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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1950s
"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

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

Student Pine Writing Table Slant Top Desk France, Early 20th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
French slant top desk writing table for student, circa 1950. Pine pupitre Good antique condition with nice patina. Authentic condition with engraved marks made by the students durin...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Italian Desk by Gio Ponti Attributed, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk by Gio Ponti attributed, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 78 cm; W= 180 cm; D= 85 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Bauhaus Restored Beech Writing Desk Made in 1930s by Robert Slezak, Czechia
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Completely restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Designed by Robert Slezak in the 1930s. Material: beech, chrome-plated steel. Wood is completely restored. New polish and professionally cleaned chrome. 8 drawers and locks are fully functional. Tubular steel with original chrome plating...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

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

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

Pierre Jeanneret Desk and Stool from the city of Chandigarh, India 1950 - 1959
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Jeanneret Desk and Stool from the city of Chandigarh, India 1950 - 1959 Teak Holland and Sherry boiled wool. Desk: 27 H x 31.5 W x 23 D inches Stoo...
Category

1950s Indian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak, Wool

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

Antique Italian Louis XIV Neoclassical Walnut Desk with Faux Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Italian Louis XIV Neoclassical Walnut Desk with Faux Leather Top combines timeless architecture inspired by the ancient Greek and Roma...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Louis XIV 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

Antique quality Georgian revival mahogany writing side dressing table desk C1905
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality Georgian revival mahogany writing side dressing table desk C1905. Lovely age colour and patina. No loose joints. Full of age, char...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Vintage Mission Oak Desk Arts and Crafts
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mission Oak Desk, attributed to Stickley Brothers, unsigned, American, circa 1910s. This piece is well made with beautiful graining to the oak.
Category

1910s American Mission Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

20th Century France Louis XV Kingwood Inlaid Marquetry Desk and Writing Table
By Charles Topino
Located in Roma, RM
Purple ebony centre desk - France, 20th century, in the manner of CHARLES TOPINO, XIX century Purple ebony inlaid with fruit wood with veneered top and table representing still life ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood, Kingwood

Gustavian Style Light Gray Painted Desk with Carved Reeded Drawer, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style writing table from circa 1900 with light gray painted finish, single drawer and tapered legs. This Swedish Gustavian style writing table, dating back to aro...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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

charming 1920thies writing desk or console birch and walnut with carved flowers
Located in Weiningen, CH
charming 1920thies writing desk or console oak and walnut with carved flowers. May also be used as dressing table has a mirror with 2 drawers.
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Hans J. Wegner Rare Desk in Oak and Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, desk JH571, teak, oak, metal, Denmark, design 1953 Out of all the desks that Wegner designed, the ‘JH571‘ is the most 'Wegnerian'. This is mostly...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Stadera Desk Model 840 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Stadera Desk Model 840 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Dutch Art Deco Modernist desk, Netherlands, 1920s
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
A modestly sized modernist writing desk with an assymetrical design, giving it a Haagse School/modernist appearance. It has one large drawer at the front and a three shelve storage ...
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Illuminated Adjustable Drafting Table, 1950s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible industrial grade light box drafting table. Extremely heavy and well made in the US, circa 1950s. Glass tabletop allows the light of two enclosed fluorescent tube lights to...
Category

1950s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Elegant vintage Italian desk with green glass
Located in Milano, IT
Transport yourself to the enchanting world of 1950s Italian design, where elegance and craftsmanship merged seamlessly. In the heart of this era's creative fervor, you'll discover a vintage Italian...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Hans Wegner RY-32 Desk, 1960
Located in London, GB
Hans Wegner RY-32 desk, circa 1960. Oak desk from Danish icon Hans Wegner produced by Ry Mobler. The legs, drawers and frame are made from solid, patinated oak whilst the top is o...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Unique Italian Sculptural Free Standing Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Executive desk, walnut, brass, glass, Italy, 1950s Made in Italy, this writing desk is designed according to the midcentury design principles that were in vogue in the fifties. The ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

A NEO-CLASSICAL ART-DECO SHABBY-CHIC Desk and a Chair by DAL VERA, Italy 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful set composed of a small rectangular desk with 2 drawers and a chair, Art-Deco, Modernist, desk with geometric bamboo structure and w...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Leather + Wood Writing Desk Attributed to Jacques Adnet, France 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1950s French writing desk attributed to Jacques Adnet. This desk features a black leather clad frame with stitch detailing and an inset wood tabletop. It has two drawers with circu...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Best Dore' Bronze Mounted Putti Walnut Cylinder Writing Desk with Leather
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an absolutely stunning gold dore' bronze mounted cylinder desk with the best cherub or putti scenes and other bronze mounts that make it absolutely superb. The desk dates to ...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Desk in Cherry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati, writing desk, cherry, metal, Italy, 1958 This piece of furniture is based on a solid construction featuring straight lines and right-angle...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Antique Tiger Oak Kidney Shaped Writing Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Amazing antique Kinsey chapel writing desk. Features tiger oak around the sides and drawer face with ornate carvings and inlays throughout.
Category

Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Desk in Teak Model ND 93 by Nanna Ditzel
Located in Berlin, BE
Desk in Teak Model ND 93 by Nanna Ditzel Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik Additional information: Material: Teak Artist: Nanna Ditzel Size: 175 W X 72 D X 75 H cm.
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Bauhaus Beech Writing Desk Made in 1930s by Robert Slezak, Czechia, Restored
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Designed by Robert Slezak in the 1930s. Material: Beech, chrome-plated steel. Number of drawers: 3. Wood is completely restored. Tubular steel with original chrome plating...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Rustic Art Populaire Writing Table, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wooden Desk; Writing Table; France; 19th Century Design; Art Populaire; Rustic; Monoxylite; Writing Desk; Table; France; Wabi Sabi; Naive; Folk Art; Travail Populaire; 19th-century ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Sears Roebuck & co., Writing Desk, Oak, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small solid oak writing desk from the "Harmony House Ranch-Mode"-series, designed and produced by Sears Roebuck & co, USA, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Oak

1950s Italian Writing Desk with Sophisticated Design and Restyled by RETRO4M
Located in Rome, IT
Discover the timeless elegance of the 1950s with this fully restored and restyled teak writing desk by RETRO4M. Its ultra-sophisticated design captures the essence of a golden era of...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique Regency Writing Table Desk Birds Eye Maple Kidney Shape
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A fabulous quality antique kidney shaped writing table by Century Furniture featuring a birds eye maple top.
Category

Early 20th Century American Regency Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1930s Colonial Revival Style Turned and Veneered Occasional Bookshelf Table
Located in Lomita, CA
This is the most charming table, from the lower shelf for books, to the veneered wood and the serpentine details. This is an example of American furniture in its unusual forms that a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Colonial Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Industrial desk in a style of Jean Prouvé
Located in Nijlen, VAN
This nice desk is probably from the 1950s from France. This type of industrial furniture is typified by its industrial but elegant look. Someone who was very good at this was Jean Pr...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

20th Century Spanish Baroque Style Cabinet on Stand, Bargueno or Varqueno
Located in Miami, FL
This Bargueno is a portable desk. The base is typically a Spanish table and dates from 19th Century. The upper part was added in the 20th century in England and dates from the Arts a...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Montalcini & Pagano desk for Cartiere Giacomo Bosso, Italy 1920s
Located in London, GB
Giuseppe Pagano (1896-1945) and Gino Levi Montalcini (1902-1974) designed this exquisite desk in the 1920s as part of a commissioned project for the Gualino offices in Turin. The project received much critical acclaim; it was regarded as one of the purist expressions of the rationalist movement, and of such historic architectural importance that it dominated an entire issue of Gio Ponti’s Domus...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Scholar Desk
Located in Kastrup, DK
3 part Doctor's desk or Scholar desk in Jumu wood from the city of Suzhou in China, approx. 1900. Center tabletop made in one piece of wood, which has sh...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Edwardian Satinwood Adjustable Ladies Writing Desk with Wedgewood Plaque Cherubs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a unique piece of furniture with a multiplicity of uses. It could be a desk or a ladies vanity. The desk is made entirely of satinwood, one of the rarest and most expensive w...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Porcelain, Satinwood

Italian antique wooden desk with inlay decorations with light wood, early 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique wooden desk with inlay decorations with light wood, early 1900s Wooden rectangular desk in finely decorated and inlaid light wood. The top has a geometric inlaid deco...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Mahogany Double Pedestal Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern "Taliesin" writing desk By Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon USA, 1950s Mahogany, with iconic carved geometric Taliesin detai...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Louis XIV Parquet Desk ~ Dining Table in Stripped Oak
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XIV Parquet Desk ~ Dining Table in Stripped Oak is a jewel of the cabinetmaker's art! The top features an unusual contour that resem...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Writing Desk by Silvio Cavatorta in Solid Walnut and Glass, Italy, 1950's
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A large symmetrical desk by Silvio Cavatorta in solid walnut with on both sides 3 drawers and in the middle a larger drawer with key and lock. For whom this lock is not safe enough...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

George Nelson for Herman Miller Side Table, Work Table or Small Desk, Signed
Located in Doylestown, PA
George Nelson for Herman Miller side table, work table or small console desk. Great as a side/work table in a home office for printer, files, etc as a useful auxiliary piece to your...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

French Mahogany Art Nouveau Writing Desk Signed Louis Majorelle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Signed ‘Louis Majorelle’ Art Nouveau desk with the sinuous lines and curves typical of the style. Four curved-front drawers retaining their original ormol...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Aluminium Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Desk in painted aluminium with laminate top from Carlotti. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is included. If the wooden packaging is needed (fumigated crates or boxes) f...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Vittorio Dassi Desk Minimal Geometric Mahogany and Laminate Midcentury
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Vittorio Dassi desk minimal geometric mahogany and laminate midcentury. The parts in colored laminate have some defects, see photos.
Category

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

Materials

Laminate, Mahogany

Edwardian Desk Chair Set Mahogany Maple and Co
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Eye catching Edwardian desk and matching chair set both in mahogany Circa 1910 and originally made by Maple & Co - please see photo of stamp and makers mark on listing Extensively in...
Category

1910s Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Original Louis Seize Style Bureau Mahogany Table, Early 20th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
Perfect craftsmanship, inlaid mahogany and bronze application, early 20th century, a secret drawer on one side, freestanding.
Category

1910s Austrian Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Macassar Ebony Art Deco Amsterdamse School Desk by Daniel van Dorp for Reens
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Art Deco Amsterdamse School desk. Design by Daniel van Dorp for Gebroeders Reens Amsterdam. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid macassar ebony with...
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Leather, Macassar

Early 20th C. Chippendale Style Mahogany Oxbow Slant Front Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th century Chippendale Style Mahogany Oxbow Slant Front Secretary Desk. 4 dovetailed Serpentine drawers. Slant front door opens to reveal addition storage space with 5 sma...
Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Black Painted Writing Table Console With Two Drawers, Denmark circa 1910
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique baroque writing table from Denmark with two functioning drawers and scallop carved skirt. The handsome legs with square base are made more dramatic with carved fluted trim. L...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Baroque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

Walnut Center/Writing Table with Flame Veneered Top
Located in Malibu, CA
Burl Walnut Center Table/ Writing Desk Stunning Queen Anne style center table/writing table hand made in walnut with dramatic burled venneers. Fine craftsmanship with a 1.75" thick t...
Category

Early 20th Century American Queen Anne 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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