Skip to main content

Desks and Writing Tables

29
2,782
to
274
1,463
1,223
2,782
2,782
2,782
1,197
276
181
94
77
62
33
31
21
19
17
16
15
12
10
8
4
1
487
1,794
3,968
1,769
588
706
88
32
87
196
164
599
641
388
134
31
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2,521
1,145
651
419
399
2,067
563
510
482
396
30
26
25
25
22
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: Late 19th Century
Arne Vodder for Bovirke Writing Desk in Teak and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Bovirke, desk 'model BO85', teak, brass, Denmark, 1950s This teak writing desk was designed by Arne Vodder for Bovirke. The table has an organically shaped table...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Jules Wabbes Corner Desk with Drawers in Mutenyé
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

Børge Mogensen for Frederica Stolefabrik Teak and Oak Hunting Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Børge Mogensen for Frederica Stolefabrik, hunting table, oak, teak, brass Denmark, circa 1960. This table with a teak top and oak frame is desi...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Guillerme & Chambron Free-Standing Corner Desk in Stained Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, corner desk, stained oak, France, 1960s. Corner desk by French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This executive desk shows the fine crafts...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Cees Braakman for Pastoe Desk in Teak and Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cees Braakman for Pastoe, desk, teak, brushed metal, The Netherlands, 1950s. Modest designed desk by Dutch designer Cees Braakman for Pastoe. The table top and drawer compartment are executed in teak. Curved plywood is used to furnish the inner part of the three different drawers, each with a metal handle. A modern exterior...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Ico Parisi: Rare Pair of Consoles in Mahogany and Ebonized Walnut, Italy 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Ico Parisi (1916 - 1996) A rare and important pair of sculptural consoles by Ico Parisi, their undulating yet modern curves a culmination of the designer's organic mode. The top, in...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

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

Unique Italian Double Desk with Wall-Shelf in Walnut with Marquetry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Double desk with shelf, walnut, Italy, 1950s Custom-made desk for two people with wall-mounted shelf. Luxurious detail are the wood inlays that show ...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Unique Italian Free-Standing Corner Desk in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Custom-made desk, oak, brass, metal, Italy, 1950s An Italian architect or furniture designer with great eye for proportions planned this free-standing, functional desk with two cor...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Teak Desk by Severin Hansen for Haslev
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful example of this classic Scandinavian Modern design, a great example of form and function. This is the more desireable 4 drawer version, and is in great condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

1930s Fabulous Industrial Adjustable Wood Table Hand Crank Metal Base
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Old Adjustable Table 1930s Fabulous Sculptural Industrial Wheeled Wood Table Adjustable Tilt with Hand Crank Metal Base Adjustable height useful as Lectern, Drafting, Music Stand, S...
Category

1930s Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Wicker Desk & Chair
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage wicker reed/rattan table or writing desk with a wicker chair. Bothe pieces are early 19th century and freshly painted light grey. Excellent vintage condition.
Category

1930s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Reed, Wicker

Fratelli Proserpio compact rollup writing desk teak Italy 1960
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful and compact rollup writing desk designed and manufactured by Fratelli Proserpio, Italy 1960. This elegant desk is executed in rich natural teak wood. The top has a very nic...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Gianfranco Frattini desk model 530 in rosewood Bernini Italy 1957
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Iconic Italian writing desk model 530 designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy 1957. This symmetric sleek proportioned desk is made of beautifully grained rosewood. It has ...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Alvar Aalto Rare Writing Table from Otaniemi Technical University, 1960s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Rare writing table, designed by Alvar Aalto, 1960s. Birch with linoleum table top. Later modified with the reading lamp. The writing table is from the Otaniemi Technical University. ...
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Antique Estate Desk, Scottish, Oak, Library Table, Gothic Revival, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique estate desk. A Scottish, oak library table with leather skiver in Gothic revival taste, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. W...
Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Gio Ponti's walnut desk and chair
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2602 Gio Ponti ( 1891-1979) Desk with walnut uprights and top, two drawers with brass handles and a chair designed for the University of Padua in the early 1950s. Italian manufa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Finn Juhl - BO 69 'Nyhavn' desk in teak
Located in Copenhagen, DK
BO 69 - 'Nyhavn' table / desk in teak with oxidised steel frame and drawer module with coloured drawers. Designed in 1953. Extension plate visible adds an extra 54 cm to the width.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Early Bodil Kjaer Executive Writing Table and Cabinet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bodil Kjaer for E. Pedersen & Søn, table model 901, cabinet, rosewood and chromed steel, Denmark, 1959. This eye catching freestanding desk in rosewood is designed by the Danish des...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Italian Writing Desk in Oak with Green Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, oak, type of plastic, Italy, 1953 An exquisite Italian-crafted office desk commands attention with its captivating form and distinctive material composition. Reflectin...
Category

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

Materials

Plastic, Oak

1960s Mid Century Walnut Roll-Top Secretary Desk by Hooker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut roll top desk designed and manufactured by Hooker furniture in the united states circa 1960s. This beautiful roll-top desk was designed for their "mainline Collect...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Arne Vodder Desk with Sliding Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scandinavian office desk with an extension held by brass hooks that allows you to adjust the desk length 120-166 cm accordingly. The box with 3 drawers (key) can slide over the entir...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Art Deco Chest of Drawers
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
 Art deco chest of drawers after renovation , simple and nice art deco chest of drawers :)
Category

1940s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Italian mid-century modern desk in light blue metal and black leather top, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern desk in light blue metal and black leather top, 1960s Desk with rectangular top covered in black leather. The structure is in light blue painted metal and ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Wooden writing desk, Italy, 1940s.
Located in Palermo, PA
Fine and elegant wooden desk with brass details, enhanced by very useful drawers for storing work and writing items. Ready for home or studio use, lines perfectly consistent with the...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th Century Italian Inlay Writing Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
Step back in time with this vintage 19th Century Italian inlay writing desk. American-crafted with intricate details, this desk showcases classic Italian craftsmanship, blending arti...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Bohemian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Louis XVI Kidney-Shaped Mahogany Leather Top Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Kidney-Shaped Mahogany Leather Top Desk is a stunning example of the refinement of Parisienne craftsmanship during the end of the 1800s. Using a combin...
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Square Birch Table by Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
A square table with laminated, L-shaped legs. Designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek, the furniture company founded by Aalto in Helsinki in 1935, during the late 1940s- ea...
Category

1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

1950's Hollywood Regency Italian Oyster Patchwork Burl Wood Desk
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1950's Hollywood Regency desk or console table for sale. Made in Italy in the 1950's, and has beautiful burlwood patchwork with saber legs. It has three drawers with the orig...
Category

1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Walnut Writing Desk by John Van Koert for Drexel, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid century walnut writing desk designed by John Van Koert and manufactured by Drexel in the United States circa 1960s. Made from high-quality walnut, this desk radiates elegance and...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950's French Oak Desk With 3 Drawers
Located in Dorchester, GB
French desk from the fifties made from oak. A good compact size desk would fit into those tight spaces. Condition Is good, as a vintage piece it does have marks scratches and dents....
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original brass hard...
Category

1950s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Round Brutalist Dining Table in Oak, Mid Century Modern, Made in France, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning solid oak round dining table in the brutalist style, crafted in France during the 1960s by a French cabinetmaker. This mid-century modern piece features a robust and minim...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Gustavian Style 5 Drawer Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Gustavian Style 5 drawer desk. it has been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" This Desk is actually a 4 drawer desk, the right drawer has 2 handl...
Category

1940s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Desk with Roll-Top, Walnut Veneer, 1950s, Fully Restored
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This is a legendary and mysterious project that was probably commissioned for a chain of exclusive Polish Fashion salons in Poland, circa 1950s. It is not known to this day who is be...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Desk by Paul Boman
Located in London, GB
A mahogany desk by Paul Boman (1885 - 1952) Manufacturer's label, purveyor of the Swedish king. Finland, 1940s
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small art deco desk
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Small art deco desk. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Ennio Fazioli terni desk for MIM Roma Italy 1958
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic desk designed by Ennio Fazioli and manufactured by his own company M.I.M Roma, Italy 1958. This desk is often sold as a design by Ico Parisi but as the Parisi book states, thi...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Marzio Cecchi Diapason Desk, Italy, 1968
Located in Padova, IT
Iconic desk one of only 40 made designed by Marzio Cecchi and manufactured by Studio Most, Italy 1968. This stainless-steel desk has a cantilevered tapering top with curved edge and ...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Writing desk from France in the Louis XVI style. This piece has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. There are four dovetailed drawers all with brass original ha...
Category

1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Art Deco Cherry Wood Writing Desk Table by Quinet
Located in Detroit, MI
This antique French Art Deco writing desk table by Jacques Quinet (attr.) is circa 1940 with a provenance from the Hotel "Ma Campagne" in Martigues, France. This lovely desk table ha...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry

Antique English Leather-Top Mahogany Partner's Desk, Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English leather-top mahogany partner's desk, Circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Mid Century Italian Oyster Burl Olive Writing Desk Cabriole Legs
Located in Forest Grove, PA
An Italian Mid-Century oyster burl olive wood three drawer writing table or desk. Brass hardware. Cabriole legs. Stunning. The writing surface is 39 1/4" wide and 19 1/4" deep the k...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

XL Dutch Reply Architect Drafting Table Friso Kramer, Wim Rietveld Ahrend, 1959
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Reply Dutch Design Architect drafting table designed by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Circel in 1959. Design classic, awarded with the "Signe d’Or". The table top is fu...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Italian Wall Desk in Brown Teak with Panels and Shelfs, around 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
The "Mid-Century Italian Wall Desk in Brown Teak with Panels and Shelves, around 1960" is a quintessential example of mid-20th century design, blending functionality with aesthetic e...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Swedish Mid Century Modern Solid Pine Desk, Roland Wilhelmsson, Made in 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming mid-century solid pine desk / dining table with visible dowels and a fine X frame. Hand crafted by a Swedish cabinetmaker in 1960s. Made in the style of Roland Wilhelmsson...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Desk Model TL22, by Franco Albini and Franca Helg. Poggi, 1958
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Desk model TL22, designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg and manufactured by Poggi in 1958. Table completely restored. Wood: walnut. Letteratura: Gramigna G., Repertorio del desig...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid Century Leather Top Walnut Desk
Located in Denton, TX
Strong bold design by John Van Koert for Drexel furniture. A combination of walnut and oak makes this desk a stunning vintage piece of art. The writing surface is 30.25" high.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut

Mid-Century Oak Curved French Desk
Located in London, GB
An oak curved desk. French, c1960s. Two drawers to each side. Generally very good condition, however there is one ding to the edge (see photos). PLEASE NOTE PRICES LISTED ARE...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

20th Century Carved Lacquered Wood Italian Louis XVI Style Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Large Italian writing desk from the mid-20th century. Furniture in carved and lacquered wood in Louis XVI style of beautiful lines and pleasant decor. Desk of great size and impact s...
Category

1950s Italian Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Executive desk designed by Luisa & Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, 1960
Located in Argelato, BO
An executive desk designed by the Italian Designers Ico & Luisa Parisi for MIM Rome in 1962 . Structure made from lacquered steel with aluminium supports , there’re three floating dr...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pair of Midcentury Four-Legs Chromed Steel Italian Trestles After Baughman 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful pair of midcentury four-legs chromed steel trestles. These amazing pieces were designed in Italy after Milo Baughman during the 1970s. These items are very versatile and w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Midcentury Desk in Mahogany Designed by Frits Heningsen, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Freestanding desk in mahogany with three drawers, designed and made by cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, great original condition.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk ~ Bureau Plat
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk ~ Bureau Plat is a beautifully preserved historical piece the design for which has inspired furniture makers since the middle of the 18th cen...
Category

1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Dom Hans van der Laan Unique Desk with Copy of Original Drawings c. 1970
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dom Hans van der Laan unique desk with copy of original drawings. From a private doctor’s practice, Sint-Michielsgestel, the Netherlands c. 1970. Spruce, copper nails, paint. Colo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Danish Vintage Desk by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A superb Danish vintage desk by Kai Kristiansen. This was recently imported from Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully made and is a gre...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

1930’s French Ebonised Desk with Leather Top
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style minister's desk in ebonized blackened wood with drawers and leather top from circa 1930’s. Good quality and elegant proportions in the Louis XVI style. Brass & gilde...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Burr Walnut Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very well made antique burr walnut leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is excellent, this has gorgeous burr...
Category

1930s British Queen Anne Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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