Painted Desks

Very nice minimalistic small writing desk designed by Geraldo de Barros and manufactured by Unilabor, Brazil 1956. The desk is made up of three main parts. The black iron frame, rosewood finished top and the drawer cabinet. The drawer fronts have the characteristic white laminated finish with metal handles. Unilabor could use these same parts to create different furniture designs, following the company's standards. This approach was part of a methodical way of making things, and the design style was common to other factories of that time. The most unique idea was how they thought about the production process in an organised way. In very good condition with beautiful grain to the rosewood. The chair on the pictures is not included. Literature;  Brazilian Modern Design Alberto Vicente Marcelo Vasconcellos 2017, page 264-281 The most profound conceptual experience in the production of modern furniture in Brazil was led by Geraldo de Barros, a major artist of the Concrete Art movement in the country. Interested in new technologies and processes, Geraldo's career was consistently permeated with artistic experiments, particularly in photography and painting. His affiliation with design was influenced by the "gute form" principle advocated by Max Bill. Bill was the founder of the Ulm School...

A wonderful modernist American made Mid-Century desk by Florence Knoll, circa 1950s. Made from a black painted square tubular iron frame with a veneered wood (we presume teak). This ...

Rare monumental conference desk made for a lawyer’s firm in the 1950s. Designed by Alfred Hendrickx and manufactured by Belform, Belgium 1958/1959. The la...

Executive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One one corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...

Yellow & black steel frame desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint.

This bookcase was produced in Italy around the 1960s. It consists of a wall panel with 2 adjustable containers and 1 desk The panel is equipped with side racks that allow the cont...

Handsome Mid-Century Modern smaller writing desk by the Robert John Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania featuring walnut cabinet with white painted steel frame and white laminate top. This is from their Steelwood collection. It desk is in wonderful restored condition. We have sanded and put a new finish on the walnut and the metal frame. The laminate has been cleaned and polished. There are still signs of age but nothing major. Please see photos, circa 1960s. This wonderful Mid-Century Modern smaller size office desk has been a real puzzle. It has taken much research and I’m still not sure I know about the Robert John Co. from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their tag says Makers of Contemporary Furniture and that this desk is. When I google them all I come up with is other pieces of furniture being offered that were made by them, but I can’t find any history on the company. And, several listings say the piece was designed by Robert John but made by Knoll. I have not found supporting evidence of that statement! No matter. This is a fabulous desk with a walnut box cabinet containing three equal size drawers that are adorned with cool black and white handles. It is surrounded by a white painted metal frame which accents the walnut wonderfully and a white laminate work surface. This was originally in an architect’s office. I can see why. It has awesome lines and is beautifully designed. This desk is just the right size for a home office. Not as big as an executive desk but a little bigger than a writing desk. Fabulous! Fabulous style! Fabulous size! Fabulous condition! Make it yours. Attn: Since originally writing this I have obtained three vintage brochures...

Golden birch veneered drop front secretary desk with three drawers and reverse painted glass panel of stylized Egyptian women and a chariot...

Highly decorated desk in red lacquer with stacked drawers and painted scenes, Chinese, 1950's.