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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: Herman Miller
Creator: Florence Knoll
Vintage Walnut Executive Desk by Florence Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing vintage executive desk designed by architect and furniture designer Florence Knoll in the United States, circa 1960s. This iconic design...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Florence Knoll for Knoll international, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Florence Knoll for Knoll international Biography : Born to a baker, and orphaned at age twelve, Florence Schust grew up Saginaw, Michigan. Schust demons...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in the 1950s this was made as a work table for an office but equally intended for a dining space as well...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Table or Desk
Located in Skokie, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Vintage Action Office Table or Desk The Action Office desk or conference table was designed by American designer and architect George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. A substantial piece, It features a beautifully grained walnut top mounted on a streamlined, polished stainless steel base. The desk top edge is trimmed in black rubber. to protect it against bumps and bruises. Two small desk drawers slide out from beneath the table top. The drawers can be removed if desired. The desk top has been recently restored and is in excellent condition. Action Office was originally designed as a set of components that could be combined in multiple ways and changed as needed to evolve with the office over time. George Nelson was one of the founders of American Modernism. From 1946 until 1972, Nelson was director of design at Herman Miller. While there, Nelson introduced several important innovations in office furniture design, such as the Swagged Leg Group, which included the DAF and MAA chairs...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Action Desk by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller
Located in Madrid, ES
Action Office desk, model 64 902, designed by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller from the 1960s. Base made of chrome-plated aluminum with white plastic protectors. Locka...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Knoll by Florence Knoll Ebonized Oak Mini Desk
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, the Mini Desk is part of the High Table range manufactured by Knoll. Constructed from a slimline polished chrome frame, the desk has a...
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Florence Knoll Model 17 Desk
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Alongside the model 75 stool, this desk was part of Florence Knoll's first collection of designs. The louvre drawers follows the same design language used in a variety of casegoods s...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll, Model 2480 Oval Table Desk, 1960s
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
This particular Florence Knoll oval table desk is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll in 1961. This rare edition with a silver lacquere...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

1950s George Nelson Swag Leg Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Swag leg desk, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Colorful cubbyholes and molded drawers allow for a tidy and streamlined workspace. O...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson Action Office Architect's Roll-Top Desk for Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Striking black and walnut roll-top architect's desk with three drawers and hidden file storage. Produced in 1964 by the Herman Miller company for the Action Office Series...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson for Herman Miller Side Table, Work Table or Small Desk, Signed
Located in Doylestown, PA
George Nelson for Herman Miller side table, work table or small console desk. Great as a side/work table in a home office for printer, files, etc as a useful auxiliary piece to your...
Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Restored Rare Early Florence Knoll Model 17 Louvered Maple Desk Signed Madison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This rare desk was designed in the 1950s by Florence Knoll with a simplistic profile that has proven to be timeless! Of solid maple construction, it features tapered dowel legs and a...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

George Nelson Home Office Desk Model 4658 for Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
George Nelson & Associates Home Office desk, model 4658 Manufactured by Herman Miller USA, 1946 This example is constructed of combed oak, chrome-plated...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

1950's George Nelson X-Leg Extension Dining Table Model 5062
Located in Hanover, MA
Early George Nelson model 5062 X-Leg extension dining table for Herman Miller, 1952. Table has two 12 inch extension leaves and pull-out metal extension tracks. Table is 29 inches...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Oval Dining Table or Desk by Florence Knoll in Carrara Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An elegant executive table designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a beautiful polished white & gray Carrara marble top and a chrome-plated star base. This was ...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Chrome

George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955. Professionally restored in showroom condition, this beautiful desk has a drop leaf on the left side with all orig...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Florence Knoll 1950s Mid-Century Wood Veneer Black Frame Desk or Console Table
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Iron

Desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, Large Version
Located in Bern, CH
Design classic desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, large version. Offered is a rare original design classic rarity, the desk Action Office 1. Model 64 902. Designe...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Herman Miller Office Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modern office desk by Herman Miller. Made in 1993 while retaining the mid-century modern style. Large wood top with metal hardware. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

George Nelson Walnut Executive and Typewriter Desk Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, Executive Office Group desk model 9959 and typewriter return desk model 4751 by George Nelson for Herman Miller features a dark walnut finish with steel legs, alu...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Vintage Herman Miller Table or Desk with Knoll Walnut Top
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage dining or conference table or a desk. Beautiful Knoll top made of American Walnut on a Herman Miller aluminum segmented base. We have 8 available.  
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Action Office 1' Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early George Nelson Action Office 1 desk in original condition with minor wear. George Nelson for Herman Miller, polished aluminum, plastic laminate, w...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Knoll International Executive Desk S 872 Florence Knoll
Located in Köln, NRW
Writing desk by Florence Knoll model 872 Steel frame chromed, top wood lacquered white with two drawers. Florence Marguerite Knoll Basset was one of the most renowned US design...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Early production Florence Knoll Desk, Classic Modernist design, Knoll New York
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early production walnut and rosewood desk designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll ,features richly grained walnut top rosewood frame, pencil drawer and file drawer. Retains early Knoll ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
Located in Renens, CH
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production George Nelson, architect, designer and author is famous for several ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child's Desk, Modernist, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early George Nelson desk / return, child's desk, Modernist, Herman Miller, Retains original Herman Miller foil label, 4 drawers, pencil dividers, steel frame, minor pitting (lower right side bottom). Original designed for larger desk, return, typewriter desk...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Yellow & Black Steel Frame Desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Yellow & black steel frame desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s The Top has a very floating appearance.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson by Herman Miller Laminated Aluminum Design 1950s Rare Desk
Located in Brescia, IT
George Nelson by Hermann Miller 1950s Laminated wood, aluminum base Rare model.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Elusive Modernist Action Office Desk or Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rarely seen modernist action office desk or conference table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Purchased from prominent Buffalo NY architect. Beautiful figured walnut wood top mino...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

U-Shape Burdick Desk for Herman Miller with Floating Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage U-shaped desk designed by Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller. This enormous desk has three separate surface tops: 84"x 44" glass top, a round onyx top, and a dark granite Geig...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Granite, Aluminum

Classic Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Florence Knoll Desk Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic midcentury walnut and chrome Florence Knoll desk features richly grained walnut top chromed steel frame, pencil drawer and file drawer. Retains early Knoll label.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

1960s Walnut and Leather Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s walnut and leather desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Executed in walnut with leather lift top (with key) covering center filing compartment, which illuminates and contai...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson Herman Miller Drop Leaf Gate Leg Dining Table or Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
A rarer find in original black finish. Clever design by George Nelson for Herman Miller Measures: 40" depth 29.75" height. 64.75" long unfolded 41.5" half folded 18.5" folded.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Early Vintage Florence Knoll Dining Table or Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Early vintage Florence Knoll dining table. Model 301 Literature: Knoll Furniture 1938-1960, Rouland and Rouland, pg 105 Comes with 1 (18") leaf. Measures: 60" wide without le...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Writing Desk by George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

1970s Peter Protzman Zebrawood executive desk for Herman Miller
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Peter Protzman’s zebra wood executive desk for Herman Miller. These were manufactured in 1970 and 1971. This desk was only produced for a short period of time because of issues with ...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

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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