1980s Writing Desk
20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo
Vintage 1980s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1980s German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Ebony
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
Late 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s European Space Age Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1980s Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1980s Swiss Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Vintage 1980s German Desks and Writing Tables
Wire
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birdseye Maple
20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1980s Philippine Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker, Reed, Glass
Late 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Laminate
Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1980s North American Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome
Vintage 1980s Italian Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century American Bohemian Desks and Writing Tables
Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Laminate, Wood, Lacquer
Vintage 1980s English Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Ebony, Coconut
Vintage 1980s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Ebony, Rosewood, Satinwood
Late 20th Century Philippine French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry
Vintage 1980s Italian Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Wicker
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Lacquer, Wood, Parchment Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood, Glass
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Cherry
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1980s Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Birdseye Maple
Vintage 1980s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables
Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Chrome, Steel
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Resin, Plastic
Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Beech
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Resin, Plastic
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Lacquer
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1980s Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 1980s Writing Desk?
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 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 ExpertApril 12, 2024Bold, head-turning looks were in fashion during the 1980s. It was the decade of bright electric neon colors as well as suits, jackets, tops and dresses with shoulder pads. The aerobics and fitness craze of the ’80s spilled over into fashion, with people sporting leg warmers, headbands and leggings as everyday apparel. Punk culture also influenced style, with leather jackets, fishnet stockings and chunky metal jewelry being favored by some. Denim looks of the time were often baggy and flaunted acid washes. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage apparel and accessories from the 1980s.
- 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.
- 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.
- Was plaid popular in the 1980s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Yes, plaid was popular in the 1980s. Interestingly, it was a signature feature of two very different styles that trended during the decade. Plaid appeared on pleated skirts and blazers, common among the preppy set. In addition, many in the punk subculture sported plaid pants and dresses. Find a wide variety of 1980s apparel and accessories 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.
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