Used Writing Tables
1930s Slovak Art Deco Used Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Used Writing Tables
Pine
Early 20th Century British Used Writing Tables
Satinwood
Early 20th Century British Used Writing Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Writing Tables
Iron
Early 19th Century European Neoclassical Used Writing Tables
Walnut
Mid-18th Century French Used Writing Tables
Walnut
1830s British Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
1870s French Used Writing Tables
Walnut
18th Century and Earlier French Used Writing Tables
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Used Writing Tables
Pine
Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Used Writing Tables
Walnut
1860s Victorian Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
1930s Slovak Art Deco Used Writing Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
1820s Used Writing Tables
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Used Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 19th Century British Used Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Georgian Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
1820s English Used Writing Tables
Rosewood
19th Century Russian Neoclassical Used Writing Tables
Brass
1780s Italian Rococo Used Writing Tables
Leather, Poplar, Walnut
Early 1900s British Edwardian Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Unknown Louis XV Used Writing Tables
Walnut
1820s English Regency Used Writing Tables
Rosewood
19th Century French Used Writing Tables
19th Century French Used Writing Tables
Leather
1820s English George IV Used Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century English William IV Used Writing Tables
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century English Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
20th Century English Regency Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
19th Century Spanish Used Writing Tables
Iron
Late 19th Century English Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century European Louis XIV Used Writing Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century British Used Writing Tables
Leather
Mid-20th Century Louis XIV Used Writing Tables
Mid-19th Century English Gothic Revival Used Writing Tables
Oak
1830s English Used Writing Tables
Early 1800s Georgian Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
1780s English Georgian Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
1720s Queen Anne Used Writing Tables
Leather, Oak, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Used Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Mission Used Writing Tables
Oak
19th Century English Used Writing Tables
Birch
Late 19th Century British Used Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century Italian Used Writing Tables
Wood
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Used Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Gothic Used Writing Tables
Walnut, Oak
18th Century Italian Used Writing Tables
Walnut
18th Century English George III Used Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany, Oak
Early 19th Century Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
19th Century British Regency Used Writing Tables
Oak, Leather
Mid-19th Century English Used Writing Tables
Walnut
18th Century Portuguese Baroque Used Writing Tables
Rosewood
20th Century Italian Anglo-Indian Used Writing Tables
Walnut
19th Century European Regency Used Writing Tables
Brass
1810s Great Britain (UK) Used Writing Tables
Mahogany
20th Century American Used Writing Tables
Bog Wood
18th Century Italian Used Writing Tables
Chestnut
Mid-19th Century European Louis Philippe Used Writing Tables
Leather, Birch
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Used Writing Tables For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Used Writing Tables?
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.
- What are side tables used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Side tables are used next to furniture like beds and couches to provide an accessible place for keeping essential items at hand. In the living room, side tables are often used to display flower arrangements, photos or books as well as to set down a drink. In the bedroom, a side table is typically populated with items like a lamp, bedtime reading material, and a charging device for a phone. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary side tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What was a drum table used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A drum table, also referred to as a rent table, is a circular table with labeled drawers. It was traditionally used by landlords to keep account of rent money with the labels displaying the days of the weeks. Due to their unique shape, drum tables are a favorite among home decor enthusiasts. Shop a selection of drum tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A sideboard table is generally used for storing cutlery, napkins and other dining supplies. Sideboards have much in common with credenzas and buffet tables but they are distinct from both of those other kinds of case pieces. Shop a range of antique and vintage sideboards and other storage furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Nesting tables typically consist of several different sizes of tables designed to fit underneath one another — they were initially intended to save space in the drawing room. The tables were pulled out as needed and used for playing chess, needlepoint and engaging in other leisurely activities. Shop a collection of nesting tables on 1stDibs from top sellers worldwide.
- What are end tables used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
End tables typically hold lamps, coasters and other items to keep them within easy reach from the sofa or chair they are next to.
- What are bistro tables used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bistro tables are small round tables used for serving small meals, like breakfast or afternoon tea. Bistro tables are versatile, and are great for smaller areas such as a porch or back patio. You can shop antique and contemporary bistro tables from a variety of sellers on 1stDibs.
- What are table lamps used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Table lamps are often used as a reading light or for task lighting. They can also simply serve as part of a room’s decor, perhaps adding light to an area that doesn’t get any illumination from overhead lights. Shop a collection of table lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Console tables serve a variety of functions. They can be used as buffets, storage units and display tables. Because they vary in size, you can use them for just about anything.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023You can use a number of things in place of an end table. Place a stool, chest, trunk, barrel or crate beside your sofa or chair, or use a bar cart or freestanding tray to rest a lamp and other objects on. If there is a wall nearby, you can even install a floating shelf within arm’s reach. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of living room furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A table used for drafting can simply be called a drafting table. Other names for drafting tables are artist's table, drawing table and architect's table. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of drafting tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, you can use a library table as a desk. In fact, many people like the spacious tops found on library tables because they usually have enough room to accommodate a computer and provide additional work space. Find a range of library tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dough box table, also known as a bread table, was designed for making bread. The dough is placed in the wooden box to allow it to rise, then when the dough is ready to be kneaded, it can be finished on the flat top. Shop a collection of vintage dough box tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because of their variety of sizes and range in function, console tables can easily work as a desk. Given their size and ease of mobility, a console table can be used in almost any sort of room.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Yes, a chest of drawers can be used as a bedside table, provided that you have enough space beside your bed to accommodate it. If you want to be able to easily reach items on the top of the chest, choose a piece that is about 2 to 4 inches taller than your mattress. Shop a variety of bedroom furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021The most preferred type of glass for a coffee table is tempered glass. In case of a mishap, this type of glass will fracture into small pieces. One-half inch thick glass is the most popular for coffee tables. 1stDibs offers different antique, vintage and new glass coffee tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Professional pool players play on tournament billiards tables. This type of billiard table usually has a 50-inch by 100-inch playing surface and is the type of pool table invented when the modern-day version of the game first debuted in the early 20th century. For home use, most people purchase standard pool tables that measure 44 inches by 88 inches. Find a wide range of pool tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Console tables are ideal for narrow spaces like hallways and entries.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, many architects still use drafting tables. Although much of architectural design involves computer-aided drafting, many professionals still prefer to draw by hand. Artists may also purchase drafting tables for producing illustrations and sketches. Find a collection of drafting tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The best wood to use in designing a farmhouse style table is a matter of preference — farmhouse tables are frequently made of white oak, hickory or cypress. Largely defined by its geography, functionality and simplicity, the farmhouse style, both in the United States and abroad, is much emulated today — often as an amalgam of other rustically rooted ones, such as cottage, French country and industrial. Find a collection of antique and vintage farmhouse tables and other furniture designed in the farmhouse style on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021Epoxy resins are the type of resins used for wood tables. They are used to make high-gloss coatings for wooden surfaces. Shop a range of antique and vintage wood tables on 1stDibs.
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Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
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Inspired by the Cosmos, Sandra Nunnerley’s Nova Table Has a Futuristic Feel
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This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
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