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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1960s
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

Rosewood Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, Bloch Editors, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely crafted Rosewood Desk designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) belonged to BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING, a Brazilian publisher founded in 1952 and closed in 2000, wh...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Freestanding Diplomat Desk Made In Mahogany By Fritz Henningsen From 1930s
Located in Lejre, DK
This freestanding desk is a magnificent piece of furniture art, created by the renowned designer Fritz Henningsen back in the 1930s. Crafted from mahogany wood and equipped with bras...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

Art Deco Desk by Sanyas and Popot Paris 1930
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
ART DECO DESK A stunning French Art Deco desk produced in Paris in 1930 by Sanyas et Popot ,this example has been crafted from oak and rosewood designed with a curved top section. It...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Walnut Hunt Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage walnut hunt table. Dimensions: 28"H x 18"D x 72" from end to end x 35" deep overall.
Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1960s Rattan and Iron Writing Table Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lightly used, with very light scratches, or minor cosmetic wear, but has no structural issues. Most antique and vintage items fit this condition.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

60s Desk
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawer column, enameled metal, mahogany veneer wood. Good conditions.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Floating Desk by Gunnar Falsig
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern rosewood desk by Gunnar Falsig Mobelfabrik, Denmark, 1960's. This exquisite desk, recently imported from Denmark to California before its rest...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Smaller Danish Lady’s writing desk in mahogany with drawers and brass details
Located in DK
This smaller Danish modern writing desk was designed ca. 1950 by Danish architect Ole Wanscher (1903-1985) and executed by manufacturer Fritz Hansen, Denmark. The model number is 178...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French writing desk from the second half of the 20th century. Louis XV style furniture veneered and carved in walnut and palisander, with beautiful lines and pleasant decor. Finished...
Category

1960s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Mid-20th Century Writing Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This beautiful table is made of lemon wood and inlay. It is very much quality.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

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

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

Swedish Mid-Century Modern Roll Top Desk, circa 1960s
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Swedish mid century modern roll top desk, circa 1960s. Designed by Egon Ostergaard, for SMI Sweden. Stamped underneath "Made in Sweden...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

French Mahogany Leather Top Directoire Writing Desk with Pull Out Trays
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very good French mahogany Directoire desk with bronze ormolu and restrained and simple design. The leather top is in good antique condition with some signs of age and use b...
Category

1930s French Directoire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

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

Scrivania Arco di BBPR per Olivetti Anni 60-70
Located in Milano, IT
Scrivania in metallo smaltato e piano in materiale laminato.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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

60s-70s Desk
Located in Milano, IT
Large size desk with side drawer columns, wood veneer exotic wood stained, chrome-plated aluminum. Good conditions.
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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

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

Heywood-Wakefield Writing Desk
Located in Trenton, NJ
Invite mid-century charm into your workspace with this Heywood Wakefield Desk, a highly sought and highly functional icon of vintage modern furniture. This desk, with its sleek curve...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Díaz Infante Desk for DM Nacional
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, desk sadly attributed to Clara Porset, Diaz Infante is the real and original designer, I have the documents that support it, manufactured by DM Nacional.
Category

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

Materials

Steel

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

Antique Military Campaign Style Desk
Located in London, GB
A top quality antique military campaign style desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. It is very well made, with a useful and smart design. The wood has a l...
Category

1930s British Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

Oak Writing Desk with Aluminum Details Attributed to Kai Kristiansen
Located in Madrid, ES
Freestanding desk, model EP 401, with veneered oak frame and table top. Front with six drawers with aluminum handles, back with three open compartments, legs with aluminum shoes. Man...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Mastercraft Mid Century Leather Top Brass Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive vintage Mastercraft writing desk crafted in brass, in a sleek chinoiserie stylized form, with a unique acid washed finish, having a tooled leather top on a case with three...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk With Chair, Chrome, Steel, Wood, Czech, 1930s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. The chrome parts have been cleaned and pr...
Category

1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Mid-Century Danish Oak Desk attributed to Henning Kjaernulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Solid oak writing desk complete with drawers, attributed to the Danish furniture designer Henning Henry Kjærnulf, a compelling piece. This creation harmoniously blends bold Baroque e...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk with bronze trim and ornate ormolu mounts and embossed leather top. The desk is finished on all sides and could ...
Category

1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

French Louis XV Kingwood Bureau Plat Leather Top Desk With Mounted Bronze Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk France, Circa 1940s Gorgeous kingwood, with bronze trim and ornate ormolu mounts, and embossed green leather t...
Category

1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

1960s Danish Modern Rosewood Desk by Ganddal Mobelfabrikk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish modern rosewood writing desk designed and manufactured by Ganddal Mobelfabrikk in Denmark circa 1960s. This beautiful desk with the highest quality of rosewood creates a refin...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Scandinavian Rosewood Conference Table
Located in Dronten, NL
Large Mid-Century Modern stainless steel table with a beautiful rosewood top. Good vintage condition with many superficial scratches on the top but no veneer damage. Could be refinis...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

20th Century Marcel Breuer for Gavina Desk mod. Canaan
Located in Turin, Turin
Marcel Breuer was a Hungarian-German modernist architect and furniture designer. He became one of the first and youngest students at the Bauhaus – a radical arts and crafts school th...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Rattan Wicker And Bamboo Desk Attributed To Dal Vera 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century rattan wicker and bamboo desk attributed to Dal Vera 1960s Complete and in good condition, it has four very spacious drawers. Dal Vera Antonio e Figli (1884 – 1984) The ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

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

Midcentury Minimalist Rosewood 2-Drawer Desk w/ Pop Up Organizer Made in Denmark
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Danish desk or vanity table featuring highly figured rosewood on a rectangular form with 2 front drawers, and a solid rosewood trestle base. The writing table has a pop up ...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

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

Vintage Anco Bilt Cast Iron and Wood Drafting Table/Desk c.1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A fully adjustable industrial wooden drafting table with a cast iron ledge, cast iron knobs and brackets. The table can be used as a tall dining table, standing desk or drafti...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by André Lurcat, Walnut, New Polish, Czech, 1930s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk Catalog model: PS 8 Material: Walnut, Chrome-plated Steel Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 This desk was designed by French modernis...
Category

1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Desk by Herbert Hirche, circa 1967
Located in Brussels, BE
Wonderfull minimalist desk By Herbert Hirche, manufactured by Christian Holzäpfel in 1967. Original condition. Born in Görlitz Herbert Hirche moved to Berlin to study at the renowne...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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

Franco Albini Desk for Knoll International, USA 1960
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 American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Frits Henningsen Mahogany Desk, c1940s
Located in London, GB
Frits Henningsen - Writing Desk, c1940s Rarely seen design from the master cabinetmaker of the early Danish Modern period: Frits Henningsen. Henningsen produced all of his designs a...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

60s Desk Cabinet
Located in Milano, IT
Cabinet with drop-down desk and storage compartment with hinged doors. Teak veneer wood and brass. Good conditions.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Desk and dressing table by Guillerme et hambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare piece by Guillerme et Chambron can be used as a desk or a dressing table Unique pice in oak and ceramic handle
Category

1960s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Maple Desk By Paul McCobb For Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern, model #1567, natural maple desk by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features 4 drawers with aluminum ring pulls. The chair opening measures 21.5 inches w...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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

Danish Vintage Model 901 Desk by Bodil Kjaer
Located in London, GB
A stunning and iconic Danish vintage model 901 desk by Bodil Kjaer. This was made in Denmark by E. Pedersen & Søn, originally designed in 1959, this dates from the 1960’s. It sits o...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Danish Vintage Desk by Bodil Kjaer
Located in London, GB
A stunning and iconic Danish vintage desk by Bodil Kjaer. This was made in Denmark by E. Pedersen & Søn, originally designed in 1959, this dates from the 1960’s. It is an extremely ...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Industrial Brushed Steel Desk By Library Bureau Makers
By Library Bureau Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome, industrial, brushed steek desk by Library Bureau Makers circa 1940's features a single drawer with a 17.5 inch wide opening for a desk chair. The desk is finished on all si...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

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

Vintage 1960s Danish design desk
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage teak office table. This Scandinavian desk produced in the 1960s, with its clean design and fine lines, exemplifies functionality and elegance. Consisting of a wide work sur...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Fabio Lenci Elegant presidential Desk - Wood top and legs, Italian Design, 60s
Located in Milan, IT
This wood and glass desk attribuited to Fabio Lenci is a gorgeous piece of Italian design. Meticulously crafted, the combination of wood and glass and its essential lines creates an...
Category

1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid Century MODERN WALNUT DESK by Founders Furniture Co., c. 1960's
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid Century Modern Walnut Desk by Founders Furniture Co., c. 1960's. Featuring a total of five dovetailed drawers with sculpted hand pulls and a laminate woodgrain tabletop, perfect ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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.

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