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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
French 19th Century Walnut Desk with Carved Apron and Lateral Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French walnut desk from the 19th century with carved apron and lateral drawer. This elegant French walnut desk from the 19th century is a splendid example of classic craftsmanship,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk
Located in London, England
Bernt Petersen Mahogany Writing Desk, circa 1950s
An exceptional 4-drawer desk from Danish designer Bernt Petersen and made by master cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. The legs, drawer f...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
18th Century Walnut Writing Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Queen Anne era Walnut writing table, with bordered edge and book matched burl walnut veneer with mixed wood inlays to the top with rounded corners to the front, shaped inlay apron,...
Category
Mid-18th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Baroque Style Walnut Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Baroque style walnut writing table, circa 1930's. With a 3 board walnut top, 3 frieze drawers each with carved scrolling vine designs, back side of desk with single panel of carved s...
Category
1930s European Baroque Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Biedermeier Writing Desk in Walnut, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier writing desk in walnut, crafted around 1830. Featuring five drawers framed with fine thread inlays and adorned with escutcheons. The gracefully curved S-shaped legs are j...
Category
1830s Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk
By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group"
USA, 1950s
Black lacquered solid maple, with original brass hard...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk with bronze trim and ornate ormolu mounts and embossed leather top. The desk is finished on all sides and could ...
Category
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s
The Top has a very floating appearance.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Danish Teakwood Desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen ca. 1970s
Located in Shippensburg, PA
DANISH MODERN PETER LØVIG NIELSEN TEAKWOOD FLIP-TOP WRITING DESK
Denmark, circa 1970s
Item # 405XLG28A
This brilliant desk was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and originally was off...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
French Sculptural Baroque Style Desk in Stained Pine, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A fabolous french baroque style freestanding desk in solid stained pined. Finely handcrafted in the first half of the 20th century. Decorative decadent carvings.
This fine desk w...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Freestanding Desk with 4 Drawers in Rosewood by Nanna Ditzel, 1955
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Freestanding Desk with 4 Drawers in Rosewood by Nanna Ditzel, 1955
Additional Information:
Material: Rosewood
Style: Mid century, Scandinavian
Pro...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
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
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root, Onyx, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Armona stone desk draws inspiration from the serene landscape of Armona Island, embodying a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Quartz, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
1960s desk top in colorful formica
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Fully restored 1960s desk/desk.
Color matched an agile black lacquered tubular iron frame with adjustable brass feet.
Colored formica top as well as the fronts of the 3 drawers, wo...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Iron
Chinoiserie Multiple Compartments Asian Writing Table Desk Rounded Bach MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chinoiserie Multiple Compartments Asian Writing Table Desk Rounded Bach MINT
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
Custom, English Walnut Burl Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
This beautiful George II style executive writing table/desk in burled walnut features a uniquely shaped top, cabriole legs with acanthus carved knees and deeply carved claw and ball ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Burl
$12,250 / item
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Walnut, Brass, Onyx, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Armona stone desk draws inspiration from the serene landscape of Armona Island, embodying a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Quartz, Onyx, Stainless Steel, Brass
AT 305 - Desk in oak by Hans J. Wegner
Located in Copenhagen, DK
AT 305 - Desk in oak with two flaps and three drawers. Designed by Hans J. Wegner and made by cabinetmaker Andreas Tuck.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Bronze Desk with Black or Brown Leather Wrapped Top
Located in Ballard, CA
A hand-sculpted and forged bronze desk with brown or black leather wrapped top and drawer, fastened by bronze nails. Custom sizes, finishes and glass top available. Interior of drawe...
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
$11,115 / item
Karl Springer Waterfall Desk in Tortoise Color Penshell, 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
A Karl Springer desk in Tortoise color Pen-Shell with 3 recessed drawers.
Signed with brass plaque.
Category
1970s Philippine Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Shell, Wood
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Octagonal Counting Table – Fine Quality Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Octagonal Drum Counting Table – Fine Quality Games Table
An early 19th-century octagonal drum counting table crafted from mahogany with softwood carcas...
Category
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$2,852 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Carved Fruitwood Leather Top Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine and large antique Desk with great form. The very well made rectangular desk with a slightly overhanging top with a foliate scrolled tooled green-black leather insert. The thre...
Category
19th Century Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Ernest
Igl
Hofmann
Jet
Corner Desk in Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest 'Igl' Hofmann for Wilhelm Werndl, corner desk, model 'Jet', polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71
Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an internation...
Category
1970s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plastic
Gio Ponti Teak and Brass Desk Designed for the BNL Offices, ISA Bergamo, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This Gio Ponti Desk, designed for BNL offices and manufactured by Isa Bergamo during the 1950s, is a beautiful piece of furniture that showcases the designer's signature style.
Made of solid teak wood, the desk features a sleek and elegant design with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The piece also features brass feet and details, which add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall design. The desk top - with a dimension of 161x80.5cm (WxD) - has ample surface space for writing and working and the three drawers provide ample storage for documents and office supplies...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Walnut Art Deco Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Outlined in a sleek, stepped motif, this exquisite piece is finished in a rich figured walnut, exuding warmth and sophistication. The streamlined form, tapered legs, and metal-capped...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$3,357 / item
Rustic 19th Century Country French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming and rustic late 18th century country French provincial writing table or desk hand-crafted from fruitwood. Made in the South of France this table features a whimsical style f...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Sven Langkilde 1960s Danish Mahogany Desk
Located in London, England
Sven Langkilde - Rare Mahogany Desk
This delightful and sophisticated desk was made in highly limited quantities by Danish designer Sven Langkilde and produced by his own company La...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century French Primitive Pine Dining Table / Desk with a Drawer
Located in Odense, DK
A very fine 18th century primitive pine table from the, crafted by a Danish cabinetmaker. The tabletop showcases the warm tones and subtle grain of pine, with a patina that has devel...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Primitive Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Shagreen Desk with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R
Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Napoleon III Period Ebonized Desk, 1870s
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An imposing Napoleon III center table (or 'Table de Milieu') in ebonized fruit wood, rectangular in shape, with rounded sides.
Its ornate top, which is bordered all around with a gilt bronze frieze and two further inner bands, features at its centre an intricate marquetry inlaid design of a foliage cartouche framing a vase of flowers.
The smoothly curving belt of the table encloses a frieze drawer on one long side, with a repeat, inlaid design that echoes that of the top.
The table rests on four turned, tapered and fluted legs, ending in toupie feet, and these are connected by two half-moon spacers...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$3,328 Sale Price
55% Off
French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair
By Drexel
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This lovely Drexel vintage writing desk in the French Louis XV style includes a matching Louis XV style chair and displays lovely French Provincial style having curvaceous cabriole l...
Category
1970s American Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cane, Wood
Mexique High Table PRO, by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
The structure of these bar tables by Charlotte Perriand is designed to occupy as little space as possible. They can be grouped together to furnish lounge bars and waiting rooms.
Th...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th century English Adam Style Hand Painted Satinwood Desk
Located in Savannah, GA
Satinwood desk with reticulated sides that are extraordinarily hand-painted with festooned drapery, ribbons and bows. Decorated on all sides this lovely piece can float in a room and...
Category
19th Century British Adam Style Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
$3,835 Sale Price
35% Off
Ilmari Tapiovaara Desk or Table for Laukaan Puu
Located in Miami, FL
Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu. Works also well as desk. The table is signed.
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
$1,280 Sale Price
20% Off
A Swedish Gustavian painted fall front desk, C. 1820.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Crafted in two pieces, this Neoclassical form desk features clean lines and understated elegance, with a soft painted finish typical of the Gustavian palette. The upper section has o...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Baker Furniture English Regency Banded Mahogany Writing Desk or Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional English Regency or Georgian style drop leaf writing desk, console table, or sofa table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1940s
Mah...
Category
1940s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Early Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis Burled Wood Desk with Cast Aluminum Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An early Gerard Van Den Berg desk for Montis. The design is almost Saporiti meets Sottsass in appearance, and the table is expertly crafted from handsome burled wood with cast alumin...
Category
1970s Dutch Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani wall-mounted wood and brass desk model E22 by Tecno Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A wall-mounted desk in wood, metal, and brass, part of the E22 series, produced by Tecno, designed by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
A wall-mounted piece of furniture, free from floor suppo...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Country Estate Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
Deceptively simple at first glance the Country Estate Partners Desk by Niagara Furniture is remarkably sophisticated in its attention to detail throughout. The top section of the des...
Category
2010s Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$4,210 / item
Mid-century Walnut Executive Desk by Jens Risom for Jen Risom Designs c.1950
By Jens Risom
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original Jens Risom large executive desk constructed from solid Walnut and built for design and durability. The right side of the desk has three drawers and a pull-out tray...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$4,556 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Bespoke Modernist Tubular Steel Table in Chromed Metal and Glossy Lacquered Wood
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Bespoke modernist tubular writing table made of chrome plated tubular steel and lacquered wood.
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
19th Century English Chinoiserie Ladies Secretaire Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary 19th century English ladies secretaire desk or writing table. The two part desk was made in the Chinoiserie revival period of Europe ...
Category
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Style Desk With Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
Writing table desk in the Louis XVI style made of Mahogany. The desk has been ebonized and finished in a lustrous Museum quality French polish and boasts an embossed leather top. Fea...
Category
1920s Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$3,950 / item
Cushman Colonial Creations Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Rare diminutive writing desk by the H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company circa 1930's. The desk features a sculptural overing hanging top, over one large pull out drawer with trapezoid...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Coast Table Square, Minimalist Dining Table or Desk
By Sun at Six
Located in San Jose, CA
The square version of the Coast Table – we’ve tried to create a quiet, humble table, with the beauty in its details. With this piece, we tried to emphasize the quality and character ...
Category
2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Bureau vintage de Louis Sognot en rotin et bois des années 60
By Louis Sognot
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Bureau vintage des années 60, très joli design attribué à Louis Sognot, en rotin, plateau et tiroirs en bois de chêne, 3 tiroirs, très beau travail du rotin, très bon état général av...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan
Circa 1780-1800 George III Slant Front Bureau or Desk
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1780-1800 George III slant front bureau or desk, English. Mahogany. A handsome example - the interior with obelisk inlays on the document drawers, the prospect door with bold s...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$3,160 Sale Price
20% Off
Elegant Art Deco Desk with Asymmetrical Design and Drawers, France, 1930s
Located in Ulm, DE
A striking original Art Deco desk from 1930s France – where sculptural design meets practical function in perfect harmony.
The construction is distinctly asymmetrical: the left side...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
$6,271 Sale Price
20% Off
Widdicomb Kneehole Executive Desk Cherry Brass Mid Century 1950s
Located in Forest Grove, PA
An unmarked Widdicomb kneehole executive desk. Excellent wood choice, book matched throughout. Cherry veneer with solid cherry feet. Original patina to the brass handles. Professiona...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
18th c. English Architect
s Desk/Library Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine English George III country house mahogany architect's desk/library table having richly grained single board top with molded edge over single wide drawer with pull out and d...
Category
1760s English Georgian Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Scandinavian Modern Gunni Omann Rosewood Desk
By Gunni Omann
Located in Uccle, BE
Measurements for the kneehold:
Height from floor is 67cm (26.4 inches), Width 63cm (24.8 inches), Depth 46cm (18 inches).
There are 2 niches in the back that measures 11 inches wide...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$5,928 Sale Price
28% Off
Clean Lined Chrome Mid Century Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mid Century Chrome Desk, in the style of Florence Knoll, American, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Carlton House Style Mahogany Desk
By Sahon Tradition Furniture
Located in Astoria, NY
Carlton House Style Mahogany Desk, with gilt-tooled green leather writing surface above a secret compartment, Sahon Furniture label to right side drawer interior. 34" H x 44.5" W x 2...
Category
20th Century American George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Solace No2 Entry Table in Solid Wood with Fluid Legs, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No1 Console Table – Sculptural Wood Form, Design by Joel Escalona
—————————————————————
Solace Console Table Series
Design by Joel Escalona
The Solace console table series, ...
Category
2010s Mexican Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
$11,770 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Antique 19th Century Fine Quality Mahogany Writing Desk / Dressing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique 19th Century Fine Quality Mahogany Writing/Dressing Table – Also Ideal as a Desk or Side Table
This elegant antique table, dating from the 19th Century, features clean lines...
Category
19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
$1,900 Sale Price
30% Off
1980s Herman Miller Burdick Group Post Modern Industrial Design Modular Desk USA
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A rare opportunity to buy a stunning Post Modern desk designed in 1981 by Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller.
Burdick’s first product for Herman Miller was the 'Burdick Group System', ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Art Deco Stylish Figured Walnut Desk, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this impressive and totally original Walnut desk dating from the 1930's raised on round shouldered legs. Originating from France, it offers not only functi...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Black Lacquer Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1560 double drawer desk Black Lacquer on maple with aluminum ring knobs solid maple. Desk is in great condition. Very beautiful designed desk on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Bronze Putti Di Mare and Glass Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant and unusual dining table of patinated bronze and glass. The bronze base depicts a pair of aquatic cherubs, or mermen, with outstretched arms supporting a 3/4" thick piece of ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
$14,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare
Kono
Dining Table / Desk by Lella
Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, 1984
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and large 'Kono' table, which works excellent as either a dining table or a desk, by Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli was designed in 1984 and this example created in the mid-to-late 1980s by Casigliani in Pisa, Italy. This rare example of the 'Kono' design features a monumental Black Granite slab for the top, two thick slabs of Imperial Red Granite which connect together to form one of the bases, and the Vignellis signature Patinated Copper cone which forms the other base.
The 'Kono' design was normally made as coffee tables so it is quite rare to find examples made scaled up in dining table size. In addition, typical Kono tables were made with glass tops and a single slab granite base. This example however, the Vignellis selected Black Granite instead of the typical glass tops. Also, rather than using a rectangular single-slab base, this example features an L-shaped base constructed with two slabs that connect together along one angled edge. It still employs the cone-shaped patinated copper base typical of Kono tables, however this example is much larger of course than cocktail table versions.
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies, which houses the artists’ archive, confirmed this table to be one of two known drawings by the Vignellis (a copy of the Vignelli sketch, which they provided, is included in the photo gallery) though it is unknown if the other table was ever produced, making this table potentially an important one-of-a-kind.
The Black Granite top in lower light settings is dark, deep and mysterious. With direct sunlight its luminosity is intense - see the photo gallery for images of the table in direct sunlight from our skylight above. It glows, shines and shimmers with incredible vibrancy, similar to diamonds - to see it in person is quite exquisite and remarkable. While we only had it set up under our skylight for a couple hours, I would describe the experience as recharging - I felt like I had just spent a couple hours meditating, this would be incredible to wake up to every day before leaving to work.
The Vignellis described the 'Kono' table as: “This design exploits the relationship between geometrical figures and material finishes." Over the course of their four-decade-long design practice, Lella and Massimo Vignelli collaborated on projects that ranged from product design and brand identity to interior and furniture design. Whether designing New York City’s subway map...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Granite, Copper
$34,700 Sale Price
27% Off
Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
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.
Read More
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