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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: Late 19th Century
19th C Louis XVI Style Ebonised Desk with Brass Mounts and New Leather Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this Louis XVI style desk dates from the 1880s. We had this mahogany desk professionally ebonised in Europe and the leather writing surfaces were also replaced. Lock...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

PK 55 - Desk/dining table in ash by Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 55 - Desk/dining table with top in ash and steel frame. Marked from the manufacturer. Designed by Poul Kjærholm ,made by E. Kold Christensen.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk table called “Gerard Philipe” by Jules Wabbes
Located in Brussels, BE
Desk table called “Gerard Philipe” by Jules Wabbes. Solid laminated Padouk desk resting on 4 steel legs with “gun barrel” finish. 3 storage under the top. The model takes its name fr...
Category

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

Materials

Padouk

Mid-Century Danish Oak Desk attributed to Henning Kjaernulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Solid oak writing desk complete with drawers, attributed to the Danish furniture designer Henning Henry Kjærnulf, a compelling piece. This creation harmoniously blends bold Baroque e...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1960s Danish Modern Rosewood Desk by Ganddal Mobelfabrikk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish modern rosewood writing desk designed and manufactured by Ganddal Mobelfabrikk in Denmark circa 1960s. This beautiful desk w...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Frits Henningsen Mahogany Desk, c1940s
Located in London, GB
Frits Henningsen - Writing Desk, c1940s Rarely seen design from the master cabinetmaker of the early Danish Modern period: Frits Henningsen. Henningsen produced all of his designs a...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Marcel Gascoin, TC Office, France 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986), “TC” table in light oak, ARHEC edition, France 1950. Father of Rationalism and major player in French Reconstruction, Marcel Gascoin designs quality furni...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

American Oak And Birch Desk. 50's
Located in Madrid, ES
American oak and birch desk composed of two bodies with four drawers each. Portuguese pink marble on top. Conical legs with brass details. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by ...
Category

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

Materials

Marble

Gio Ponti, Small Walnut Desk, from the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, 1950s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Gio Ponti small desk in light walnut on shaped tapering legs united by stretchers. The wood is in excellent condition with beautiful graining to the planked top, and the three friez...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Gio Ponti, Walnut Writing Table, from the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, 1950s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Gio Ponti desk in light walnut on shaped tapering legs united by stretchers. The wood is in excellent condition with beautiful graining to the planked top, and the two drawers to th...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Antique Chippendale Style Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A fantastic antique Chippendale style leather top desk in the Chippendale style. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1890-1910 period. It is very well made, sitting o...
Category

1890s British Chippendale Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pine Writing Desk with Five Drawers, Denmark circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful antique desk is known as a "Hans Christian Andersen" desk. One similar to this can be viewed in the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark which was home t...
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Desk, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Desk, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Teak table top with painted wood drawers. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. Alvar Aa...
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Teak

Desk CM141 by Pierre Paulin, Thonet Edition, 1954
Located in Paris, FR
Mahogany desk model CM141 by Pierre Paulin for Thonet, 1954.
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Oak Writing Desk with Aluminum Details Attributed to Kai Kristiansen
Located in Madrid, ES
Freestanding desk, model EP 401, with veneered oak frame and table top. Front with six drawers with aluminum handles, back with three open compartments, legs with aluminum shoes. Man...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk With Chair, Chrome, Steel, Wood, Czech, 1930s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. The chrome parts have been cleaned and pr...
Category

1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Executive Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Executive desk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s. This exclusive desk bears the hallmark of Jules Wabbes, a celebrated Belgian furniture de...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Tiger Oak Overmantle Oval Beveled Mirror Mission, America 1920, H700
Located in Vancouver, BC
Tiger Oak Overmantle Oval Beveled Mirror Mission, America 1920, H700 America 1920 Solid Tiger Oak Original finish Large oval beveled glass mirror With platform below Supports on the...
Category

1890s American Mission Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Rattan Wicker And Bamboo Desk Attributed To Dal Vera 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century rattan wicker and bamboo desk attributed to Dal Vera 1960s Complete and in good condition, it has four very spacious drawers. Dal Vera Antonio e Figli (1884 – 1984) The ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Rare desk in mahogany with two drawers by Vilhelm Wohlert
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare desk in mahogany with two drawers and feet. Designed in 1958 by Vilhelm Wohlert for cabinetmaker Arne Poulsen. NOTE: Restoration of the desk is included within the price.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Table or Desk
Located in Skokie, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Vintage Action Office Table or Desk The Action Office desk or conference table was designed by American designer and architect George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. A substantial piece, It features a beautifully grained walnut top mounted on a streamlined, polished stainless steel base. The desk top edge is trimmed in black rubber. to protect it against bumps and bruises. Two small desk drawers slide out from beneath the table top. The drawers can be removed if desired. The desk top has been recently restored and is in excellent condition. Action Office was originally designed as a set of components that could be combined in multiple ways and changed as needed to evolve with the office over time. George Nelson was one of the founders of American Modernism. From 1946 until 1972, Nelson was director of design at Herman Miller. While there, Nelson introduced several important innovations in office furniture design, such as the Swagged Leg Group, which included the DAF and MAA chairs...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

20th Century Marcel Breuer for Gavina Desk mod. Canaan
Located in Turin, Turin
Marcel Breuer was a Hungarian-German modernist architect and furniture designer. He became one of the first and youngest students at the Bauhaus – a radical arts and crafts school th...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

19th century carved Iitalian walnut and pine occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved italian walnut and pine occasional table circa 1890. An italian multi purpose pine and walnut occasional table. Here we have a table that could used as a small d...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Rustic Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Mastercraft Mid Century Leather Top Brass Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive vintage Mastercraft writing desk crafted in brass, in a sleek chinoiserie stylized form, with a unique acid washed finish, having a tooled leather top on a case with three...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Smaller Danish Lady’s writing desk in mahogany with drawers and brass details
Located in DK
This smaller Danish modern writing desk was designed ca. 1950 by Danish architect Ole Wanscher (1903-1985) and executed by manufacturer Fritz Hansen, Denmark. The model number is 178...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Walnut 1960s Table by Silvio Coppola for Bernini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Table in solid walnut and veneer produced in the 60s by Bernini based on a design by Silvio Coppola. The table remains in general rather good condition: having not undergone any rest...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

A fine 19th century French Louis XVI writing desk signed by Maison Krieger
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French Louis XVI Kingwood and gilt bronze mounted writing desk
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Folk Art Side Table or Desk, Scandinavia
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish Rectangular Folk Art Table or Desk. The table has tonnes of charm, wear and tear to the finish that gives us table an unbeatable patina. Most of the original paint to the si...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Country Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Scandinavian Rosewood Conference Table
Located in Dronten, NL
Large Mid-Century Modern stainless steel table with a beautiful rosewood top. Good vintage condition with many superficial scratches on the top but no veneer damage. Could be refinis...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Antique European Hardwood Desk / 71" Long
Located in thousand oaks, CA
This large antique hand-crafted solid wood desk from Belgium is a stunning piece of furniture that will add a touch of old-world charm to any office or study. Carved and built from s...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Action Desk by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller
Located in Madrid, ES
Action Office desk, model 64 902, designed by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller from the 1960s. Base made of chrome-plated aluminum with white plastic protectors. Locka...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Franco Albini Desk for Knoll International, USA 1960
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A wonderful desk designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Knoll International in the USA around 1960. The unique frame of the table has chrome plated crossed legs on each side ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Maple Desk By Paul McCobb For Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern, model #1567, natural maple desk by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features 4 drawers with aluminum ring pulls. The chair opening measures 21.5 inches w...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in the 1950s this was made as a work table for an office but equally intended for a dining space as well...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Desk and dressing table by Guillerme et hambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare piece by Guillerme et Chambron can be used as a desk or a dressing table Unique pice in oak and ceramic handle
Category

1960s French Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Small Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk, Oak Veneer and Chromium Plated Metal c 1930
Located in Berlin, DE
Small Bauhaus tubular steel desk, so-called 'typewriter desk', with 4 drawers. The desk is made of chromed tubular steel and oak-veneered wood. Germany/ Czechoslovakia/ Austria, circ...
Category

1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Antique Large Victorian Shaped Ornamental Bevelled Mirror Scotland 1890, H607A
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Large Victorian Shaped Ornamental Bevelled Mirror, Scotland 1890, H607A Solid Oak Original finish Carved pediment on top Moulded cornice below Bevelled edge mirror to the ce...
Category

1890s Scottish Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Folding Desk Magic Box Desk
Located in Baltimore, MD
A desk with incredible form and presence. This attractive original magic box desk, cabinet/desk made in Denmark, features a brass hinged double door cab...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

60s Desk Cabinet
Located in Milano, IT
Cabinet with drop-down desk and storage compartment with hinged doors. Teak veneer wood and brass. Good conditions.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Executive Desk with Floating Top in Teak Near Mint Condition, Denmark 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very beautiful designed executive desks In the style of Gunni Omann's Model 75 and Kai Kristiansen's Model 60. Classic Made of solid and veneered teak. The desk features a desk top t...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Desk by Herbert Hirche, circa 1967
Located in Brussels, BE
Wonderfull minimalist desk By Herbert Hirche, manufactured by Christian Holzäpfel in 1967. Original condition. Born in Görlitz Herbert Hirche moved to Berlin to study at the renowne...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Mid modern danish standing desk in teak Hans Wegner style
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid modern danish standing desk in teak attriduted to Hans Wegner. 3 drawers in the apron and two flip-down leaves
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Vintage 1960s Danish design desk
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage teak office table. This Scandinavian desk produced in the 1960s, with its clean design and fine lines, exemplifies functionality and elegance. Consisting of a wide work sur...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Large Jacaranda Desk by Jorge Zalszupin by L'Atelier San Paulo, 1960
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful large desk designed by Jorge Zalszupin, manufactured by L’Atelier San Paulo, circa 1960. Made of high quality jacaranda wood. The desk has four drawers with very well craf...
Category

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

Materials

Jacaranda

Swedish Modern Pine Desk, Axel Einar Hjorth Style, Made in the 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming pine desk, crafted by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the 1940s. The natural grain of the pine adds warmth and character to the desk, highlighting its authentic, time-worn appea...
Category

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

Materials

Pine

Early Bauhaus "B21" Side Table Desk by Marcel Breuer Produced by Thonet, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early Bauhaus "B21" desk / side table in black stained wood with chromed tubular steel base by Marcel Breuer produced by Thonet in Germany, 1930s. In good original cond...
Category

1930s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Florence Knoll Model 17 Desk
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Alongside the model 75 stool, this desk was part of Florence Knoll's first collection of designs. The louvre drawers follows the same design language used in a variety of casegoods s...
Category

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

Materials

Maple

Danish Vintage Desk by Bodil Kjaer
Located in London, GB
A stunning and iconic Danish vintage desk by Bodil Kjaer. This was made in Denmark by E. Pedersen & Søn, originally designed in 1959, this dates from the 1960’s. It is an extremely ...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Italian 1930's Writing Table / Desk, for Banca Del Popolo, Trapani
Located in New York, NY
An Italian 1930's writing table made for Banca Del Popolo, Trapani. The rectangular surface is supported by trapezoidal shaped sides with a hammered copper plating underneath the t...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

Mid Century Wooden Brutalist Desk in Solid Oak, Made in France, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
This desk is a classic representation of mid-century design, crafted in France during the 1950s. Made from solid oak, it exudes strength and durability. Its minimalist yet impactful design incorporates elements of brutalism, featuring clean lines and geometric shapes. The natural grain of the oak wood adds warmth and character to the piece, while its compact size makes it suitable for smaller spaces. This desk is not only a functional workspace but also a timeless piece of furniture that adds a touch of vintage charm to any room. Honorable designers from this French era is: Charlotte Perriand...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Mid Century MODERN WALNUT DESK by Founders Furniture Co., c. 1960's
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid Century Modern Walnut Desk by Founders Furniture Co., c. 1960's. Featuring a total of five dovetailed drawers with sculpted hand pulls and a laminate woodgrain tabletop, perfect ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Desk Model 75 Made In Teak By Omann Junior Møbelfabrik From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This desk, known as Model 75, is an excellent representation of Danish furniture craftsmanship from the 1960s. Produced by Omann Junior Møbelfabrik, a renowned company with a history...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Desk Made in Teak of Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This desk is a beautiful example of Danish design from the 1960s. Made of teak wood, it exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere that fits perfectly with any decor. The desk's simple y...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

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

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

Teak Desk and Dining Table by Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Danish Modern Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Rosewood mid-century desk, circa 1960's. Sleek uncluttered design with bookmatched veneer top. Four locking drawers with beautiful grain match up!
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

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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