1950 French Unic Studio Iron Counterbalance Drafting Table Architect Artist Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Very unique vintage French fully adjustable counterbalance drafting table by Unic Studios of Paris, France. This remarkable piece of work features an iron counterbalance weighted bas...
Iron
20th Century John Sherrif American Studio Mixed Wood Writing Desk and Chair
Located in Morristown, NJ
c. 1988, John Sherrif mixed wood writing desk and chair, in walnut, ebony, and mahogany. The desk with gallery of drawers and cubbies, initialed "JS" on back. The desk surface folds ...
Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany, Walnut
Grey metal & Pagwood 1960s Dattilo low desk/console by BBPR for Olivetti Synthes
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
small typist's desk, arco model for olivetti synthesys. Ideal as a console, service table or additional support surface for the main desk.
Metal
Postmodern Pluto Desk by Pierre Colleu for Starform and Disney, France 1980s.
By Pierre Colleu 1, Disney Studios, Starform
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 58 cm. Total height with the head: 90 cm Very good condition. Some restaurations on the desk top. Some fading on the head and the legs.
Resin, Plastic
Arco Sidedesk 'Arredamenti Metallici Serie' by B.B.P.R. Studio for Olivetti
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Munster, NRW
Sidedesk/desk made of metal panels on angled legs, adjustable hexagonal feet in black and a chest of five drawers on rails in light gray / beige plastic, which is in a very good vint...
Metal
BBPR for Olivetti 1960 Green Modernist Desk with Black Accents and Side Bureau
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern complete desk, by Olivetti, designed by Studio BBPR: Ernesto Nathan Rogers (1901-1969) Enrico Peressutti (1908-1976) Barbiano di Belgiojoso (1909-2004) Gia...
Metal, Steel
Sold|$32,500
Mira Nakashima Conoid Desk
By Mira Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Nakashima Studios Conoid Desk Commissioned in 2000 for the Davidson Family Wonderful selection of wood Signed Mira Nakashima and Dated, clients name Original Surface.
Walnut
Sold|$6,580
19th Century Chinese Qing Studio Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Likely commissioned for his studio, this 19th century writing table offered a scholar ample surface space to draft poetry or practice calligraphy. To cultivate uncluttered and inspir...
Elm
Sold|$2,100
Onde Desk in Solid Teak
Located in Singapore, SG
The Onde desk, designed by Studio Kallang in 2022, is a playful take on classic midcentury forms.
Teak
Sold|$2,100
Onde Desk in Solid Teak
Located in Singapore, SG
The Onde desk, designed by Studio Kallang in 2022, is a playful take on classic midcentury forms.
Teak
Sold|$7,000
Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top Teak Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ideal as a shared desk for studio or office. Full surface with measures 37.75" wide.
Teak
Swedish Post-Modernist Desk in Wood and Leather
Located in Karlstad, SE
This studio craft desk shows an impressive sense of material and design.
Brass
Masculine Modern Beach Oak Wood "Beach" Desk , Parisii Collection
Located in Del Mar, CA
Balancing design and function, the desk features a generous work surface that is available in 6 feet in length, making it a great fit for any office or studio.
Oak
"Arco" Office Cabinet by B.B.P.R. for Olivetti, Italy, 1963
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This beautiful cabinet was designed by Studio BBPR (Gianluigi Banfi, Lodovico Belgioioso, Enrico Peressutti and Ernesto Rogers) in 1963 for Olivetti. The cabinet features a methacry...
Metal
Very Rare 1970s Fiberglass Directors Desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl
By Wilhelm Werndl, Ernest Igl
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful Space Age directors desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl Completely restored, in very good condition.
Aluminum
Sold|$1,404
Gaetano" desk by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Conversano, IT
The "Gateano" table/desk is a unique design piece created by the famous designer Gae Aulenti and produced by Zanotta in the 1970s. This elegant piece of furniture combines form and f...
Crystal, Steel
Scrivania "Nomos" di Normann Foster per Tecno
By Tecno, Sir Norman Foster
Located in Conversano, IT
La scrivania "Nomos", disegnata dal rinomato architetto e designer Sir Norman Foster e prodotta dall'azienda italiana Tecno, è un'opera d'arte nel mondo del design degli spazi di lav...
Steel
Sold|$2,600
Studio Made Live Edge Console or Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish live edge console table features live-edge hardwood construction, natural finish, and striking Nakashima style. Unique details add to the rustic modern appeal of the tab...
Griff Logan Workshop Studio Bench Made Free Edge Table or Desk
By George Nakashima, Griff Logan
Located in Buffalo, NY
Griff Logan workshop studio bench made free edge table or desk, solid walnut wood.
Walnut
1960's George Nakashima Studio Made Walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table / Desk
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a handmade studio piece and not a mass-produced design.
Walnut
Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Studio Made Copper Console Table, Vanity or Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural desk made of textured verdigris copper and smooth copper. Beautiful warm patina throughout. Comes with matching accessory oval mirror. Artist made circa 1960's and one o...
Copper
Sold|$3,600
Minimal Console Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
Solid teak minimal console table desk. Studio console table desk. Reclaimed old growth teak wood console desk work table.
Teak
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass Trilobi Triangular Dining Table Bases in Matte Finish, c 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, conferenc...
Brass
Sold|$75,000
Unique Multi-Tier Desk by Eben W. Haskell Studio
By Haskell Studio
Located in New York, NY
Each arm supporting a horizontal surface. This desk has 2 pencil drawers & one large file drawer.
Walnut
Sold|$10,000
John Nyquist Handcrafted Studio Desk
By John Nyquist
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Nyquist Handcrafted Studio Desk in walnut
Sold|$2,400
1960s Studio Desk
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic mid-century diminutive desk with its original brass feet. In a beautiful blonde wood and hailing from a New York art school (as well as its yellow stool counterpart, sold s...
Brass
Sold|$45,000
Hand made Senal Studio's Desk by Don Shoemaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare desk is one of less than 10 ever made by the studio in Michoacan Mexico.
Walnut
Sold|$1,826
Arco Desk by Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 1963
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
This desk is a real design classic! Designed by Studio BBPR (Gianluigi Banfi, Lodovico Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti and Ernesto Rogers) in 1963 for Olivetti.
Metal
Italian Olivetti Table Desk Designed by Studio BBPR Arco Series, circa 1963
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful example of industrial design by the architectural group Studio BBPR for Olivetti, Italy, circa 1963. This was part of the Arco Series which was a line of Olivetti office ...
Metal
Sold|$6,800
1970s Studio Cantilevered Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hand crafted in figurative solid walnut cantilevered legged desk circa 1970s. Incorporating bold joinery and a novel approach to knot repair to the top. Having three drawers with the...
Walnut
Sold|$3,800
Handmade studio walnut standing desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handmade standing desk from the 60's
Walnut
Sold|$14,000
American Studio Stacked Oak Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fantastic organic design in the style of Wendle Castle. Undulating pedestal base supports writing surface and three velvet lined drawers.
Base is 39" long.
Sold|$2,575
Studio Furniture Desk with Parchment Top
Located in Maastricht, NL
A 1950s studio furniture desk with parchment cover. Rare and beautiful piece
Wood, Parchment Paper
Sold|$800
Dattilo Desk by Olivetti
By Studio BBPR
Located in Milan, IT
Olivetti writing - typing mod. Arco, designer BBPR 1963, gray metal frame and plastic top
Metal
Sold|$8,500
Dale Holub Two-tiered Studio Dovetail Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handcrafted two-tiered studio dovetail desk in koa wood by California Craftsman Dale Holub.
Sold|$850
Desk Arco by BBPR for Olivetti
By Studio BBPR
Located in Milan, IT
Desk Arco by BBPR for Olivetti. Made on 1960.
Sold|$6,500
Angled Quadrar Desk by Thomas Hayes Studio
Located in Hollywood, CA
A walnut desk by Thomas Hayes Studio with three drawers with sculptural solid Walnut bow tie details that also acts as pulls.
Steel
Custom Studio Craftsman Cherry Desk, Walker Weed
Located in Hudson, NY
A wonderful example of renowned New Hampshire craftsman, Walker Weed's (1918-2014) workmanship and design. Solid cherry floating double pedestal desk with dovetail construction. Smal...
Cherry
Sold|$3,277
Office Desk by BBPR for Ollivetti, 1963
By Studio BBPR
Located in Antwerp, BE
The drawers are individual made of plastic. The desk was made for Arco designed by Studio BBPR (The collective exists of Gianluigi Banfi, Lodovico Belgiojoso, Enrico Peressutti and E...
Metal
The Quadrar Leather desk by Thomas Hayes Studio
Located in Hollywood, CA
A black leather wrapped desk by Thomas Hayes Studio, with three Rosewood drawers and a frame of flat black finished solid steel base.
The Angled Quadrar Desk by Thomas Hayes Studio
Located in Hollywood, CA
A walnut desk by Thomas Hayes Studio with three drawers with sculptural solid Walnut bow tie details that also acts as pulls.
Bronze, Steel
Sold|$1,800
Olivetti Studio B.B.P.R., ARCO Writing Desk
By Olivetti
Located in Berlin, DE
The ARCO writing desk, designed by Studio B.B.P.R. for Olivetti in 1963.
Sold|$5,800
Studio BBPR "Spazio" Desk by Olivetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Studio BBPR "Spazio" Desk by Olivetti, Original Painted Metal Finish.
Metal
Quaderna 2830 Desk by Super Studio from Zanotta, Italy, 1970s
By Zanotta, Superstudio
Located in Lucca, IT
Quaderna desk 2830 by Super Studio from Zanotta, Italy, 1970s.
Laminate
Sold|$3,800
Studio BBPR "Spazio" Desk by Olivetti
Located in San Francisco, CA
The Olivetti Studio BBPR (Banfi, Belgiojoso, Peressutti & Rogers) "Spazio" desk circa 1959.
Steel
Vintage Italian "Arco" Desk by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Milan, IT
Offered here is a rare, iconic and well preserved "Arco" table designed by Milanese studio BBPR (Banfi, Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Peressutti, Rogers) for Olivetti Synthesis - the furni...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern American Studio Craft Sculpted Solid Walnut Office Desk
By George Nakashima
Located in Munroe Falls, OH
This is a beautiful handmade solid walnut studio craft desk, ca. 1965. It’s got wonderful dovetailed features on each end and a beautiful shelf with room for storage.
Walnut
Midcentury Black and Grey 'Arco' Desk by BBPR for Olivetti, Italy, 1960
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in London, GB
Superb midcentury Arco desk designed by BBPR Architects for Olivetti in the 1960s. The desk is comprised of a collapsible metal frame and single metal pedestal that can be switched f...
Metal
Perfect Small Laptop Desk by Studio BBPR for Olivetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small desk from the Arco series by studio BBPR for Olivetti.
Metal
Guariche Motte Mortier Desk for Minvielle Edition, 1956
By Les Huchers-Minvielle 1, ARP (Research Plastic Studio)
Located in Paris, FR
Rare desk designed by Pierre Guariche, Joseph André Motte and Michel Mortier for the A.R.P.
Metal
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.
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Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.
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The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.