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Czechoslovak modernist chrome and wood writing desk, 1950´s, Europe
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Large Bauhaus Partners Desk, piano lacquer, chrome, Czechoslovakia, 1930´s This large Bauhaus
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Czechoslovak modernist chrome and wood writing desk, 1950´s, Europe
By Kovona
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Mid century functionalist writing desk in the Bauhaus style. It has chromed structure, wooden board
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Writing Desk
By Severin Hansen, Severin Hansen Jr., Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in London, England
Severin Hansen Jnr. - Model 36 Writing Desk This iconic desk was designed by Severin Hansen Jnr
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Writing Desk by Silvio Cavatorta in Solid Walnut and Glass, Italy, 1950's
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Uithoorn, NL
A large symmetrical desk by Silvio Cavatorta in solid walnut with on both sides 3 drawers and in
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

1950s Danish Writing Desk by Helmut Magg — Restored Design Classic
By Helmut Magg
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1950s Danish Writing Desk by Helmut Magg — Restored Design Classic This elegant lady's writing desk
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Jacques Adnet Desk, 1950’s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in PAU, FR
Important And rare green Desk and chair of Jacques Adnet. Quitte rare in green. The top is in black
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Jacques Adnet Desk, 1950’s
Jacques Adnet Desk, 1950’s
H 26.78 in W 44.49 in D 26.78 in
1950s English Mahogany Writing Desk with Drawers
Located in Marbella, ES
English 1950s mahogany writing table with drawers and legs with bronze lions claws. Dimensions
Category

Mid-20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

1950s English Mahogany Writing Desk with Drawers
1950s English Mahogany Writing Desk with Drawers
H 29.14 in W 42.13 in D 25.99 in
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet Chocolate and caramel brown leather France
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
H 29.53 in W 35.83 in D 22.05 in
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet Olive green and black leather France
Category

Vintage 1950s European Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
H 30.32 in W 47.25 in D 28.35 in
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet Bluet leather nickeled X base Chair included
Category

Vintage 1950s European Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 39.38 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard for John Stuart Larger Teak Writing Desk, 1950's
By John Stuart Inc., Hvidt & Mølgaard, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Danish Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Larger Teak Desk for Soborg Møbelfabrik Denmark, 1960's
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Enamel, Iron

Large Oak & Class Modernist Desk, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
A large modernist desk in oak with a very interesting top comprised of a glass-covered lattice
Category

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

Materials

Oak, Glass

Vintage Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid With Brass, 1950s
Located in Opole, PL
Vintage Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid With Brass, 1950s An exquisite neoclassical-style writing
Category

Vintage 1950s European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very nice stitched leather desk in bi-color brown and black feet in brass in the manner of bamboo
Category

Vintage 1950s European Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
H 29.53 in W 43.71 in D 24.02 in
Light Danish Desk, Denmark 1950's
Located in New York, NY
A bleached Teak desk with exposed joinery finished on all sides. Clearance under apron 24”.
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Light Danish Desk, Denmark 1950's
Light Danish Desk, Denmark 1950's
H 29 in W 47 in D 27.5 in
Reconstruction Oak Desk, France 1950's
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in New York, NY
A single-drawer oak desk with a lower bookshelf and a single drawer in the manner of Jeanneret or
Category

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

Materials

Oak

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's "Campaign Desk " all covered with stitched leather designed by Jacques Adnet. France.
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
H 28.35 in W 51.19 in D 30.32 in
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather desk covered with stitched leather France Designed by Jacques Adnet.
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
H 29.14 in W 36.62 in D 24.41 in
French fruitwood marquetry top writing table, 1950’s
Located in Kenilworth, IL
with a brass molding and fitted with square bail & rosette drawer pulls. The desk is supported by
Category

Mid-20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very nice stitched leather desk Covered with navy blue leather, chromed metal 3 drawers.   
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
H 70.87 in W 28.75 in D 27.56 in
1950's Stitched leather and patinated pearwood writing table by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather and pearwood writing table by Jacques Adnet Rare modèle first quater of the
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Pearwood

Gio Ponti Original 1950's Desk
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
An architect, furniture and industrial designer and editor, Giò Ponti was arguably the most influential figure in 20th-century Italian Modernism. Ponti designed thousands of furnishi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gio Ponti Original 1950's Desk
Gio Ponti Original 1950's Desk
H 31.11 in W 65.75 in D 35.44 in
Italian Mid-Century Writing Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Dassi Mobili Moderni, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite writing desk, so well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, stands as a testament
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Czechoslovak Midcentury Chrome and Formica Writing Desk, 1950s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Midcentury writing desk with three plastic drawer. It has a construction of chrome pipes and a
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Regency Desk Writing Table and Chair
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Melchiorre Bega, Vittorio Dassi, Paolo Buffa, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful and neoclassical midcentury Regency Italian writing table or desk with its paired newly
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Desk in Mahogany and Brass by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Desk in Mahogany and Brass by Josef Frank, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany and
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950's Dark Brown Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in North Miami, FL
This three-drawer Jacques Adnet desk in dark brown stitched leather with ring pulls and brass
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rosewood Desk by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1950's
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Austin, TX
are just below. Italy, 1950's
Category

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

Materials

Cherry, Rosewood

Desk in Teak, Oak and Brass by Hans Wegner, 1950's
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Desk in Teak, Oak and Brass by Hans Wegner, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Teak, oak and
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950's Compact Surveillant Desk - Atelier Jean Prouve
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Compact Surveillant Desk – Atelier Jean Prouve. Prouvé is one of the most respected French
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

1950's Compact Surveillant Desk - Atelier Jean Prouve
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Compact Surveillant Desk – Atelier Jean Prouve. Prouvé is one of the most respected French
Category

Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet. Metal is in vintage condition. See pictures for
Category

Vintage 1960s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
1950's Stitched Leather Desk by Jacques Adnet
H 28.75 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Italian Venetian Knee-Hole Desk /Console Table circa 1950's
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1290 Hand painted Venetian style desk with gilt finish.
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Italian 1950's Desk and Chair in the Manner of Gio Ponti
By (After) Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
Sculptural Italian School 1950's desk and matching chair is made of cherry wood in the manner of
Category

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

Materials

Linen, Formica, Fruitwood

1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut Wood Brass and Glass Writing Desk Table
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, with glass top and beautiful shape of
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Italian Writing Table, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian writing table, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 76 cm; W= 110 cm; D= 50 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Italian Writing Table, 1950s
Italian Writing Table, 1950s
H 29.93 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
1950's Mid-Century Modernist Floating Top Curved Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Stylize your room with this impressive writing desk. This unusual desk takes its inspiration from
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Teakwood Writing Desk and Chair, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
, Italia, 1950s. The measurements indicated are for the desk only, while the measurements for the chair
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Maison Jansen Manner Brass & Leather Top Desk Writing Table 1950s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Norwich, GB
manner. French - Circa 1950. This Directoire style desk is made in bright solid brass with contrasting
Category

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

"Hillestak' dining table/desk by Robin Day in the 1950's for Hille
By Robin Day
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage beech table compass feet by Robin Day for Hille, United Kingdom 1950s "Hillestak" dining
Category

Mid-20th Century British Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1950's Italian Teak Desk With Black Iron and Brass Frame
Located in Rome, IT
Restored vintage writing desk, originating from Italy in the 1950s, presents a striking example of
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

1950s Doctor's Desk
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic doctor’s desk from the 1950s. Cream white metal body with one drawer, two cabinet doors
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1950s Doctor's Desk
1950s Doctor's Desk
H 30.71 in W 54.73 in D 26.38 in
Danish Cabinetmaker 1950s Rosewood Desk
Located in London, England
An exquisite Danish cabinetmaker made desk in stunning rosewood dated to the early 1950s. This
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Cabinetmaker 1950s Rosewood Desk
Danish Cabinetmaker 1950s Rosewood Desk
H 29.53 in W 59.06 in D 30.71 in
1950s Italian Burl Maple Desk
By (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
Stylized 1950s Italian burl maple desk with bronze pulls and glass scrivania top.
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

1950s Italian Burl Maple Desk
1950s Italian Burl Maple Desk
H 30.75 in W 49.5 in D 26.75 in
Italian Desk, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 80 cm; W= 153 cm; D= 66 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Italian Desk, 1950s
Italian Desk, 1950s
H 31.5 in W 60.24 in D 25.99 in
Italian Venetian Style Distressed Paint Decorated Secretary Desk C. 1950's
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Europe with this Italian Venetian style distressed paint-decorated secretary desk, crafted circa the
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Country Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk
By Bernt Petersen, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, England
Bernt Petersen Mahogany Writing Desk, circa 1950s An exceptional 4-drawer desk from Danish
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk
Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk
H 29.14 in W 75.6 in D 37.8 in
1950's Post Office Steel Industrial Mail Sorting Desk Workstation Table
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage industrial salvage USPS Post Office steel mail sorting station desk circa 1956 with single
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Architectural Desk In Walnut By Carlo de Carli, Italy 1950's
By Carlo De Carli
Located in Hellouw, NL
Architectural Desk in walnut by Carlo De Carli.This desk has a very solid and a kind of determined
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Desk, 1950s/60s
Located in Greding, DE
Mid-century style desk crafted from light-toned wood, featuring clean lines and tapered, slightly
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Desk, 1950s/60s
Mid-Century Desk, 1950s/60s
H 31.89 in W 55.12 in D 28.35 in
Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Desk
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin Hansen Jr.
Located in London, England
Severin Hansen Jnr. - Model 36 Writing Desk This iconic desk was designed by Severin Hansen Jnr
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Desk
Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Desk
H 29.14 in W 56.3 in D 29.53 in
American Designer, Desk, Rosewood, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood desk designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Writing Desk, Erik Riisager Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1950
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Erik Riisager Hansen 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood Writing Desk, Erik Riisager Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1950s This rare
Category

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

Materials

Teak

1950s Fabulous Floating Desk Mexican Mahogany
By Eugenio Escudero, Michael van Beuren
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mexico 1950s Refined Floating Desk in Mahogany Wood Quality build in Mahogany with Plywood on
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Plywood

1950s Danish Sawhorse Minimalist Desk or Dining Table 1950s Danish Desk
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
1950s Danish Sawhorse Minimalist Desk or Dining Table 1950s Danish Sawhorse Minimalist Desk or
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Trau Turin Desk, 1950s
By Trau
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Vintage metal desk made by Trau in Turin in the 1950s. 5 drawer gray metal structure with red faux
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Trau Turin Desk, 1950s
Trau Turin Desk, 1950s
H 30.71 in W 82.68 in D 39.38 in
Fine French 1950's Rectangular Mahogany Desk by Jacques Adnet (2 available)
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacques Adnet: A fine French mid-century mahogany desk with a leather top and bronze details
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Materials

Leather, Nutwood

William Watting, Desk, Mahogany, Brass, Denmark, 1950s
By William Watting
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and brass desk designed by William Watting and produced in Denmark, c. 1950s
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and rare, circa 1950's Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno desk with teak top. Iron frame with
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
H 30.25 in W 57 in D 29.25 in
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1950s Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 1950s writing desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every 1950s writing desk was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect 1950s writing desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A 1950s writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Industrial styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made 1950s writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Paul McCobb, Nanna Ditzel and Cees Braakman are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a 1950s Writing Desk?

Prices for a 1950s writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1 and can go as high as $115,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,684.

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.

Questions About 1950s Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs 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 ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A 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 ExpertJune 30, 2023
    Some popular watches for men during the 1950s were the Rolex Submariner, the Enicar Sherpa Dive, the Breitling Navitimer, Omega, Constellation and the Rolex GMT-Master. Rolex, Timex, Orvin, Tower and Elgin were among the top watchmakers for women during the decade. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    The clothing style in the 1950s was well tailored and classic. For women, dresses with padded busts, cinched waists and hips, and full circle skirts were popular, and the collared button-up shirt dress came into fashion during the decade. Men tended to wear suits in neutral gray, dark blue and brown colors made out of easy-to-care-for synthetic fabrics. Straight-cut double-breasted blazers were commonly worn for casual occasions. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage clothing from the 1950s.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes. While the gem has always been a mainstay in jewelry, there was a boom in demand for pearl pieces in the 1950s. The style at the time was black-and-white-chic, and pearls were an excellent accompaniment to pieces like the classic little black dress. Shop a collection of expertly vetted pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    What 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 ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023
    There were a few popular diamond cuts in the 1950s. One was the brilliant round cut, which is still common today due to its simple shape and prominent sparkle. Other favorite cuts of the decade included the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of engagement rings.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023
    In the 1950s, a Chanel bag was priced between $200 and $300. The iconic Chanel 2.55 bag cost $220 when first introduced in February 1955. Accounting for inflation, that works out to around $2,536 in today's money. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023
    In the 1950s, several diamond cuts were popular. They included the brilliant round cut, the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Rings that featured a large central stone flanked by smaller baguettes were also trendy during the decade. Find a collection of vintage diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    In 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025
    Frank Stella is the artist who became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These works featured bands of black paint separated by thin, precise stripes of bare canvas. At a time when contemporary painting was all about wild gestures, thick paint and formal abandon, the “Black Paintings” created a sensation. Explore a range of Frank Stella art on 1stDibs.