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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Elegant Organic Italian Desk in Walnut 1950s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Desk, walnut, Italy, 1950s
This elegant desk, made in Italy in the 1950s, is a refined example of mid-century craftsmanship in walnut wood. Its gently curved shape gives it a light,...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Maison Jansen Carved Stone, Oak and Lacquered Vellum Dining Table, c. 1940
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Maison Jansen carved stone, oak and lacquered vellum dining table, circa 1940s, made in France. One base element marked "2184" in wax p...
Category
1940s French Neoclassical Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
Campaign Style Tooled Leather, Brass And Burl Mahogany Writing Desk
By Thomasville
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 20th century campaign style burl mahogany desk with brass accents and tooled leather top. It is finished on all sides thus enabling it to float in a room. Floor to drawer i...
Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Original Otto Wagner for Thonet 1905 Writing Desk Postal Saving Bank Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Otto Wagner writing desk from the Postal Saving Bank in Vienna. Made by Thonet, Vienna.
Otto Wagner Writing Desk, Postal Saving Bank, Vienna - Lit.: Asenbaum/Haiko, Otto Wagner, Möbe...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Table - Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large vintage Mid-Century modern Italian writing table made of hand crafted polished Rosewood designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, in good condition. The sculptural desk is compo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Midcentury Chromed Steel Italian Trestles After Milo Baughman, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous pair of midcentury trestles fully made in chromed steel. These incredibly stylish trestles were designed in Italy after Milo Baughman during the 1970s.
These versatile tres...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Antique French Desk Writing Table Renaissance w Drawer Oak Barley Twist c. 1920s
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS 19th Century Antique French Oak Louis XIII Renaissance Revival Desk or Writing Table with Full Length Drawer, Barley Twist Legs, Stretcher, Lunette Carved Beveled Edge Top a...
Category
1920s French Renaissance Revival Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Custom-Made Desk, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Custom-made desk from the 1960s, produced in Sweden.
Very high quality. Mint condition.
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Freestanding Oregon Pine Desk by Andreas Hansen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Andreas Hansen, b. 1936
Large freestanding desk made from Oregon pine with three drawers on each side. An elegant detail is the visible dovetail joints on the drawer fronts. Between...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Acrylic, Pine
Mid-20th Century Wood Bureau a Gradin/Writing Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
The piece's clean, rectangular silhouette and streamlined profile convey a refined elegance, expertly constructed from high-quality wood. Featuring six drawers - three on the front ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Piano desk black lacqued wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sleek, black-polished, sculptural piece conjuring the presence of a grand piano.
Piano Desk evokes an intricate fusion of the grace in artistic expressi...
Category
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Italian Trestle Desk or Table in Bamboo, Rattan by Vivai Del Sud, 70s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful pair of mid-century organic trestles in a beautiful combination of bamboo, curved rattan and hand-woven wicker. These stunning and unique trestles were designed by Vivai del Sud and produced in Italy during the 1970s.
In fabulous condition and with an amazing honey-like color. These sturdy trestles are made in bamboo canes enriched on the bottom with curved rattan and perfect hand-woven wicker work.
Ideal to make a charming desk or also for dining table or a console table in a modern organic entryway. A must have for all the French Riviera style lovers.
These versatile trestles are ideal as a charming modern organic desk...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Oak Renaissance
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Oak Renaissance.
Direct from France, a lovely antique French writing desk or sofa table in a very versatile size with beau...
Category
1890s French Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Swedish Grace Mahogany Console / Library Table, Sweden, 1920s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful Swedish Grace console table, or desk, made from mahogany. Elaborately sculpted legs and base under a clean cut tabletop.
Category
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Pine Farm table with Turned Legs by Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
Made from sustainable urban wood, this (sort of) traditional farm table features turned legs and touches of white and blue color. Perfect for adding fun and delight to your dining or...
Category
2010s American American Craftsman Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Pine
A Gerrit Rietveld desk, manufactured by Cassina, 1970s
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
A vintage Rietveld crate desk by Cassina, 1970s. While an original 1930s desk by Gerrit Rietveld is extremely hard to come by, a Cassina one is also a rare find. There weren't that many made and they haven't been available as a re-edition for a long time.
The desk is in very good condition regarding its age, with small signs of the time and a lovely patina on the wood. It has a drawer on both sides, fully functional.
The pictures show how well the desk combines with a Rietveld L40 tube lamp and a v.d. Groenekan Zig Zag, as well as enhancing the impression of size and scale. The Groenekan is one of the provenanced set we've also listed on 1st Dibs. It is possible to purchase one instead of set of two.
The iconic crate desk, designed in 1934 by Dutch architect and furniture designer Gerrit T. Rietveld as part of the crate furniture series – initially made of inexpensive planks of pine, which were joined by screws. Rietveld had drawn inspiration from the crates used to move furniture for transportation, a construction of which he described as ‘good carpentry […] that gets straight to the point’. Aesthetics and an egalitarian spirit were of equal importance to Rietveld in this design. He recognized that industrializing the production process and allowing buyers to assemble their own furniture were ways of making good design affordable. Accordingly, the Crate furniture could be ordered preassembled or in do-it-yourself kits.
Initially, items for the Crate series...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch De Stijl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry
Midcentury Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker Desk Console Table, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful Italian writing table or desk in bamboo, rattan and wicker with two drawers.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Macassar Writing Desk with Bronze-Patina Brass Deatils by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Sonia writing desk is the perfect piece for your room. A more subtle version to her sister the iconic writing desk, the Sonia has elegant legs inlaid in Macassar wood and bronze-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Danish Rosewood Executive Desk by Arne Vodder for Bornholm
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning mid-century modern executive desk, designed by Arne Vodder for Bornholm, is a true statement piece of Danish craftsmanship. Made from richly grained rosewood, this floa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Antique 5ft William IV 6 Drawer Partners library Writing Table Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique William IV partners library writing table, crafted from beautiful flame mahogany and Circa 1830 in date.
The rectangular top features a moulded edge with th...
Category
1830s William IV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Campaign Desk in Mahogany
Located in Peabody, MA
Antique British campaign desk in mahogany, ca. 1890s, fitted with solid brass hardware. The sawhorse legs are fully collapsible.
Category
1890s British Campaign Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Adjustable Hamilton Drafting Table / Desk
Located in Oakville, CT
Vintage Drafting Table by Hamilton Manufacturing Co.
Top Dimensions: 38 1/2" x 72" x 37" high
Base Dimensions: 34 1/4" x 43 3/4" x 36" high
Footrest Height: 10"
Materials: Oak
Category
Mid-20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Style Walnut Side Table or Writing Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale French Louis XIII style walnut writing table or desk from the late nineteenth century is of hand pegged construction and features a beveled top. The top is supported...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Art Deco Robin's Egg Blue Lacquer & Brushed Aluminum Desk by Donald Deskey
Located in New York, NY
Introduce a piece of design history into your office or home with this stunning Art Deco Streamlined Desk, designed by the famed American designer Donald Deskey circa 1930. This rema...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Jacques Adnet, Art Deco Modernist Desk and Chair, Lacquered Wood, Opaline Glass
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Exceptional semi-circular Art Deco desk by Jacques Adnet.
Made of black lacquered wood, featuring a rounded-cut top with an inset black opaline desktop. It rests on two cabinets wit...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Opaline Glass, Wood, Lacquer, Rosewood
Miniforms NAMI Desk in Laquered by E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Nami desk by Miniforms, the result of a collaboration with the talented design team at E-ggs, embodies this idea perfectly. From a barely sketched sketch on a sheet of paper, an ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Zone Desk - Oak Root by Hermhaus
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
The Zone desk draws attention with its simple and strong lines, while also prioritizing functionality. Its large surface offers space for all your work needs. Thanks to hidden drawer...
Category
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Teak Secretary Dresser by Borge Mogensen for Soborg Denmark
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well designed teak wood secretary dresser with four lower drawers and the front folds down as a desk top revealing storage slots to the right and two drawers to the other side...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Midcentury Alvar Aalto Desk or Dining Table in Black Laminated and Beech, 1970s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century desk or dining table in curved beech wood with black laminated top. This incredibly elegant table was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek and produced during the 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Wood, Laminate, Beech
Italian Antique Solid Walnut Rustic Table Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very charming and elegant Italian antique dining table or desk writing table in solid walnut wood with stylish carved legs and central drawer. Ideal in any room as a small stand alon...
Category
20th Century Italian Rustic Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Restored Midcentury Writing Desk or Console Table from Up Zavody, 1960s
By Up Závody
Located in Żory, PL
Mid-century writing desk which can also be used as a console table. Manufactured by UP Zavody Bučovice in former Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. Features two drawers and white glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
Desk By Barbara Barry For Baker Furniture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The Classic Serpentine Desk with wide ridged apron, large single drawer with chrome knob, tapered and curving chrome capped legs and signature Java finish.
Dimensions: 53.5” wide b...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Milo Baughman Floating Top Desk, Model 1625
Located in New York, NY
Desk in walnut with floating top, flanking drawers on the front, and a rectangular open space for display or storage at the rear, supported on four cylindrical legs. An architectural...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Melting Vanity Table in Blue Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass 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
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Metal Wood Glass Writing Desk Console Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, with beautiful low front side drawer, completed with its elegant black glass top. This table used to be a knittin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Period Walnut Writing Table with Leather Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale late eighteenth century French Louis XVI period walnut lady's writing desk features a gold tooled black leather top. A single drawer pulls out from the side using a ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Midcentury "Platone" White Folding Desk by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely white "Platone" folding desk. Designed by the visionary Giancarlo Piretti and produced by Anonima Castelli in Italy during the 1970s. The desk is signed on the bottom.
In brand new condition, this desk has never been used and is a new old stock.
The Platone desk was designed to be presented as a set with the Plia chair. It is also held in the permanent collection of the MoMa in NYC. Its ingenious three-disc mechanism, a signature feature of Piretti’s bestsellers, reaches its boldest expression in the Platone.
The white top is a perfect match with the bold design of this little table, with the metal structure sustaining the table on one side. Platone is built to last and integrates seamlessly into any modern or vintage interior.
This stylish desk could function perfectly in a modern or midcentury style children's room or office.
Dimension (cm):
Width - 82
Depth - 64
Height - 69
Italian interior and industrial designer Giancarlo Piretti was born in 1940 in Bologna. He obtained his teaching degree in drawing at the Art Institute of Bologna (dates unknown), and continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna in 1960. From 1963 until 1970, he taught interior design at the Art Institute of Bologna.
Sometime in the 1960s, Piretti also joined Italian design company Castelli as an interior designer, creating home furniture and office furnishings. During his twelve years at Castelli, Piretti obtained numerous industrial patents for his designs, which were mostly chairs. Piretti’s work for Castelli garnered the company an international reputation in furniture design. His most well-known design is the plastic folding Plia Chair (1968), which has sold over seven million copies since 1969 and is still in production. It won the BIO 5 distinction and the SMAU prize at the Ljubljana Biennial in 1971, Germany’s Gute Form prize in 1973, and can be found in permanent collections in various museums world-wide, including Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia and the United States. In 1969 the complementary Plia Table...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
Mid-Century Italian Walnut Sliding Glass Top Secretary Tall Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and classic Mid-Century Modern Italian walnut wood desk console, writing table, secretary with sliding top with black glass for a seated position when extended, a top sh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Glass
Anthroposophical Desk Designed By Felix Kayser, Hand Crafted Ash Wood, ca. 1930
By Felix Kayser, Schiller Möbel
Located in Berlin, DE
Anthroposophical desk model K 1290 (ladies' desk), designed by Felix Kayser and probably manufactured by Schiller-Möbel, ca. 1930
Category
1930s German Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Ash
Gorgeous Satinwood Baker Furniture Carlton House Desk with Leather Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Baker Furniture company, walnut Carlton House style desk. Brass gallery surround on top. Carlton House design. Nice Leather top.
Dimensions: 38 1/2" h x 54" w x 28" d.
Category
1990s American Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
English Regency Double-Sided Mahogany Library Table of Large Scale, circa 1830
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A circa 1830 English regency George IV / William IV period solid mahogany double-sided library or writing table of large scale and rectangular form, the possibly original black leath...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk or Writing Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful and simply designed teak desk from Scandinavia circa 1970's. It features teak construction with finished back. Clean & ready to use condition. No drawer keys present but ...
Category
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
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
Lacquered Neoclassical Style Desk or Library Writing Table
By John Hall
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Bespoke library table or desk crafted in the neoclassical taste by John Hall Designs, Los Angeles, CA. The desk is constructed from beech and features an intentionally weathered, dis...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Beech
Vintage Writing Desk Italian Production, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Writing Desk with drawers. Wooden frame and chromed metal supports.
Italian production, 1960s.
Very good condition.
Category
1960s Italian Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Stunning Quality Inlaid Ladies Desk by Edwards & Roberts w. Leather Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional quality ladies desk / writing table by Edwards & Roberts.
With antique desks and bookcases having always been the most sought after antique pieces of furniture, we were ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Metal, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Biedermeier Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful example of form and function from the Biedermeier period. Constructed in the Austrian Empire of sturdy Fir with Walnut veneers cut in profile as well as on the burl. A fo...
Category
1850s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Fir
1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Glass Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in wood with elegant carved frame, curved sides and glass top highlighted by the two drawers with beautiful brass ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Swedish Black Desk in Rococo Style, Made by Hand in Solid Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique black desk from the early 1800s. The desk has a singular drawer as well as curved legs in rococo style. The frame is made by hand in solid pine. Made in northern Swed...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Hans Wegner, Wishbone Desk, Oak, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained oak and teak "Wishbone" desk designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Johannes Hansen, Denmark, c. 1950s.
Dimensions: 29.5” H x 67.8” W x 33” D
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Teak
Art Deco Modernist Desk or Writing Table by Jan Brunott, 1920s
By Jan Brunott
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco Modernist desk or writing table.
Design by Jan Brunott.
Striking Dutch design from the 1920s.
Original black lacquered oak base with original oak veneer...
Category
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Faux Leather, Oak
20th Century Inlaid Wood Gold Bronze Italian Writing Desk Napoleon III Style
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian writing desk from 20th century. Napoleon III style furniture inlaid and veneered in walnut, mahogany, maple and fruitwood enriched by fake inlay with hand-painted floral deco...
Category
1960s Italian Napoleon III Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Campaign Style Mahogany Library Executive Writing Desk 60"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage writing desk in the style of Michael Vanderbyl for Decca / Bolier & Co. Made from rich mahogany veneers, having a rectangular form with three fitted drawers and raised on mo...
Category
Late 20th Century Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Friso Kramer Style "Werzalit" Industrial Desks
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small industrial work desks with teak toned formica top and dark gray frame by Werzalit, Austria. In original condition with visible wear consistent with its age and use. Sold indivi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat “à Têtes De Guerriers Antiques”
Located in Dallas, TX
Modeled after the original period Louis XV bureau plat by Charles Cressent (circa 1740), this amazing French desk would be the focal point for any home office or executive business s...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Hand Carved Oak Gothic Stye Desk or Writing Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century French Gothic style desk or writing table is constructed of solid oak and features a beveled top above an apron of hand carved Gothic interlace on all fo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Gothic Antique Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
X-Leg Table, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
X-Leg table, designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, manufactured by Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, 1950s. Patinaed birch legs, birch table top. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age ...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch
Maple Parallel Desk by Juntos Projects
By JUNTOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Parallel desk is built around two suspended horizontal slabs that create an expansive workspace. The structure is anchored by cross-shaped legs that pierce through the top and fr...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple
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.
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