Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut veneer & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr white, glass top & gold base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut, glass & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Bruce Burdick Desk for Herman Miller
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Rarely found with so many modules. Can be configured as a L-shaped desk or as 2 linear desks. Can be purchased in any configuration you may need.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
The Chiquita Desk. Brazilian Solid Wood and Natural Straws.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita writing desk features smooth and delicate lines, with 4 drawers featuring fronts made of natural wicker and brass handles that impart a nostalgic and romantic feel to th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Straw, Wood
Savignyplatz Desk by Sebastian Herkner in Mist - Matte Lacquered Oak
Located in Toronto, ON
The Savignyplatz in Berlin is an idyllic park and square named after jurist Friedrich Carl von Savigny. Savigny was hailed throughout Germany as the founder of modern jurisprudence a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Katakana Desk by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Katakana desk by Dare Studio
Dimensions: W 120 x D 70 x H 85
Materials: American black walnut, black leather
The Katakana desk is a bold and versatile...
Category
2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Modern Dark Oak Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
With its rounded subtle barrel-shaped top with alternating quarter straight cut oak veneers stands squarely on solid trapezoid style legs. The facing two drawers have adequate enough...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 140 x D 60 x H 75 cm
Materials: Walnut Natur, Black Metal...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Ash Noir Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Noir Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 140 x D 60 x H 75 cm
Materials: Ash Noir, Black Metal.
Fra...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
Oak Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 140 x D 60 x H 75 cm
Materials: Oak Natur, Black Metal.
F...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Ash Noir Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Noir Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 160 x D 80 x H 75 cm
Materials: Ash Noir, Black Metal.
Fra...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 160 x D 80 x H 75 cm
Materials: Walnut Natur, Black Metal...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Giorgetti Ion Executive Walnut Leather Desk Designed by Chi Wing Lo
Located in Boston, MA
Designed by Chi Wing Lo
This writing desk in walnut Canaletto wood and saddle leather harks back to the lightness and elegance of an Ionic column.
A versatile and practical product...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Leather, Wood
Handcrafted English Oak Desk
Located in London, GB
A new freestanding modern English oak desk design. Designed and handmade in England using skilled traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from the finest full...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Green Onyx Desk with Brushed Aluminum or Brass Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Celebrating nature's inherent beauty, the Oni Desk embraces the irregular shape of a found Green Onyx slab. This desk's innovative design is informed by the unique constraints of the...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Brass, Aluminum
Chunky Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte powder coating.
The Chunky Desk was designed with two surface heigh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Ángulo Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte powder coating.
The Ángulo Desk was designed with two surface heigh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Green Marble Coffee Table with Brushed Aluminum or Brass Hardware by Slash
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Each Lino table is a one-of-a-kind piece that celebrates the beauty in imperfection. Crafted from Cipollino marble, quarried from the Apuan Alps in northern Italy, its distinctive de...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Aluminum, Brass
Organic Modern Oga Desk Raw American Oak Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Oga Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Oga seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance of contemporary design. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
White Chunky Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte powder coating.
The Chunky Desk was designed with two surface heigh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Modern Mismatch Desk Oak Walnut Root Brass Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Mismatch Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Mismatch seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance of cont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Handcrafted English Oak Desk Console
Located in London, GB
Our larger handcrafted Modernist wall mounted oak desk/vanity or console table designed and handmade in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Leather
White Ángulo Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte powder coating.
The Ángulo Desk was designed with two surface heigh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Travertine Coffee Table with Brushed Aluminum or Brass Hardware
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Carefully crafted from a single slab of Egyptian Giallo Travertine, the design of the Gia Coffee Table is dictated by deliberate and intentional cuts—the openings in the legs are inf...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Travertine, Marble, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Brass
Century Furniture Modern Chrome and Zebra Wood Metal Base Desk Table 849-761
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Century Furniture Modern Chrome and Zebra Wood Metal Base Desk Table 849-761. Item features 3 drawers, original label, sculptural metal stretcher base, beautiful laminate wood grain,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
White Kidney Shaped Desk, Gesso, Antique Mirror Top
Located in Miami, FL
White kidney shaped desk with Gesso finish. The top is antiqued mirror glass. Ready for a new home.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisbon, PT
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Leather and Teak Desk by Pierre Jeanneret, 1959
Located in New York City, NY
Leather and Teak Desk by Pierre Jeanneret, Chandigarh, India
Beautiful patinated desk by PIerre Jeanneret. The full-grained leather is beautifully dyed and ties seamlessly with the ...
Category
20th Century Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
1960s Finn Juhl France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak Made in Denmark
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1960's Finn Juhl for France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak. Overall this item is in very good to excellent condition. The wood top is free from any major scratches, stains, or major imperfections. It has aged quite nicely and shows a gorgeous and very subtle patina. The drawers open easily and the metal finish on the legs are intact and clean. The bottom of the desk top from the ground is 26-1/2" but total clearance from the ground is 24-3/4" to the middle support beam. This piece came from a notable modern estate in Boston. It was purchased from Machine Age by the previous owner. The Eames aluminum chair...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
DC-3 ‘Dakota’ Wingtip Desk
Located in London, GB
The Douglas DC-3 was designed in the mid-1930s as a passenger and freight aircraft, but built during the war years 1941-1945 in large numbers, as the DC-3 (C47) Transport Plane known...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
The Bi Writing Desk. Handcrafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia wood.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Bi writing desk brings modernity and lightness combined with a classic touch. It's crafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia woods and features a movable storage compartment that c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
The Square desk with 3 Drawers. Brazilian Solid wood and Straw.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Square Desk was inspired by the design of Brazilian modern furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, featuring straight lines and Indian straw weaving. It's delicate and highly comfort...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Straw, Wood
Modern Flamingo Side Table Calacatta Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Flamingo Side Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Flamingo side table honours the exquisite beauty of nature's design. The luxurious ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel
Pencil Reed Coffee Table in the Style of Gabriella Crespi, circa 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Boho chic pencil reed rattan square coffee table in the style of Gabriella Crespi, circa 1970s newly lacquered in white with a new glass top...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan, Reed, Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Bold Geometric, contemporary, modern Library desk, writing
Located in Greenwood Village, CO
Elevate Your Space with a Bold Style Statement: The Modern Aesthetic Desk
Indulge in the opulence of this literary desk, originally conceived as a book...
Category
2010s Pakistani Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Paint
Dawkins Desk
Located in New York, NY
CREATE YOUR HOME OFFICE IN STYLE
Discover Michael's D A W K I N S Desk today! Bespoke sizes available upon request
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Ron Seff Substantial Gun Metal Bronze & Brass Table, circa 1980s
By Ron Seff
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Ron Seff substantial gun metal bronze & brass table circa 1980s
Offered for sale is a very heavy substantial table by Ron Seff in gunmetal and brass. The table is quite el...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Long Study Desk / Large Console Table in Beige Linoleum and Steel
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large Study desk / Console Table is made with a butternut beige powder-coated steel frame and a pearl linoleum top made from all-natural ingredients, such as flax, wood flour, a...
Category
2010s English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Smart Desk in Oak, Steel, and Laminate by Pierre Paulin, circa 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Oak, Steel, and Laminate Desk by Pierre Paulin, France
Smart desk with clean lines and beautiful patina.
Category
20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Modern Fluted Walnut Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
This modern fluted walnut writing desk is a beautiful piece of furniture made of walnut wood, designed with modern styling and a fluted frame finished in a turtle green color lacquer...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Black Dolmen Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte electrostatic paint.
The Dolmen Desk was designed with two surface ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Obsidian Desk - Modern Black Lacquered Desk with Chromed Plinth
Located in London, GB
The steep accents of the Obsidian collection confers its unique design with a sublime and powerful presence, gifting it with a head-turning look and a sharp personality of its own. This piece is built in lacquered wood with a chromed plinth...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Colorful Ash Desk by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful ash desk by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada
Measures: W 140 * D 75 * H 103 cm
Desktop in painted ash veneer • fronts in matte paint finish
Structure in MDF • Metal legs with pain...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Bureau Bubble Ivoire Desk by Charly Bounan
Located in Geneve, CH
Bureau Bubble Ivoire Desk by Charly Bounan
One of a Kind
Dimensions: D 72 x W 240 x H 75 cm.
Materials: Lacquer and marquetry wood.
Charly Bounan, is a Parisian designer renowned f...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Walnut X-Leg Desk, 20th Century
Located in New York City, NY
Walnut X-Leg Desk, Italy, 20th C.
Elegant walnut desk with clean lines and a single drawer.
Additional Information:
Materials: Walnut
Origin: Italy
Period: 1950-1979
Styles / Movem...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Marco Zanuso Jr., Finn Juhl, Greenapple, and Elena Salmistraro. 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 $205 and tops out at $76,270 while the average work can sell for $6,480.
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