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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1960s
Period: 1950s
Milo Baughman, Rare Desk, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rare walnut and brass desk designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Glenn of California, USA, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Duotone Ahrend De Cirkel Metal Desk With Two Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Duotone Ahrend De Cirkel metal desk. The desk has a formica top, blue legs and one side cabinet with two blue drawers. In original condition with visible wear, rust, dents and scratc...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Danish Modern Rosewood L-Shaped Desk by Arne Vodder for H.P. Hansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Looking for a statement piece to complete your home office or workspace? Look no further than this stunning Danish modern rosewood L-shaped desk designed by Arne Vodder for H.P. Hans...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Rare Large Executive Desk By Hans Von Klier For Skipper, Italy 1970s
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Impressive directors desk designed by Hans von Klier. A striking combination of differently textured materials makes this desk an intriguing piece. This particular model is the large...
Category

1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Studio BBPR for Olivetti Small 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, h...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Danish Modern Teak Desk with Bookcase
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning Danish modern teak desk designed in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk features four dovetail drawers and a generous compartment, providing ample storage for all your essential...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1960s Sophisticated Knoll Executive Partners Desk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Classic Knoll Desk sophisticated large executive partners desk with chrome steel four-star base Two drawers on each side (as it can be used as a partners team desk). Unmarked....
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Unique Italian Large Wall Unit with Writing Desk in Maple and Birch
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wardrobe with writing desk, birch, maple, fabric, glass, brass, coated steel, Italy, 1950s Hailing from a skilled artisan of Italy, this exceptional set embodies a unique combinatio...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel

Midcentury Italian Rattan Desk or Vanity Table, circa 1960s
Located in London, GB
Midcentury Italian rattan desk or vanity table, (circa 1960s). An absolute charmer and stylish piece of the era. There are two horizontal surfaces ...
Category

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

Materials

Rattan

1960's Executive Desk from Denmark
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Executive desk from Denmark circa mid-1960s now available. This example has matte black iron legs, open back for additional storage, interior and exterior drawers and original brass ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Constructivist Wood and Melamine Desk, Italy, c.1950
Located in Surbiton, GB
A 1950's Italian desk featuring a bank of 4 drawers, a wider drawer and an off white melamine desk top supported by two geometric H-frames. Dimensions (cm, approx): Height: 74.5 Wi...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Red Desk with Drawer and Compartment, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Red lacquered writing desk on glue and plaster preparation, 1950s. Equipped with drawer and open compartment. Later retouched and repainted. It shows patina due to age and use, retou...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Plywood, Lacquer, Paint

Dutch Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Vanity Desk by Everest Furniture, 1950s
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Unusual and rare modernist vanity desk produced in the Netherlands by Everest Furniture early 1950s. Solid birch frame and, veneered plywood and exotic wood (Wenge) details in the...
Category

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

Materials

Birch, Teak, Wenge, Plywood

Antique Georgian Style Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
A smart and useful antique Georgian style writing bureau. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. The quality is fantastic, this is beautifully designed with a co...
Category

1950s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Erik Wørts: Freestanding "Mayor's" desk with profiled edges made 1953
Located in London, GB
Freestanding desk of Brazilian rosewood with profiled edges. Front with six drawers with carved handles. Made 1953 by C. B. Hansen with plaquette. H. 75 cm. L. 190 cm. W. 105 cm. Pr...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Boomerang desk by Renzo Schirolli, 1960s
Located in Lasne, BE
Incredible boomerang desk with floating leather back panel and wooden and leather drawers. The leg of the desk is made of marble. Wear due to time and age of the desk
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Metal

Mid-Century '7800 Series' Desk by A.R Cordemeyer for Gispen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 1950's, early 1960's '7800 Series' (to be precise, the "7840") desk designed by A. R Cordemeyer for Gispen. The desk has one side cabinet with three drawers and a dark grey fram...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

White & Gray A.R Cordemeyer for Gispen 3803 desk with Blue Linoleum Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century grey enameled desk designed by designer A. R Cordemeyer for famed Dutch manufacturer Gispen. This 1960s desk has one white cabinet with two drawers, metal privacy screen ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Walnut Desk by Gianfranco Frattini 1956
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant writing desk with four drawers and open compartments on both sides. Made of solid walnut wood, handles are made of blackened metal. Height of writing surface 70 cm Gianf...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Wonderful minimalistic italien prototype desk
Located in Munich, DE
Great italien prototype desk from an architects estate full of wonderful mid century design and prototypes. we are very happy to offer this iconic italien desk , that has an breathta...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN DESK Model CM 172 by PIERRE PAULIN, THONET, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A rigorous and luxurious small desk, Modernist, Constructivist, Reconstruction, black lacquered square section metal structures, box with 3 drawers (and 1 drawer top) and 1 large lac...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Desk in wood by Derk Jan De Vries, 1960s
Located in Argelato, BO
Mid-century light wood desk by Derk Jan de Vries - Netherlands, 1960s. It is an iconic and very functional desk, thanks to its compact size it can eas...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Compass Table by Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Compass Table by Jean Prouvé, c. 1950's, France L 47.25" x W 30.75" x H 27.75" FDV11559 *Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage Danish Freestanding Teak Desk with Floating Top, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Freestanding Teak Desk with Floating Top, 1950s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern teak writing desk. Unusual shape where the floating desk top rest on six solid teak p...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Modernist lacquered wood executive desk
Located in New York, NY
Modernist lacquered wood five drawer executive desk and with cantilevered top.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Gio Ponti Desk from " Banca Nazionale del Lavoro , Italy, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful walnut executive desk designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Schirolli for Banca Nazionale del Lavoro in the mid-1950s. Giovanni "Gio" Ponti was an Italian architect, indus...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Danish Secretary Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful secretary desk designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbler. It has the label in the back. This secretary desk is made in Denm...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Mahogany and Leather English Campaign Desk Resting on Stretcher Base
Located in Montreal, QC
English Campaign Desk resting on stretcher and inset with black leather top and decorated with brass handles
Category

1950s English Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak & Oak Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Teak & oak Danish desk, circa 1950's. Oak frame contrasts beautifully with the book matched teak veneer top. Finished on both sides, place this in the center of a room and it will lo...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Teak

Mid-Century Executive Walnut Desk by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful mid-century executive walnut desk designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk is made with a timeless design that has been profess...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Giuseppe Pagano: Eight Drawer Desk in Fruitwood and Brass, Italy 1940
Located in New York, NY
Giuseppe Pagano (1896 - 1945) An imposing eight-drawer desk by rationalist architect and designer Giuseppe Pagano, in fruitwood with mahogany-stained trim and polished brass hand...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Fluted Beechwood Writing Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
Fluted Beechwood Writing Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1950s The double footed legs is reminiscent of Frattini’s lines. The “grissinato” technique (in front of the...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desks in Grey Coated Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desks, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Large Rosewood Executive Desk on Metal Base Denmark 1960's
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful large Danish modern executive desk with metal base made probably around the late 1960's in Denmark. Unmarked and we are not sure of the Designer nor Maker. Great large work...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Stained Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, corner desk, stained oak, France, 1960s This executive desk shows the fine craftsmanship and aesthetic characteristics of designer duo Guillerme and Chambron....
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Danish Teak Vintage Desk / Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made Danish teak vintage desk / writing table. This was made in Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality is superb, this is beautifully constructed and...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Danish Modern Oak Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Oak mid-century desk, circa 1960's. Robust desk with curling top edges and ample storage for your essentials. Open book cubby on the back side. Finished o...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Gianfranco Frattini desk for Cantieri Carugati in cherry wood, Italy 1958
Located in Argelato, BO
Gianfranco Frattini, rare desk with wooden structure and supports and nickel-plated metal handles. It is a sophisticated desk, the work of the Milanese architect and designer Gianfra...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Scrivania Anni 50-60, marrone in legno, ottone e vetro
Located in Milano, IT
Scrivania vintage di manifattura italiana in legno con vetro sovrapiano, due cassetti e piedini in ottone. Legno esotico.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Danish Mid-Century Teak Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Teak Danish desk, circa 1960's. Robust work surface! Finished on both sides, if placed in the center of a room, it will look fantastic from every angle. Back side has a charming drop down bar with etched glass mirror and a built in bookcase...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Important Desk in wood and glass by Melchiorre Bega (Attr.), Italy, 1950s
Located in Argelato, BO
Melchiorre Bega (1898-1976), attributed to Desk Cherry, glass, rubber and brass Model created around 1950 H 78 × W 151 × D 65 cm
Category

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

Materials

Brass

"Hunting table" desk or dining table by Børge Mogensen, Søborg Denmark
By Soborg Furniture Factory, Børge Mogensen
Located in Hägersten, SE
"Hunitng table" designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Denmark by Søborg Furniture. Solid oak legs with teak feet. Brass runners and table top in teak. Works perfectly as either a d...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Leather Top Desk by Beresford and Hicks
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very rare vintage leather top desk by Beresford and Hicks. This was made in England, it dates from the 1950-60’s. Beresford and...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Sapele Wood

20th Century Melchiorre Bega Desk with wooden structure, drawers Brass details
Located in Turin, Turin
Born in Bologna but grown up in Milan, Melchiorre Bega is a fine professional who spans five decades and three seasons of Italian architecture, from rationalism to international styl...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers in Grey Coated Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, h...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Osvaldo Borsani T95 teak and chromed steel desk for Tecno SPA, Italy, 1956
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This T95 desk is a remarkable creation by the renowned designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy. Conceived in the 1956 and crafted towards the latte...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Desk, Denmark 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Desk, Model 310 for Søborg Møbler Denmark 1950s
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bureau Modèle 3605 en Palissandre par Arne Jacobsen pour Fritz Hansen, Danemark
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
Bureau Modèle 3605 en Palissandre par Arne Jacobsen pour Fritz Hansen, Danemark, 1960 Plateau en palissandre avec une belle patine, le piètement chaussé de pied en palissandre massi...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Studio BBPR Versatile ‘Spazio’ Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' table, steel, felt, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hired B...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Teak Bilateral Desk with Drawers, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This large, bilateral desk was made in Denmark during the 1960s. It is finished with teak wood in a warm shade of brown. It is a piece of furniture with a balanced design, where styl...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Hans Wegner Desk Model AT325 by Andreas Tuck, 1960
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Rare Hans Wegner Desk Model AT325 by Andreas Tuck, 1960 Hans Wegner desk model AT325 for Andreas Tuck, Denmark. This is an oak desk and we had it completely renovated by a furnitu...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Oak and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desk, oak, leather, France, 1960s. This desk is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds an utter...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Oak

Early Poul Kjaerholm "PK52" Working Desk in Steel and Oregon Pine, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early student working desk model "PK52" in black lacquered steel and oregon pine top and black stained drawer and storage on the opposite side. Produced in Denmark by Rud. Rasmussen Snedkerier 1950s. Good original condition with patina from age and use. Acquired from a Belgian private collection of important Poul Kjærholm furniture...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Antique Leather Top Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very well made antique leather top pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930-50’s. It is of outstan...
Category

1950s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Writing desk Jailhouse suit by Poul Norreklit for Sigurd Hansen, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Writing desk designed by Poul Norreklit and produced by Sigurd Hansen Mobelfabrik in Denmark around 1968. The sleek drawers and plexi sides give this piece an airy look. The top is i...
Category

1960s Danish Streamlined Moderne Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Plexiglass

Modernist Italien writing desk with drawers and light blue Formica table top.
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Rare modernist desk with mahogany veneer and light blue Formica table top. The three drawers are also laminated with formica. Italian manufacture from the 1960s. It looks best free-s...
Category

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

Materials

Formica, Wood

Art Deco Walnut Desk
Located in London, GB
Art Deco walnut desk in fabulous condition. A beautiful piece perfect for a smaller study area. Three draws, and a bookshelf on the left side of...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Scandinavian modern desk, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Scandinavian rosewood desk dating back to 1960, showcasing a minimalist design with straight lines. On the top, the workspace is covered with leather. Very good condition. Do not h...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

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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