Modern Desks
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Modern Chiado Console Table, Leather Oak Root, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chiado Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Chiado console table honors Lisbon’s historic quarter, cap...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root Onyx, Handmade in Portugal 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 modern desk pays homage to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Onyx
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
Materials
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
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Modern Menir Console Table, Patagonia Stone, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Menir Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Menir modern console table draws inspiration from menhir sil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Marble, Onyx, Brass
Modern Black Lage Bookcase, Brass Walnut, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lage Bookcase, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Lage modern bookcase was designed to be the focal point in a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal, Brass
Art Deco Bolonha Console Table Nacre Tiles White Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bolonha Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
An exclusive and sumptuous hand-carved console table that catches the eye of anyone who ent...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Modern Lage Bookcase Set/2, Brass Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 Lage Bookcases, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Lage modern bookcase was designed to be the focal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal, Brass
Modern Menir Console Table, Calacatta Viola Marble, Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Menir Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Menir modern console table draws inspiration from menhir sil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Carrara Marble, Marble, Onyx, Brass
John Stuart Vintage White Lacquered Campaign Wood Desk with X-Chrome Base
Located in North Miami, FL
This newly restored vintage John Stuart campaign 2 drawer desk and or writing desk is white lacquered over wood with chrome handles and 2 X-frame ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome
Modern Interlude Morand Grand Desk In Sorrel Gray Faux Shagreen
By Interlude
Located in Milford, NH
A sleek five drawer modern Morand grand desk in faux shagreen and sorrel gray by Interlude from the Interlude Home Collection, based in Trumbull, Connecticut, with brushed brass legs...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Lucite and Natural Walnut floating Desk
Located in Ballard, CA
A highly engineered modernist desk made from a walnut (or oak, mahogany, or rosewood veneer) case “floating” on a Lucite base, which is affixed by custom-designed hardware. Custom si...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Lucite and Dark Walnut floating Desk
Located in Ballard, CA
A highly engineered modernist desk made from a walnut (or oak, mahogany, or rosewood veneer) case “floating” on a Lucite base, which is affixed by custom-designed hardware. Custom si...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Delta Desktop - Modern Desktop in Polished White Lacquer with Brass Details
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous sides of the Delta collection, give the design a modern and elegant look; blending together a sense of warmth and comfortableness with a touch of minimalist simplicity...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Delta Desktop 2 - Modern Desktop in Polished White Lacquer with Brass Details
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous sides of the Delta collection, give the design a modern and elegant look; blending together a sense of warmth and comfortableness with a touch of minimalist simplicity...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Crescent Desk - Modern White Lacquered Desk with Brass Legs
Located in London, GB
The Crescent collection is inspired by the graceful curvature of the antique arches, intertwined between them to bring its architectural majesty into our houses. It's a structure made of lacquered wood and brass legs that can be customized to order by our team of experienced craftsmen. This piece is built in lacquered solid wood with a polished brass structure and a set of three individual push-open...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Ebonized Contemporary Desk in Wood, Chrome, Glass Top, 21st-Century
Located in Miami, FL
Ebonized Contemporary desk in wood, chrome, glass top, 21st-century.
Offered for sale is a contemporary ebonized wood and chrome desk with a white glass top. The desk has a floati...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Metal, Chrome
21st Century Antigua Writing Desk in Carbalho by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Antigua desk, with its sculptural design and its luxurious charm, is the perfect centerpiece for prestigious working spaces. In this version, features a top and chest of drawers with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
A Bronze and Walnut Papiolo Desk by Lawrence Welker IV
Located in Lambertville, NJ
This is a one of a kind desk with a sculpted bronze base and live edge walnut top. The artist, Lawrence Welker IV created the base to resemble a moth. The desk surface is two joine...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Bronze
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal 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 modern desk pays homage to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Oak
Organic Modern Castelo Desk, Green Marble Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Castelo Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Castelo modern desk table pays h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Marble, Brass
Modern Stainless Steel Base 2 Drawer Desk
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Modern Stainless Steel Base 2 Drawer Desk by Ercole Home is crafted from Oak with a Painted Ivory finish, with a Tubular Stainless Steel base and stripe mosaic drawerfronts of Iv...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modernist Tubular Steel Desk, Glossy Lacquered Wood, Plated Metal, Customizable
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist tubular steel desk in glossy lacquered wood and plated metal, c. 1950.
The wood finish is customizable, delivery time c. 8-12 weeks.
Category
2010s German Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
1960s Arco Office 3-Drawer Desk by Studio BBPR for Olivetti Sintesis
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Arco desk, designed by Studio B.B.P.R for Olivetti Sintesis in 1963. The piece was manufactured in Italy in the 1960s. The frame and base are made of iron, and it has a ca...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Iron
Drexel Oxford Square Geometric Painted Parsons Style Console Desk Dining Table
By Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drexel Oxford Square Geometric Painted Parsons Style Console Desk Dining Table. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H x 60" W x 30" D x 26" ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Delphine Mirrored Desk
Located in New York, NY
Reflectology. Minimalist forms meet Maximalist glamour. Antiqued mirror with a polished brass base. Our Delphine Desk features a single center drawer finished with bright robin's egg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Raw Desk - Modern Desk in Natural Wenge with Wrought Iron Base
Located in London, GB
Intertwining wood and wrought iron, the sculptural lines of the Raw collection combine exquisite natural materials with modern Scandinavian shapes to create a breathtaking and unique...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks
Materials
Wrought Iron
Transitional Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Stardust Transitional desk, for moments of reflection, this desk adds a note of glamour in our pearlescent Stardust finish. Platinum-striped beading ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
1970's Ultra Modern Off White Writing Desk
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1970's Ultra Modern Off White Writing Desk. Composed of Melamine. This is a really beautiful Modern desk.
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Composition
Oak, Steel, and Laminate Desk by Robert Charroy, circa 1955
Located in New York City, NY
Oak, Steel, and Laminate Desk by Robert Charroy for Mobilor, France, c. 1955
This cool modernist desk combines lacquered steel, light blue laminate, and aged oak. It was designed by...
Category
20th Century French Modern Desks
Materials
Oak
Modern Teak Desk Bookcase By Svend Madsen For Falster
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid century modern teak desk by Svend Madsen for Falster. Desk has six drawers with tow locking drawers with key. Contoured drawer pulls and dove tail drawer construction. No stains ...
Category
1970s European Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
Knoll Albini Desk, Vintage 1990s Model
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Knoll Albini Desk, Vintage 1990s Model
A vintage 1990s Knoll Albini desk, a timeless piece of furniture that pays homage to the minimalist design ethos of Franco Albini's iconic 1928 desk. This 48-inch wide by 26-inch deep desk...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome
Modern Toscana Vanity Table Oak Beige Leather Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Toscana Vanity Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The organic modern Toscana vanity table is a captivating blend of natural beauty and c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Onyx, Brass
1970s 4ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1970s vintage Herman Miller Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson. This is a classic example of Nelson's work with great emphasis on simplicity and functionality. It has cast aluminum legs and basket-like pull-out drawers.
We have multiple Action Office desks in stock...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Aluminum
1970s 6ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Laminate, Oak
1960s Florence Knoll Executive Desk in Walnut w/ Chromed-Steel X-Base Model 2485
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Executive Desk, Model 2485, initially designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll in 1954. This particular example date...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome, Steel
1964 George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller Action Office Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller in 1964. Action Office was designed as a set of components that could be combine...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
1960s Jens Risom Designs Double Pedestal Executive Desk w/ Wood Pulls in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an executive desk in walnut, designed by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Designs in the 1960s. It features two drawers on the left, three drawers on the right, and pull-out surface...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
1970s 6ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Laminate, Oak
Modern Bespoke Birch and Ash Wood Roller Desk
Located in Loddiswell, Devon
This versatile desk embodies a blend of classical and contemporary design. Crafted from North European Birch wood, European Ash wood, and sturdy Aluminium components, this desk exhib...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks
Materials
Aluminum
1960s Florence Knoll Partners Desk or Executive Table in Rosewood, Model 2485
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Partners Desk or Executive Table, Model 2485, designed in 1961. It was manufactured in the early 1960s by Knoll International based on the 320 Park Avenue la...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Steel, Chrome
1970s 4ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Laminate, Oak, Wood
Contemporary Handcrafted Console "Oeneus" in Wood, Lined with Brass by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary handmade console in walnut wood model "Oeneus" composed of interconnecting rectangular frames. The lower rectangular frame is lined with brass. The upper section has four drawers.
Variations are available in custom size, type of wood, color of brass oxidation, and finish, upon request. The lining of the rectangular shelf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
1950s Florence Knoll Double Pedestal Walnut Chrome and Laminate Executive Desk
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a double pedestal desk, model 1503, designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll Associates. This is an original example dating to circa late 1950s. It is cons...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Desks
Materials
Chrome
Contemporary chalk wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
By Faye Toogood
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
This is shown in the chalk wooden finish.
With three smoothly rounded drawers running flush with its silhouette, this...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Contemporary putty wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
By Faye Toogood
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
This is shown in the putty wooden finish.
With three smoothly rounded drawers running flush with its silhouette, this...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Contemporary cream wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
By Faye Toogood
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
This is shown in the cream wooden finish.
With three smoothly rounded drawers running flush with its silhouette, this...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Modern Metal Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Metal Leather top desk, featuring a digitally carved, traditional woven cane design. The carved metal desk boasts mesmerizing textural layers.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Contemporary charcoal wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
By Faye Toogood
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary wooden cantilever desk, Roly-Poly by Faye Toogood
This is shown in the charcoal wooden finish.
With three smoothly rounded drawers running flush with its silhouette, t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks
Materials
Wood
Calen Desk by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Calen desk by Madheke.
Dimensions: D 90 x W 210 x H 78.5 cm.
Materials: leather, wood, veneer, metal.
Classic leather front and upper, dead matte veneer, bronzed metal detailing...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desks
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Modern Solid Mahogany Desk with 4 Leather Front Oak Drawers
By Ralph Lauren
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful modern style of Ralph Lauren solid mahogany desk with 4 leather front drawers. Very High end woodwork and construction. Diamond Wood pattern on desk top. Very high end clear gloss lacquer finish. smooth metal drawer slides on solid Oak drawers with leather fronts and brass key accents. shows little wear to desk surface. No Labels or Tags. Previous owners claimed it was a Ralph Lauren desk...
Category
1990s American Modern Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Oak
Elemental Desk - Modern Black Lacquered Desk with Brass Legs
Located in London, GB
The Elemental collection encloses in its elegant yet simple shapes a minimalist design that blends premium materials and outstanding craftsmanship in a unique design. This piece is b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Modern Desk with Drawers in Argentine Rosewood & Bronze from Costantini, Lorenzo
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Lorenzo Modern Desk with Drawers in Argentine Rosewood & Bronze from Costantini
Measurements are 66" W x 33" D x 29.5" H
This Classic ye...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desks
Materials
Bronze
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
Materials
Wood
Modern Manhattan Desk Made with Oak, Lacquer and Brass, Handmade by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
The Manhattan collection presents itself with a straight and rhythmic silhouette on both horizontal and vertical lines, invoking the constructions in height, provided by the technica...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Modern Capri Desk Made with Ebony and Bronzed Iron, Handmade by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
One of the defining features of the Capri collection is the fusion of materials. Each piece combines different materials in a unique and inspiring way...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks
Materials
Bronze, Iron
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
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Storage cabinet Trinité by Kreatippci Studio
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Trinité - description:
This elegant cabinet with Surrealist flair is made of iron, wood and ceramics.
Every element of this functional piece radiates refined sophistication and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Slovak Modern Desks
Materials
Iron
Modern desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern desks 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 created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desks made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks, popular names associated with this style include Greenapple, Aymeric Lefort, Danese Milano, and Venfield. 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 differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $76,270 while the average work can sell for $7,800.
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