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Mid-Century Modern Desks

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests. The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Mid Century Oak and Leather Desk by Lydia dePolo for Dunbar
Located in Pasadena, TX
Lydia dePolo and Jack Dunbar started the firm of DePolo Dunbar back in the 1970s after working together at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Vintage book...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Executive Walnut Desk with Floating Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Executive Walnut Desk with Floating Top.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Rosewood Rolltop Desk/Cabinet, Model 804, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
Located in Dorchester, MA
Gianfranco Frattini designed this gorgeous rosewood rolltop desk, model 804, for Bernini in the early 1960s. What appears to be a compact chest of ten...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Chrome, Aluminum

Walnut Ivanhoe Desk with Pencil Drawers by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Ivanhoe desk features a cantilevered base with open display shelves. Available in American walnut or white oak and drawers are available upon ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

Danish Modern Executive Sculpted Teak Desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Danish Modern executive sculpted teak desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Vanity Desk by Ico and Luisa Parisi for Fratelli Rizzi
Located in Madrid, ES
A vanity desk designed by Ico and Luisa Parisi in 1950. Edited by Fratelli Rizzi in 1950. Cherrywood frame and melamine board. Inside mirror. Provenance: Casa Rizzi, Autentica Robert...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Cherry

Paul McCobb Planner Group for Wichedon Mid-Century Modern Maple Desk C. 1960
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Paul McCobb Planner Group For Wichedon mid century modern maple desk model 1560, labeled on underside, circa 1960.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Double Pedestal Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb Planner Group midcentury Double Pedestal Desk This desk measures: 53 wide x 26 deep x 28.75 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Mid Century Italian Rosewood Chrome Leather Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Mid Century Italian Rosewood Chrome and Leather Desk This desk measures: 114.25 wide x 39.5 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a midcentury Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk. Featuring a large rectangular teak top, four legs with floating drawers that give this piece a free formed design,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk / Vanity / Table by Maurice Villency, Deco Style
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk / Writing Table by Maurice Villency, Deco Style A sleek and stylish deco style design desk by Maurice Villency. Having a circular side table leading to a knee hole desk with two drawers under a leather table top fitted with upper cubby hole cabinets...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Burl, Leather

Broyhill Brasilia Midcentury Walnut and Brass Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Broyhill Brasilia midcentury Walnut and Brass Desk This desk measures: 56 wide x 23 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Walnut Tambour Door Secretary Desk with Bookcase, 1966
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern bureau with tambour door secretary desk and bookcase By Kipp Stewart for Drexel, "Declaration" Collection USA, 1966 Walnut, with original porcela...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Gianfranco Frattini 804 Desk for Bernini, Italy, 1961
Located in Barcelona, ES
Writing desk model 804 designed in 1961 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy. Tambour top that hides small drawers and a pull out leather writing surface. Front side with ten dr...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Studio Crafted by John Kapel Cherry Wood Desk
Located in Denton, TX
Very Rare Custom Made John Kapel Sculpted Cherry Wood Desk. Incredible wood grains. Very sturdy and solid. This desk is very unique and hard to come by. As pictured- John Kapel makin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Cherry

Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk
Located in Denton, TX
Giant Jens Risom Walnut Executive Desk. Knee hole height is 27.38.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

Severin Hansen Model 36 Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Wilton, CT
One of the most sought-after and recognized desks from the Danish Modern period, the Model 36 was designed by Danish designer Severin Hansen in 1958. This terrific writing desk in ma...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French Blue Cerused Oak Moderne Desk
Located in New York, NY
French midcentury desk featuring a custom cerused oak finish in French Blue, accented with white to accent the grain. Desk has a central pullou...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Brasilia Style Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Brasilia Style Walnut Writing Desk. Featuring a straight line design, rectangular protective laminated top, se...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Standard Midcentury Walnut and Cane Executive Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Standard midcentury Walnut and Cane Executive Desk This desk measures: 80 wide x 40 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 17 inche...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Jack Cartwright Walnut & Cane Executive Desk for Founders Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jack Cartwright Walnut & Cane Executive Desk for Founders Co.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Cane, Wood, Walnut

White Platone Folding Desk by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s
Located in Ixelles, BE
Designer - Giancarlo Piretti Producer - Anonima Castelli Model - Platone Folding Desk Design Period - Seventies Measurements - Width 82 cm x Depth 65 cm x Height 70 cm Material...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ranch Oak Desk and Matching Chair by Brandt
Located in Lafayette, IN
Great little desk in the "Ranch Oak" style and manufactured by Brandt Furniture Co. of Fort Worth, Texas. Desk features a great size paired with that wonderful, faux-weathered wester...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 27 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair clearance of 28.25 inches ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Chrome

1970s Desk by Guy Lefèvre for Maison Jansen
Located in Ulm, DE
Desk by Guy Lefèvre for Maison Jansen Desk with three drawers Table top in leather, brown Drawers lacquered brown brass, nickel-plated with original patina by Guy Lefèvre fo...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal, Brass, Nickel

Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Erik R. Hansen Desk in Rosewood for Haslev, 1960s
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Beautiful Rosewood Desk by Erik Riisager Hansen 1960s, model 66 produce by Haslev Møbelsnedkeri, Denmark. Stunning rosewood grain pattern on all surfaces. Veneered tabletop with with...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Midcentury Desk by Sligh Lowry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W46 D24 H29 KC24 Fully restored vintgae walnut desk with original hardware. Item features a nice can back side and original manufacture stamp is still in tact. This item is struct...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Midcentury Desk by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballe Møbelfabrik, 1950s
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Kai Kristiansen design this large desk in 1950s for Feldballe Mobelfabrik. Iconic Model 70. The desk have six drawers on the front and two doors on the backside. This executive desk ...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Rosewood

1950s Drexel Profile Desk by John Van Koert
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern desk for sale. Designed by John Van Koert for Drexel, and part of the collectible Profile series. It has been beautifully refi...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

1960s Hans J Wegner Oak Sewing Table AT-33 Made by Andreas Tuck, Denmark
Located in Praha, CZ
- Item has been carefully refurbished.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

Sculpted Mid-Century Modern Oak Desk, circa 1960s
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Apartment sized Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Oak Desk, circa 1960s - perfectly sized for an apartment or smaller office space yet offers a generous workspace. This beauty offers four ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

1960s Large Exclusive Free Standing Palisander Desk
Located in Praha, CZ
- Item has been carefully refurbished - quality craftsmanship
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood, Palisander

Knoll Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Explore the extraordinary craftsmanship of this executive modern desk designed by the iconic Florence Knoll. This desk, made of exquisite walnut, is in great condition and has underg...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Herman Miller Typewriter Desk Return by George Nelson
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Petite Herman Miller typewriter desk/return. Perfect size for use as a child’s desk. Desk features bank of draws on left hand side with steel tubular legs and casters on one side. Ph...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Restored Split Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Desk with Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original midcentury Mahogany and rattan secretary desk with matching chair. This late 1950s desk features a mahogany top with rattan legs and wic...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Rattan

Dark Golden Olive Drop Front Secretary Desk High Chest Drawers Dresser Brass Key
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mint Dark Golden Olive Drop Front Secretary Desk High Chest Drawers Dresser Leather Top Brass Keys.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Arne Vodder Teak 1950s Boomerang Desk with Built-in Bar
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Sleek and sculptural boomerang teak desk by Danish designer Arne Vodder. Desk includes dark glass sliding storage door, 3 drawers and a built-in bar featuring frosted striped glass o...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Restored Boutique Made Stacked Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored very large stacked rattan desk, with Filipino mahogany Drawer fronts, side panels, and top. The desk features a center drawer and 4 side drawers. Beautiful stacked rattan le...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Rattan

Widdicomb Midcentury Burlwood and Brass Executive Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Widdicomb midcentury Burlwood and Brass Executive Desk. This desk measures: 66 wide x 32 deep x 30.25 high, with a chair clearance of 24.75 inches All pieces of furniture can b...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Hans Wegner GETAMA Executive Floating Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hans Wegner for Getama Executive Floating Desk. Finished back so can float on room. Key included. Oak and Mahogany.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Danish Rosewood Desk by Arne Vodder for Sibast
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Danish desk by Arne Vodder A midcentury Danish desk designed by Arne Vodder and produced in Santos rosewood in the 1970s. The desk has tree drawers to the left and a pen tray with ...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Paul McCobb Desk Connoisseur Collection for H Sacks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Mid Century Desk, designed by Paul McCobb for The Connoisseur Collection by H. Sacks, American, circa 1950s. It has recently been refinished and the brass elements have been ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Red Mid-Century Modern Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary Mid-Century Modern desk is artfully handcrafted out of walnut and is in great condition and has been completely restored by our professional expert craftsman team in...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Peter Lovig Nielsen Danish Modern Flip Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Danish Modern Flip-Top Partners Teak Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen. 64W x 29H x 29d 34H with storage compartment flipped up, 38d flipped down.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Egon Ostergadd Roll Top Swedish Desk Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful piece of furniture by Swedish designer Egon Ostergaard. This desk is both stunning and practical especially in the era of working from home. A beautiful roll top lid cove...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Other

Fredericia Danish Modern Teak Writing Desk by Borge Mogensen
Located in West Chester, PA
A rare teak writing desk designed by Borge Mogensen circa 1958 featuring L-shaped table legs with exposed brass screw. Stamped underneath. 28.375” table height with the metal feet...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Arne Vodder Style Midcentury Teak Drop Leaf Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Arne Vodder Style midcentury Teak Drop Leaf Desk This desk measures: 47.25 wide x 23.5 deep x 28 high, with a chair clearance of 24.75 inches, t...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Broyhill Brasilia Midcentury Desk Walnut and Brass Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Broyhill Brasilia midcentury Desk Walnut and Brass Desk This desk measures: 56 wide x 23 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inch...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Fold Out Secretary Office Desk Cabinet
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage office secretary cabinet desk in rosewood, made in Germany, circa 1960s. This clever piece folds out into a workspace desktop that offers plenty of storage equipped with adjustable shelving and four drawers. The interior of the desk also provides a security safe...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Svend Aage Madsen Midcentury Curved Front Teak Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W59 W53 D28 H29 KC25.5 Danish Modern Teak Desk stamped by Original Manufacture. Desk has been fully restored with no major areas of wear. Item is structurally sound and is fully f...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Stickley Mid-Century Cherry Narrow Partners Desk with Protective Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare Stickley Mid-Century Cherry Narrow Partners Desk with Protective Glass Top. All dravers in hardwood and dovetail construction. All drawers functioning perfectly. Table in very...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Danish Modern Desk by Kofod Larsen for Selig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W59 D32 H29 KC26 Fully restored desk in a clear coat showcasing natural wood hues and natural grain. Desk is structurally sound and fully functional....
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Italian Midcentury Small Desk by Vittorio Dassi C1950
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Midcentury desk by Dassi A small desk created by Vitorrio Dassi in Italy in the 1950s, Minimalist in design the desk has two drawers that are part of the lower dark coloured shaped ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

1960s Executive Desk by Florence Knoll
Located in Burbank, CA
Original vintage Mid-Century Modern executive desk for sale. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll, and still has the original vintage 1960s Knoll bowtie ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

Danish Mid-Century Modern Floating Teak Desk Bookcase File Drawer Key Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern floating teak desk bookcase file drawer key MINT! Super clean!
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

American Walnut & Brass Vintage Executive Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Revive the hustle and bustle of the mid-century American workplace with this jaw-dropping walnut executive desk. Boasting a newly refinished walnut top measuring over 14 square feet ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Solid Walnut Mid-Century Modern Floating Top All Restored Desk Table Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Walnut Mid-Century Modern pullout Key Board Floating Top Tray All Restored Desk Table MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Chrome

Mid-century Modern desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century 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 Mid-Century Modern desks made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, 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 Paul McCobb, George Nelson, Arne Vodder, and Dunbar. 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 $249 and tops out at $72,000 while the average work can sell for $4,782.

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