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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1930s
Jorge Zalszupin Directors desk, Brazil 1960s
By L’Atelier, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Brussels, BE
In 1960, Jorge Zalszupin designed and manufactured this large desk as part of the Componivel Series at his own company, L’ Atelier, located in Brazil. Its outer framing runs along th...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

Arch Desk by BBPR for Olivetti 60s-70s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk made of enameled metal and top made of laminated material.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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

Danish Modern Floating Top Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning Danish modern teak desk designed by the famous cabinet maker Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfrabrik in Denmark, circa 1960s. The FM60 desk is a highly sought-after Scan...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Mid - Century, Solid Teak & Veneer Surface Desk, Denmark c.1960's
Located in London, GB
This stunning Mid Century Solid Teak & Veneer Surface Desk. Danish in Design, Boomerang shape model, slightly curved top to front and back edges with a large niche at the back for st...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

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

Jean Prouve Style La Residence Universitaire Jean Zay Student Desk
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In the style of Jean Prouve a patinated eggshell blue student desk with single drawer and in inset white laminate top from the dormitories of the La Residence Universitaire Jean Zay,...
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Beech

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

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

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

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

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

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 w...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

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

Rosewood Writing Desk with Bookshelf, Danish Design
Located in The Hague, NL
Midcentury Danish rosewood desk A good quality Danish rosewood desk having four drawers to the front and open shelf to the back. Beautiful grain on the top and drawers on original ke...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

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

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

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

American Oak And Birch Desk. 50's
Located in Madrid, ES
American oak and birch desk composed of two bodies with four drawers each. Portuguese pink marble on top. Conical legs with brass details. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by ...
Category

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

Materials

Marble

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

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

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

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

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

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

Italian rationalist wood and aluminium metal desk
Located in Milano, IT
Here is a desk of timeless elegance, an exquisite creation of the Rationalist period in Italy. Crafted with meticulous precision, this Italian desk perfectly combines the warmth of w...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Desk, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Desk, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Teak table top with painted wood drawers. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. Alvar Aa...
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Teak

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

Marcel Gascoin, TC Office, France 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986), “TC” table in light oak, ARHEC edition, France 1950. Father of Rationalism and major player in French Reconstruction, Marcel Gascoin designs quality furni...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

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

French Louis XVI-Style Secretary Desk with Marble Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition Materials: Mahogany, Marble Top, Brass Handles & Gallery
Category

1930s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

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

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

Walnut 1960s Table by Silvio Coppola for Bernini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Table in solid walnut and veneer produced in the 60s by Bernini based on a design by Silvio Coppola. The table remains in general rather good condition: having not undergone any rest...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

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

Desk CM141 by Pierre Paulin, Thonet Edition, 1954
Located in Paris, FR
Mahogany desk model CM141 by Pierre Paulin for Thonet, 1954.
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

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

Florence Knoll Model 17 Desk
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Alongside the model 75 stool, this desk was part of Florence Knoll's first collection of designs. The louvre drawers follows the same design language used in a variety of casegoods s...
Category

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

Materials

Maple

Large Jacaranda Desk by Jorge Zalszupin by L'Atelier San Paulo, 1960
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful large desk designed by Jorge Zalszupin, manufactured by L’Atelier San Paulo, circa 1960. Made of high quality jacaranda wood. The desk has four drawers with very well craf...
Category

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

Materials

Jacaranda

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

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

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

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

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

Small Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk, Oak Veneer and Chromium Plated Metal c 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
Small Bauhaus tubular steel desk, so-called 'typewriter desk', with 4 drawers. The desk is made of chromed tubular steel and oak-veneered wood. Germany/ Czechoslovakia/ Austria, circ...
Category

1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Swedish Modern Pine Desk, Axel Einar Hjorth Style, Made in the 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming pine desk, crafted by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the 1940s. The natural grain of the pine adds warmth and character to the desk, highlighting its authentic, time-worn appea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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