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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 1910s
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

Antique Georgian Style Burr Elm Writing Bureau
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Georgian style burr elm writing bureau. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is outstanding, this is a great size with lots of wor...
Category

1930s British Georgian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Elm

Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk. item features 7 drawers, red tooled leather top, hand painted scenes and details on all sides includi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, 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

Signed Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Early 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak, with original copp...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

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

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

Mid-Century Executive Desk in Pecan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome, Mid-Century, most likely custom made Executive desk with flat faced drawers and uniquely angled top. One side has aluminum legs in a similar design to Poul Kjaerholm's styl...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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

Fountvieille Hand-Painted Writing Table by Patina
Located in Dallas, TX
Fontevieille Writing Table by Patina With custom finish
Category

20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

1960's double sided wooden Italian desk with a beautiful shape
Located in Nijlen, VAN
1970's double sided Italian desk A beautifully wooden made Italian desk, designed and manufactured by an unknown designer. It was probably made in the late 1970's in Italy. This is a...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Italian Direction's Desk by Roberto Danesi for Maison Frezza
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
Italian Direction's Desk by Roberto Danesi for Maison Frezza Indulge in luxury and refinement with this exceptional desk set designed by the renowned Italian designer Roberto Danesi...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Modernist Architectural Walnut Desk designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham
Located in Buffalo, NY
Merton Gershun was an American furniture designer of the early 20th century, known for designing some of the earliest modern furniture lines available in the U.S. and striving to bri...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Leather Top Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Deco style desk on aluminum metal base with single drawer. Glass top protector over the leather writing surface. Drawer has an attractive acrylic handle. Please confirm location NY o...
Category

20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

Jürgen Lange, Secretary mod. Privé for Rosenthal Einrichtung, 1980
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
The secretary mod. "Privé" by Jürgen Lange is formally characterized by the interplay of horizontal surfaces and slopes. The result is a furniture "sculpture" that combines the advan...
Category

1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Acrylic, Wood

Postmodern Architect-Designed Plywood & Steel Desk
Located in New York, NY
Postmodern Large Architect-Designed Plywood and Steel Custom-Made Desk, the heavy mirrored steel-framed top and supporting legs cut from flat panel steel, with recessed chipboard inset, the right return supported by a cut veneered plywood side cabinet with three long drawers with steel pulls, three sides veneered in Brazilian rosewood patterned Corian veneer, the back in untreated chipboard, the clean lines reminiscent of Christian Liaigre (French, 1943-2020). Provenance: Property from an Ai Wei...
Category

Late 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

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

Postmodern Baby Blue Lacquer Laminate Desk With Corner Shelf
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Revitalize your office or study with the Postmodern Baby Blue Lacquer Laminate Desk with Corner Shelf. This desk, featuring a vibrant baby blue finish...
Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Two tone mid century desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W52.5 D23.25 H30 KNEE CLEARANCE 24 KNEE WIDTH 19.5 Fully restored walnut and oak desk circa 1960s. Item shows well with no major areas of wear. Item features exceptional grain throu...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

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

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

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

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

Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Stickley Brothers (original label present) USA, Circa 1910 Solid quarter sawn oak, with or...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

1970s Wooden and Wicker Writing Desk with Folding Top and Drawers
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Wooden and Wicker Writing Desk with Folding Top and Drawers
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Vintage Swedish Desk by Karl Erik Ekselius
Located in London, GB
A large and extremely impressive vintage Swedish desk by Karl Erik Ekselius. It was made in Sweden by JOC Mobel, it dates from the 1960’s. It is of outstanding quality, the grain pa...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Antique Tiger Oak Gateleg Drop Leaf Table Barley Twist, Scotland 1910, H1181
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Tiger Oak Gateleg Drop Leaf Table Crust Edge Barley Twist, Scotland 1910, H1181 Scotland 1910 Solid oak Original finish Solid tiger oak top with pie crust edge Pair of drop...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Italian Carved Hoof Feet Light Blond Burl Wood One Drawer Desk Gallery Inlaid
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Italian Biedermeier Style Carved Hoof Feet Light Blond Burl Wood One Drawer Desk Gallery Pencil Inlaid MINT!
Category

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

Materials

Burl

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

Neoclassical dressing table / desk / Louis XVI, France, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Side table / dressing table / lady's desk with white marble top and stained beech wood structure. Neoclassical/Louis XVI style, France, circa 1900. In good general condition, rest...
Category

Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

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

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

Walnut Hunt Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage walnut hunt table. Dimensions: 28"H x 18"D x 72" from end to end x 35" deep overall.
Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Nancy Corzine Neoclassical Giltwood & Black Marble Top Executive Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Nancy Corzine Neoclassical Giltwood & Black Marble Top Executive Desk
Category

1990s Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

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

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

Antique Oak English Partners Desk with 14 Drawers
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Impressive English Arts and Crafts partners desk with 14 drawers and 4 pull out writing surfaces. Classic detail with urn and scroll accent. Substantial presence. Curbside to NYC/Phi...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Postmodern Gray Faux Stone Laminate Writing Desk - 4 Drawers
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your workspace with the Postmodern Gray Faux Stone Laminate Writing Desk, featuring four drawers for optimal organization. This desk comb...
Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Revolving Folding Mid-Century Modern Desk Writing Table Cabinet Hide Away MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Revolving Folding Mid-Century Modern Desk Writing Table Cabinet Hide Away MINT.
Category

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

Materials

Birch

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

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

Stunning Victorian Library Writing Table or Desk Brown Leather Top Gillows Legs
Located in Miami, FL
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Victorian library table writing desk with brown leather gold leaf tooled writing surface and Gillows style reeded legs A very fine pi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Mid-Century vintage German Desk in walnut, 1950s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Rare Mid century vintage German Desk in walnut, 1950s Design year: 1960s Dimensions: 70 D 140 W x 78 H cm It is in good vintage condition, ho...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Cees Braakman Pastoe Desk 60's
Located in Bunnik, NL
A neat desk designed by Cees Braakman for the Pastoe label. An extremely rare model with two cabinets on metal legs. The desk is veneered, the internal drawers have been renovated. A...
Category

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

Materials

Bentwood

Mid Century Modern Writing Table Desk, American, c.1960s
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Modern walnut writing table desk, American, c.1960s. Surfboard top & floating cabinet concealing a paper drawer & shelf. Estate of a UNC-Chapel Hill professor. Bronze fin...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

George III Style Mahogany Executive Desk
Located in New York, NY
George III style mahogany veneered desk, rectangular with three short drawers above two pedestals, each with three drawers on plinths with bracket feet. 30 inches in height, 65 inch...
Category

20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Vintage Danish Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for HP Hansen
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage Danish desk by Svend Aage Madsen for HP Hansen. This was recently imported from Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. It is of superb quality and has an incredibly s...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Antique English Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Secretary Slant Front Desk & Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
An antique English Edwardian slant front writing desk, a true embodiment of the refined craftsmanship of the early 1900s. Crafted from rich mahogany, the focal point of this masterpi...
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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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