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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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 Sevilha Desk Made with Walnut, Handmade by Stylish Club
Located in Seroa, PT
A minimalist collection that reveals the importance of incredible design combined with the best materials, the Seville collection offers functionality, magnificent designs and distin...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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

Modernist Nickel and Mahogany Desk
Located in London, GB
A Modernist nickel and mahogany desk France, Circa 1930
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Nickel

Natsu Curved Oak Desk with Lacquered Accents and Side Storage
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
Natsu Curved Oak Desk with Lacquered Accents and Side Storage The Natsu Desk combines refined elegance with practical functionality. Crafted in oak veneer and enhanced by subtle lac...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Vintage Tortoise Bamboo and Rattan Writing Desk
Located in Roanoke, VA
Stunning vintage faux tortoise bamboo writing desk. Beautiful frame and detail. Features three drawers for storage.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Desks

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Rattan

Henry Link Furniture Ornate and Partial Gilt Lighted Hutched Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
Henry Link Furniture Ornate and Partial Gilt lighted Hutched Desk Measures 46" in width, 18" in depth and 75" in height. Desk top is 30" in height with 24" knee clearance. Hutch is ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Desks

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Modern Milano Leather Painted Wood Desk on Metal Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Modern Milano Leather Desk is functional for work or play, with 2 covered leather drawers with pulls, and a center touch-latch wooden drawer. Custom sizes and finishes availa...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks

Materials

Steel

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

Modernist Mahogany and Laminate Desk, Italy, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Unique looking desk, composed of bold, broad shapes. 
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Laminate, Mahogany

Modern Blue Blossom Glass Mosaic Desk with Pavia Metal Base by Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pavia Blossom desk by Ercole Home has a single drawer, with a Washed Ivory Dark finish on oak. Hand cut glass mosaics in French Blue, Sky Blue and Gold decorate the drawer fronts...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks

Materials

Art Glass, Oak

Elm and Burr Elm Desk and Chair, Designed by John Makepeace, England, 1985
Located in Knutsford, GB
Elm and burr elm desk and matching chair designed by John Makepeace. Made by Mark Coray in the Makepeace Workshops. Of shaped form with round column supp...
Category

1980s British Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Elm

1990 Thomas Moser Library Desk in Solid Cherry Hardwood 48x37 in
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Library Desk, designed by Thomas Moser and produced by Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers based in Auburn, Maine. This piece dates back to 1990. This desk is comprised of cherry woo...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Desks

Materials

Hardwood, Cherry

1960s Florence Knoll Executive Desk in Walnut and Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Small Executive Desk, model 502B-BWM, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates in 1952. This example dates to the 1960s. The doors, sides, and back are constructed w...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Ether Desk - Modern Handcrafted Desk in Natural Wood and White Lacquer
Located in London, GB
The rounded silhouettes of the Ether collection bring forward the elemental beauty of basic geometry while merging it with the warmth of natural wood. The Ether Desk counts with a se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

1960s Florence Knoll Partners Desk in Walnut and Chrome with Four Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Partners Desk or Executive Table, Model 2485, designed in 1961. It was manufactured in the 1960s by Knoll International. It features a walnut top that sits o...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Steel, Chrome

French Modern Zebra Lacquered Iron & Brass Executive Desk & Curule Arm Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Zebra Lacquered Iron & Brass Executive Desk & Curule Arm Chair  A striking French Modern executive desk and curule armchair set, a bold statement of elegance and sophi...
Category

20th Century French Modern Desks

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Soho Desk by Gallotti & Radice in Black Ash Wood & Callacata Marble
Located in Rhinebeck, NY
Soho desk by Gallotti & Radice in Blackened Ash Wood & Marble Desk in black open pore stained solid ash with hand-knurled sides. Natural polished Calacatta Vagli Oro marble top. Sup...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks

Materials

Marble, Brass

1960s Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobelfabrik Teak Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Classic Teak Writing Desk, designed by Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobelfabrik in Denmark. This example was produced in the 1960s. It features two right-hand drawers which pr...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

1939 Eliel Saarinen, Pipsan, Swanson FHA Birch Desk / Vanity
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Birch Double Pedestal Executive Desk or Vanity, designed by Eliel Saarinen, Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson, and J. Robert F. Swanson in 1939. It was produced in Grand R...
Category

1930s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum, Zinc

2007 Antonio Citterio for Vitra Ad Hoc Desk With White Laminate Tops 70x32
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Ad Hoc Desk, designed by Antonio Citterio for Vitra in 1994. These particular examples date to 2007. The design features a polished cast aluminum frame with adjustable leg...
Category

Early 2000s German Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

1990 Thomas Moser Library Desk in Solid Cherry Hardwood 72x48 in 2x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Library Desk, designed by Thomas Moser and produced by Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers based in Auburn, Maine. This piece dates back to 1990. This desk is comprised of cherry woo...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Desks

Materials

Hardwood, Cherry

1980s Danish Modern Oak Desk / Dining Table 40 x 50 x 28.5 inches
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Danish Oak Desk. The designer is unknown, but this appears to be Danish and dates to the 1980s. Given the simple and versatile design, this piece can be used as a desk or a...
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

C. 1970 Executive Desk by Georges Ciancimino for Mobilier International France
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a substantial Rosewood and Aluminum Executive Desk, designed C. 1970 by Georges Ciancimino for Mobilier International, France. The top and sides are composed of rosewood vene...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

C. 1958 Gordon Bunshaft of SOM / Alcoa / GF Studios Italic Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Italic Desk, designed by Alcoa / Reynolds / GF Studios for Gordon Bunshaft and SOM's Reynolds Metals Headquarters in Richmond, VA. The design is largely seen as a collabor...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Karl Springer "Chinese Parson Style Desk" in Exquisite Shagreen Lacquer 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Meticulously crafted "Chinese Parson Style Desk" in artisan shagreen and bone lacquer in beige and ivory with inset brass trim sabots by Karl Springer, American 1980's. Drawer is lin...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid Century Small Desk Table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern petite desk in elegant teak from the 1950s, named "Dattilo", designed by the designer Vittorio Dassi. The teak structure is provided with a black ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

1970 Jens Risom Designs Double Pedestal Executive Desk in Walnut Made in Denmark
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large Double Pedestal Executive Desk in Walnut, designed by Jens Risom for Risom Designs Inc. in the 1960s. This example dates to ca. 1970 and has been recently refinished....
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Steel

Unique Architectural Limed Oak Desk
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Beautiful and unique limed oak desk featuring strong horizontal emphasis and dynamic splayed verticals. Likely from the 1940s, possibly made in France ,...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

1960s Florence Knoll Double Pedestal Executive Desk Chrome Wood Fully Refinished
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original double pedestal desk, model 1503, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1956. This example was manufactured by Knoll Associates in the early 1960s. It is constr...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Steel

Mausam Desk
Located in London, GB
The Mausam desk features a delicate reeded detail and is available with either a matching timber or a white marble top. A practical desk is concealed behind the reeded detail. The de...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Desks

Materials

Marble

2010s Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH110 Executive Desk in Oak w/ Stainless Steel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH110 Executive desk, originally designed by Hans Wegner in 1970. This particular example was produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark in the 2010s. The desk is comprised of both...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Desks

Materials

Stainless Steel

2020 Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen CH110 Executive Desk Walnut Stainless 2x Avail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH110 Executive desk, originally designed by Hans Wegner in 1970. This particular example was produced by Carl Hansen in Denmark in the 2020. The desk is comprised of both ...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Desks

Materials

Stainless Steel

1975 George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office II Series Roll-Top Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Herman Miller Action Office II Series roll-top desk, designed by George Nelson in 1965. This example dates to 1975 and is dated as such. The piece features a rich walnut-ve...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

David Linley English Cherry Maple & Burr-ash Three Drawer Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Contemporary cherry, maple, and burr-ash writing desk having banded inlaid trim witth a diamond design top overthree drawers resting on tapere...
Category

20th Century British Modern Desks

Materials

Maple

Italian Mid century Modern Desk Table designed by Silvio Cavatorta in 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian Mid-Century Desk by Silvio Cavatorta, 1950s This striking desk was designed by the renowned Italian designer Silvio Cavatorta in the 1950s. The desk features a unique and ref...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Brass, Iron

C. 1974 Davis Allen of SOM Architects for General Fireproofing Reception Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large Split Reception Desk, initially designed by Davis Allen for General Fireproofing Reception circa 1974. This custom-designed piece truly exemplifies the cutting edge o...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Enamel, Steel

2007 Antonio Citterio for Vitra Ad Hoc Desk w/ White Laminate Top, 7x Available
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Ad Hoc Desk, designed by Antonio Citterio for Vitra in 1994. The listed price includes one desk, and we have several available for sale. The examples that we have in our i...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

1950s George Nelson No. 4100 Series Three Drawer Steel Frame Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Steel Frame No. 4100 Series Desk, initially designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1954. This example dates to the 1950s. It features a frame of white powder-coated...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Steel, Iron

Maitland Smith Campaign Style Leather Top Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Maitland Smith Campaign Style Leather Top Desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 32 deep x 30.25 high, with a chair clearance of 24.75 inches We take our photos in a controlled lightin...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

C. 1945 Fletcher Art Deco Aviation Executive Desk in Figured Walnut
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large American Art Deco Aviation Executive Desk, designed by Frank Fletcher and manufactured by Fletcher Aviation for Hughes Aircraft in Pasadena, California ca. 1945. The ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Steel

1977 Charles Pfister for Knoll Leather Wrapped Executive Desk with Chrome Legs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large leather-covered executive desk known as the “Pfister Table,” initially designed in 1977 by Charles Pfister for Knoll. The piece was produced in Italy around the s...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Steel, Chrome

C. 1958 Gordon Bunshaft of SOM / Alcoa / GF Studios Italic Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a custom Italic Desk, designed by Alcoa / Reynolds / GF Studios for Gordon Bunshaft and SOM's Reynolds Metals Headquarters in Richmond, VA. The design is largely seen as a co...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Italian Mid Century Table Desk and chair designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian Mid-Century Desk and Chair Designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s This stunning Italian Mid-Century desk and chair set was designed by the renowned designer Vittorio Dassi ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Maple, Teak

Pair of American Contemporary White Two-Tier Concave End Table
Located in New York, NY
2 American Contemporary white two-tier end table with a concave top and a draw in the middle separating both tiers (PRICED AS PAIR
Category

20th Century American Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

American Post-War White Wooden Table Desk with Chrome Base
Located in New York, NY
American Post-War Design white painted wood table desk with drawers and supported on 2 chrome "X" form bases. (Desk in need of full restoration) Condition: (Metal frame has very lig...
Category

20th Century American Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Customizable Chocolate Oak Desk with Two Storage Drawers, Class Collection
Located in Miami, FL
A Class desk designed by Uultis Studio in Chocolate oak with chocolate metallic base. The Class desk is a refined marriage of functionality and elegance, featuring a chocolate oak ve...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Contemporary "Icon" Black Satin Glass Desk
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary "Icon" black satin glass top desk with 2 stacked drawers Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Desks

Materials

Glass

2021 Carl Hansen CH-110 Director's Desk by Hans Wegner in Lacquered Oak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a CH110 Desk made with an oak top and stainless steel base. The desk, designed by Hans Wegner and produced by Carl Hansen & Son in Denmark, dates to...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Desks

Materials

Stainless Steel

2022 Studio Job for Moooi Paper Double Pedestal Desk 180, White w/ Oak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Paper Desk with double pedestal configuration. It has a white finish and oak veneer top. The desk was designed by Studio Job and produced by Moooi in the Nether...
Category

2010s European Modern Desks

Materials

Wood, Oak, Lacquer, Paper

2022 Giulio Cappellini for Cappellini Senior Desk w/ Leaf Left + Drawer in Oak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Senior Desk with Left Leaf and Drawer made of wenge stained oak. The desk was designed by Giulio Cappellini and produced by Cappellini in Italy. It dates to cir...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

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

Modern Menir Console Table, Calacatta Viola Marble, Handmade Portugal 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

Onyx, Marble

Italian Mid Century sculptural Desk Table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant mid-century Italian design desk was designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. The piece is characterized by a refined design that alternates soft and rounded lines with a...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Modern Chiado Console Table, Leather Oak Root, Handmade Portugal 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, capturing the essence of its arti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid Century Executive Table Desk designed by Paolo Buffa in 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Elegant Executive Desk designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s. The desk top is characterized by the presence of three lateral drawers, two similar on the left side and a larger one on ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

Shape modern desk in Eucalyptus with leather top
Located in Desio, IT
Desk from the Shape line, characterized by its curved lines and enhanced by the leather top, presented in Eucalyptus rope F129. Equipped with two large drawers with rallenty system. ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks

Materials

Leather, Bentwood

Contemporary Handcrafted Console ICARUS Layered Marble Pedestals/Top, by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handmade console model "Icarus" in marble. Rectangular surface in marble layers, resting on two geometric, layered pedestals in solid marble. Variations are available i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desks

Materials

Marble

Modern Black Lage Bookcase, Brass Walnut, Handmade in Portugal 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 any living area or office. Its...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks

Materials

Metal, Brass

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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