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Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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53
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Table Monta in Black Wood and Marble by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1970. Relaunched in 2023. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. An ode to fine artisanal craftsmanship in the form of a table. Table Monta is the...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

40s-50s Desk
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant desk with pair of under-top drawers, beech wood, and mahogany veneer, top with recessed clear glass. Good conditions.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Beech, Mahogany

Vintage Seven Drawer Desk by Beithcraft, 1960s
Located in Ely, GB
A Lovely Compact Vintage Desk with 7 Drawers by Renowned British Maker; Beithcraft. circa 1960s. The desk, designed in traditional manner, is finished in walnut veneer, which is in ...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Burl Top Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Slender lines form a light and airy design in this modern table. A graceful combination of burl wood in a warm brown polished finish atop an organic faux bois base in a satin bronze ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Mid Century Writing Table - Silent Black
Located in Westwood, NJ
Slender lines form a light and airy design in this modern table. A graceful combination of burl wood in a silent black polished finish atop an organic faux bois base in a silvered br...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Minimalistic glass and metal desk, France 1970's
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Minimalistic glass and metal desk, France 1970's Metal wired desk with two glass shelves. The design reminds us of the work of Max Sauze. The met...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Marble Top Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Slender lines form a light and airy design in this modern table. A graceful combination of white bianco marble atop an organic faux bois base in a satin bronze finish. Dimensions: 7...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautiful executive desk designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders. Stunning walnut veneered desk top and drawer fronts encased in in solid walnut legs and sides. Finished back with...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Modernist Architectural Walnut Desk designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham
Located in Buffalo, NY
Merton Gershun was an American furniture designer of the early 20th century, known for designing some of the earliest modern furniture lines available in the U.S. and striving to bri...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Danish Modern Teak Desk
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a vintage Danish Modern Teak Desk. Featuring a straight line design, checkerboard top, large filing cabinet drawer,...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Teak

Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk with Drawers, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Desk with Drawers, Italy, 1960s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Desk Console Table Wood Metal and Leather by Gervasoni. Italy, 2000s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
High manufacturing writing desk or console table in zebrano wood, metal and leather by the italian design manufacture Gervasoni. 2 drawers with a slow sliding high quality system. In...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-century American Desk in Zebra Wood By Warren Platner
Located in Houston, TX
Desk is made out of zebra wood. Table top is reupholstered with brown cowhide. There is wide drawer for files on the left side and smaller drawer on the right. Desk is elevated by wi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Desk "1928" by Franco Albini for Knoll International, Italy, 1950s
Located in Greding, DE
Desk "1928" designed by Franco Albini for Knoll International, Italy, 1950s. This glass and metal desk features a veneered white drawer element an...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Oiled Oak Ojai Desk by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Ojai desk has four drawers and features solid American walnut or white oak trestle legs. The drawer handles are made of solid carved wood. The Lawson-Fenning Ccollection is des...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Vintage office desk, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1960s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Rare Osvaldo Borsani vintage desk manufactured by Tecno in the 1960s - early 1970s. Steel black structure with wood top venereed in white /beige laminate. Two side adjustable drawe...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Limited Edition Table Monta in Wood and Blue Granite by Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Limited Edition Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1970. Relaunched in 2023. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. An ode to fine artisanal craftsmanship in the form of a table. Ta...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Fully restored midcentury writing Desk, 1960's, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This ladies writing desk was made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960´s. It's made of beech wood. Plastic drawers inside. Very simple design. In excellent condition, fully ren...
Category

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

Materials

Plastic, Wood, Beech

Large Boomerang shaped Walnut Desk with Green Leather patinated top Italy 1950’s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Boomerang shaped Walnut Desk with Green Leather patinated top, Italy 1950’s.
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Nutwood

Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Oak and Granite
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron, desk, oak, granite, France, 1960s Corner desk by French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This beautiful desk holds the characteristic decorations and lines...
Category

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

Materials

Granite

Franco Albini ash dining table Model TL2 Cavalletto, Poggi, (Very First Edition)
Located in Argelato, BO
Franco Albini ash dining table Model TL2 'Cavalletto' for Poggi, Italy (Very First Edition), Italy 1950s This table is the very first edition (the one in ash) of Franco Albini's fam...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Teak Writing Desk or Console Table
Located in Nantucket, MA
A stunning Mid-Century Modern teak writing desk or could also be used as a console table or as a sofa table. Teak bars across the front as an architectural accent. A right hand sid...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Scrittoio a Tapparella in Palissandro in Stile G. Frattini - Italia - Anni '60
Located in Milano, IT
Uno scrittoio apparentemente semplice, rivela invece una dovizia nella cura dei dettagli. costruito in Palissandro, alcune parti massello, altre impiallacciate, ricorda i modelli dis...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Ate van Apeldoorn Large Writing Desk and cabinet block . 1960s Holland
Located in Den Haag, NL
Minimalist Solid Pine Writing desk designed by Ate Van Apeldoorn and produced by Houtwerk Hattum in Holland in the 1960’s. Features a pinewood cabinet block with drawers that can be...
Category

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

Materials

Pine

Mid Century Modern Writing Desk with 4 Drawers
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern writing desk by Drexel features hardwood construction, original limed oak finish, four dovetailed drawers with brass accented hardware and unique stretcher base.

Matching pair of...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Marble Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
With a grey and taupe color stone top and shelves, on a modern openwork iron frame in a silver antique finish. Dimensions: 62" W x 26" D x 29" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Iron

American Designer, Desk, Rosewood, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood desk designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Writing Desk 1960s Mahogany Veneered Enameled Metal
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with double column side drawers in enamelled metal and mahogany veneered wood with Formica-covered top.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage Teak and Steel Desk by Robin Day for Hille
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely well made vintage teak and steel desk by Robin Day for Hille. This was part of the ‘Status’ range, designed in 1959 and made in England. This model dates from...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Dyrlund Smith Executive Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Spectacular Danish desk in rich rosewood grain. Made by Dyrlund Smith, featuring finished back, and hidden aluminum drawer pulls. Unique disc-shaped brass pulls that lay flat when cl...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

1960s Mid Century Walnut Desk Designed by Hooker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut desk designed and manufactured by Hooker in the United States circa 1960s. This stunning desk features a walnut frame. The desk also comes with two pull-out drawer...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, cherry, mahogany, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Early Vladimir Kagan Custom Order Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
A early Vladimir Kagan custom order desk made by Grosfeld House. Incredibly well crafted. A fine important example of the designer's work. Note: Cane Modesty Panel shown in some p...
Category

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

Materials

Cane, Wood

Fluted Beechwood Writing Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
Fluted Beechwood Writing Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1950s The double footed legs is reminiscent of Frattini’s lines. The “grissinato” technique (in front of the...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Table À Plateau Interchangeable, by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1937. Relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The first model of this historic design low table was crafted in 1937 for Charlot...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Modern Black Lacquer Occasional Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage modern occasional table and desk, in black lacquered wood, featuring a glass top shelf, lower wooden shelf, and brass fixtures. This piece showcases both straight and tapered...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

The Burl Wood Parson Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern burl wood dining table, with Parsons style legs, one drawer, a 'rustic' warm brown finish with subtle distressing and a hand-rubbed finish. Dimensions: 72" W x 36" D x 30" H.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Burl

Knoll Walnut Mid Century Modern Double Pedestal Desk with White Laminate Top
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Knoll walnut double pedestal desk. This is a gorgeous office desk, perfect for a mid century home or office. It features a classic, simple design, and a choice set of materials. Th...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Jules Wabbes Corner Desk with Drawers in Mutenyé
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, corner writing desk, mutenyé, nickel-plated metal, aluminum, Belgium, 1957 Beautifully designed desk by one of Belgium's most renowned designers Jules Wabbes. This pie...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Nickel

1960s Ole Wanscher Mahogany Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
Mahogany desk designed by Ole Wanscher in an excellent restored condition. Denmark, 1960s This desk was designed following the mid century design rule and aesthetic, using noble wo...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century Executive Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant mid-century vintage desk from skilled craftsmen of Grand Rapids' John Widdicomb Fine Furniture. An ample walnut desktop measuring over 10 square feet offers plenty of workspa...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Danish Freestanding Teak Desk with Floating Top, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Freestanding Teak Desk with Floating Top, 1950s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern teak writing desk. Unusual shape where the floating desk top rest on six solid teak p...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Wim Den Boon Dining Table in Mahogany and Black Lacquered Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wim den Boon, dining table, mahogany, lacquered steel, The Netherlands, designed in 1955 and manufactured in 1958. Exclusive dining table designed by Wim den Boon for a Dutch famil...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Desk by Marcel Breuer, 1955
Located in Berlin, DE
Model 'Canaan' Wood, transparent white lacquered, visible wooden texture Dimensions: L.180 cm D.60 cm H.72.5 cm Design: Marcel Breuer, 1955 Manufacturer: Gavina, Italy cf. V. Vercell...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

French 1970s Desk by Michel Mortier
Located in Long Island City, NY
Michel MORTIER (1925-2015)- A writing table with a beech base and a white laminated plywood top. Model MP2 (Mortier/ Perrigault), 1979.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Beech

Mid-Century Modern James Mont Style Birds Eye Maple Desk / Table / Vanity
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Extra handling time for this piece! This is a mid-century modern James Mont style style desk or vanity by Johnson Brothers. It is marked and has the original brass hardware that has...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

60s Desk
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawers and one central under-top drawer. Exotic wood veneer, brass, original back-treated glass top. Good conditions.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Formica Writing Desk, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Mid century writing desk with one drawer. It has chromed legs and formica top. Very simple design, typical for period 60´s in Czechoslovakia. Condition: Good vintage condition,...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Charlotte Perriand Marble Center Table à Plateau Interchangeable by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1937. Relaunched in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The first model of this historic design table was crafted in 1937 for Charlotte P...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Farsø Stolefabrik Designed Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Farsø Stolefabrik for Maurice Villency rosewood mid-century desk. Beautiful deep grain throughout, aluminum handles, quality construction. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Handsome secretary desk features unique legs and a functioning skeleton key to open the drop down workspace. The stylish design has three large drawers on the bottom and shelfs prov...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Italian desk, wood and colored glass, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk, wood and colored glass, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 77 cm; W= 136 cm; D= 68 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Stained Glass, Wood

A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk and matching chair.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Studio BBPR for Olivetti Small 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, h...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Large Vintage Swedish Oak Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very stylish large vintage Swedish oak desk. This was recently imported from Sweden, it dates from the 1950’s. It is of superb quality an...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

1940s Italian Writing Desk in Ash and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, brass, Italy, 1940s Made in Italy, this writing desk is a testament to the design ethos prevalent in the 1940s and 1950s. The office table bears witness to the de...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Febo desk or dining table designed by G.Stoppino for Driade 1970
Located in Milano, MI
Rare Desk Table model Febo designed in 1970 by G. Stoppino for Driade. Chrome-plated tubular frame and lacquered curved wooden top. The table is in very good condition the chrome st...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Mid-century Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Lawson-Fenning, Charlotte Perriand, and Paul McCobb. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $299 and tops out at $184,000 while the average work can sell for $4,773.

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