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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Set of 2 Void 03 by Dmnts Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Void 03 by DMNTS Design
Dimensions: 42 x 39 x 50 cm (each piece)
Materials: Quercus suber cork
One of A Kind
Void 03 is a multipurpose object based on the analysis of ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cork
Bricks, Desk K1
By Kueng Caputo
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kueng Caputo is a Zurich, Switzerland based design practice comprised of Lovis Caputo and Sarah Kueng. Their material adventures are often rooted in the complexities of crafts techni...
Category
2010s Swiss Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ceramic
Set of 2 Nestep by DMNTS Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 nestep by DMNTS Design
Dimensions: 20 x 40 x 20 cm (each piece)
Materials: Recycled fibre-glass and expanded plastic boards
One of a kind.
NESTEP, is based on the...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plastic, Fiberglass
Modern Minimalist Oak Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
Modern minimalist oak leather top writing desk. Simplistic modern styling with beautiful textured Oak woods. Finished in a distressed grey wash finish with Italian black leather writing area. This sleek modern desk...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
Colorful Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada
Measures: W 160 x D 30 x H 110 cm or W 130 x D 30 x H 110 cm
Top in painted ash veneer • fronts in ma...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Confidence of Cloud Writing Desk by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Confidence of a cloud writing desk by Thomas Dariel
Dimensions: D 43 x W 120 x H 147 cm
Materials: Structure in MDF with color-painted ash veneer. Fronts and back in the matte or ...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Amuneal’s Collector's Knife Edge Console
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal’s wall hanging bleached oak console table uses our traditional Collector’s Shelving hardware to support this two-drawer unit with raised knife-edge surround. The scale of the...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Big Crocco Desk by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Crocco desk by Egg Designs
Dimensions: 60 L X 160 D X 74.5 H cm
Materials: Ardmore ceramics, Glass, Walnut, Genuine Crocodile Skin Handles
Founded by South Africans and life...
Category
2010s South African Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Bricks, Desk with Lamp E1
By Kueng Caputo
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kueng Caputo is a Zurich, Switzerland based design practice comprised of Lovis Caputo and Sarah Kueng. Their material adventures are often rooted in the complexities of crafts techni...
Category
2010s Swiss Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Bricks, Shelf Desk L1
By Kueng Caputo
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kueng Caputo is a Zurich, Switzerland based design practice comprised of Lovis Caputo and Sarah Kueng. Their material adventures are often rooted in the complexities of crafts techni...
Category
2010s Swiss Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ceramic
Modern Silhueta Console Table Carrara Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Silhueta console, Modern Collection, handcrafted in portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
Inspired by the organic shapes and lean silhouettes, this console adds a modern touch to every ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Steel, Stainless Steel, Brass
Modern Arco da Augusta Console Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Arco da Augusta Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Inspired by Lisbon's historical arch and as a homage to the Portuguese architecture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Steel
Rails Functional Sculpture Plywood Trestles Table Desk
Located in London, GB
Composition of x2 RAILS 750 with a tabletop.
Bespoke accessories can be made to order in various materials and finishes.
A modern system for fluid living.
RAILS® is a unique con...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Modernist Steel and Glass Desk, French Early-Mid 20th Century
By Le Corbusier
Located in London, GB
A sculptural statement desk in patinated black enamelled steel, with new floating frosted glass top. Le Corbusier-esque in it’S Form - a nod to both modernism and industrialism. Fren...
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
4-Drawer Bodil Kjaer Desk for E. Pedersen & Son of Denmark in Brazilian Rosewood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We present a very nice example of the 4-Drawer Bodil Kjaer Desk for E. Pedersen & Son, finished in Brazilian rosewood. The table has been freshly oiled. There are some signs of wear ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Modern Armona Dining Table, American Oak, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Stylish Tubular Steel Executive Desk
Located in Athens, Attiki
Stylish design!
Glass-top executive desk on elegant tubular steel structure with 2-sided sliding drawer.
Excellent condition.
Category
1990s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Shanghai Desk in Ziricotte Wood, Leather Top and Silver Patined Leg
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Shanghai desk in Ziricotte wood, leather top and silver patined leg. The inside is made in Sycomore.
PLease ask for a shipping quote to get the best offer.
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
The Gate #01, Long Table/ Desk by Singchan Design Borderland Series
Located in 广州市, CN
Dimension: L3200 x W1000 x H750
Material: Stainless steel
Limited Edition 20+2AP
The metal surface is not sealed, exposing the true metallic lustre intentionally, giving the tab...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak
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 the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Eileen Writing Desk in Walnut with Palissandro Stone Inset by Chapter & Verse
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Our Eileen writing desk shown in walnut with palissandro stone inset (COM).
All of our pieces are made to order with custom sizes available upon request. Additional options includ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Karl Springer Rare "Goatskin Free Form Desk" 1988
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Goatskin Free Form Desk" in lacquered goatskin with drawer by Karl Springer, American 1988 (date stamped on bottom). Springer’s Free Form...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Custom Modern Waterfall Desk with Marble Accent
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom modern waterfall desk with marble accent. Unique modern styling with rich walnut woods. Finished in a satin espresso color. Featuring beautiful...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Modern Desk "Little Shanghai" by Aymeric Lefort Black and Santos Wood
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Little Shanghai desk in santos wood and black saycomore silver painted leg. There are two drawers on each side.
This desk is hand build in or workshop in Paris and can be made in ot...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Whitetravertinetop Glossy Legs
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Nero Marquinia Marble Mat Legs
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
21st Century Desk Wight Ebony and Black Leather with Metal Leg by Aymeric Lefort
Located in SENLIS, OISE
A semi-circular black lacquered metal legged desk with a white ebony veneer top and black leather desk blotter. The top of the back legs ends with a LED light.
Do not hesitate to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Grigio Billiemi Stone Glossy
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Reclaimed Teak Droplet Desk
Located in London, GB
Ariane Thakore Ginwala's Droplet desk is the quintessential blend of contemporary and Classic style. Its reclaimed teak construction is handcrafted by expert artisans, ensuring every...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Reclaimed Wood
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Classic Travertino Glossy Legs
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Carbon Fiber and Cast Brass Talon Desk by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Carbon fiber and cast brass talon desk by Madheke
Dimensions: W 180 x D 75 x H 74.5 cm
Materials: Leather, Carbon Fibre, Metal
The TALON desk is defined by a rich matte black ...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane White Carrara Marble Mat
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Modern French Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French two drawer desk with our Rowan beech veneer finish, embossed leather wrapped frieze and drawers with brushed brass finish handles.
Dimensions: 54" W x 28" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Modern Leather Wrapped Dressing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern leather wrapped dressing table with an embossed leather-wrapped table top with three drawers on a modern gilded frame meta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Alvar Aalto 60's Beech Desk and White Drawer
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Alvar aalto design beachtop desk and drawer set in white paint.
You can expect yellowing to amber in the future, and it has a beautiful aging feeling.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech, Birch
Mid-Century French Four Drawers Rattan Desk, C 1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very decorative mid-century French rattan desk, four drawers, C 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash
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
Graphite Secretaire Desk, Pols Potten Studio
By Pols Potten
Located in Geneve, CH
Graphite secretaire desk - Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W119 x D59 x H75.5 cm.
Materials: Black powder coated iron frame, graphite plated aluminium top
Pols Potten products...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Iron
Large Dining Table with Stone Mosaic Surface by Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A glamorous dining table designed and retailed by Karl Springer, circa 1980s. The iconic shape features a beveled horse track-shape top with ro...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
Locust desk by AROUNDtheTREE
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
Locust desk designed by Alexandre Caldas to AROUNDtheTREE was created to be a memento to those, who by simple liberation, just have a go on doing things! T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Walnut
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root Onyx Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Armona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Desk "Orlando" by MarCo Romanelli
Located in Napoli, NA
Orlando is a home / office desk designed by designer MarCo Romanelli.
This desk has an essential, fine and robust structure that avoids any formal excess. A discreet and functional ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Other
Italian Industrial Metal and Wood Desk with Drawers, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian industrial metal and wood desk with drawers, 1970s
Wooden desk with metal frame, with satin finish, top with 45 degree cut corners and ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary-1 - White
Located in Berlin, BE
Wall Art, Workstation
Functional and discreet, this Fla¨pps wall desk makes the perfect seated or standing workstation depending on the height it is mounted on the wall. When the ...
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood
Organic Modern Madrona Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Organic modern madrona desk, Inspirational design elements lead with a mesmerizing butcher block top honed from Madrona burl finished in smoke gray.
Organically textured stainless...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Beluga Leather Writing Desk by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Beluga leather writing desk by Madheke
Dimensions: W 150 x D x 60 x H 86 cm
Materials: Leather, fabric, metal, veneer
The minimalistic desig...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Modern Desk Wood and Steel by Cyril Rumpler, Gustav
Located in Les Acacias, GE
Modern Desk Wood and Steel by Cyril Rumpler, Gustav.
The shape of the top and its variations in thickness combined with the metal mesh create an effect of lightness. The combination ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Herringbone Waterfall Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Herringbone Waterfall Desk, create a serene space for work and moments of reflection with this parsons style desk, engaging the senses with its fluid f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Italian Modern Dining Table by Paolo Buffa, circa 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Italian Design dining table by Paolo Buffa
Material : Oak wood
Dimensions : H 80 x 180 x 82 cm
Year : Circa 1940
A rare piece made in the early 1940's by Paolo Buffa (Italy) refe...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Design Office Desk Violet Marble with Details Polished Brass
Located in Porto, PT
Queena Desk promises to be the next statement design for a modern office project. Contemporary offices need to keep a corporative language, but that doesn’t mean they need to be boring. Take your home office design...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Lifting Desk by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Lifting desk by kar
Dimensions: W 120 x D 45 x H 75 cm
Materials: MDF Frame
Available in black.
Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetitio...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fiberglass
Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk Walnut Black Lino, 1945
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table desk designed by Finn Juhl in 1945, relaunched in 2009. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark.
During his career, Finn Juhl designed a series of different tables with ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary 100x60-1 - White
Located in Berlin, BE
A lot of work requires a lot of space. But only until it is done. That's why we now have the large Fläpps Secretary (100x60-1). After work, this fully-grown desk folds back up so discretely against the wall that you can no longer see anything of your work.
But it's not just a folding wall desk...
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood
Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary Alps by Joe Mania
Located in Berlin, BE
Wall Art, Workstation
Functional and discreet, this Fla¨pps wall desk makes the perfect seated or standing workstation depending on the height it is mounted on the wall. When the ...
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood
Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk Wood Black Lino
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Desk designed by Finn Jhul
Manufactured by one collection Finn Juhl, (Denmark)
When Finn Juhl established his first studio at the exclusive address of 33 Nyhavn in central Copenhagen in 1945, he designed a very simple desk with burnished steel legs, which came to shape his furniture design during the 1950s. When Finn Juhl moved his studio to 38 Sølvgade in 1957, these same tables were still used...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Mais, Desk by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mais - Desk by Alva Design
Materials: Wood, MDF, Formica, Leather details
Dimensions: 190 x 87 x 74 cm
ALVA is a furniture and objects design office, form...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Brass-Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass-plated desk, Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm.
Materials: Black powder-coated iron frame, aluminum, antique brass-plated top.
Pols Pott...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Iron, Aluminum
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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