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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modernist Architectural Walnut Desk designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham
Located in Buffalo, NY
Merton Gershun was an American furniture designer of the early 20th century, known for designing some of the earliest modern furniture lines available in the U.S. and striving to bri...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Alvar Aalto Mahogany Desk for Artek with Drawers and Pull Out Work Surfaces
Located in Chicago, IL
The model #500 mahogany desk designed by Alvar Aalto, made in Sweden for Artek, Finland. Six drawers with two pull-out work surface boards. A nice example...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

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

Two tone mid century desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W52.5 D23.25 H30 KNEE CLEARANCE 24 KNEE WIDTH 19.5 Fully restored walnut and oak desk circa 1960s. Item shows well with no major areas of wear. Item features exceptional grain throu...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

Mid Century Wooden Brutalist Desk in Solid Oak, Made in France, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
This desk is a classic representation of mid-century design, crafted in France during the 1950s. Made from solid oak, it exudes strength and durability. Its minimalist yet impactful design incorporates elements of brutalism, featuring clean lines and geometric shapes. The natural grain of the oak wood adds warmth and character to the piece, while its compact size makes it suitable for smaller spaces. This desk is not only a functional workspace but also a timeless piece of furniture that adds a touch of vintage charm to any room. Honorable designers from this French era is: Charlotte Perriand...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Italian 1930's Writing Table / Desk, for Banca Del Popolo, Trapani
Located in New York, NY
An Italian 1930's writing table made for Banca Del Popolo, Trapani. The rectangular surface is supported by trapezoidal shaped sides with a hammered copper plating underneath the t...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Handsome secretary desk features unique legs and a functioning skeleton key to open the drop down workspace. The stylish design has three large drawers on the bottom and shelfs prov...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mid century Desk by Gio Ponti
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
DESK BY GIO PONTI A midcentury desk produced in Italy by Italian master Gio Ponti, good solid construction with Sapele veneer.Its sleek and minimalistic design is enhanced by elegant...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

English Campaign Midcentury Desk with Faux Bamboo Base and Leather Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Campaign style Midcentury desk with faux bamboo double X-Form base and leather top. This English Campaign style midcentury desk exudes an air of distinguished charm and fu...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Faux Bamboo

Early Bauhaus "B21" Side Table Desk by Marcel Breuer Produced by Thonet, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early Bauhaus "B21" desk / side table in black stained wood with chromed tubular steel base by Marcel Breuer produced by Thonet in Germany, 1930s. In good original cond...
Category

1930s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk Model 75 Made In Teak By Omann Junior Møbelfabrik From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This desk, known as Model 75, is an excellent representation of Danish furniture craftsmanship from the 1960s. Produced by Omann Junior Møbelfabrik, a renowned company with a history...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Danish Rosewood Writing Desk by Bernhard Pedersen
Located in Toledo, OH
This beautiful Danish rosewood writing desk is complete with 3 drawers and a barrel top that rolls back to expose the desk. The interior has a pull out writing surface. This piece is...
Category

1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Teak Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern writing desk in teak wood. Simple design with a two drawer bank and tapered legs. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

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

Materials

Teak

MCM Danish Walnut and chrome executive desk
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Gorgeous walnut and chrome executive office desk. In the manner of a Florence knoll design this piece is in great condition with a refinished top.
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

ANCO BILT Mid 20th Century Oak & Pine Drafting Table
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Mid 20 Century MCM drafting table by Anco Bilt. Oak & pine woods, metal mechanisms, adjustable tilt-top, adjustable height, and "A" shaped legs with str...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Desk Made In Teak Designed With A Floating TableTop From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This desk is a nice example of Danish design from the 1960s, made of teak wood. One of the most notable features of this desk is the floating tabletop, which creates an airy and ligh...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Mid 20th Century Vintage Regency Burl Wood Secretary Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A stunning vintage Regency Secretary desk. Gorgeous Burl wood detail with incredible attention to detail. An amazing array of interior shelves and cabinets. Acquired from a Palm Beac...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Severin Hansen, Desk, Teak, Brass, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brass desk designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev, Denmark, c. 1960s.
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk Made in Teak of Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This desk is a beautiful example of Danish design from the 1960s. Made of teak wood, it exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere that fits perfectly with any decor. The desk's simple y...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

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

Achille Castiglioni and Luigi Caccia Desk for Palini Italy 1960s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Achille Castiglioni Desk for Palini Italy 1960s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

A French Black Lacquer Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular top inset with antiqued mirror glass over two frieze drawers; raised on square tapering legs terminating in brass sabots.
Category

1940s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish Mid Century MODERN TEAK Tambour Secretary DESK, c. 1960's
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Tambour Secretary Desk, c. 1960's. Incredible profile with hidden pull out tabletop and open area below for your chair. Pull up a chair and do some wor...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Teak

Hans Von Klier For Skipper Executive Desk And Credenza, Italy, 1970s
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Impressive executive desk and matching credenza designed by Hans von Klier in the 1970s. A striking combination of differently textured materials in three colors makes this desk an i...
Category

1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Mid 20th Century Vintage Boho Burl Wood Flip Down Writing Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Boho writing desk. A gorgeous Burl wood flip down design. Beautiful hand carved detail and cabriolet legs. Lots of great storage inside. Acquired from a Palm Beac...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Newly Refinished - Danish Modern Teak & Steel Adjustable Table / Desk
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

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

Materials

Teak

Italian Marquetry Walnut Burl Secretary Slant Front Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian desk, writing table, with slant drop front, with the beautiful light and dark wood inlay decors in classic figures all around the piece. When closed we have 2 fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian 1940s Solid Oak Wood Writing Desk with Shutter Doors
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Vintage Italian writing desk circa 1940s in solid oak wood. Comfortable size for a practical use. Characterized by two doors on the sides with shutter opening, internally four drawer...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

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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