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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: Herman Miller
Creator: Maitland Smith
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
Yellow Ochre Leather Top Maitland Smith Regency Mahogany Desk with Trays
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous Maitland Smith desk with fine bronze and brass castings and wheels and a gorgeous antique yellow ochre leather with gold embossing. The desk is in good condition a...
Category
2010s Philippine Regency Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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
Maitland-Smith Vintage Egyptian Style Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century writing desk having a tessellated marble top on a case with two drawers and brass borders over four dramatic bronze Egyptian style cat legs. Signed Maitland-Smit...
Category
20th Century Philippine Egyptian Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Tessellated Stone Writing Desk by Maitland Smith
Located in Fraser, MI
Maitland Smith Writing Desk. Mahogany Drawers. Stone rectangular tiles assembled in a surface covering described as tessellated.
Category
1980s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
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
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
Vintage Regency Maitland Smith Tessellated Coconut Shell Writing Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
An exceptional vintage Regency writing desk. Made by the iconic Maitland Smith group. Beautiful tessellated coconut shell frame with a hand painted leather top. Wrought iron and bras...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Wrought 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
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
Winner Book Motif Leather Wrapped Maitland Smith Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome Maitland Smith leather wrapped writing desk having trompe l'oeil book decoration with two drawers. Top has embossed and gilded leather.
Opening for chair 23.5.
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
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
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
Post Modern Tessellated Stone Tile Brass Desk Robert Marcius for Maitland Smith
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A 1970s Post Modern tessellated stone tile and brass executive desk by Robert Marcius for Maitland Smith. This marvelous piece is constructed w...
Category
1970s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
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
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
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 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 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
British Colonial Style Grasscloth and Mahogany Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British colonial style seven drawer desk crafted in mahogany with bold grasscloth panels all around featuring leather luggage style hardware...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Grasscloth, Mahogany
Maitland Smith Neoclassical Black Leather and Bronze Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A very unique Neoclassical Maitland Smith desk of gold embossed black leather with gilded bronze lion paws and seraphim on each leg. There are two ...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Faux Tortoiseshell Partners Desk by Maitland-Smith
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description be sure to click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this listing.
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a
1980s Faux Tortoiseshell...
Category
1980s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone, Brass
Vintage Maitland Smith Carved Oak Console Table / Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved oak Vintage Maitland-Smith console table/writing desk with black marble tessellated top.
In the style of George III.
Signed/Stamp in the back. Overall great condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American George III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Mid-Century Pen Shell Desk or Writing Table by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic sleek Mid-Century Modern desk crafted in a pen shell mosaic with three drawers in the case having brass highlights on elegant legs with ball feet. Signed Maitland-Smith in drawer.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Shell
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
Maitland Smith French Provincial Louis XV Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk
By Maitland Smith
Philippines, Circa 1980s
Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware and embossed leather top.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
Art Deco Style Maitland-Smith Faux Ostrich Leather Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
This outstanding Art Deco style desk is crafted by Maitland-Smith, circa 1970s. The company is well known for its use of unusual materials. This desk is beautifully covered in faux o...
Category
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Maitland Smith White Tessellated Marble Scroll Desk/Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant desk/console table designed & made by Maitland-Smith in the late 1970s-early 1980s. Its simple, clean lines the scroll top table consists of white tessellated marble arranged...
Category
1970s Philippine Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone, Brass
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
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
20th-C. Maitland -Smith Chinoiserie Faux Burnt Bamboo Desk And Chair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Perfect for that home office! This is a late 20th century faux burnt bamboo chinoiserie desk with coordinating chair. The chair’s blue upholste...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
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
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
Vintage Chippendale Style Double Sided Executive Desk by Maitland Smith
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chippendale style double sided 3 drawer hand carved acanthus decorated cabriole legs ball & claw foot with tooled leather top executive desk by Maitland Smith
Stunning circa 1800s Design Chippendale style double sided 3 drawer with faux drawer front backside. stretcher base frame, gorgeous inlaid quality Tooled leather serpentine...
Category
1980s Chippendale Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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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