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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1950s
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

Jean Prouve Style La Residence Universitaire Jean Zay Student Desk
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In the style of Jean Prouve a patinated eggshell blue student desk with single drawer and in inset white laminate top from the dormitories of the La Residence Universitaire Jean Zay,...
Category

1950s French Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Beech

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

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

Antique Derby School Paneled Oak Roll Top Desk with Full Interior, C1900
By Derby Desk Company
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique roll top desk offers paneled quarter sawn oak construction with s-top opening to full interior over base with flanking drawer towers h...
Category

Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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

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

American Drafting Table
Located in New York, NY
Adjustable wood top, cast iron base drafting table. This table adjusts in height from tallest position (42") to lowest (30.5") and the to...
Category

Early 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Early 20th C. Louis XVI Petite Desk/ Writing Table
Located in East Hampton, NY
A wonderful early 20th Century French Louis XVI style writing desk in ebonized black finish. Dating to around the 1940’s with original brass mounts and leather top. This is the epi...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique A. Lietz Co. Maple Wood and Cast Iron Drafting Table c.1940-1947
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A fully adjustable industrial drafting table with Maple wood top and cast iron base and knobs. Cast iron bases have the maker's mark on both sides. Two original metal labels o...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

French, Oak Child's School Desk c. 1900's
Located in London, GB
This French 1900's Oak child's school desk is a rare find that exudes immense character. The desk bears the markings of many children who have used it over the years, adding to its c...
Category

Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Walnut, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Dimensions of the table: Height: 76 cm (29.9 in) Width: 150 cm (59.1 in) Depth: 75 cm (29.5 in) Leg space: Height: 71 cm (28 in) Width: 57 cm (22.4 in) Luxurious desk design in Cau...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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

Art Deco Secretaire by Jacques Adnet
Located in Miami, FL
This secretaire desk was designed by Jacques Adnet, and was made in Tamo Ash Wood. The style of this secretaire features sleek lines, geometric shapes and a ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Ash

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

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

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

Antique Edwardian Quality Freestanding Mahogany Inlaid Pedestal Desk
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian quality freestanding mahogany inlaid pedestal desk having a quality attractive mahogany inlaid satinwood crossbanded top with a green leather writing surface above ...
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

Early 20th Century Brushed Steel And Marble Writing Desk Vanity
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 20th century, industrial, brushed steel desk features a contrasting white marble top with beveled edge and five drawers with brass trim underneath them. This petite piece works...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Steel

American Aesthetic Oak Partners Desk manner Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in Buffalo, NY
American Aesthetic Oak Partners Desk manner Louis Comfort Tiffany.. Large and handsome antique oak partner's desk, Gorgeous grain, brass hardware.carving to the massive feet.Drawers ...
Category

1920s American Aesthetic Movement Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Elegant Heywood Wakefield Ladies Writing Desk & Chair
Located in Buffalo, NY
Elegant Heywood Wakefield Ladies Writing Desk & Chair.. Classic mid century modern,Wonderful original finish.Solid birch wood.. Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en ro...
Category

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

Materials

Fabric, Birch

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

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

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

A Stunning Edwardian Leather Top Desk after Edward and Roberts
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning Edwardian richly patinated and beautifully figured mahogany desk in the manner of Edward and Roberts, London. This fabulous piece is of exceptional quality, stunningly ca...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

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

Early variant Osvaldo Borsani desk with two drawers for Tecno, Italy 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Minimal Osvaldo Borsani 1950s desk for Tecno, Italy Carries all the original Tecno transfer labels
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

Early 20th century satinwood sheraton revival desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century satinwood sheraton revival desk circa 1910. Fine quality petit sheraton revival pedestal desk, comprising of 3 sections, top surface and 2 pedestals. Shaped top ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Satinwood

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

English Edwardian Fully Fitted Oak Serpentine Roll Top Desk - Twin Pedestal
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful English Edwardian double pedestal, roll top oak desk. Handsomely made by ‘HLL’ Harris Lebus, London ‘Entirely English Make’. Classic English solid oak desk from the early 1...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

English Edwardian Writing Table Bureaux
Located in Leicester, GB
Stunning English Edwardian slim cabinet bureaux in Mahogany. Beautiful inlay decoration. The writing table can be opened and closed with a key and a lock. Inside the writing table th...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

Stickley Brothers Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Drop Front Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts slant front writing desk or secretary desk In the manner of Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1900 Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper h...
Category

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

Materials

Copper

Swedish Art Nouveau Style Oak Writing Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
Kidney-shaped oak writing desk with double chest of drawers with 8 drawers on each side. Wrought iron handles. Sides with magazine racks.
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Antique French Regence Stripped Oak Desk ~ Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Regence Stripped Oak Desk ~ Writing Table is a delightful little desk that is ideal for efficient floor plans, home offices, or just as a convenient table for any room...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Gorgeous quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardwa...
Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

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

Stickley Brothers Antique 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 copper hardware. Measures: 60"W...
Category

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

Materials

Copper

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

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

French Louis XV Bureau Plat Desk or Writing Table with Embossed Leather
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV desk having embossed leather top and a faux front on its back so will look lovely in the center of any room. The writing desk has three spacious drawer...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Walnut Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French walnut bureau plat desk, dating from around the 1900-1910 period. It is of outstanding quality, this has fantastic gilt metal ormolu mounts all over, inclu...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Original Jugendstil Herrenschreibtisch+Armlehnstuhl, J. W. Müller (Wien um 1905)
By J.W. Müller
Located in Wien, AT
Objekt: Jugendstil Herrenschreibtisch (freistehend, 9 Schubladen) + Armlehnstuhl Entwurf: J. W. Müller (K.u.K. Hoftischlerei, Wien um 1905) Modell-Nummer: - Ausführung: J. W. Müller ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Trestle Library Table or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts trestle library table or writing desk By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 48"W x 30"D x 29"H. Very good original...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

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

Grange French Regency Louis XVI Cherry Wood Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Regency Louis XVI style bureau plat desk or writing desk By Grange France, Circa Late 20th Century Solid cher...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

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

Antique Fine Quality C1900 Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Table Desk Dressing
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Fine Quality circa 1900 Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Table, versatile as a desk, dressing, or side table, boasting a simple yet elegant classical design. This remarkable p...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Joseph Heusgens Unique Double-Sided Desk, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Joseph Heusgens Architect (1916 - ) unique double-sided desk with patented system, with plans, patent papers and correspondence.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Early 20thC Louis XVth Style Kingwood Bureau Plat
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early 20thC Louis XVth Style Kingwood Bureau Plat with fine gilt bronze mounts applied to cabriole legs by - Lysberg & Hansen – Copenhagen - 56"w x 30"h x 30"d - The Copenhagen firm ...
Category

1910s Danish Louis XV Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

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

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

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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