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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: Knoll
Creator: Gianfranco Frattini
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

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

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

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

Franco Albini Desk for Knoll International, USA 1960
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A wonderful desk designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Knoll International in the USA around 1960. The unique frame of the table has chrome plated crossed legs on each side ...
Category

1960s European Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

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

Knoll Walnut Mid Century Modern Double Pedestal Desk with White Laminate Top
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Knoll walnut double pedestal desk. This is a gorgeous office desk, perfect for a mid century home or office. It features a classic, simple design, and a choice set of materials. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern 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

Warren Platner Writing Desk with Black Leather Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, leather, metal, oak, United States, design 1973 This heavy, sturdy desk is designed by the American modernist Warren Platner. He is most know...
Category

1970s American 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

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 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

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

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

Early Franco Albini for Knoll Model '80' Desk
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini for Knoll, model 80, glass, lacquered wood, lacquered steel, Italy, 1949 Franco Albini’s model 80 desk combines glass, steel and wood which resu...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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

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

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

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

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

Warren Platner for Knoll Writing Desk in Cherry and Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, cherry, chrome-plated metal, black leather, United States, 1970s. This writing table with two drawers and an extendable panel...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Mid Century Modern Knoll Tulip Dining/Conference Table or Desk in White Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Table designed for the work space having a center hole to run computer and telephone wires. It features beautiful calacatta marbl...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

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 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

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

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

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

Modernist Cini Boeri for Knoll International Dining Table Desk
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous round 59 inch diameter glass top table which sits cantilevered on a stainless steel base. Internally locked on and with 5 heavy duty weights to counter balance the table. St...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Iron

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

Franco Albini for Knoll Desk Model '1928' in Glass and Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini for Knoll, desk model '1928', glass, wood, chromed steel, Italy, design 1949 Franco Albini’s '1928' desk combines glass, steel...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

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

Warren Platner for Knoll Executive Desk with Black Leather Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, desk, leather, steel, oak, United States, 1973 This heavy, sturdy desk is designed by the American modernist Warren Platner. He is most known for his airy ...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

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

Vintage Cini Boeri for Knoll Lunario Cantilevered Table/Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern desk features a polished stainless steel base with a 1/2 inch thick cantilever glass top. By Cini Boeri for Knoll ...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

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

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

Table "Urn" by Robert Venturi, Knoll International, USA, 1984
Located in Berlin, DE
Table "Urn" by Robert Venturi, Knoll International, USA, 1984.´ made of laminate over plywood with chrome-plated steel elements, urn shaped sculptural structure. This rare and s...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

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

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

1970s Executive Office Desk by Warren Platner for Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An inset leather top executive desk over cantilevered chrome plate steel legs with accompanying six (6) door leather wall mounted storage unit. ( 10...
Category

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

Materials

Leather

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

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

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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