Skip to main content

Desks and Writing Tables

16
1,816
172
14
to
305
1,023
924
2,002
1,862
1,878
780
384
352
320
225
203
158
107
103
85
74
53
50
35
24
10
2
189
1,625
186
18
1,197
292
4
3
10
45
373
411
217
30
8
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,729
862
417
329
320
1,293
534
471
435
218
58
35
31
26
24
Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Style: Victorian
PAUL FRANKL for JOHNSON Furniture Co. "Amoeba" Desk and Cabinet c. 1950s
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Paul Frankl, a renowned American designer of the 20th century, crafted a timeless masterpiece in collaboration with Johnson Furniture Company—a kidney-shaped desk that blends functio...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Birch, Mahogany, Maple, Teak

Vintage Writing Desk by Bohumil Landsman, 1970´S, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This desk was designed by Bohumil Landsman in 1970s for Jitona company. The design is very simple and elegant. It features a section with 3 drawers. It´s made of beech wood. The pie...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Beech

Midcentury Faux Bamboo Lacquered Writing Table or Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive mid-century modern lacquer painted writing table or desk featuring faux bamboo legs and trim. The top has a decorative border of faux bamboo with three storage drawers be...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Desk by Marcel Breuer, 1955
Located in Berlin, DE
Model 'Canaan' Wood, transparent white lacquered, visible wooden texture Dimensions: L.180 cm D.60 cm H.72.5 cm Design: Marcel Breuer, 1955 Manufacturer: Gavina, Italy cf. V. Vercell...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Red Desk with Drawer and Compartment, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Red lacquered writing desk on glue and plaster preparation, 1950s. Equipped with drawer and open compartment. Later retouched and repainted. It shows patina due to age and use, retou...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Plywood, Lacquer, Paint

Danish Modern Teak Desk with Bookcase
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning Danish modern teak desk designed in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk features four dovetail drawers and a generous compartment, providing ample storage for all your essential...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Postmodern 1980s Pine Wood writing Desk in the style of Guillerme & Chambron
Located in Basel, BS
Absolutely fabulous, sculptural desk made of solid pine wood! Three storage drawers on the right side with white accents and button-like solid pine knobs. Next to the drawers, lies a...
Category

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

Materials

Pine

1960s Sophisticated Knoll Executive Partners Desk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Classic Knoll Desk sophisticated large executive partners desk with chrome steel four-star base Two drawers on each side (as it can be used as a partners team desk). Unmarked....
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Aluminum and Rosa Breccia Marble Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
c. 1970s, likely Italian, the architectural, heavy gauge aluminum base supports a thick oval marble top carved with razor edge bevel. Would make an impressive desk. Designer unknown ...
Category

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

Materials

Breccia Marble, Aluminum

Rare Ico Parisi for Fratelli Rizzi Writing Desk in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ico Parisi for Fratelli Rizzi, Intimiano, writing desk, cat. no, '1950.56', chestnut, Italy, 1950 This highly refined writing table is designed by the acknowledged master of Italian...
Category

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

Materials

Chestnut

Kazuhide Takahama Antella multi-functional Table for Cassina, new
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material/ color. Available in matte or glossy. Japanese architect Kazuhide Takahama designed Antella as a truly multi-functional piece of furniture...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plywood, Lacquer

Paul Mccobb Model 1560 Writing Desk In Maple
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: USA Designer: Paul McCobb Manufacturer: Planner Group Era: 1960s Materials: Maple Measurements: 48″ wide x 25.5″ deep x 29.25″ tall, Kneehole: 26" wide x 18" deep x 28.5" tal...
Category

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

Materials

Maple

1940s Norman Bel Geddes Metal Desk for Simmons
Located in Wilton, CT
Offering a rare 1940's industrial design desk designed by Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons Furniture Company. This pre-war metal desk was built before use of m...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Arne Vodder Vintage Desk, Denmark 1960s
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Danish freestanding desk by Arne Vodder. Made in Denmark during 1960s. Painted in black colour. Scratches and marks. Key missing.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Danish Secretary Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful secretary desk designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbler. It has the label in the back. This secretary desk is made in Denm...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Constructivist Wood and Melamine Desk, Italy, c.1950
Located in Surbiton, GB
A 1950's Italian desk featuring a bank of 4 drawers, a wider drawer and an off white melamine desk top supported by two geometric H-frames. Dimensions (cm, approx): Height: 74.5 Wi...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Walnut Desk by Gianfranco Frattini 1956
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant writing desk with four drawers and open compartments on both sides. Made of solid walnut wood, handles are made of blackened metal. Height of writing surface 70 cm Gianf...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-02 Clark Table / Authentic Mid-Century Modern, Chandigarh
Located in Zürich, CH
This simple appearing "Office Desk" from 1957 to 1958 with its integrated shelf is an absolute masterpiece. It is a smart object that’s surprising us with its bookcase on the front s...
Category

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

Materials

Faux Leather, Teak

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

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk with Finished Back
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Ladies desk from HIKOR, 1970´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
A Simple vintage beech wood writing desk from the HIKOR Písek company, 1970´s, Czechoslovakia The design is very simple and elegant. It features a section with 4 drawers. The desk ha...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Beech

Charlotte Perriand Ventaglio Sculptural Desk or Dining Table for Cassina, new
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material. Available in black stained oak or natural oak. A multifunctional table with a revolutionary design, whose shape and use are uniquely differ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Wonderful minimalistic italien prototype desk
Located in Munich, DE
Great italien prototype desk from an architects estate full of wonderful mid century design and prototypes. we are very happy to offer this iconic italien desk , that has an breathta...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Coast Table Square by Sun at Six, Nude Minimalist Dining Table or Desk in Wood
Located in San Jose, CA
Sun at Six is a contemporary furniture design studio that works with traditional Chinese joinery masters to handcraft our pieces using traditional joinery. Handcrafted using traditio...
Category

2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Coast Table by Sun at Six, Sienna, Minimalist Dining Table or Desk in Wood
Located in San Jose, CA
Sun at Six is a contemporary furniture design studio that works with traditional Chinese joinery masters to handcraft our pieces using traditional joinery. The coast table can be use...
Category

2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Desk in wood by Derk Jan De Vries, 1960s
Located in Argelato, BO
Mid-century light wood desk by Derk Jan de Vries - Netherlands, 1960s. It is an iconic and very functional desk, thanks to its compact size it can eas...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mid-century triangular desk with drawers
Located in Budapest, HU
Mid-century triangular desk with drawers in an excellent condition.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Walnut Ojai Desk by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Ojai desk has four drawers and features solid American walnut or white oak trestle legs. The drawer handles are made of solid carved wood. Shown here in Natural Walnut. The Law...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Desk in Walnut and Steel by Moscatelli for Formanova, Italy, 1965
Located in Roma, IT
Astonishing desk designed by Gianni Moscatelli and produced by Formanova in Italy in 1965. The desk features rectangular tabletop in walnut with wonderful wood grain, the quality of...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Circa 1860 Adjustable Height Double-Sided Reading Table, English
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 adjustable height double sided reading table, English. Well figured mahogany. Nicely shaped base with four flattened bun feet. Bold turned column with brass collar and adj...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Restored Mid Century Modern Teak Wood Desk with Adjustable Base and Drop Leaf
Located in Van Nuys, CA
An exquisite Danish teak desk boasts a drop-leaf extension and a sliding drawer cabinet, showcasing a design that can be traced back to the reno...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

LC16 Table de Travail unite d'habitation Le Corbusier Desk for Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
The price is dependent on the chosen material and size. This small wooden writing desk was designed for the children’s rooms of the Unité d’Habitation in Nantes-Rezé, a comune in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN DESK Model CM 172 by PIERRE PAULIN, THONET, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A rigorous and luxurious small desk, Modernist, Constructivist, Reconstruction, black lacquered square section metal structures, box with 3 drawers (and 1 drawer top) and 1 large lac...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage Danish Freestanding Teak Desk with Floating Top, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Freestanding Teak Desk with Floating Top, 1950s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern teak writing desk. Unusual shape where the floating desk top rest on six solid teak p...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

1940's Traditional style 9 Drawer Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1940's Traditional style 9 Drawer Mahogany Writing Desk. Finished all the way around and can be placed to show the whole.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Stained Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, corner desk, stained oak, France, 1960s This executive desk shows the fine craftsmanship and aesthetic characteristics of designer duo Guillerme and Chambron....
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Compass Table by Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Compass Table by Jean Prouvé, c. 1950's, France L 47.25" x W 30.75" x H 27.75" FDV11559 *Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield 3 Drawer Writing Desk
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern writing desk by Heywood Wakefield features hardwood construction, original champagne finish with newly applied clear coat, three dovetailed drawers with sculp...
Category

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

Materials

Maple

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
Located in Lasne, BE
Desk with wood and metal leg. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the desk.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Large Rosewood Executive Desk on Metal Base Denmark 1960's
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful large Danish modern executive desk with metal base made probably around the late 1960's in Denmark. Unmarked and we are not sure of the Designer nor Maker. Great large work...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Modernist lacquered wood executive desk
Located in New York, NY
Modernist lacquered wood five drawer executive desk and with cantilevered top.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Max Sauze Foldable Smoke Glass Dining Table
Located in Dronten, NL
This elegant foldable chromed steel table with a floating smoked glass top was designed by Max Sauze, circa 1970, France. Max Sauze is a renowned French designer and artist celebra...
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Mid-Century Executive Walnut Desk by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful mid-century executive walnut desk designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk is made with a timeless design that has been profess...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Fluted Beechwood Writing Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
Fluted Beechwood Writing Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1950s The double footed legs is reminiscent of Frattini’s lines. The “grissinato” technique (in front of the...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Søborg Møbler ‘model 130’ teak & beech writing desk – Børge Mogensen
Located in Heerhugowaard, NL
Free standing writing desk with model no. 130 designed by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbler of Denmark in the 1950s. This desk is made from a teak veneered top, with solid teak edges...
Category

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

Materials

Beech, Teak

Important Desk in wood and glass by Melchiorre Bega (Attr.), Italy, 1950s
Located in Argelato, BO
Melchiorre Bega (1898-1976), attributed to Desk Cherry, glass, rubber and brass Model created around 1950 H 78 × W 151 × D 65 cm
Category

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

Materials

Brass

White & Gray A.R Cordemeyer for Gispen 3803 desk with Blue Linoleum Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century grey enameled desk designed by designer A. R Cordemeyer for famed Dutch manufacturer Gispen. This 1960s desk has one white cabinet with two drawers, metal privacy screen ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Bamboo and polished nickel desk
Located in New York, NY
Bamboo and polished nickel two drawer desk with smoked glass top.
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

20th Century Melchiorre Bega Desk with wooden structure, drawers Brass details
Located in Turin, Turin
Born in Bologna but grown up in Milan, Melchiorre Bega is a fine professional who spans five decades and three seasons of Italian architecture, from rationalism to international styl...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gio Ponti Desk from " Banca Nazionale del Lavoro , Italy, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful walnut executive desk designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Schirolli for Banca Nazionale del Lavoro in the mid-1950s. Giovanni "Gio" Ponti was an Italian architect, indus...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1970s Italian Dining Table in Natural Stone
Located in Hilversum, NL
Presenting an exquisite Italian dining table from the 1970s, unbranded yet radiating timeless elegance. Its distinctive curvy edges rest upon a rectangular travertine column base, sh...
Category

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

Materials

Travertine

Heritage Henredon Scalloped Edge Olive Burl Wood Top Desk One Drawer Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Decorative Banded Heritage Henredon Scalloped Edge Olive Burl Wood Top Desk One Drawer Table MINT!
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gianfranco Frattini desk for Cantieri Carugati in cherry wood, Italy 1958
Located in Argelato, BO
Gianfranco Frattini, rare desk with wooden structure and supports and nickel-plated metal handles. It is a sophisticated desk, the work of the Milanese architect and designer Gianfra...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Studio BBPR Versatile ‘Spazio’ Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' table, steel, felt, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hired B...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Osvaldo Borsani T95 teak and chromed steel desk for Tecno SPA, Italy, 1956
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This T95 desk is a remarkable creation by the renowned designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy. Conceived in the 1956 and crafted towards the latte...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Table, 20th Century, Fuctionalist Style
Located in Lučenec, SK
This table is of a sought-after style. It is suitable for an office or private study.
Category

1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Kneehole Desk by Francis & James Smith
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality, unusual, Victorian mahogany kneehole desk by Francis and James Smith, Glasgow. The top, having three leather writing surfaces, each decorated with gold an...
Category

19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers in Grey Coated Steel
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

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