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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1960s
Giovanni Battista Bassi Asymmetrical writing desk Italy 1950
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful a-symmetrical writing desk-table designed by Giovanni Battista Bassi and made in Italy in 1950. This one of a kind piece was created for a project in Florence. It's made fr...
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

Jacques Hitier for MBO, Desk in oak and black metal, year 1951
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jacques Hitier for MBO. Blond oak desk opening with a drawer on the front. Black laminate top. Tripod base in black lacquered metal. French work realized in 1951. Reference: LS546...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Farsø Stolefabrik Designed Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Farsø Stolefabrik for Maurice Villency rosewood mid-century desk. Beautiful deep grain throughout, aluminum handles, quality construction. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Swedish Modern Walnut Desk, Jarnforsens Kontorsmöbler, Stockholm, Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Modern freestanding writing desk, in striking walnut, Circa 1960s, produced and sold by JKM - Jarnforsens Kontorsmöbler, Stockholm, the rectangular top with long walnut ven...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Petite Eliel Saarinen Deco Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite scale Eliel Saarinen Deco Desk in Birch with Wave-like Aluminum Pulls. Dimensions: 48 wide 20 depth Height to top shelf: 30 1/16" Height to desk surface: 24.75" Wear as s...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, cherry, mahogany, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Italian desk, wood and colored glass, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk, wood and colored glass, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 77 cm; W= 136 cm; D= 68 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Stained Glass, Wood

Tyrolean Style Ornate Pine Desk or Table with Locking Drawer from Austria
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful, almost folkloristic, Tyrolean style desk with pine wood frame and lower locking drawer. Organically carved, its traditional features in natural wood tone contrasted by an ...
Category

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

Materials

Pine

20th Century Italian Vintage Walnut Writing Desk & Armchair by Amleto Sartori
By Amleto Sartori
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian office set of a writing desk and an armchair made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by Amleto Sartori in good condition. The floating rec...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

1940s Italian Writing Desk in Ash and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, brass, Italy, 1940s Made in Italy, this writing desk is a testament to the design ethos prevalent in the 1940s and 1950s. The office table bears witness to the de...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Executive Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant mid-century vintage desk from skilled craftsmen of Grand Rapids' John Widdicomb Fine Furniture. An ample walnut desktop measuring over 10 square feet offers plenty of workspa...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk Year: 1940 It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of distinction. You want t...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Antique French Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
A beautifully designed and extremely well made antique French writing desk. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quali...
Category

1930s British Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern James Mont Style Birds Eye Maple Desk / Table / Vanity
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Extra handling time for this piece! This is a mid-century modern James Mont style style desk or vanity by Johnson Brothers. It is marked and has the original brass hardware that has...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1960s Ole Wanscher Mahogany Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
Mahogany desk designed by Ole Wanscher in an excellent restored condition. Denmark, 1960s This desk was designed following the mid century design rule and aesthetic, using noble wo...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Carved Walnut and Rosewood Desk with Matching Chair, Italy, 1960
Located in Dronten, NL
A superb Italian walnut and rosewood desk with matching rosewood and leather side chair, made to measure for the villa of an Italian executive in 1960. The rectangular top is covered...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Nanna Ditzel Table Desk in Teak Søren Willadsen 1958 Denmark Mid Century Modern
Located in Munster, NRW
This elegant design by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel serves as a desk, a writing table, library table, or even a console table in a large space. The spare, minimal form is delightful from ...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Art Deco Buffet Credenza Two Doors Cabinet, Walnut and Brass, France, circa 1930
Located in Labrit, Landes
Cabinet Art Deco, French, circa 1930. Credenza buffet burr walnut. Two doors and one shelf. The varnish was redone. Good condition. Shipping: L 160, P 52, H 91 46 Kg.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood and chrome, 1940, Made in Germany
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Only the wood is restored, not the chrome metal It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

50° Desk at the Alvear Palace Hotel in Argentina
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Wood desk from the 50s, One drawer is fixed, it was used to hide a safe underneath We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you h...
Category

1950s Argentine Space Age Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of distinction. You want to live in the golden yea...
Category

1940s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Freestanding Desk, 1950s
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Beautiful antique desk in the style of Louis XV. Rich decorations, ribbed rivets. The corner decorated with plant motifs. Two-sided desk, which...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Rococo Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Modern Teak Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Single pedestal teak desk with floating top, four-drawer cabinet, carved recessed pulls, and metal structural frame. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-century large desk in plexiglass and ebony
Located in PARIS, FR
Large desk in Altuglas and ebony in the style of Joseph André Mott from the 1970s. The top is made of Macassar ebony with brushed steel details, and the base is in smoked plexiglass....
Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plexiglass, Ebony

Wooden Art Deco Desk with Drawers, 1930s
Located in Brussels, BE
Wooden Art Deco Desk with Drawers, 1930s
Category

1930s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Febo desk or dining table designed by G.Stoppino for Driade 1970
Located in Milano, MI
Rare Desk Table model Febo designed in 1970 by G. Stoppino for Driade. Chrome-plated tubular frame and lacquered curved wooden top. The table is in very good condition the chrome st...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Milo Baughman, Wall-Mounted Desk or Console, Rosewood, Brass, USA, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A rare wall-mounted rosewood and brass desk or console designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Thayer-Coggin, High Point, North Carolina, USA, 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Santos Rosewood Desk by Torben Valeur & Henning Jensen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This model of desk by Valeur & Jensen rarely hang around for long and this one in particular has very nicely marked grain. It is in fantastic condition, and ready for your home or w...
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

Danish Modern Executive Brazilian Rosewood Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful Danish modern executive rosewood desk designed and manufactured in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk has a very particula...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Arco Series Typing Desk by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis 60s, 70s
Located in Padova, IT
Desk designed in the 1960s by Studio BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis. The desk is complete with a five-drawer chest of drawers. Iconic office furniture that holds a prominent place in the history of design. BBPR was the acronym that indicated the group of Italian architects established in 1932 by Gian Luigi...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Writing desk by Svend Åge Madsen for Sigurd Hansen 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with double under-top drawer. Teak veneer wood, fine construction details.
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Floating Top Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern desk by Tri Bond Furniture, with floating top and finished back. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

France Desk Art Deco, 1950, France, Material: Wood Attributed to Jean Souvrain
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk Style: Art Deco Year 1940 Wood and bronze Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Blue formica and black metal desk, Italian modernism, ca. 1960.
Located in MIlano, IT
Blue formica and black metal desk, Italian modernism, ca. 1960. Small desk from a hotel room with a matte black tubular metal frame and a rectangular-shaped top made of light blue Fo...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage Architects, Draftsmans Desk
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
1940'S Vintage Architects, Draftsmans Desk. Solid Teak Top with heavy cast iron base set on wooden runners. Tilting desk top. H: 73 cm W: 76 cm D: 5...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Fratelli Proserpio Writing Table Teak Desk by, Italy, Mid-Century
By Fratelli Prosperio
Located in Vienna, AT
Teak rollup secretary desk by Fratelli Proserpio, Italy 1960's. Modernist compact writing desk, perfectly sized and in good vintage condition. It shows a unique mechanism that opens as you pull out the writing surface. The interior cabinet has a small shelf for Laptop, Ipad and paper and 2 small drawers (solid wood) for pens and small stuff. It's fully comprised of solid wood (teak). Overall in good condition with no major flaws, cracks or losses, the mechanic...
Category

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

Materials

Teak, Hardwood

Studio BBPR for Olivetti Small 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, h...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Peter Løvig Nielsen for Hedensted Møbelfabrik 'Boomerang' Desk in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Peter Løvig Nielsen for Hedensted Møbelfabrik, desk model 'Boomerang', teak, brass, Denmark, 1960s. Beautifully formed teak writing desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and produced...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950s George Nelson Swag Leg Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Swag leg desk, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Colorful cubbyholes and molded drawers allow for a tidy and streamlined workspace. O...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Studio BBPR 'Spazio' Corner Desk with Movable Cabinet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desk with various storage compartments, coated steel, plastic, fabric, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Ita...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

1960s French Bleached Brutalist Table or Desk
Located in London, GB
A brutalist desk or small dining table constructed from mixed bleached timbers. The carved single plank top in wenge, with free form club-like legs in elm. Would also work as a conso...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm, Wenge

Small Italian Desk with Matching Chair - 60's - Vittorio Dassi - Set of 2
Located in Milano, IT
The mid-century Italian desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1960s is an extraordinary example of functional elegance to the point that it is very often attributed to the work of G...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Desk, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1940 Material: Wood and bronze It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique....
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italian Mid-Century Writing Desk by La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Step into the allure of mid-century Italian design with this masterfully writing desk crafted in the 1950s and attributed to La Permanente Mobili Cantù. It's in very good condition ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Boomerang desk Model A10 by Göran Strand for Lelangs Möbelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Lasne, BE
Wooden desk with 3 drawers with locks at the front of the desk and a hinged door with locks at the back of the desk containing a shelf. One key. Wear due to time and age of the desk.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Desk Art Deco in Wood, 1930, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1930 Material: wood It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an i...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Danish Modern Oak Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Oak mid-century desk, circa 1960's. Robust desk with curling top edges and ample storage for your essentials. Open book cubby on the back side. Finished on both sides, if placed in t...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid maple, with brass har...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautiful executive desk designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders. Stunning walnut veneered desk top and drawer fronts encased in in solid walnut legs and sides. Finished back with...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Milo Baughman, Rare Desk, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rare walnut and brass desk designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Glenn of California, USA, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Desk in Mahogany, Danish Design, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Great Looking desk in mahogany, designed and made by Danish Cabinetmaker 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Scandinavian Rosewood Desk by Nanna Ditzel Søren Willardsen, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Rosewood desk with three drawers by Nanna Ditzel. The desk has a particularly beautiful grain. The sale takes place with an EU certificate for this rosewood(CITES).
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Executive Desk "Model 15" by Goran Strand
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful and rare scandinavian modern executive desk in teak wood designed by Goran Strand and manufactured by Lelangs Mobelfabrik in Denmark in the 1960's. This large des...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood and chrome, 1940, Made in Germany
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Only the wood is restored, not the chrome metal It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern four drawer writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid maple, wi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

20th Century Wood French Napoleon III Style Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French writing desk from the mid-20th century. Furniture of beautiful lines and pleasant furnishings in Napoleon III style in rosewood and mahogany woods. Finished for the center des...
Category

1950s French Napoleon III Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Large Varnished Wood Executive Desk, in the style of Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Large Varnished wood executive desk, in the style of Florence Knoll.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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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