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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1950s
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

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

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

Black Leather Top French Directoire Style Writing Desk Bureau Plat, Circa 1960
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1960s American Directoire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

H.P. Hansen Danish Modern Teak Desk
Located in Dronten, NL
Mid-Century Danish Modern teak desk with bookcase front. Three drawers on the left and two drawers on the right. This desk was acquired from the original owner who purchased it in th...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Teak Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk 207 by Arne Vodder for Sibast, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Mid-Century Modern executive desk 207. Design by Arne Vodder for Sibast Denmark. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Solid teak base with three original drawe...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

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

Vintage Mid Century Danish Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is an extremely rare desk by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler Denmark. This is a smaller version of his famous FM60 desk. Desk features 1 large drawer on the left side with a pullo...
Category

1960s 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 Elm Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Georgian style burr elm writing bureau. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is outstanding, this is a great size with lots of wor...
Category

1930s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Elm

1960's double sided wooden Italian desk with a beautiful shape
Located in Nijlen, VAN
1970's double sided Italian desk A beautifully wooden made Italian desk, designed and manufactured by an unknown designer. It was probably made in the late 1970's in Italy. This is a...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Prouve Inspired Writing Desk with Compass Legs by Marko
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Prouve Inspired industrial writing desk by Marko. Formica top with blue enameled metal compass legs and one side cabinet with two blue drawers. Great for a loft space or work studio....
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Rosewood Rolltop Desk/Cabinet, Model 804, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
Located in Argelato, BO
Gianfranco Frattini designed this gorgeous rosewood rolltop desk, model 804, for Bernini in the early 1960s. What appears to be a compact chest of ten...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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

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

Olivier Mourgue Textured Crystal Glass Desk
Located in Dronten, NL
Graceful compact desk designed by French designer Olivier Mourgue. Unique example executed with a shortened textured crystal top manufactured by Cassina for the Le Corbusier LC6 table...
Category

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

Materials

Crystal, Steel, Chrome

Willy Rizzo L Shaped Burl Wood Executive Desk
Located in Fulton, CA
Signed burl wood "L" shaped executive desk by Willy Rizzo. Circa. 1960's 70's. Exceptional burl-wood construction. Bookshelf / storage to left side. Five drawers to right side with p...
Category

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

Materials

Burl

Mid-Century Executive Desk in Pecan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome, Mid-Century, most likely custom made Executive desk with flat faced drawers and uniquely angled top. One side has aluminum legs in a similar design to Poul Kjaerholm's styl...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Scrittoio Anni 40 in noce e radica
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio con cassetti laterali in legno impiallacciato noce e con il piano in legno impiallacciato radica. Buone condizioni.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Early Desk by Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Teak and oak desk by Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for EJ Næstved SKM 1950s. With deep drawers and more nice details. Rare version.
Category

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

Materials

Oak, Teak

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

Very Rare Aino Aalto Vanity Desk Model 191, 1930s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Over half a century later, from its original days of manufacturing, this dressing table designed by Alvar Aalto is still extremely hard to come by. This particular piece comes with m...
Category

1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mirror, Birch

British Colonial Style Vintage Bamboo and Grasscloth Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial style desk crafted with a bamboo frame and grasscloth panels all around having a concave center drawer and two more on either side over a lower tier.
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Grasscloth, Bamboo

Danish Domino Møbler Oak Double Pedestal Writing Desk Mid Century 1960s
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Danish oak pedestal writing desk by Domino Møbler, this would make a stylish addition to any work area. A striking piece of classically designed Scandinavian furniture. ...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

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

Beautiful Yew And Brass Military Secretary Campaign Chest Writing Table
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this amazing military secretary campaign chest with three large drawers and brass corners with brass insert handles and one faux drawer , however the top...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1960s Danish Teak Writing Desk
Located in Praha, CZ
- Item has been carefully refurbished
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Teak

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

Office Desk model “Square” by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1966
Located in Barcelona, ES
Office Desk model "Square" Manufactured by Tenreiro Moveis e Decoraçao Brazil, 1966 Jacaranda, Glass Measurements 100 cm x 100 cm x 76h cm 39,3 in x 39,3 in x 29,9h in Detail This ...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Jacaranda

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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