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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1950s
1950s Knoll & Drake Formica and Walnut Desk
Located in London, GB
Designed and manufactured by Knoll & Drake, this 1950s desk is both practical and timeless. Constructed with metal legs, the desk has a white Formica table top...
Category

1950s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Formica, Walnut

Oak Roll Top Secretary Desk with Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
Oak secretary / writing desk from circa 1900's. Featuring a roll-up flap with underlying writing board, shelf interior and two drawers. Below the writing desk there are two pull-out ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Hamilton Mfg. Co. Drafting Table with Footrest c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Contact us for more affordable shipping options: S16 Home San Francisco. A fully adjustable industrial drafting table with solid Maple top, wooden base and solid cast iron b...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

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 Art Nouveau Oak Side Table Writing Table Vegetal Ornementation, c 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
French antique oak side or writing table, circa 1900. Made in the art Nouveau period : the carving of the drawer and of the table belt is typical of the lines of this artistic moveme...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

20th Century Inlaid Walnut, Maple and Fruitwood Italian Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian bureau from the first half of the 20th century. Antique-style furniture carved and inlaid in walnut, maple and fruitwood of beautiful line and pleasant furnishings. Bureau eq...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple, Walnut

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

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

Laminated boomerang desk made in Italy 1950s
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Step back into the iconic Italian style of the 1950s with this Ponti-inspired asymmetrical boomerang desk. The desk’s plywood top features a high gloss laminated finish with coloured abstract shapes in shades of red, gold, anthracite and light blue, it adds a vibrant pop of personality to your workspace. The top is supported by slim metal legs with brass feet creating a light and airy feel in any space. The desk has a timeless elegance and will give any room a playful appearance. A great representation of Italy in the fifties. The desk is in original and in very good condition. The Gio Ponti Super...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Important French Art Deco Mahagony Ladies Vanity Writing Desk Circa 1920's
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a An Exceptional Museum Quality French Country Ladies Vanity Writing Desk with 5 Drawers. Circa 1920's. The Rounded Rectangular Top with an Ormo...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique quality large inlaid mahogany kidney shaped desk writing dressing table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique, high-quality large circa 1900 inlaid mahogany kidney-shaped JAS Shoolbred twin pedestal desk, suitable for use as a dressing or writing table. It boasts a delightful age, co...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Edwardian English Marquetry Side Table, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
William and Mary style burl walnut table with exquisite marquetry detailing, circa 1900. The top is banded and has a beveled edge surrounding a profuse floral and bird design marque...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Boxwood, Olive, 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

Midcentury Desk in Rosewood Designed by Frits Heningsen, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Freestanding desk in rosewood 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

Brass

Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk. item features 7 drawers, red tooled leather top, hand painted scenes and details on all sides includi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Signed Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Early 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak, with original copp...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

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

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

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

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

Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Stickley Brothers (original label present) USA, Circa 1910 Solid quarter sawn oak, with or...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

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

Neoclassical dressing table / desk / Louis XVI, France, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Side table / dressing table / lady's desk with white marble top and stained beech wood structure. Neoclassical/Louis XVI style, France, circa 1900. In good general condition, rest...
Category

Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Antique Oak English Partners Desk with 14 Drawers
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Impressive English Arts and Crafts partners desk with 14 drawers and 4 pull out writing surfaces. Classic detail with urn and scroll accent. Substantial presence. Curbside to NYC/Phi...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Stunning Victorian Library Writing Table or Desk Brown Leather Top Gillows Legs
Located in Miami, FL
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Victorian library table writing desk with brown leather gold leaf tooled writing surface and Gillows style reeded legs A very fine pi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

Antique English Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Secretary Slant Front Desk & Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
An antique English Edwardian slant front writing desk, a true embodiment of the refined craftsmanship of the early 1900s. Crafted from rich mahogany, the focal point of this masterpi...
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

French Empire Style Writing Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Large French burr elm empire style writing desk. 1900. Kneehole is 23.5" wide x 27" high. Reference: 8279 Dimensions 64 inches (163 cms) W...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

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

Cubist-Style Desk and Chair Set
Located in New York, NY
A Czech Cubist-style desk and chair set made of ebonized oak with polychrome details. Additional dimensions: Desk top is 28.25" H Riser shelf is 15.75" d...
Category

1920s Czech Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

20th Two sides French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Desk with Three Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
This elegant fruitwood desk was created in France, circa 1920. Made of blond walnut timber, the large writing table sits on four carved legs with two iron stretchers. The front has a...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

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

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

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

Oak Art Deco Modernist Desk or Writing Table by Hendrik Wouda for Pander, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Art Deco Modernist desk or writing table. Design by Hendrik Wouda for H. Pander & Zonen Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak base with...
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Signed Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Gustav Stickley (signed the paper label and red joiner's compa...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Mahogany lady’s writing desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany and boxwood strung lady`s writing desk, the raised three quarter gallery above three drawers flanked by cupboards to the fold over replaced blue leather writing service. The...
Category

Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

1950s Mid Century Modern Drexel Declaration Kipp Stewart Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Look at this beautiful wood grained Mid century modern writing desk designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel. Beautiful walnut grain with 2 drawers. Simple lines, sculpted legs, curved ed...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Antique Country French Desk, Leather Top with Gilded Embossed Border. Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Country French Desk or Writing Table with a most unusual curved side. The bottom of the Antique French Desk is for the most part all original and we did not refinish the wood...
Category

1910s French Country Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

Antique Burr Elm Kidney Shape Side / Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A quite unusual and beautiful antique burr elm kidney shape side / writing table. This was made in England, it dates from the 1920-30’s. It is of superb quality, the kidney shaped t...
Category

1920s British Sheraton Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

French Art Deco Desk in Macassar Ebony By Majorelle
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Art Deco Desk - By Louis Majorelle Exceptional quality Art Deco desk produced in France c1925, in Macassar Ebony and stamped with his unique inlay signature Majorelle Nancy to the i...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Macassar

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

Antique Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware....
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Antique Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware....
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Portable "Laptop" Desk with Storage Compartments and Inkwell
Located in Soquel, CA
Portable "Laptop" Desk with Storage Compartments and Inkwell Box with storage for paper, pens, ink, and other writing supplies. Multiple lids/compar...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Antique French Louis XV Walnut Serpentine Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XV Walnut Serpentine Desk is a splendid example of the style, rendered in sumptuous walnut and intricately cast brass to create a workspace like none other! The...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

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

20th Century Solid Walnut Baroque Lyre-Leg Trestle Refectory Desk Writing Table
Located in Miami, FL
20th Century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid walnut with lyre legs joined by wrought iron stretchers. Three drawers with original iron drawer pulls. The top is m...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

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

Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Leather Top Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original leather top, and ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Early variant Osvaldo Borsani desk with two drawers for Tecno, Italy 1950s
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

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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