Skip to main content

Desks and Writing Tables

51
2
to
5
37
16
53
53
53
44
5
51
2
33
14
2
10
9
10
1
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
45
43
20
13
12
43
41
7
5
832
485
62
40
39
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: Knoll
Creator: Herman Miller
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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lightly Restored Rare & Early Florence Knoll Signed Knoll Associates Maple Desk
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 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

Nouveau Lucy Desk by Richard Holbrook/Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, CA
New nouveau chrome Lucy desk by Richard Holbrook with chrome legs. for Herman Miller. desk and top shelf. The desk top area has a distinctive shape tet off...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

George Nelson Home Desk for Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
Walnut with original custom white leather writing surface and sliding floating doors, small drawers in maple. Storage and drop down typing table with original perforated aluminum fil...
Category

1940s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

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

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

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

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

Lunario Dining Table Desk by Cini Boeri for Knoll International, Vintage Italian
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Maria Cristina Mariani "Cini" Boeri, this dining table or desk was a result of the aftermath of WWII. Featuring a cleared, tempered, and polished oval base, its simplicit...
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Florence Knoll Table Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Florence Knoll in the 1960's, this simple dining table has a steel chrome plated base and gorgeous marble table top. The tabletop features a white marble with light gray ...
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Steel, Chrome

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 wh...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern 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.

Recently Viewed

View All