$770Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.5 in W 48 in D 19 in
John Stuart Mid Century Modern Hairpin Leg Maple Writing Desk Table Drawers MCM
By John Stuart
Located in Dayton, OH
John Stuart Hairpin Desk, circa 1960s. Features a minimalist open form with plank top set between
Maple
MCM Drexel Profile Walnut Desk by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Trenton, NJ
Drexel Profile Walnut Desk by John Van Koert with Integrated Organizer This walnut writing desk is
Wood
Mid 20th Century Vintage Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Upgrade your workspace with the Vintage MCM Heywood Wakefield Writing Desk. This iconic mid-century
Wood
Göran Strand for Lelångs Möbelfabrik Model A10 MCM Swedish Desk
By Göran Strand
Located in Plainview, NY
. This quality Goran Strand MCM desk a true embodiment of Swedish design excellence that invites you to
Teak
$4,660
H 32.88 in W 37.41 in D 16.93 in
Arne Wahl Iversen Bureau Desk Danish Mid Century Teak 1960s MCM Scandinavian
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous, rare and super-stylish Mid Century bureau secretaire desk by a top Danish designer in
Teak
$2,195Sale Price / item|39% Off
H 29.5 in W 65 in D 23.25 in
MCM Teak Expandable Desk and Chair by Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard, Denmark c.1960
By Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A mid-century teak writing desk with expandable sliding top for more working space. One
Brass
Vintage MCM Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Writing Desk
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a distinguished vintage writing desk, a testament to the iconic design of T.H. Robsjohn
Brass
Unavailable
H 40.87 in W 31.97 in D 17.41 in
Ercol Bureau Writing Desk Model 518 Elm Beech Vintage Mcm
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
A rare opportunity to acquire an Ercol model 518 bureau. The solid elm carcass boasting a well figured grain with sloping fall front enclosed pigeon holes and shelving above a long ...
Elm
Vintage MCM Custom Built Plywood Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage MCM writing desk. A chic little writing spot that was hand made. Constructed in
Plywood
Sold
H 30.75 in W 54.25 in D 30 in
Vintage Consensus Collection by Drexel MCM Writing Desk Ash & Brass Plated Metal
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage ash veneer MCM writing desk on a brass plated metal frame with solid brass pulls
Metal, Brass
Vintage MCM Alma Walnut Boomerang Executive Desk
By Alma Desk Company
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking Vintage MCM executive desk. Made by the iconic Alma group. Beautiful walnut frame in a
Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 46 in D 23 in
Vintage Sligh Chinese Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Kneehole Writing Desk MCM
By Sligh Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Sligh Furniture black lacquered knee hole writing desk featuring Chinoiserie styling with
Leather, Hardwood, Lacquer
Sold
H 29.5 in W 44 in D 23 in
Vintage MCM American of Martinsville "Accord" Walnut Drop Leaf Writing Desk
By American of Martinsville
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern American of Martinsville Accord petite drop leaf writing desk in walnut. Warm walnut woodgrain
Walnut
MCM Rosewood Executive Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The “FM60” Rosewood executive desk, by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, having a
Wood
Danish mcm teak Peter Lovig floating Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Peter Lovig Nielsen Floating Teak Desk with open back bookshelf. Gorgeous danish piece in
Teak
Danish / Mid Modern MCM Bernhard Pedersen & Son Secretary Desk
By G. None
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Wow!! What a beautiful and unique mid-century teak veneer tambour desk, by Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Teak
Sold
H 29.25 in W 42 in D 24 in
Vintage Mcm White Lacquer Jamestown Trapezoid Desk With Upholstered Chair
Located in Medina, OH
your home office! This desk has a unique trapezoid shape! See measurements below. Table top
Metal
Sold
H 39.5 in W 50.5 in D 27 in
MCM Superb Japanned or Chinoiserie Lacquer Carlton House Desk & Matching Chair
By Waring & Gillow
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Carlton House desks, both mid century and of the period are a rare commodity. They are difficult
Lacquer
Sold
H 71.5 in W 39.5 in D 16.75 in
Johannes Sorth for Nexø Møbelfabrik MCM Danish Teak Bookshelf Secretary Desk
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-Century Danish Modern Tall Teak Bookcase and Secretary Desk by Designer Johannes Sorth. This
Teak
Sold
H 41.5 in W 32.5 in D 57.5 in
Holmes County Solid Cherry Amish Secretary Office Desk Library Table Leather MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
An incredible desk by Holmes County Chair Company. Made from solid cherry with a minimalist
Cherry
Sold
H 32 in W 60 in L 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Acrylic Blade Desk & Z-Chair MCM Sofa Table Sideboard
By Luigi Bardini
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-Century Modern Lucite acrylic blade desk and Z-chair Mid-Century Modern sofa table sideboard
Chrome
Sold
H 27.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
Teak and Walnut Trim Mcm Floating Top Desk from G Plan by Ib Kofod–Larsen
By G Plan Furniture
Located in Houston, TX
This is an incredible teak and walnut trim mcm floating top desk from G Plan designed by Ib Kofod
Teak
1960s Aluminum and Teak Executive Office Desk
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
spectacular and creates a comfortable writing surface. This MCM desk screams Mad Men but has incredible
Aluminum
1960s MCM Rattan Wood Leather Top Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
leather top desk. The ultra rare desk exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is
Leather, Rattan, Wood
MCM Danish Teak Desk by Nordisk Andels Eksport 1970s
By Nordisk Andels-Eksport
Located in Carmel, NY
A remarkable desk that exudes elegance and sophistication. This exceptional Danish Modern desk
Teak
Arne Vodder Drop Leaf Desk Denmark Teak Sliding Drawers 1960's MCM
By Arne Vodder
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic Arne Vodder for H.Sigh and son desk with drop-leaf and sliding rails-allowing the drawers
Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 44.89 in D 20.48 in
Mid Century Teak Black Writing Desk With Drawer Vintage Retro MCM
Located in Cambridge, GB
New Stock ✅ Mid Century Vintage Teak Writing Desk With Drawer Retro MCM This mid century writing
Brass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 46.86 in D 19.3 in
Danish Desk Christian Peter Hvidt For Søborg Møbelfabrik Mid Century Vintage MCM
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Cambridge, GB
New Stock ✅ Danish Desk Christian Peter Hvidt for Søborg Møbelfabrik Mid Century Vintage Retro MCM
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.15 in W 57.09 in D 29.53 in
Mid Century Danish Oak Desk By Arne Vodder For Sibast Vintage Retro MCM
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Cambridge, GB
New Stock ✅ Mid Century Danish Oak Desk by Arne Vodder for Sibast Vintage Retro MCM A beautiful
Oak
Brass and Glass Swivel Coffee Table 1970s In Style of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Toronto, ON
Articulating swivel three tier brass and glass cocktail side table in the style of Milo Baughman. This gorgeous brass table has three tiers, the middle tier swivels 360 degrees and c...
Brass
Sold|$1,295
H 43.5 in W 40.5 in D 19 in
Antique Victorian Arts & Crafts Walnut Stepback Dresser Chest of Drawers
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian stepback dresser / chest of drawers. Made of walnut featuring Arts & Crafts styling with five hand dovetailed drawers framed by long spool style beads and lowe...
Walnut
Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition. Assembled with crystal/gold and red elements handmade in the Murano furnaces. Wooden frame with a natural finish.
Glass
Vintage 70s brown leatherette sofa
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
3-seater sofa with foam padding and leatherette upholstery.
Plastic
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 upper part of this piece is made ...
Brass
Mid-Century Teak Sofa Bed with Storage Headboard, 1960s Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A versatile and functional example of Mid-Century design, this teak sofa bed offers both comfortable seating and convenient storage. Complete with a matching, detached headboard feat...
Teak, Upholstery
$2,500 / item
H 4.75 in Dm 9.75 in
1960s Helena Tynell Model #A664 Amber Bubble Glass Flush Mount for Limburg
By Helena Tynell, Glashütte Limburg
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Helena Tynell Model #A664 Amber Bubble Glass Flush Mount for Limburg. Executed in thick and heavy textured amber bubble glass and painted metal mount. Can be mounted on the cei...
Metal
Tulip Console Table in Walnut by Kope Woodcraft
Located in Manson, WA
Tulip Console Table – Minimalist Elegance Meets Functional Design Elevate your home with the Tulip Console Table, a sleek and sophisticated accent piece that brings effortless style...
Walnut
$6,896
H 18.51 in W 33.86 in D 17.92 in
Gio Ponti low table made of African walnut wood and glass, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Low table made of African walnut wood and glass, Italian craftsmanship, designed by Gio Ponti, 1950s. The coffee table, an indispensable piece in the living room, has always been a ...
Glass, Walnut
Swedish Erik Chambert art deco desk, 1940
Located in Uccle, BE
A mid 20th century birch art deco desk with 7 drawers and key included. Date of manufacture stamped: 20 12 1940 Designed by Erik Chambert (1902-1988) who was a pioneering interior d...
Birch
Dutch Art Deco Oak Writing Desk, Five Drawers, P.E.L Izeren Style
By P.E.L. Izeren 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Art Deco oak writing desk showcases the refined geometric elegance and functional sophistication of P.E.L Izeren style furniture from the early 20th century. Hand-selected from...
Oak
$3,250 / set
H 19 in W 24 in D 20 in
Adrian Pearsall 1618-ET Sculpted Side Tables for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Side tables designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates and manufactured in the United States circa 1960’s. The beautiful new glass top shows a beautiful view of the frame of th...
Glass, Walnut
1950s Wall Console with Marble Top, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Wall console made of beech with a grey marble top with white veins and a drawer. The console has been restored and polished by hand. It is the perfect addition to any entrance or hal...
Marble
"Armand" Angular Burl Wood Desk by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
The Armand Desk reflects the heritage of French Art Moderne in a form wrapped entirely in hand-matched exotic burl veneer. Continuous grain flows seamlessly across the top, legs, and...
Burl
French parquetry Cabinet Armoire by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large cabinet with parquetry design by Jules Leleu Paris, Model no. 4178. Designed in 1951 and this example is dated to 1953. Functioning as an Armoire for wardrobe, the cabinet fe...
Bronze
$10,000
H 39.38 in W 50.4 in D 23.63 in
Giovanni Michelucci Serena Chest of Drawers for Poltronova, 1955
By Poltronova, Giovanni Michelucci
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Gorgeous and rare "Serena "chest of drawers mod. Serena in walnut wood, designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova, 1955, Italy. Signed piece.
Walnut
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.
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the rooms our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.