Desks and Writing Tables
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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: George Nelson
Creator: Gianfranco Frattini
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 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
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
Large Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1956
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1956 for Bernini, Italy. Walnut wood with two drawers and two spaces in the front side and other four spaces in the back side.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rosewood Rolltop Desk/Cabinet, Model 804, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
Located in Argelato, BO
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
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
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
1970s desk George Nelson for ICF De Padova
Located in Genova, IT
Desk designed by George Nelson in the 1970s produced under license in italy by ICF de padova.
Original condition, preserved.
High-thickness black laminate top, front panel covered in...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini, wood desk for Bernini, Italian design 1960 circa
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant desk mod. 530 created by Gianfranco Frattini with structure, supports and top in wood. The compartments on the top are concealed by a wood shutter that allows you to hide you...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Scrivania '530' Gianfranco Frattini per Bernini, anni 60 in noce
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio anni '60 della serie '530' disegnato da Gianfranco Frattini per una produzione Bernini in legno impiallacciato noce. Condizioni molto buone. Restaurato.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Walnut Desk by Gianfranco Frattini 1956
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant writing desk with four drawers and open compartments on both sides. Made of solid walnut wood, handles are made of blackened metal.
Height of writing surface 70 cm
Gianf...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Gianfranco Frattini desk for Cantieri Carugati in cherry wood, Italy 1958
Located in Argelato, BO
Gianfranco Frattini, rare desk with wooden structure and supports and nickel-plated metal handles. It is a sophisticated desk, the work of the Milanese architect and designer Gianfra...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
Midcentury Modern Wooden Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
Located in Madrid, ES
Hardwood writing desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Bernini, Italy. The desk features a removable top part with extra drawers and storage compartments. This desk ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
804 rosewood rolltop desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini 1960s
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Rare roll-top desk model 804 designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini, Italy 1960s. The desk is made of rosewood veneer and has a remarkable design.
The piece can...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Desk in Cherry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati, writing desk, cherry, metal, Italy, 1958
This piece of furniture is based on a solid construction featuring straight lines and right-angle...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
Gianfranco Frattini Wood table or desk for Bernini Italian Design 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
The desk is designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1950's for Bernini , a perfect example of Italian midcentury elegance and modern style of living. Frattini's works range from industria...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Action Office Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Action Office Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
Category
1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Rosewood Desk by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1950's
Located in Austin, TX
Gianfranco Frattini rosewood desk model 530, designed and manufactured by Bernini, Italy 1957. This desk is made of nicely grained rosewood and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Rosewood
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
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
Model 53 Mid Century Italian Desk By Gianfranco Frattini For Bernini
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Stunning design and real quality make this desk one of the stand out pieces for sale in our collection. Originally designed in 1957 by iconic Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini, th...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
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
Mid-Century Modern Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Secretary by Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati, 1954
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful secretary by Gianfranco Frattini from 1954 was made out of rosewood.
Frattini was an italien architect and designer.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, 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
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
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
Wonderful, Amazing and Exclusive Frattini Desk
Located in Munich, DE
Very rare and elegant small desk by gianfranco frattini for bernini by opening the drawer the jalousie cover at the back opens. very special piece.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Mid-Century Italian Desk by Gianfranco Frattini, 1950s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice writing desk, designed by Giancarlo Frattini.
It is fabricated in Italy in the 50's.
This desk has three drawers and is in good vintage condition (see the pictures).
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini Desk Model 530 Bernini Italy 1957
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning medium sized writing desk model 530 designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini, Italy 1957. This desk is made of nicely grained rosewood and cherrywood vene...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Small Folding Desk Cantieri Carugati Gianfranco Frattini 1959 in Italian Walnut
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small folding desk Cantieri Carugati Gianfranco Frattini 1959 in Italian Walnut, open depth 83 cm, completely restored with natural paints as in the past.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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 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
Writing Table or Desk in Teak Veneer Wood, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Writing desk, teak and veneer with many drawers, Italy, circa 1970
Dimensions are: 41.3" x 23.62 x 37.8".
Perfectly sized desk with 2 large and 4 small drawers. It’s in style or mi...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
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
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
Gianfranco Frattini Mod. 804 Rolltop Desk
Located in Munich, DE
Walnut 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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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
Italian Writing Desk Model 530 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1957
Located in Brussels , BE
Mid-Century Modern desk, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in wood, Italy 1957, in good condition.
Category
1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
No. 804 Rolltop Desk
Located in Munich, DE
Rare and unusual desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. By pulling the desk top out you open the rolltop. This desk cabinet has a lot of storage space, 10 drawers at the f...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Wonderful and Extremely Rare Frattini Secretary for Bernini
Located in Munich, DE
By pulling the drawer the tambour roll top opens automatic. Then you can double the size of the writing surface.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Italy 1967 Gianfranco Frattini Walnut Freestanding Desk with Drawers
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a masterpiece of craftsman Italian work. By extracting the top desk, the shutter slides without effort and the front and the back will totally open. This beautiful desk has t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Gianfranco Frattini Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Washington, DC
A beautiful Midcentury rosewood writing desk by an Italian design icon, Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini was made in Italy in 1957. This sleek proportioned desk is model 530 and featu...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
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
George Nelson "Dry Erase" Desk with Return
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Newly laminated Formica top with dry erase laminate. Very cool, dry/erase surface for your work desk. Extr...
Category
1950s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
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
Scrivania 804 di Gianfranco Frattini per Bernini Anni 60-70
Located in Milano, IT
Scrivania da centro con serranda e piano estraibile, presenta dei cassetti interni e un contenitore per cancelleria in materiale plastico. Il materiale è il legno massello (frontali ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Glass, Nutwood
Scrittoio Anni 50 Gianfranco Frattini e Franco Bettonica in noce
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio in legno di noce impiallacciato disegnato da Gianfranco Frattini e Franco Bettonica per Cantieri Carugati, fine anni '50. Condizioni molto buone. Restaurato.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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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