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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1950s
Antique Rustic Country French Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Rustic Country French desk is the ideal choice for the executive who wants a more relaxed, casual feel to the office. Great as a home offic...
Category

Early 20th Century French Country Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Italian Midcentury Desk/Dressing Table Attributed Carlo de Carli, Italy 1950
Located in London, GB
An Italian designed small writing desk in walnut,. Fantastic proportions on sculptural legs tapering to brass final on the feet. Two drawers with brass hardware with strawberry red g...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Frits Henningsen Mahogany Desk
Located in Kastrup, DK
Frits Henningsen, Danish furniture designer and cabinet maker (1889-1965). Elegant solid mahogany writing table. Rectangular top with with molded edge above drawers, raised on elegan...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Wood Console Table or Writing Desk
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian early 20th century cherrywood console table or writing desk is a fine Art Nouveau period piece of furniture. Its beautiful mellow honey colour and stylishly curved pilla...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Dressing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic dressing table is in the Louis XV style, and was fabricated sometime in the 1920s-1930s. The center opens up to reveal a dressing mirror, and just beneath that ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish Cabinetmaker Teak and Oak Desk with Drawers, Denmark, circa 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Firm believers in Functionalism, Danish designers and cabinetmakers avoided short-lived aesthetic trends alike, concentrating on crafting with quality materials instead. This desk is...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Landstrom Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie writing desk By Landstrom Furniture. USA, 1950s Black lacquered mahog...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Oak, Iron and Brass Library Table Banc De France, circa 1920s
Located in East Hampton, NY
An oak, iron and brass frame (added later) library table from the Banc de France, circa 1920. The table is braced by stretcher spanning full length of t...
Category

1920s French French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Argentinian Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Writing desk with column of drawers and open compartment under the top; solid beech wood stained and mahogany veneer.
Category

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

Materials

Beech, Mahogany

Very Rare and Original Writing Table PK53 by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This stunning example is in museum condition, all completely original, not perfect, but very nicely used, the Oregon Pie top has a wonderful patine, with no real digs or scratches. T...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Bodil Kjaer Executive Free Standing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son Denmark
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Bodil Kjaer large freestanding rosewood executive desk, model 901 with chrome-plated metal frame, cassette top with four recessed drawers. Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark. Manufacturer’s label to the underside. Key included. The rosewood is Santos rosewood, no CITES export document is applicable. The desk featured in the 1960s in the New York Times and The Sunday Times. It became even more famous when it was in some of the first James Bond films: ‘From Russia with love’ & ‘You only live twice’. The desk also appeared prominently in BBC election broadcasts. Literature: Mobilia, June 1961. Young executives that Bodil Kjær encountered in her work in architecture and design in the late 1950es were open, creative and flexible in their way of working. So, she reasoned that it would be counter-productive for them to be offered traditional office furniture, and set out to design a system of office units...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Outstanding French Art Deco Desk
Located in Munich, DE
This desk is by far the most amazing piece i came along since many years. I saw it and was directly in love with the shape and all details. The dimensions are so special and it can b...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Early 20th Spanish Mobila Country Farm Desk with Two Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
A charming early 20th century Spanish pine farm table with four legs and back side trestle and a wonderfully well-worn finish from a century of use. Height from to the drawers : ...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Maison-Jansen Attributed French Leather, Top Bureau Plat Desk
Located in New York, NY
Vintage French leather top bureau plat desk with pull-out slides. The table extends 12.5" on each side for a total of overall W 72.25" when slides are fully open.
Category

1950s French Louis XVI Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

20th Century Oak Desk with Grapes and Vine Leaves Carvings & Sliding Shelves
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning very solid and heavy, early 20th century carved oak desk in one piece. The practical desk is well decorated with vine leaves and g...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique Stickley Style Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk with Built-In Bookcases
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases In the style of Stickley By King Furniture USA, Circa 1900 Measures...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Scandinavian Modern Desk by Kurt Olsen, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant rosewood desk by Kurt Olsen, in a neat size. Sleek, sophisticated lines with rounded angles. Two drawers.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Modernist Steel and Glass Desk, French Early-Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A sculptural statement desk in patinated black enamelled steel, with new floating frosted glass top. Le Corbusier-esque in it’S Form - a nod to both modernism and industrialism. Fren...
Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Arne Jacobsen Rosewood and Steel Writing Desk FH3605, Danish, Designed 1955
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Arne Jacobsen, FH 3605 writing desk, designed 1955 and made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, in rosewood with detachable aluminium legs with oval rosewood caps. Fitted two drawers to one si...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel for Poul Kold Savvaerk Desk Model ‘135’ in Wenge
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel for Poul Kold Savvaerk, desk model ‘135’, wenge, Denmark, design 1958 Freestanding desk designed by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel in 1958. The symmetric arrangement ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wenge

Vintage Desk in Cherrywood by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extraordinary Cherrywood desk/writing table with crossing legs by Paolo Buffa. This table has approximately 70 years and has been restored as you can s...
Category

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

Materials

Cherry

Nanna Ditzel Desk Produced by Søren Willadsen in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare freestanding desk with 3 drawers designed by Nanna Ditzel. Produced by Søren Willadsen in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Chippendale Design Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A Handsome Partner's Desk After the Chippendale Design Made from fine mahogany, with finely cast brass hardware, the desk supported on rolling casters hidden under the thumbnail ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Pierre Jeanneret Student Desk and Library Chair
Located in New York, NY
Excellent example of a student desk and library chair from Chandigarh India circa late 1950s. Exceptional patina on the wood including various name inscriptions from young studen...
Category

1950s Indian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Art Deco Table or Writing Desk in Maple Wood with Ebonized Accents, circa 1930
Located in Detroit, MI
This lovely Art Deco table or writing desk circa 1930 is expertly handcrafted from maple wood and features a rectangular tabletop with curved edges and tall apron, a trestle base and...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple, Wood

Jacques Quinet Desk
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible Jacques Quinet Executive desk, circa 1950s Rich caramel leather with contrast open stitching and fully swiveling drawers on both sides including a filing cabinet with lea...
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Fabulous Edwardian Inlaid Desk in the Carlton House Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous Edwardian mahogany desk in the Carlton house style, finely carved, line inlaid and cross banded throughout and of gorgeous quality with rich patination and fine grain. The...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Early 20th C. Louis XVI St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Console Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
An elegant and very high quality French Early 20th century Louis XVI mahogany, ormolu, and Arabescato marble center/side, table/desk attributed to François Linke. The table is raised...
Category

1910s French Belle Époque Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered coppe...
Category

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

Materials

Copper

scrivania in radica design - 1950 - mid century - desk - design
Located in Milano, MI
scrivania in radica design - 1950 - mid century - desk - design Caratteristiche Produzione: italiana Periodo: 1950 - 1959 Paese produzione: Italia Essenza principale: radi...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Paul Mccobb Desk for Calvin
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare architectural walnut and stone desk designed by Paul Mccobb for Calvin Furniture in the early 1950's. The left hand pedestal features a slide out work surface, a small drawer...
Category

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

Materials

Stone, Brass

A Stunning Edwardian Desk in the Carlton House Style by Maple of London
Located in Dublin, IE
A Stunning Edwardian, richly patinated mahogany desk in the Carlton house style by Maple of London. Finely carved and of fabulous quality, line inlaid and cross banded with exquisite...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique British Colonial Leather Top Partners Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial partners desk hand crafted in mahogany with a brown tooled leather top, two drawers on either side and elegant turned legs on brass casters.
Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Arne Vodder Boomerang Desk Teak & Brass 1956 Bovirke Denmark Mid Century Modern
Located in Munster, NRW
Arne Vodder 1956 for Bovirke, Denmark rare Boomerang desk ’Model BO85’ in teak with brass handles This desk was designed by Arne Vodder for Bovirke. The desk has an organically shaped table...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Maple & Co Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn5202 Edwardian mahogany and inlaid desk by Maple and Co, having black tooled leather writing surface, satinwood crossbanded top with moulded edge and mahogany slider to each side a...
Category

Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Arne Jacobsen Danish Modern Drop-Leaf Table Model "AJ-3601", Fritz Hansen, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful small drop-leaf table in teak plywood and steel. Danish designer Arne Jacobsen’s masterpiece "AJ3601" made to accompany his famous "ant" chairs also manufactured by Fritz H...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Elegant Desk in Blackened Wood and Leather circa 1950 Patina to Be Redone, Leath
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elegant desk in blackened wood and leather, circa 1950 Patina to be redone, leather to be changed.
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases By Stickley Brothers USA, Early 20th Century Quarter sawn oak, with ori...
Category

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

Materials

Copper

Antique Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
Located in Benington, Herts
This attractive mahogany Edwardian Davenport / writing desk, circa 1900s has been constructed from quality solid mahogany having a raised back above a fall front moulded edge writing slope with a raised and fielded panelled cupboard door standing on bracket feet. The Davenport's top section has a brass hinged mahogany lift up lid to reveal an original lead lined storage...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pierre Chapo B19 Desk in Solid Elm, France 1960s
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Stunning solid elmwood desk by the French designer Pierre Chapo. With characteristic wood-joints, which are Chapo's trademark. The B19 desk is a desk that ca...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Italian Small Writing Desk in Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Small writing desk, mahogany, brass, Italy, 1950s. Sculptural Italian desk with beautiful curved top. This writing table is both refined and elega...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

A.R.P. Writing Desk Edition Minvielle France, 1955
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare and collectible desk designed by A.R.P. (Atelier de Recherches Plastiques) and manufactured by Minvielle, France 1955. Studio A.R.P. was an association between three talented de...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons Italian Walnut Asymmetrical Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Diminutive midcentury angled student desk in Italian walnut designed by Bertha Schaefer for M. Singer & Sons (Model 2162 - USA, ca. 1955). Often co-attributed to Gio Ponti, who also...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Borge Mogensen Drop-Leaf Office or Dining Table in Teak and Steel Denmark
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Danish Modernism free-standing office desk or dining table, model 206 by Borge Morgensen, made of fined teak top and matte chrome-plated steel fra...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk by Robert Charroy for Mobilor, Cité Universitaire Jean Zay d'Antony, Oak
By Mobilor, Robert Charroy
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Modernist desk by French designer Robert Charroy produced by Mobilor in the mid-1950s (1955-1956). This series of furniture was chosen to equip the Jean Zay university residence in t...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Helmut Magg Desk for WK Möbel, Germany, 1950s
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This desk was designed by Helmut Magg in 1950s and produced by Neue Gemeinschaft für Wohnkultur, WK Möbel and still has the original label in one of the drawers. The design is simple...
Category

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

Materials

Cherry, Maple

Antique French Louis XIII Style Draw Leaf Dining Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique French Louis XIII style oak draw leaf extending dining table with barley twist legs. This table has been lovingly restored...
Category

1920s French Louis XIII Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Italian Modern Single-Pedestal Rosewood Desk by Stildomus
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Single-pedestal rosewood desk with ebonized legs and chrome-plated brass recessed pulls by Stildomus (ca. 1950s, Italy). Features three dove-tailed drawers with interior dimensions...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Elegant Italian Desk Convertible into Sewing Machine
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant Italian desk convertible into sewing machine from the 1950s. The desk through its shapes and lines is very reminiscent of Gio Ponti's design line. The desk is made by the Vigorelli ( of Pavia) manufactory. The small desk has in the left side five pull-out drawers and the top one has a key. In the right leg we have a door that can be opened by knob with the sewing machine mechanism inside. At the base we find a cast-iron riser...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

Very Fine Edwardian Desk Attributed to Edward and Roberts
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine Edwardian richly patinated mahogany desk attributed to Edward and Roberts. Line inlaid throughout and with fabulous marquetry detail depicting Neoclassical motifs of urns...
Category

Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Table Dining Breakfast Table Desk Draw Leaf Carved Oak Parquet
Located in Tyler, TX
Charming antique french country draw leaf breakfast dining table or desk with parquet top~~108" wide when leaves are fully extended...c. 1920s This table has "the look"~~~one of o...
Category

1920s French French Provincial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Restored Art Deco Solid Oak Writing Desk Made in the 1930s, Czechia
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Restored Art Deco writing desk. Revived polish. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia Material: solid oak Leg space: height: 63,5 cm (25 in) width: 53 cm (20.9 in).
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Lovely Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Cushion Drawer Brown Leather Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine fully, Antique circa 1900, Burr Walnut twin pedestal partner desk with hand dyed brown leather top. It’s been lightly restored to...
Category

Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Antique Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1900 Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware. ...
Category

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

Materials

Copper

Oak Art Nouveau Pedestal Desk by J.J. Terburg & Zoon Arnhem, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Nouveau pedestal desk. Design by J.J. Terburg & Soon Arnhem. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak with hand-carved floral decorative elements a...
Category

Early 1900s Dutch Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Gothic Executive Desk in Stripped Oak
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Gothic Executive Desk in Stripped Oak is finished on all four sides, and features timeless linenfold carvings on each of the cabinet panels, with horizontal linenfold panels...
Category

Early 20th Century Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Very Fine 1920s Leather Top Desk or Sofa Table
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 1920s mahogany desk or sofa table finely carved and of fabulous quality with rich patination and fine grain. The moulded top with reeded edge of rectangular form fitted w...
Category

Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Permanente Mobili Cantù, Corner Desk in Mahogany, Italy 1950
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Grooved mahogany corner desk attributed to Paolo Buffa, edited by La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Italy 1950. The office part forms an L and has two doors and a drawer. The double top r...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

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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