Skip to main content

Desks and Writing Tables

28
4,048
to
442
1,973
1,928
4,048
4,048
4,048
1,581
306
298
115
102
65
57
46
45
38
34
34
33
32
22
15
4
1
490
1,804
1,761
588
2,223
717
86
32
92
196
161
595
636
395
138
31
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3,482
1,740
884
654
494
2,710
776
720
719
691
35
28
28
26
26
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 1890s
1900s Belgian Wooden Desk
Located in High Point, NC
Immerse yourself in the charm of yesteryear with this authentic early 1900s Belgian Wooden Desk, a treasure trove of craftsmanship from the esteemed S. De Vreese's furniture workshop...
Category

20th Century Belgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Heywood Wakefield Trimline Desk by Kem Weber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W59.5 D29.5 H29.5 Fully refinished Mid Century modern desk designed by Kem Weber for Heywood Wakefield. Desk features a chrome tubular frame, birch drawers , a laminate top and a me...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

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

Mid-Century Modern Small Walnut Desk with Round Pulls
Located in Belmont, MA
Mid-Century Modern small walnut desk with round pulls, circa 1970s.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Baker Furniture Georgian Carved Mahogany Slant Front Architect's Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style slant front standing desk or architect's desk By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware. Me...
Category

Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Desk in Rosewood Designed by Frits Heningsen, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Freestanding desk in rosewood with three drawers, designed and made by cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, great original condition.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

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

Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, cherry, brass, beech, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The upper part of this piece is made fro...
Category

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

Materials

Cherry, Beech

Mid-Century Solid Beech & Veneer Desk & Chair Set, Germany c.1960's
Located in London, GB
An unusual style Mid-Century Modern, solid Beech & veneer desk, crafted by Ekawerk Horn-Lippe in East Germany in the 1960's. This inventive design piece features sleek lines and a b...
Category

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

Materials

Beech

Mahogany inlaid writing desk
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany inlaid desk. The top with inset green leather surrounded by a mahogany inlaid border. Above an arrangement of drawers with similar inlaid decoration and brass handles. Raise...
Category

Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Harvey Probber Executive Desk: Mid-Century Elegance Meets Modern Functionality
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Experience the sophistication of the 1960s with our beautifully restored Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk. Crafted from the finest mahogany, this desk exemplifies the...
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Metal, Steel

Mt Airy Walnut Desk and Chair for John Stuart
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mt Airy Walnut Desk with Brass pulls and Walnut Armchair. Chair fits nicely under skirt of the desk. Sold through John Stuart. Elegant design, finished on back as well for many op...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Mahogany Leather Top Directoire Writing Desk with Pull Out Trays
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very good French mahogany Directoire desk with bronze ormolu and restrained and simple design. The leather top is in good antique condition with some signs of age and use b...
Category

1930s French Directoire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

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

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

French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk with bronze trim and ornate ormolu mounts and embossed leather top. The desk is finished on all sides and could ...
Category

1940s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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

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

Antique Military Campaign Style Desk
Located in London, GB
A top quality antique military campaign style desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. It is very well made, with...
Category

1930s British Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Minister's Desk, Regence Style, Late 19th Century or Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Minister's desk, Regence style, late 19th century or early 20th century. Large Minister's desk with gilt bronze and gold embossed leather decoration, Regency style, late 19th centur...
Category

Early 20th Century French Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

70's Tobacco Leaf Dining Table or Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Textural, organic, and terribly chic. This 70's dining table or desk is sheathed in tobacco leaves and given a acrylic finish to complement its sleek simplicity.
Category

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

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Antik Reneszánsz íróasztal , 20 század
Located in Kerepes, HU
Bemutatjuk Önnek ezt a különleges íróasztal , Reneszánsz stílusban duóst faragássakkal díszítve A bemutatott darab korának megfelelő állapotban van. (A hozza illó könyves vitrin...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Midcentury Minimalist Rosewood 2-Drawer Desk w/ Pop Up Organizer Made in Denmark
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Danish desk or vanity table featuring highly figured rosewood on a rectangular form with 2 front drawers, and a solid rosewood trestle base. The writing table has a pop up ...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Charlotte Perriand Style Desk, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wooden Desk; working desk; writing table; office furniture; Charlotte Perriand; French design; Mid-Century Modern; 1960s; Desk in the style of French designer Charlotte Perriand, ...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

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

Vintage Danish Mid Century Teak Bullet Desk in the Manner of Kai Kristiansen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern desk in teak manufactured in Denmark in the 1960's which design is reminiscent of Kai Kristiansen. This special desk, recently imported from E...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

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

Regency Style Faux Bamboo Writing Deak / Console Table By Chelsea House
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century regency style fax bamboo writing desk / console table by Chelsea House. It has a painted distressed ivory finish. It is marked and in very good condition....
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Antique Tambour Steel Fronted Typists Workstation Desk by Toledo
Located in STOKE ON TRENT, GB
Toledo Typist Desk A rare compact typist table/desk manufactured by Toledo, circa 1910. It has a Tambour rolling steel front and fold-down sides for extra space. The whole unit can ...
Category

20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

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

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

Large Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1956
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1956 for Bernini, Italy. Walnut wood with two drawers and two spaces in the front side and other four spaces in the back side.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

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

John Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
John Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965. This piece has been professionally restored.
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Victorian Style Library Table with Black Writing Surface
Located in Toronto, CA
This Victorian Style Library Table with a Black Writing Surface is surely to be a focal point to your library, office or great room. This truly is a stately and elegant piece crafte...
Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

Italian modern round coffee table with decorative bacterio pattern top, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern round coffee table with decorative bacterio pattern top, 1980s Round coffee table composed of a top covered in laminate with "Bacterio" pattern, orange-red painted met...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

Small Mid Century Italian Desk in Metal, Walnut and Formica, around 1950
Located in Berlin, DE
A charming relic from the mid-20th century, this Small Italian Desk embodies the essence of mid-century design with a perfect blend of metal, walnut, and formica. Crafted around 1950...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Tiger Oak Desk With Leather Surface by Thomasville
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 60” L x 28” L x 30.25” H (24.75” H LR) Description: A vintage tiger oak desk with a top grain leather surface. Made in the USA, circa...
Category

1990s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

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

Vintage Anco Bilt Cast Iron and Wood Drafting Table/Desk c.1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A fully adjustable industrial wooden drafting table with a cast iron ledge, cast iron knobs and brackets. The table can be used as a tall dining table, standing desk or drafti...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

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

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

Art Deco Burr Walnut Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in London, GB
An absolutely magnificent Art Deco burr walnut leather top partners desk. This was made in England, it dates from the 1920-30’s. The quality is outstanding, this has an extremely im...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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

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

Early 20th-Century Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid with Brass
Located in Opole, PL
Early 20th-Century Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid with Brass We present you a Neoclassical writing desk from the early 20th century. It is...
Category

Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

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.

Recently Viewed

View All