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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1970s
French Louis XV Kingwood Bureau Plat Leather Top Desk With Mounted Bronze Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk France, Circa 1940s Gorgeous kingwood, with bronze trim and ornate ormolu mounts, and embossed green leather t...
Category

1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Severin Hansen, Desk, Teak, Brass, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brass desk designed by Severin Hansen and produced by Haslev, Denmark, c. 1960s.
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

MCM Danish Walnut and chrome executive desk
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Gorgeous walnut and chrome executive office desk. In the manner of a Florence knoll design this piece is in great condition with a refinished top.
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Elinor McGuire Model 226c Writing Desk
Located in Highland, IN
This exquisite design by Elinor McGuire for McGuire of San Fransisco is an exercise in subtle beauty and refined detailing. With a body covered in cane, slightly splayed legs, and so...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

60s-70s Desk
Located in Milano, IT
Large size desk with side drawer columns, wood veneer exotic wood stained, chrome-plated aluminum. Good conditions.
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

A French Black Lacquer Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular top inset with antiqued mirror glass over two frieze drawers; raised on square tapering legs terminating in brass sabots.
Category

1940s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Karl Springer Zebra Wood Writing Table w/ Steel and Brass, USA c 1970s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Karl Springer, rose to world acclaim in the 1970s. He created custom furniture sought by the glitterati, famously utilizing exotic and unusual materials, and superior craftsmanship. ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Zebra Wood

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern “Planner Group” Desk by Paul McCobb
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

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

Materials

Maple

Mid 20th Century Vintage Boho Burl Wood Flip Down Writing Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Boho writing desk. A gorgeous Burl wood flip down design. Beautiful hand carved detail and cabriolet legs. Lots of great storage inside. Acquired from a Palm Beac...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian 1940s Solid Oak Wood Writing Desk with Shutter Doors
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Vintage Italian writing desk circa 1940s in solid oak wood. Comfortable size for a practical use. Characterized by two doors on the sides with shutter opening, internally four drawer...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Danish Rosewood Writing Desk by Bernhard Pedersen
Located in Toledo, OH
This beautiful Danish rosewood writing desk is complete with 3 drawers and a barrel top that rolls back to expose the desk. The interior has a pull out writing surface. This piece is...
Category

1960s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Industrial Brushed Steel Desk By Library Bureau Makers
By Library Bureau Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome, industrial, brushed steek desk by Library Bureau Makers circa 1940's features a single drawer with a 17.5 inch wide opening for a desk chair. The desk is finished on all si...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Newly Refinished - Danish Modern Teak & Steel Adjustable Table / Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Gorgeous French Louis XV Style Ebonized Writing Executive Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous superb quality desk. The desk features incredible bronze ormolu and mounts and a rich leather top. The desk Measures 43.5 wide x 27 deep x 30 tall. Dates to the 19...
Category

1970s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

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

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Small Desk by Ben Thompson for Design Research
By Design Research, Ben Thompson
Located in Belmont, MA
Mid-Century Modern walnut small desk by Design Research, circa 1970s.
Category

1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Mahogany

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

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

English Campaign Midcentury Desk with Faux Bamboo Base and Leather Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Campaign style Midcentury desk with faux bamboo double X-Form base and leather top. This English Campaign style midcentury desk exudes an air of distinguished charm and fu...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Faux Bamboo

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 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

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

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

Solid Elm B 40 Desk By Pierre Chapo, 1970, Gordes, France
Located in Le Grand-Saconnex, CH
Emblematic B40 elm desk by French designer and carpenter Pierre CHAPO. Made in Gordes in the 70s. Thick, angular solid top, resting on two legs on one side, and on a 4-drawer cabin...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

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

Alvar Aalto Mahogany Desk for Artek with Drawers and Pull Out Work Surfaces
Located in Chicago, IL
The model #500 mahogany desk designed by Alvar Aalto, made in Sweden for Artek, Finland. Six drawers with two pull-out work surface boards. A nice example...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Solid Wenge Danish Midcentury Table
Located in London, GB
Made in Denmark about 2010 for a customer who has now downsized, the solid wenge top is made of 3 slabs of wenge sawn to make three pairs of booked matched boards either side of the...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wenge

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

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

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

1970s desk George Nelson for ICF De Padova
Located in Genova, IT
Desk designed by George Nelson in the 1970s produced under license in italy by ICF de padova. Original condition, preserved. High-thickness black laminate top, front panel covered in...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Chrome

Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk The desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches The retur...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

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

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

Rare Arne Jacobsen 'Djob' Writing Desk, 1971
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Writing desk designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1971. Part of the 'DJOB' system for Denmark's National Bank. The desk has stacking drawers on both sides and is made of beech wood with an a...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

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

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

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

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

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

French Wooden Modernist Desk, France 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Probably one-of-a-kind, this desk has been crafted with precision and care. It features clean lines and impeccable craftsmanship. Its sleek silhouette exudes an air of understated lu...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Paul Frankl Cork Top Desk
Located in Denton, TX
Rare six-drawer desk designed by Paul Frankl featuring a curved cork top, adorned with brass drawer pulls and partial brass covered legs. Can also be used as a vanity.
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Cork

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

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

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

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

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

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

directors desk Igl Jet Top by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl - 1970s
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Igl Jet Top directors desk made out of molded Baydur (Fiberglas) Strong shapes and practical inlays as well as the hidden storage space combines design & fun...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass, Polystyrene

Art Deco Desk
Located in Lee-On-The-Solent, GB
An Art Deco light oak nine drawer, bar handled, inverted breakfront twin pedestal desk. Just fitted with a new leather top. The central drawer with a working lock and key. A quality,...
Category

1930s British Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

Danish Modern Walnut Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Walnut mid-century desk, circa 1960's. Clean modern lines with stunning grain patterns on the top! Finished on both sides, can be placed in the center of a room and look fantastic fr...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

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

1960s Brazilian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Jacaranda

Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.

Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.

Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.

Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.

The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.

From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.

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