Desks and Writing Tables
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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Creator: Knoll
Creator: Jules Wabbes
Executive Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Executive desk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s. This exclusive desk bears the hallmark of Jules Wabbes, a celebrated Belgian furniture de...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Vintage Walnut Executive Desk by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll, 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
Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll, Model 2480 Oval Table Desk, 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
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
Executive Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Executive desk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s. This exclusive desk bears the hallmark of Jules Wabbes, a celebrated Belgian furniture de...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Desk table called “Gerard Philipe” by Jules Wabbes
Located in Brussels, BE
Desk table called “Gerard Philipe” by Jules Wabbes.
Solid laminated Padouk desk resting on 4 steel legs with “gun barrel” finish.
3 storage under the top.
The model takes its name fr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Padouk
Executive Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Executive desk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s. This exclusive desk bears the hallmark of Jules Wabbes, a celebrated Belgian furniture de...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Knoll by Florence Knoll Ebonized Oak Mini Desk
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
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
Franco Albini Desk for Knoll International, USA 1960
By Franco Albini, Knoll
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
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
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
Desk
By Jules Wabbes
Located in New York, NY
T-shaped nickel-plated steel structure, originally created for the Foncolin Building, Brussels.
Literature: Marie Ferran-Wabbes’ Jules Wabbes 1919-1974, ...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Knoll Walnut Mid Century Modern Double Pedestal Desk with White Laminate Top
By Knoll
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
Jules Wabbes Corner Desk with Drawers in Mutenyé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, corner writing desk, mutenyé, nickel-plated metal, aluminum, Belgium, 1957
Beautifully designed desk by one of Belgium's most renowned designers Jules Wabbes. This pie...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Nickel
Rare Jules Wabbes Executive Corner Desk in Wengé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, writing desk with drawer compartments, wengé, metal, lacquered wood, Belgium, 1960s.
This corner desk is designed by Jules Wabbes. The table is executed with a solid w...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Metal
Warren Platner Writing Desk with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
Jules Wabbes Early Versatile Free-Standing Corner Desk in Wengé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, two-part corner writing desk, teak, coated steel, wengé, chrome, Belgium, 1960s
This exceptional free-standing corner desk was crafted by the renowned designer Jules W...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Early Franco Albini for Knoll Model '80' Desk
By Knoll, Franco Albini
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
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
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 Oval Dining Table or Desk by Florence Knoll in Carrara Marble
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
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
Warren Platner for Knoll Writing Desk in Cherry and Black Leather
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
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
Knoll International Executive Desk S 872 Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll, 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
Jules Wabbes Corner Desk with Drawers in Mutenyé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, corner writing desk, mutenyé, nickel-plated metal, aluminum, Belgium, 1957
Beautifully designed desk by one of Belgium's most renown...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome, Nickel
Early production Florence Knoll Desk, Classic Modernist design, Knoll New York
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
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
Franco Albini for Knoll Desk Model '1928' in Glass and Metal
By Knoll, Franco Albini
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
Modernist Cini Boeri for Knoll International Dining Table Desk
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
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
Warren Platner for Knoll Executive Desk with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
Palisander Desk with a Three Drawers Unit by Jules Wabbes, Belgium, 1960
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Brussels, BE
Black Lacquered and chromed metal parts. Palisander and multiplex.
Designed by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier International.
Three drawers unit.
Each handle are stamped "WABBES".
Belgium, 1960.
Litt.: Het fifties -meubel in Belgïe ( Mil De Koning...
Category
1960s Belgian Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Cini Boeri for Knoll Lunario Cantilevered Table/Desk
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
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
Writing Table
By Jules Wabbes
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular rosewood top with a stainless steel base. Literature: Jules Wabbes Furniture's designer, A+ Edition, Bozar Books, illustrated on page 39.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Small Child’s Desk by Jules Wabbes Edited by Bulo
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Small desk for a classroom presented at the 12th Milan Triennale in 1960 by Jules Wabbes for the Belgium.
Laminated and molded African black walnut (mansonia),vinyl top,black alumin...
Category
Early 2000s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1960s
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Brussels, BE
Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier universel - Belgium 1960s.
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Jules Wabbes 'Tonneau' Writing or Dining Table in Solid Wengé and Steel
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, 'Tonneau' dining or writing table, wengé, chrome-plated steel, Belgium, 1960s
The 'Tonneau' model, named after the French word for 'barrel,' embraces a wengé wooden t...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Classic Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Florence Knoll Desk Knoll
By Florence Knoll, 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
Table "Urn" by Robert Venturi, Knoll International, USA, 1984
By Knoll, Roberto Ventura
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
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
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
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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