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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: George Nelson
Creator: Osvaldo Borsani
Vintage office desk, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1960s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Rare Osvaldo Borsani vintage desk manufactured by Tecno in the 1960s - early 1970s. Steel black structure with wood top venereed in white /beige laminate. Two side adjustable drawe...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern T333 Desk by Oslvado Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern T333 Desk by Oslvado Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, Italy, 1975
Category

1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

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

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

Early variant Osvaldo Borsani desk with two drawers for Tecno, Italy 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Minimal Osvaldo Borsani 1950s desk for Tecno, Italy Carries all the original Tecno transfer labels
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

“MODUS” table and chairs by Borsani – Italy 1970
Located in Girona, ES
Triangular table and 6 integrated swivel chairs made for various uses (school and university refectories, offices and libraries) in wood, plastic and steel. Model: MODUS Design: Osva...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
Located in Lasne, BE
Desk with wood and metal leg. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the desk.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani T95 teak and chromed steel desk for Tecno SPA, Italy, 1956
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This T95 desk is a remarkable creation by the renowned designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy. Conceived in the 1956 and crafted towards the latte...
Category

1950s Italian 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

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The 1960s functionalist style desk represents a fascinating piece of furniture that embodies the elegant marriage of functionality and aesthetics. This design object, with its tubula...
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

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

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

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

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 '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

Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Early Model of T90 Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Osvaldo Borsani, early model of t90 desk for tecno, presented at the 10th triennial in 1954, milano, italy. minimalist, elegant – and practical: the raised rear edge of the worktop p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern 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

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

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

T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy, 1970s
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Impressive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA, designed in 1975 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA Italy. It is made ...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy 1970s
Located in Stavenisse, NL
Impressive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA, designed in 1975 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno SpA Italy. It is made ...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Exectutive Desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Executive desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s This is an unlimited opportunity to own an original Osvaldo Borsani 1950's executive desk. It is made in a combination of wa...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

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

20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian half-round writing desk with a clear glass top, made of hand crafted polished Rosewood, designed ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rectangular Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Back-painted glass, brass, walnut. Can easily be used as a dining, entry, or writing table. A rare model.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

20th Century Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno T90 Desk Wood with Chest of Drawers 60s
Located in Turin, Turin
Osvaldo Borsani in 1953, together with his brother Fulgenzio, realized his most complex project: a company idea named after the "techne" of the Greeks, which means both art and techn...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

Exectutive Desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large executive table desk designed by Oslavdo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s. Double pedestal base is brushed aluminum and shows minor oxidation...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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

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

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

Osvaldo Borsani Wooden Desk Covered with Parchment Steel Handles 1940 Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Desk Wood Parchment. The plan has so esattamente shortcomings.
Category

1940s European Other Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Parchment Paper, Carbon Fiber

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

Osvaldo Borsani Desk
Located in New York, NY
7-drawer desk by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV. Rosewood, maple, brass. Curved desk finished on both sides. A variant of an earlier model that originally covered in parchment and designed ...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
Located in Berlin, DE
Minimal and elegant desk with drawer. Solid wood construction, take top made of solid elm wood, legs with wooden screw thread. Exhibited at Trienale Milano 1954. Osvaldo Borsan...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Elm

Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
Located in Berlin, DE
Chique and minimal, rare desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1956 and manufactured by Tecno Italy. the plate and the drawers are made of walnut wood, its construction is made of bla...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

Executive Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, Italy, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Beautiful large executive desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani, manufactured by Tecno Milano in Italy, circa 1950. This eye-catching desk has a unique design with the integrated drawe...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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 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

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

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and rare, circa 1950s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno desk with teak top.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Tecno Executive Desk in Walnut and Cast Aluminum by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy 1950s
Located in Hellouw, NL
This Italian 1950s desk, which can also serve as a table, exudes an unprecedented class and elegance. The very solid boat-shaped top is made of walnut wood and shows a beautiful draw...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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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