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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
ANTIQUE 1684 DATED HAND CARVED 17TH CENTURY LIFT TOP WRITiNG TABLE DESK BIBLE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, late 17th century, hand caved 1684 lift top writing work table traditionally used for bible s...
Category

1680s English Charles II Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

Gio Ponti, Walnut Writing Table, from the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, 1950s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Gio Ponti desk in light walnut on shaped tapering legs united by stretchers. The wood is in excellent condition with beautiful graining to the planked top, and the two drawers to th...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Boomerang Shaped Desk, Shop Counter, 1950s by Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Antwerp, BE
Custom made handcrafted shop counter or desk in a boomerang line with vertical slats at the front which emphasizes the curve of the arch even more, on the inside one side with 3 slid...
Category

1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

Writing Desk Mahogany Veneer, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Drop-leaf writing desk with drawers in the lower part; mahogany veneered wood with inlaid thread decorations.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Louis XVI desk with sheath legs.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Beautifully scaled mahogany and mahogany veneer bureau plat from the Louis XVI period Double-sided decoration, with lateral pulls., resting on elegant tapered legs, with brass beadin...
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare desk in mahogany with two drawers by Vilhelm Wohlert
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare desk in mahogany with two drawers and feet. Designed in 1958 by Vilhelm Wohlert for cabinetmaker Arne Poulsen. NOTE: Restoration of the desk is included within the price.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

PK 55 - Desk/dining table in ash by Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 55 - Desk/dining table with top in ash and steel frame. Marked from the manufacturer. Designed by Poul Kjærholm ,made by E. Kold Christensen.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

George III Period Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Montreal, QC
George III Period Mahogany Desk two drawer resting on on square tapered legs castors and the top inset with gold-tooled red leather. England: circa 1790
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Gio Ponti, Small Walnut Desk, from the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, 1950s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Gio Ponti small desk in light walnut on shaped tapering legs united by stretchers. The wood is in excellent condition with beautiful graining to the planked top, and the three friez...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Louis XV Leather Top Cocobola Wood Writing Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable Louis XV style ladies writing desk handcrafted in exotic cocobola wood with a leather top on a one drawer case over elegant cabriole legs with ormolu front feet.
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cocobolo

18th Century Louis XVI Style Blue Painted Table / Desk from France
Located in Houston, TX
The 18th Century Louis XVI Style Blue Painted Table from France embodies the spirit of the era with its symmetrical and balanced design. Each detail, from the delicate floral motifs ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Paint

Late 17th Century Catalan Oak Console Table or Writing Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Late 17th century Catalan oak console table, or writing desk, from Spain. Hand-carved in oak circa 1680-1709. Constructed with mortise and tenon joints. Thick plank top resting upon ...
Category

Late 17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Scottish, George III Mahogany and Sycamore Banded Cylinder Bureau
Located in Woodbury, CT
Scottish George III mahogany and sycamore banded cylinder bureau / desk. The revolving cover encloses a leather inset, articulating writing surface and an arrangement of pigeon hole...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Sycamore, Satinwood, Yew, Burl

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern “Planner Group” Desk by Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, cherry, brass, beech, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The upper part of this piece is made fro...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry, Beech

Small Mid Century Italian Desk in Metal, Walnut and Formica, around 1950
Located in Berlin, DE
A charming relic from the mid-20th century, this Small Italian Desk embodies the essence of mid-century design with a perfect blend of metal, walnut, and formica. Crafted around 1950...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Louis XVI Tulipwood Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive late 18th century French writing desk with a tooled black leather top, probably original, on a case with three drawers in front, having wreath escutcheons, and reverse of ...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tulipwood

Mid modern danish standing desk in teak Hans Wegner style
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid modern danish standing desk in teak attriduted to Hans Wegner. 3 drawers in the apron and two flip-down leaves
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

George III Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with old brown leather top and cross banded edge. Three drawer and false drawers on reverse. String inlay and brass bail handles on the drawers. Raised on square tapered ...
Category

1790s English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-02 Clark Table / Authentic Mid-Century Modern, Chandigarh
Located in Zürich, CH
This simple appearing "Office Desk" from 1957 to 1958 with its integrated shelf is an absolute masterpiece. It is a smart object that’s surprising us with its bookcase on the front s...
Category

1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Leather, Teak

French Postal Desk
Located in Cirencester, GB
Circa 1950's this is a painted steel French 'La Poste' sorting table. Great original condition and the colour is blue/grey with a terracotta brown top. We think it would look fab in a home office or even as a kitchen desk...
Category

1950s French Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

18th century walnut knee Hole desk
Located in Penzance, GB
This is a really nice 18th century figured walnut Knee Hole desk .This desk has oak linings, cock beaded drawers and is sitting on bracket feet ,the veneer is well figured and is a good colour .The top has a two piece mirrored...
Category

Early 18th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A top quality antique yew wood military campaign style pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. It is very well made, with a useful and smart design...
Category

1950s British Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Yew

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

Ebonized mahogany leather top desk in the manner of Andre Arbus C 1950.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ebonized mahogany leather top desk in the manner of Andre Arbus C 1950. The case trimmed in bronze having two drawers and a new leather top with gilt embossed border resting on taper...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Mid-Century Folding Desk Magic Box Desk
Located in Baltimore, MD
A desk with incredible form and presence. This attractive original magic box desk, cabinet/desk made in Denmark, features a brass hinged double door cab...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Elm, Steel, and Laminate Desk by Marcel Gascoin for Universitaire d'Antony
Located in New York City, NY
This modernist desk/table was designed by Marcel Gascoin for the Cité Universitaire Jean Zay d'Antony in 1955; the dorm rooms and public spaces encapsulate post-war French design and...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

18th Century Walnut Writing Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Queen Anne era Walnut writing table, with bordered edge and book matched burl walnut veneer with mixed wood inlays to the top with rounded corners to the front, shaped inlay apron,...
Category

Mid-18th Century Unknown Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik Writing Desk
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nanna Ditzel for Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik, desk, teak, oak, Denmark, design 1955 A beautiful freestanding desk designed by Nanna Ditzel. Flawless in its design and execution, thi...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Teak

Antique Georgian Style Burr Walnut Bureau
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Georgian style burr walnut bureau. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. The quality is outst...
Category

1950s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

George II Irish Mahogany Rent Table
Located in New York, NY
George II Mahogany Rent table with lettered inlaid drawer front & swiveling leather top ( see video) raised on carved cabriole legs terminating in carved scroll feet. with key leathe...
Category

Early 18th Century Irish George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk by Gio Ponti and Alberto Rosselli, Rima Padova, Italy, circa 1955
Located in Berlin, DE
Desk by Gio Ponti & Alberto Rosselli, Rima Padova, Italy, circa 1955 Originally designed for the Pirelli Tower in Milano. In 1950, Alberto Pirelli, president and owner of the giant...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Rare Mid-Century vintage German Desk in walnut, 1950s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Rare Mid century vintage German Desk in walnut, 1950s Design year: 1960s Dimensions: 70 D 140 W x 78 H cm It is in good vintage condition, ho...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1950s T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Desk
Located in Boston, MA
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb desk, circa 1950s. Three drawers with organizers open with woven cane wrapped brass pull. Laminate veneer wraps around all corners of the desk. S...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate

18th-C. French Louis XV Style Carved Oak Tooled Leather & Bronze Writing Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a special piece! It is a late 18th century carved oak and gilt bronze writing desk. It has two drawers and two identical faux drawers. Each foot is capped in bronze. The felt...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Carved Floral Back 18th Century Country French Carved Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare form of Country French desk. The desk features what appears to be oak and walnut construction and a parquet top with antique age cracks in the top. WE CAN REPAIR THIS ...
Category

1780s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th C. Continental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat W Gilt Bronze Ormolu
Located in Southampton, NY
18th C. Continental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Plat with Gilt Bronze Ormolu sourced by designers Parish Hadley. Black lacquer with fine gilt bronze ormolu. Chinoiserie decorati...
Category

18th Century European Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Pilastro Style Dutch Industrial Desk, 1950's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Colorful and wonderfully designed, 1950s Mid-Century industrial writing desk. A stunning example of Dutch post-war design with slightly angled black enameled legs and a gray metal fr...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Danish Cabinetmaker Rosewood Desk, c1950s
Located in London, GB
Danish Cabinetmaker - Writing Desk, c1940s A beautifully made cabinetmaker desk, produced in Denmark c1950s. This exquisite, classical desk is in immaculate refinished condition and...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Torben Strandgaard Desk by Møbelfabriken Falster
Located in Highland, IN
This beautiful Danish modern writing desk by Torben Strandgaard is finely crafted by Møbelfabriken Falster and beautifully detailed with an architectural aluminum frame, floating cab...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Danish Vintage Walnut Desk by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
An absolutely spectacular Danish vintage walnut desk by Kai Kristiansen. This is the model 54 desk, it was made in Denmark in the 1950’s. It is of amazi...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Thomasville "Tamerlane" Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptionally made and extremely rare Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie desk from the "Tamerlane" collection by Thomasville Furniture, circa 1950's. THOMASVILLE TIMELESS TAMERLANE -- ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Desk H-55 by Åke Hassbjer in teak and steel base, 1950s
By Oscar Edv. Ekelund
Located in Göteborg, SE
Very rare desk of Åke Hassbjer! During his career, Åke Hassbjer would create models and environments for several different manufacturers. He has designed several pieces of furniture...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Restored Rattan and Formica Desk with Drawers and Hourglass Rattan Sides
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This restored mid-century desk showcases blonde Formica with drawers, enclosed in an hourglass-shaped rattan frame. It's unique design flaunts curved rattan drawer pulls, exuding a t...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rattan, Formica

Circa 1790 George III Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This George III table has gold embossed trim around a beautifully weathered dark green-blue leather tabletop. The square body has been made entirely from mahogany with a mahogany ven...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Exquisite Restyled Vintage 1950s Desk by RETRO4M
Located in Rome, IT
Presenting a masterpiece of timeless elegance: the meticulously restored and restyled vintage desk from the 1950s, crafted with meticulous care by RETRO4M. This exceptional piece sea...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron

Regence Ebonized And Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top with inset black tooled leather surrounded by a brass inlaid ebonized border with brass edge. The frieze with three drawers with cast bronze handles and three ...
Category

1730s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

A Mid-Century Writing Desk Attributed to Gio Ponti
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Mid-Century writing desk. Mahogany and beech wood with three draws and lift up hinged top. Attributed to Gio Ponti. Dimension: H 78cm W 120cm D 69cm Origin: Italian Date: 1950 ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Art Deco Table J. Halabala
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco table by J. Halabala from 1960s. Art Deco table by the famous Czech designer J. Halabala, 1940. Jindrich Halabala, (a Czech designer ranked among the most outstanding creat...
Category

1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Art Deco Table J.Halabala from 1960
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco table by J. Halabala from 1960s. The piece of furniture was made of walnut tree. Art Deco table by the famous Czech designer J. Halabala, 1950. Jindrich Halabala - (a Czech ...
Category

1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Table J.Halabala from 1960
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco table by J. Halabala from 1960s. The piece of furniture was made of walnut tree. Art Deco table by the famous Czech designer J. Halabala, 1950. Jindrich Halabala - (a Czech ...
Category

1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Table J.Halabala from 1960
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco table by J. Halabala from 1960s. The piece of furniture was made of walnut tree. Art Deco table by the famous Czech designer J. Halabala, 1950. Jindrich Halabala - (a Czech ...
Category

1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italian-made executive desk from the 1950s
Located in Genova, IT
Large Italian-made executive desk from the early 1950s. Dark blue formica(original) covered worktop in excellent condition, resting on two walnut wood 'towers' with black metal legs...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1950s
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

17-1800's Antique Italian Walnut Trestle Library, Carved, Border Table / Desk!!
Located in Austin, TX
Outstanding Antique Table / Desk, Italian Walnut Trestle Library, Carved, Border, 18th /19th Century, 1700's-1800's! This antique library table/desk is a stunning example of Italian...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Other Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

17th Century Spanish Console
Located in Houston, TX
17th century Spanish walnut console table with two drawers, splayed legs and iron stretcher. The top is a single piece of walnut.
Category

Late 17th Century Spanish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

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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