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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: Late 19th Century
Fine Quality English Satinwood Carlton House Desk with Cherubs and Musical Theme
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular hand-paint decorated satinwood Carlton House desk with beautifully painted cherubs and musical instruments, flowers and figures. The desk is in its original fin...
Category

1890s English Adam Style Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

French 19th Century Writing Table Carved Oak Desk Lion Mask Louis XIII Style
Located in Labrit, Landes
Writing table or desk Henri II (also named Louis XIII style) 19th century with lion masque drawer handle Table height: 27.56 in. (70 cm) Hand carved oak R...
Category

1880s French Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

Gianfranco Frattini Wood table or desk for Bernini Italian Design 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
The desk is designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1950's for Bernini , a perfect example of Italian midcentury elegance and modern style of living. Frattini's works range from industria...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Corner Desk, 1950s
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid birch corner desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 35.5"W x 35.5"D x 28.25"H. Good origi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Italian Wood and brass Mid Century Modern "Fratino" Dining Table of desk
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This table was produced in Italy between the 1950s and the 1960s. It's a reinterpretation of the classic Fratino rustic table model. It is made from a wooden structure with 6 adjusta...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Antique French Inlaid Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
An absolutely exquisite antique French inlaid bureau plat desk. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1880-1890 period. It is one of ...
Category

1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Mid-Century Modern executive desk. Design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture United States. Striking American design from the 1950s. Solid walnut base ...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

English Pine Two Drawer Table
Located in Wilson, NC
English pine two drawer table in England, they refer to this as ''pitch pine'', here we call it ''heart pine'', by whatever term, it is beautiful wood...
Category

1870s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Architectural Desk In Walnut By Carlo de Carli, Italy 1950's
Located in Hellouw, NL
Architectural Desk in walnut by Carlo De Carli.This desk has a very solid and a kind of determined look with the unmistakable charm of the Italian design of the fifties. According to...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Antique English Satinwood Parquetry Writing Desk circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Satinwood Parquetry Writing Desk circa 1890
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

1950's Fully Restored Teak Executive Writing Desk from Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
1950's Fully restored executive teak writing desk from Feldballes Møbelfabrik Exclusive model 54 teak writing desk from the 1950s designed with soft curved lines, bookshelves on the...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Gio Ponti “Stile” Desk Wood Brass, 1950, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti “Stile” desk wood brass, 1950, Italy.
Category

1950s Italian Other Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Power Broker Impressive Large Flame Mahogany Partners Desk with Leather Oval Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive flame mahogany pedestal desk with intricate refined inlays, an oval inset leather top, pull out writing surface and detailed metal handle pulls. There are 8 solidly constr...
Category

1950s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

1950s Mid Century Rattan Grasscloth Streamline Wood Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning desk you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it being...
Category

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

Materials

Grasscloth, Rattan, Laminate, Wood

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

Large Victorian Partner Desk, England, 19th Century, Mahogany with Leather
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Victorian Partner Desk, England, 19th Century, Mahogany with Leather England, 19th century. Mahogany. Rectangular writing tablet with rounded corners and embossed leather cove...
Category

1870s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Old English Sheraton Mahogany Kidney Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Old English Sheraton Mahogany Kidney Desk
Category

1950s English Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Alfred Waterhouse A Gothic Revival Oak Partners Desk With Two Drawers Each Side
By Alfred Waterhouse
Located in London, GB
Alfred Water House in the style of. A Gothic Revival oak Partners desk with a large open writing area and a pair of drawers to each side and a turned gallery to each end and below the drawers with a central opening for more leg room. The graduating turned legs united by conforming turned gallery to each end on original brass and ceramic castors. A well-designed architectural desk for two...
Category

Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Writing Desk By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful and rare walnut desk designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar ca' 1950's. Single drawer, dark walnut original finish, with nice graining. Edges are raised to give...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Edwardian Inlaid Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and quite unusual antique Edwardian leather top writing table. This was made in England, it dates from around 1890-1900. This is very well made and is a useful size, the...
Category

1890s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

1950s Drexel "Perspective" Floating Top Desk Style After Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid century floating top desk design by Milo Baughman for Drexel "Perspective collection" in the United States circa 1950s. This beautiful desk features a lovely green vinyl top with...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Faux Bamboo Escritoire or Writing Desk Table of Long-Leaf Pine from France
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French faux bamboo escritoire or writing table desk, c.1870-1910, featuring a fitted (and removable) top tier secretary cupboard with gallery...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Pine

19th Century Barley Twist Mahogany Desk Console or Library Table by Imperial
Located in Southampton, NJ
A stunning 19th Century single drawer desk or library console table having turned mahogany legs and frame with outstanding grain throughout having hand carved aprons with gold detail...
Category

Late 19th Century American Louis XIII Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Desk Writing Table Renaissance Wide Drawer Oak Barley Twist
Located in Tyler, TX
GORGEOUS 19th century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Desk or Writing Table with Wide Drawer, 3" Barley Twist Legs, Stretcher and Up Finial ~~circa 1880s With so many p...
Category

1880s French Renaissance Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Beautiful Victorian Oak Pedestal Desk Made By Howard&Sons
Located in Crawley, GB
Beautiful small oak pedestal desk made be Howard&Sons between 1860-1890 , with brown leather and gilt tooled inset top above an arrangement of ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

Pair of stacking stools by Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko, circa 1960
Located in Venezia, VENETO
The stacking stool designed by Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko was exhibited in “Appartment Life” exhibition in Matsuya Department store in 1958. Targeting an urban life, the fun...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Beech

1950s English Campaign Style Mahogany & Brass Demilune Form Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1950s English mahogany and brass campaign style desk. It is marked with a back brass plate. The drawers have dovetail construction. It has a subtle curving to the shape. M...
Category

1950s English Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Single Bay Teak Desk for John Stuart
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Teak Single Bay Teak Desk. Solid Teak with a Locking Drawer. Iron legs with Teak Caps. Top shows a shadow from a Desk Pad, but over-all very ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary Desk & Bookcase, circa 1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique secretary offers walnut and burl paneled construction with upper bookcase having broken arch crest over double glass door case seated on desk with cylinder opening to writ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Vintage Walnut Pedestal Desk by Laszlo Hoenig
Located in London, GB
A spectacular vintage walnut pedestal desk by Laszlo Hoenig. This was made in London, there is a label beneath the top with the production year of 1951. It is of outstanding quality...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Desk circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Desk circa 1880
Category

1880s English Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Luther Conover, Desk, Mahogany, Iron, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and black-painted iron desk designed by Luther Conover and produced by Luther Conover Inc. USA, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Biedermeier Writing Desk/ Side Table, Austria
Located in Antwerp, BE
This small Lady desk was crafted in Austria. The top is wonderfully smooth and displays the woodgrain beautifully in walnut veneer. The apron houses three drawers, all with quality brass banding inset into the paneling. The two side drawers and middle drawer have drop ring pulls...
Category

1870s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk, Style of Gio Ponti, c 1950s, Refinished
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully refinished Mid-Century Modern desk produced in Italy circa 1950s. Featuring black steel and wood frame with large brass elements and alternating black and white drawer fr...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pierre Jeanneret Desk & Stool
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pierre Jeanneret desk and stool from Chandigarh France/India, c. 1960 Constructed of teak wood, stool has red enameled steel, and red vinyl inside storage cubby...
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

A Fine 19th Century Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in London, by appointment only
A very fine and good looking pedestal desk, the leather top with brass bound edges, above a bank of four drawers on each side with one central drawer, the back with dummy drawers. Th...
Category

Late 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Italian Desk, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 80 cm; W= 153 cm; D= 66 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950's Stitched leather desk by Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very nice stitched leather desk in bi-color brown and black feet in brass in the manner of bamboo Possibility to add an armchair who is not included
Category

1950s European Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

American Gilded Age Hepplewhite-Style Writing Desk in Satinwood w/ Marquetry
Located in Miami, FL
From the American Gilded Age, a lovely writing table in satinwood with ebonized details and featuring marquetry inlays depicting classic Hepplewhite themes which include lilies of th...
Category

Late 19th Century American Hepplewhite Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Satinwood

Primitive Antique Early American Country Farmhouse Slant Top School Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Primitive early American schoolhouse / country / farmhouse writing desk. Made of poplar featuring a slanted top and dovetailed joinery. ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Classical Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Poplar

Superb Antique English Inlaid Mahog. Secretaire a' Abbatant or Bonheur du Jour
Located in Charleston, SC
This is a wonderful and rare Antique English small or diminutive Abbatant a' Secretaire or Bonheur du Jour Writing Table and is unique and wonderful. The exterior is exquisitely mad...
Category

Late 19th Century English George III Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood

Exquisite Antique English Marquetry Inlaid Mahog. Adam style Bonheur du Jour
Located in Charleston, SC
Quite possibly one of the prettiest Antique English Edwardian period Adam style Bonheur du Jours or Ladies Writing Tables with magnificent "Adam" style marquetry inlaid urns and Welk...
Category

Late 19th Century English Adam Style Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Restored Shabby Chic Wicker & Rattan Secretary Desk with Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
White shabby chic wicker and rattan secretary desk with matching chair. This late Victorian desk features a mahogany top with rattan legs and wicker sides, a center drawer, and built...
Category

1950s American Late Victorian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

Restored Rare Early Florence Knoll Model 17 Louvered Maple Desk Signed Madison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This rare desk was designed in the 1950s by Florence Knoll with a simplistic profile that has proven to be timeless! Of solid maple construction, it features tapered dowel legs and a...
Category

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

Materials

Maple

19th Century French mahogany and marble top centre table
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century French mahogany and marble top centre / occasional table in the manor of Francois Linke (1855 – 1946) having the original inset rouge marble top, with a single oak lined...
Category

1890s French Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Louis XV Petite Mahogany and Kingwood Marquetry Kidney Writing Table, Paris 1870
Located in Germantown, MD
A Recently refinished French transitional kidney-shaped desk. 19th century French transitional design between Louis XV and Louis XVI is timeless, elegant, and understated it works we...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italian Design Desk from the 50s, Restyled with Modern Flair by RETRO4M
Located in Rome, IT
Introducing our meticulously restored and restyled Italian desk from the 1950s. This exquisite piece showcases a harmonious blend of timeless design and contemporary aesthetics. Our ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950's George Nelson X-Leg Extension Dining Table Model 5062
Located in Hanover, MA
Early George Nelson model 5062 X-Leg extension dining table for Herman Miller, 1952. Table has two 12 inch extension leaves and pull-out metal extension tracks. Table is 29 inches...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

American Designer, Desk, Oak, Bamboo, Rattan, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small oak, bamboo and rattan writing desk designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Oak

Antique English Victorian Mahogany Desk circa 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique English Victorian Mahogany Desk circa 1880 Solid mahogany wood, with numerous drawers and a cupboard. Lockable. The desk offers a lot of storage space.
Category

1880s English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic original antique Victorian leather top desk. This was made in England, it dates from around 1880-1900. The quality i...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Leather

1950's Mid-Century Modernist Floating Top Curved Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Stylize your room with this impressive writing desk. This unusual desk takes its inspiration from Art Deco design. It has a curved design that gives it a distinctive appeal and a lar...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Pine Desk from France, circa 1950
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Pine Desk From France, circa 1950. Solid pine construction with nice wear and use.
Category

1950s European Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century "The Boss" Mahogany Executive Desk with Brass Pulls
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century "The Boss" mahogany executive desk with brass pulls with a woven wicker back. The large 76" wide desk with six drawers. We at the shop have ...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Cantilevered Modern Desk Refinished
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined cantilevered modern desk, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. This desk is currently being refinished and can be completed in your ch...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

19th C. Refinished Regency Walnut and Maple w/ Tooled Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 19th Century Refinished Regency Style Walnut and Maple, tooled leather top Partners Desk that has been recenlty hand-rub refinished. All drawers and door with functional lock...
Category

Late 19th Century American Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Birdseye Maple

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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