Meier Style Folding Teak Desk
By Mummenthaler and Meier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Otto Meier. Unique writing desk folds into itself to save space, offers plenty of space for
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Vintage Waterfall Style Writing Desk in Faux Bamboo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique writing desk offers a spacious textured surface, great for use as an occasional table
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks

Unique Italian Sculptural Free Standing Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Executive desk, walnut, brass, glass, Italy, 1950s Made in Italy, this writing desk is designed
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Unique Art Deco Writing Desk Designed by Architect Jindřich Halabala
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Unique Art Deco writing desk designed by architect Jindrich Halabala Material: Very nice elm-tree
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

19th Century Unique Restored German Biedermeier Walnut Writing Desk, 1840s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier writing desk Completely restored. Shellac polish. Material: Walnut veneer, lacquer
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Czech Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Walnut

19th Century Unique Restored German Biedermeier Walnut Writing Desk, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier writing desk Completely restored. Shellac polish. Material: Walnut veneer, lacquer
Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

19th Century Unique Brown Restored Czech Biedermeier Walnut Writing Desk, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier writing desk Completely restored. Shellac polish. Material: Walnut veneer, lacquer
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Unique Freestanding Executive Writing Desk by Kho Liang Ie for Fristho, 1964
By Fristho, Kho Liang Ie
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Fantastic executive desk from the ‘J series’ designed by Kho Liang Ie for Fristho around 1956. This
Category

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

Materials

Metal

19th Century Unique Brown Czech Baroque Oak Writing Desk with Mirror, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier writing desk Original very well reserved condition Material: Oak veneer, lacquer
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Czech Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Oak

Vintage Campaign Desk by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage campaign desk by Bernhardt provides a unique writing desk with durable formica style
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Swedish Gustavian Unique Scalloped Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Gustavian Unique Scalloped Desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints
Category

Antique 1850s Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

French 19th Century Oak Writing Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This unique oak writing desk, c. 1890, is simply gorgeous. The three plank top has rick, deep
Category

Antique 19th Century French Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Six Dots Design Unique desk
Located in London, GB
what it means to reflect your identity though the objects surrounding you. This desk is a one off
Category

2010s British Futurist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Six Dots Design Unique desk
Located in London, GB
what it means to reflect your identity though the objects surrounding you. This desk is a one off
Category

2010s British Futurist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Unique American Studio Craft Movement Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Unique and large sculpted from stacks of laminated walnut desk. Spectacular biomorphic design form
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Mid-Century Writing Desk with Filing Drawer
Located in Trenton, NJ
This unique midcentury writing desk is long and narrow with a durable laminate top and sturdy metal
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Unique Midcentury Italian Floating Top Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern Italian desk features a floating top, sculpted drawer pulls, and
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Unique Italian Free Standing Desk in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, teak, vinyl, brass, plywood, beech, Italy, circa. 1960 This highly refined desk that
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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Unique Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal unique writing desk for your home. Each unique writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and lacquer. If you’re shopping for a unique writing desk, we have 107 options in-stock, while there are 9 modern editions to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a unique writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A unique writing desk made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. Jonathan Field, Arthur Espenet Carpenter and Melchiorre Bega each produced at least one beautiful unique writing desk that is worth considering.

How Much is a Unique Writing Desk?

Prices for a unique writing desk start at $600 and top out at $88,000 with the average selling for $6,775.

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 Unique 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.