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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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

George II Irish Mahogany Rent Table
Located in New York, NY
George II Mahogany Rent table with lettered inlaid drawer front & swiveling leather top ( see video) raised on carved cabriole legs terminating in carved scroll feet. with key leathe...
Category

Early 18th Century Irish George II Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Architectural Desk in Iron and Wood, by Unilabor, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Unilabor was an important Brazilian furniture manufacturer during the mid-20th century, particularly known for its modernist designs and social business model. Founded in São Paulo b...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Steel

Desk by Gio Ponti and Alberto Rosselli, Rima Padova, Italy, circa 1955
Located in Berlin, DE
Desk by Gio Ponti & Alberto Rosselli, Rima Padova, Italy, circa 1955 Originally designed for the Pirelli Tower in Milano. In 1950, Alberto Pirelli, president and owner of the giant...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Antique French Louis XVI Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
Introducing the epitome of elegance and sophistication - the Antique French Louis XVI Escritoire Writing Desk. This exquisite piece, made in France circa 1940’s, exudes timeless char...
Category

1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Grey metal & Pagwood 1960s Dattilo low desk/console by BBPR for Olivetti Synthes
Located in Varese, Lombardia
small typist's desk, arco model for olivetti synthesys. Ideal as a console, service table or additional support surface for the main desk. Historic piece of Italian design from the 6...
Category

1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Cees Braakman Pastoe Desk 60's
Located in Bunnik, NL
A neat desk designed by Cees Braakman for the Pastoe label. An extremely rare model with two cabinets on metal legs. The desk is veneered, the internal drawers have been renovated. A...
Category

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

Materials

Bentwood

Teak Executive Desk designer Ico Parisi for MIM 1950s
Located in Milano, MI
This large Terni executive desk was designed by Ico Parisi in 1958 for MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni) Rome, Italy, with a rectangular top with a curved shape in front of the seat to m...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Bamboo, Rattan & Wicker Writing Desk Table by Dal Vera, Italy 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful Italian writing table or desk in bamboo and wicker rattan with 2 side drawers with typical brass handles from renowned Dal Vera manufacturer. Made in Italy in t...
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood

Vintage Burl Wood and Brass Campaign Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage burl wood campaign desk designed by John Widdicomb for Widdicomb Furniture in the United States, circa 1960. This exceptional executive desk from Widdicomb is a stunning exam...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Modernist Desk By Luigi Bartolini - Teak - Ca 1960
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Modernist office by Luigi Bartolini. Crafted in teak, this desk is composed of a beautiful teak wood top and a suspended box in the same wood with stylized chrome metal handles. It i...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Rare Mid-Century vintage German Desk in walnut, 1950s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Rare Mid century vintage German Desk in walnut, 1950s Design year: 1960s Dimensions: 70 D 140 W x 78 H cm It is in good vintage condition, ho...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Segmented Base Conference Table by Charles Eames for Vitra
Located in Dronten, NL
Large Charles & Ray Eames Segmented Base conference table made by Vitra in 2001. Beautiful beech book matched veneer one piece tabletop, marked with production date label. The base m...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Vintage Swedish Desk by Karl Erik Ekselius
Located in London, GB
A large and extremely impressive vintage Swedish desk by Karl Erik Ekselius. It was made in Sweden by JOC Mobel, it dates from the 1960’s. It is of outstanding quality, the grain pa...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Danish Cabinetmaker, Desk / Dining table in Oak, Mid Century Modern, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Introducing a timeless desk / dining table, a Mid Century Modern masterpiece handcrafted by a skilled Danish cabinetmaker in the 1950s. Attributed to Martin Nyrop for Rud Rasmussen, ...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk and matching chair.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1966
Located in Barcelona, ES
Desk Created for the offices of Bloch Editores, Sao PAulo Brazil, 1966 Jacaranda (rosewood) wood Measurements 145 cm x 70 cm x 75h cm 57 in x 27,55 in x 29,52h in Details Paqule of...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Jacaranda, Rosewood

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

Vintage Danish Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for HP Hansen
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage Danish desk by Svend Aage Madsen for HP Hansen. This was recently imported from Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. It is of superb quality and has an incredibly s...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk with Finished Back
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 American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage oak desk with drawers
Located in Brescia, IT
This 1960s Scandinavian desk made of oak wood consists of two drawers and a central desk. The distinguishing feature is a hidden mirror that, when raised, transforms the cabinet int...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern Writing Table Desk, American, c.1960s
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Modern walnut writing table desk, American, c.1960s. Surfboard top & floating cabinet concealing a paper drawer & shelf. Estate of a UNC-Chapel Hill professor. Bronze fin...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

A Black Art Deco Desk for the Boss Voltaire by De Coene Frères Belgium 1940s
Located in Ulm, DE
Desk from the Belgian Furniture Manufactory DeCoene Frères. Double Face desk for the boss on one side and the secretary on the other Well known Art Déco Furniture, Belgium 1940s F...
Category

1940s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950s T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Desk
Located in Boston, MA
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb desk, circa 1950s. Three drawers with organizers open with woven cane wrapped brass pull. Laminate veneer wraps around all corners of the desk. S...
Category

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

Materials

Laminate

Danish Cabinetmaker Rosewood Desk, c1950s
Located in London, GB
Danish Cabinetmaker - Writing Desk, c1940s A beautifully made cabinetmaker desk, produced in Denmark c1950s. This exquisite, classical desk is in immaculate refinished condition and...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish Mid-Century Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage writing desk made in Denmark features three drawers and plenty of small storage compartments. This desk is normally in a rosewood, so this item is a rare find. Please co...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Danish Modern Executive Desk by Arne Vodder for Sibast, 1960s
Located in Zagreb, HR
Model 207 desk by Arne Vodder is a well known classic of Danish Modern furniture and highly sought after. Manufactured by Sibast in the 1960’s. The desk is made out of solid wood, m...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Teak Desk by Severin Hansen for Haslev
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful example of this classic Scandinavian Modern design, a great example of form and function. This is the more desireable 4 drawer version, and is in great condition.
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Desk in Solid Hardwood, by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This side desk is a mid-20th century Brazilian furniture piece designed by Sergio Rodrigues, made with Freijó wood. Freijó is a type of timber that is often used in Brazilian furnitu...
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

Desk Fryklund in pine by Carl Malmsten
Located in Göteborg, SE
The desk "Fryklund" by Carl Malmsten in pine is a classic and timeless high-quality piece of furniture, designed to suit both modern and traditional home interiors. Made from solid p...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

18th-C. French Louis XV Style Carved Oak Tooled Leather & Bronze Writing Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a special piece! It is a late 18th century carved oak and gilt bronze writing desk. It has two drawers and two identical faux drawers. Each foot is capped in bronze. The felt...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Carved Floral Back 18th Century Country French Carved Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare form of Country French desk. The desk features what appears to be oak and walnut construction and a parquet top with antique age cracks in the top. WE CAN REPAIR THIS ...
Category

1780s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

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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