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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: 1950s
Period: 1920s
Vintage Italian Walnut and Satin Wood Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb vintage Italian walnut and satin wood desk, dating from the 1950-60’s. It is beautifully designed and is of superb quality, standing on wonderful tapered legs with brass fe...
Category

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

Materials

Satinwood

Executive Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Executive desk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s. This exclusive desk bears the hallmark of Jules Wabbes, a celebrated Belgian furniture de...
Category

1950s Belgian 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

Willy Van Der Meeren Desk for Tubax, circa 1950, Formica, Metal, Wood, 38 Avai
Located in Brussels, BE
Willy Van Der Meeren desk for Tubax, circa 1950, Formica, metal, wood- 38 available.  
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, rare desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960.
Category

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

Materials

Oak, Faux Leather

Franco Albini TL2 Cavalletto table Poggi Italy 1950
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic and early example of the TL2 'Cavalletto' table designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Poggi in Italy around 1950. The table has an amazing dynamic and archtectural sha...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Elm Desk by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful desk by Josef Frank, made from elm with striking woodgrain. Clean lines and subtly rounded forms, a timeless piece.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Jacques Adnet writing desk made in France 1950
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful avant garde desk designed by Jacques Adnet and manufactured in his own atelier in France in the 1950s. The frame is made from solid brass and it's all wrapped in soft black...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Nanna Ditzel - Freestanding Desk in Teak by Søren Willadsen in 1958, Denmark
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

Giuseppe Pagano: Eight Drawer Desk in Fruitwood and Brass, Italy 1940
Located in New York, NY
Giuseppe Pagano (1896 - 1945) An imposing eight-drawer desk by rationalist architect and designer Giuseppe Pagano, in fruitwood with mahogany-stained trim and polished brass hand...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Desk Model TL22, by Franco Albini and Franca Helg. Poggi, 1958
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Desk model TL22, designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg and manufactured by Poggi in 1958. Table completely restored. Wood: walnut. Letteratura: Gramigna G., Repertorio del desig...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mummenthaler & Meier Magic Box Writing Desk In Teak, Switzerland 1950
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Experience the elegance and ingenuity of Swiss design with this stunning foldable writing desk crafted by Mummenthaler & Meier in 1950. Named the “Magic Box,” this exquisite piece tr...
Category

1950s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-century modern Severin Hansen Teak Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
Desk designed by Severin Hansen in Teak wood for Haslev Møbelsnedkeri. Denmark, 1958 Simple and refined lines, featuring four frontal drawers with the desinger’s signature diagonal wood ensamble, the drawers are both a functional and a decorative element, the back of the desk can be displayed as it is finished in a refined teak wood back. Danish designer Severin Hansen's iconic Model 36 desk...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

1950's Amazing "Magic Box' Organiser Bureau Compact Plywood Ateliers Genestar
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This 'Magic Box' organising desk has been produced by various manufactures in Europe in the 1950's and 1960's Commonly this desk is known as produced in Switzerland by Mummenthaler & Meier but this same model was also made in Norway and France We believe this is the French version that was made by Ateliers Genestar as that version has the retractable plywood curved lamp...
Category

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

Materials

Oak, Plywood

Directoire Style Fruitwood Writing table / Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Directoire Style fruitwood leather top writing table / desk made from 19th century and later elements. With a rectangular leather top with fruitwood borders, central frieze drawer fl...
Category

1950s European Directoire Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

20th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Style Writing Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Elegant French writing desk from the first half of the 20th century in Napoleon III style. Finished for the center piece of furniture with rich floral inlays in walnut, maple, mahoga...
Category

1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Military Campaign Style Pedestal Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and extremely well made antique military campaign style pedestal desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. It is of superb quality, it is very heavy a...
Category

1950s British Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Faux Bamboo Campaign Style Burlwood Desk or Writing Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Ernest Hemingway style beautifully made desk or writing table with chinoiserie faux bamboo, burl wood inlay, finished back, and drawers (one opens for a keyboard) The desk features ...
Category

1950s American Campaign Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Burl

Antique Watchmaker’s or Jeweler’s Workbench or Desk, 1920s
Located in Brussels , BE
A wonderful 1920s watchmaker’s or jeweler’s multi-drawer wood workbench that’s a good height and size to serve as a standing desk when not seated on a tall stool or chair. We can als...
Category

1920s Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Restored Art Deco Writing Desk, by J. Halabala, UP Závody, Walnut, Czech, 1950s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Dimensions of the table: Height: 76 cm (29.9 in) Width: 150 cm (59.1 in) Depth: 71 cm (27.6 in) Leg space: Height: 73 cm (28.7 in) Width: 58 cm (22.8 in) Designed by Jindrich Halab...
Category

1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Beech, Walnut, Lacquer

1950s Industrial Single Bank Steel Tanker Desk by Orma Milano, Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
A unique small 1950s industrial design single bank steel tanker desk with green top, produced by Orma Milano from Italy. Features four drawers of different sizes, and a fifth top dra...
Category

1950s Italian Industrial Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Mahogany Double Pedestal Executive Desk, Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern "Taliesin" writing desk By Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon USA, 1950s Gorgeous mahogany, with iconic carved geometric Talie...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Gubi by Greta M. Grossman Walnut & Black 62 Desk
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Greta M. Grossman in 1952, the desk was named the 62 for being a decade ahead of its time in its design aesthetic. Now an iconic piece of mid-century furnit...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Walnut and Oak Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and well made vintage walnut and oak leather top desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950-60’s. It is beautifully designed and is of superb quali...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut

Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons #2135 Extendable Dining Table, c 1950, Refinished
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This restored Model 2135 extendable dining table with four leaves by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons features gorgeously veined Italian Walnut with sculpted legs to Gio Ponti's signature...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk or Writing Table by Louis van Teeffelen for WéBé
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern desk or writing table. Design by Louis Van Teeffelen for WéBé. Striking Dutch design from the 1950s. Minimalistic design in solid teak and ori...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Amsterdamse School Corner Desk by Daniel van Dorp for Reens, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Art Deco Amsterdamse School desk. Design by Daniel van Dorp for Gebroeders Reens Amsterdam. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid macassar ebony with...
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Faux Leather, Macassar

Writing desk, Italian manufacture. C1950s.
Located in Baranzate, IT
Beautiful Vintage desk with two drawers and front storage rack bordered by iron wire mesh. Italian manufacture. C1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Finn Juhl Rare Desk for Bovirke in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Finn Juhl for Bovirke, desk, model ‘BO 69’, teak, metal, brass, Denmark, design ca. 1953, made late 1950s Finn Juhl conceived this rare version of the desk model ‘BO 69’ in the late...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Desk
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Gustavian style 3 drawer desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1920s Swedish Gustavian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

STUNNING REGENCY STYLE NEOCLASSICAL BRASS & WALNUT WRiTING TABLE DESK CIRCA 1920
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, Regency Neoclassical style Walnut & Satinwood writing table with X framed solid br...
Category

1920s Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1950s Desk Corner
Located in Milano, IT
Writing corner, with planked wall with up-and-down lamp, worktop with day compartments and drawers, mahogany veneer wood and skai upholstery.
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Elegant French desk from the mid-20th century. Louis XVI style furniture finely sculpted, lacquered and painted, enriched with gilded and chiselled bronze. Desk finished for the cent...
Category

1950s French Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Modern Italian Teak Desk: Expertly Restored to Original Beauty
Located in Rome, IT
Restored vintage writing desk, originating from Italy in the 1950s, presents a striking example of midcentury design ethos. Crafted from rich teak wood and featuring a sleek frame of...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

bbpr ultrarare writing desk early
Located in Medesano, IT
Every aspect of this Italian design captures the meticulous craftsmanship and the innovation that the BBPR Studio is celebrated for. The design also incorporates a distinctive Japane...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Executive Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Executive desk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s. This exclusive desk bears the hallmark of Jules Wabbes, a celebrated Belgian furniture de...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Scrivania vintage anni '50
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Questa scrivania prodotta in Italia risale agli anni '50 del secolo scorso. E' stata realizzata con una struttura in ferro tubolare quadrato e legno impiallicciato teak. Il piano e i...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Industrial 1950s French Tandem School Desk by Matco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean Prouve style Mid-Century school "Tandem" desk with oak wood desk top and slatted seats on a green enameled metal frame that have a lower oak storage shelf. This vintage two seat...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Boomerang Shaped Desk, Shop Counter, 1950s by Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Antwerp, BE
Custom made handcrafted shop counter or desk in a boomerang line with vertical slats at the front which emphasizes the curve of the arch even more, on the inside one side with 3 slid...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

American Oak And Birch Desk. 50's
Located in Madrid, ES
American oak and birch desk composed of two bodies with four drawers each. Portuguese pink marble on top. Conical legs with brass details. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by ...
Category

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

Materials

Marble

Executive Desk by Jules Wabbes for Mobilier Universel, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Executive desk designed by Jules Wabbes and manufactured by Mobilier Universel in the 1960s. This exclusive desk bears the hallmark of Jules Wabbes, a celebrated Belgian furniture de...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

PK 55 - Desk/dining table in ash by Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 55 - Desk/dining table with top in ash and steel frame. Marked from the manufacturer. Designed by Poul Kjærholm ,made by E. Kold Christensen.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

1950s Knoll & Drake Formica and Walnut Desk
Located in London, GB
Designed and manufactured by Knoll & Drake, this 1950s desk is both practical and timeless. Constructed with metal legs, the desk has a white Formica table top...
Category

1950s American Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Formica, Walnut

Guillerme et Chambron Desk and Chair
Located in Stamford, CT
Designer handcrafted oak desk and chair. Chair adjusts to two positions. Desk knobs are wood with ceramic. All legs end on ceramic balls. Chair is 25 W x...
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Gio Ponti, Small Walnut Desk, from the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, 1950s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Gio Ponti small desk in light walnut on shaped tapering legs united by stretchers. The wood is in excellent condition with beautiful graining to the planked top, and the three friez...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Gio Ponti, Walnut Writing Table, from the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, 1950s
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Gio Ponti desk in light walnut on shaped tapering legs united by stretchers. The wood is in excellent condition with beautiful graining to the planked top, and the two drawers to th...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Leather + Wood Writing Desk Attributed to Jacques Adnet, France 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1950s French writing desk attributed to Jacques Adnet. This desk features a black leather clad frame with stitch detailing and an inset wood tabletop. It has two drawers with circu...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rare desk in mahogany with two drawers by Vilhelm Wohlert
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare desk in mahogany with two drawers and feet. Designed in 1958 by Vilhelm Wohlert for cabinetmaker Arne Poulsen. NOTE: Restoration of the desk is included within the price.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Cantilevered Modern Desk Refinished
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined cantilevered modern desk, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. This desk is currently being refinished and can be completed in your ch...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern “Planner Group” Desk by Paul McCobb
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

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

Materials

Maple

Gio Ponti “Stile” Desk Wood Brass, 1950, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti “Stile” desk wood brass, 1950, Italy.
Category

1950s Italian Other Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in the 1950s this was made as a work table for an office but equally intended for a dining space as well...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

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

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Modern Wooden Desk by Vittorio Dassi, Layer of Glass, Italy 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern Wooden Desk by Vittorio Dassi, Layer of Glass, Italy 1950s. Wonderful desk by the Italian designer Vittorio Dassi in a minimal rational shape. Elegant in design w...
Category

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

Materials

Ash, Beech, Oak

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

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

Materials

Cherry, Beech

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

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Mid modern danish standing desk in teak Hans Wegner style
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid modern danish standing desk in teak attriduted to Hans Wegner. 3 drawers in the apron and two flip-down leaves
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.

Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.

Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.

Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.

The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.

From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.

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