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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: Herman Miller
Creator: Tecno
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
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
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
Early variant Osvaldo Borsani desk with two drawers for Tecno, Italy 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
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
Vintage office desk, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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
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
Osvaldo Borsani T95 teak and chromed steel desk for Tecno SPA, Italy, 1956
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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
Executive Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
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
Italian Glass Top on Chrome Executive 'Nomos' Desk by Norman Foster for Tecno
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A Large Executive Desk, designed by Sir Norman Foster and manufactured by Tecno, Italy. This vintage example dates to late 1980s and in superb original condition. A modern and sleek ...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome, 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 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 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
Mid Century Modern Model T333 desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno
Located in London, GB
Model T333 desk produced in 1975 from a design by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Geri and manufctured by Tecno. The top is black lacquered walnut with an inset area of black leather. There are two minimal slim drawers, perfect for storage of pens etc and polished cast aluminium legs. with black trim. Manufacturer's label to side.
This large and impressive desk with its minimal, sophisticated design would work well in both a modern or contemporary home.
Literature: Giam Piero Bosoni, T
Tecno L'eleganza discreta della tecnico, was established in 1953 the twin brothers Osvaldo and Fulgenzio Borsani with the goal of developing their father’s furniture company, Arredamenti Borsani, using the industrial process for the manufacturing of modern furniture. The history of the company goes back to the early 1920s, when woodworker and upholsterer Gaetano Borsani founded Atelier Borsani Varedo (later called Arredamenti Borsani Varedo) in Varedo, Italy.
In spite of Arredamenti Borsani’s traditional approach, Osvaldo, designed the modernist Casa Minima furniture collection, while still attending architecture school at Accademia di Brera, and he won the silver medal at the V Triennale di Milano in 1933. Osvaldo’s ongoing involvement at the atelier continued to grow as he designed and built modernist furniture for the wealthy Milanese society.
In 1954, a year after Tecno’s founding, the company unveiled its first factory-produced collection of sofas, chairs and tables and received accolades at the X Triennale di Milano. That same year, Osvaldo created the adjustable D70 sofa bed, which became an instant commercial success, and in 1956 he launched the P40 lounge chair, an adjustable reclining chair...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Early Model of T90 Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, 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
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
Exectutive Desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
20th Century Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno T90 Desk Wood with Chest of Drawers 60s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
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
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
Exectutive Desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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
Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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
Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
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
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
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
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
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
Tecno Executive Desk in Walnut and Cast Aluminum by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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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