Metal Desks and Writing Tables

Impressive extra large vintage burgundy red lacquered wood and brass presidential desk by Jean Claude Mahey, France ca. 1970s Rare in these dimensions. Signed with brass label on the...

A simple modern nod to the art deco period. This desk features glossy black laminate with brass accents. Probably Italian circa 1980's. Nice clean original condition.

Vintage Dakota Jackson post modern Art Deco style executive partners desk featuring mahogany with leather insert and stainless steel frame. A V-Shape pattern veneer top with Black Leather inset. 2 pedestal cabinets below: each with 2 standard drawers and 1 file drawer, front and back. Polished Stainless Steel drawer pulls, post, floor plates, and arced trestle supporting desktop. DJ Chelsea Black Leather, Polished Polyresin finish. Dakota Jackson (born August 24, 1949) is an American furniture designer known for his eponymous furniture brand, Dakota Jackson, Inc.,[1] his early avant-garde works involving moving parts or hidden compartments,[2][3] and his collaborations with the Steinway & Sons piano company.[1] Jackson helped establish the art furniture movement in 1970s SoHo,[4][5] later becoming a celebrity designer in the 1980s.[6][7][8] His background in the world of stage magic helped him get his first commissions and is often cited as the source of his point-of-view.[6][9] Early life Dakota Jackson was born on August 24, 1949, and grew up in the Rego Park neighborhood of Queens, New York. Stage Magic Jackson's father, Jack Malon, was a professional magician.[10] Mr. Malon learned the trade from his own father, who studied stage magic in early 20th century Poland.[1] Jackson began studying magic at a young age and sometimes performed with his father.[11] Jackson's name, in fact, grew out of a road trip to Fargo, North Dakota.[11] Throughout his adolescence and into his early 20s, Jackson immersed himself in the world of magic.[2] In 1963, Jackson began to perform in talent shows at his junior high school, William Cowper JHS 73 (which is known today as The Frank Sansivieri Intermediate School),[12] and at children's birthday parties.[13] Jackson also began to build his own props, including large boxes for sawing a woman in half and small boxes from which doves would emerge in full flight.[11] Jackson acknowledges the importance of these early experiences with magic to his later career as a furniture designer: "The demands of performance taught me how to discipline myself to achieve aesthetic ends."[1][2][14] After Jackson graduated from Forest Hills High School in 1967, he continued performing as a magician, working in art galleries, night clubs, touring in the Catskills, and giving private performances at society events.[2][13][15] When he was 17, Jackson had studied with magician Jack London to learn the dangerous bullet catch trick.[16] "What appealed to me was the notion of doing things that appeared miraculous" Jackson once recalled.[6] "I was interested in spiritualism. I was interested in things like bullet catching, things that really challenged individual sensibilities, that were frightening, on the edge."[2] He didn't find the opportunity to perform the trick publicly until a decade later at Jackson's final professional performance as a magician.[1] It was documented in Andy Warhol's Interview (magazine), in a story titled "Dakota Jackson bites the bullet."[1][16] Jackson admits that he sometimes tires of references to his magician background, although he acknowledges it as an important part of his history.[2] The Downtown Arts Scene In the late 1960s, Jackson moved into a loft on 28th Street in Chelsea.[1][17] Jackson became part of the Downtown scene, a community of "artists, dancers, performers, and musicians" who moved to the neighborhood for the cheap rent and social life.[1][8][17][18] In October 1970, Jackson performed with the Japanese group Tokyo Kid Brothers at New York's La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club (also known as Café La MaMa) in a rock musical production called "Coney Island Play" ("Konī airando purē).[19] The show explored themes of cross-cultural communication and understanding[19] and was a follow up to the group's debut performance of "The Golden Bat" at La MaMa earlier that summer.[20][21][22] Jackson played the part of a "clever conjurer."[19] Over the next few years, Jackson became interested in minimalist dance and performed in the dance companies of Laura Dean and Trisha Brown.[2][15][23] Jackson credits his exposure to minimalism and minimalist dance in particular as having had a strong influence on his approach to design; in 1989, Jackson told the Los Angeles Times: For me the essential fineness of a design is in the idea, not the object itself ... In minimalism, the object is pared down to its basic meaning by stripping away all the excrescence ... —those elements that do not contribute to the pure idea.[24] Design career In the early 1970s, as he experimented with performance and dance, Jackson began branching out as a special effects consultant to other magicians, film producers, and musicians[2][23] such as Donna Summer.[6][9] The loft also gave Jackson an opportunity to apply his creativity and building skills: "These were times when lofts were not ... luxury condominiums. These were tough, tough raw spaces ... and we artists, bohemians, creative people, we created our environment. So I had to build".[17][25] Recognizing his skills as a builder, Jackson decided to shift away from performance and become a full-time maker.[1][15][17] He began making a variety of objects, including furnishings for other artists and magic boxes with hidden compartments for art collectors and galleries.[17][24] Jackson's social connections helped spread word about his work[15] and this led to his first commissions.[1] Early Commissions Desk for John Lennon by Dakota Jackson In 1974, Jackson's career as a designer began when Yoko Ono asked him to build a desk with hidden compartments for husband John Lennon.[26] "She wanted to make a piece of furniture that would be a mystical object; that would be like a Chinese puzzle," Jackson recalled in a 1986 interview published in the Chicago Tribune.[6] The result was a small cubed-shaped writing table with rounded corners reminiscent of Art Deco era style.[15] Touching secret pressure points opened the desk's compartments.[23] This commission helped build Jackson's reputation and allowed him to merge his experience as a magician and performer with his developing interest in furniture.[27] In 1978, a bed designed for fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg garnered Jackson even more notoriety.[8][10][28] [29] Called "The Eclipse", the bed was described in The New Yorker as "large, astounding, sumptuous, with sunbursts of cherry wood and quilted ivory satin at head and foot."[10] A lighting system positioned behind the headboard switched on automatically at sunset and spread out rays of light "like an aurora borealis,"[2][17] which grew brighter and brighter until turning off at 2 am.[23][30] Commissions like these continued to come in[8] and Jackson soon became known as a designer to the rich and famous.[30] Some of his other clients from this period included songwriter Peter Allen, Saturday Night Live creator and producer Lorne Michaels, Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner, and soap opera actress Christine Jones.[8] The American Art Furniture Movement and the Industrial Style In the late 1970s, Jackson was among a small group of artists and artisans producing and exhibiting hand-made furniture in New York.[5][31] Jackson and his peers were part of the "American Art Furniture Movement," a group sometimes called the "Art et Industrie Movement,"[32] named after the leading art furniture gallery of the era,[32] Art et Industrie, founded by Rick Kaufmann in 1976.[33] In a 1984 Town & Country article titled "Art You Can Sit On," Kaufmann said he created the gallery to "serve as a locus to the public for artists and designers creating new decorative arts."[31] The works on display were "radical objects" that drew from a number of fine art traditions, including "Pop, Surrealism, Pointillism and Dada [which were] "thrown together with the severe lines of the Bauhaus and the Russian avant-garde, mixed with Mondrian's color and filtered through a video sensibility—all to create a new statement."[31] The article described Jackson as a "ten-year veteran of the genre" and pointed to the "clean forms and quiet colors" of his furniture.[4] Jackson showed a variety of industrial-looking lacquer, metal, and glass works at Art et Industrie, including his Standing Bar (also known as the Modern Bar),[33] a lacquered cabinet that Jackson designed in 1978 for his wife (then-girlfriend) RoseLee Goldberg.[13] Other works from this period include the T-Bird Desk, Self-Winding Cocktail Table, and the Saturn Stool...

Straight-lined desk in a clear design by French designer Jean Claude Mahey. The object is made entirely of beech wood and is very heavy. The desk has 3 drawers with folding brass ha...

This desk has been designed by Isamu Kenmochi for OF Group 1 Collection at Tendo Mokko in 1971. It has 2 drawers with slots for office equipment and the manufa...

A very stylish and unusual vintage brass and rattan desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1970’s. It is very well made and has a lovely design, with the rattan cl...

Elegant desk by Guy Lefèvre dating from the 1970s. Its chrome metal structure and black lacquered wooden box are typical of the French style of the 1970s. Just like Maison Jansen, Ro...

One of the most influential Italian designers of the twentieth century, Giancarlo Piretti’s chair designs – for which he is most celebrated – have sold millions worldwide. Piretti’s...

Rare project by the Japanese architect and designer Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina. Metal base, top covered with billiard cloth. It can easily be used both as a desk and as a dining t...

- Item was carefully refurbished - sturdy and stable - mahogany veneer

An exceptional French Regency Louis XVI style bureau plat desk or writing desk By Theodore Alexander, "Ateliers de la Madeleine" Circa Late 20th Century Painted walnut case, with ...

Art Deco Revival Macassar and Chromed Metal Desk, with three drawers

Guido Faleschini writing desk for Mariani, 1970 Strong and stable, important office desk by Guido Faleschini. Glass shelf, aluminum profiles and alcantara upholstery. Aluminum 8-draw...

Mid-Century Modern T333 Desk by Oslvado Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, Italy, 1975

Mid-Century Modern Wooden and Chrome Desk, Italy, 1970s

Rare stainless steel desk circa 1970. A thick glass top is on top of a stainless steel frame which adapts to the 2 legs. Very pure design, great quality and condition.

Extremely rare Flip top partner's desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen in rosewood with brass fittings. Retains original trays for the upper level cubbies. The top shelf of the desk flips dow...

Elinor and John McGuire set for Lyda Levi: desk with bamboo director’s chair, leather bindings, brass and canvas details. San Francisco 1970s. Product details Desk dimensions: 85 W x...

Campaign style desk designed by John Van Koert for Drexel. The desk is supported by gold crossed wood supports with a gilt finish. The top portion offers cubby-hole storage on either...

Single minimalistic heavy polished aluminum table or desk base. Add your own wood or stone top to specification. The base dimensions are lis...

vintage desk desk 70's adjustable period 70s design unknown Sweden condition good signs of use; scratches; discoloration; size 71 (highest position)...

Everyone here on team FMV adores this desk. We don't know much (if anything) about the origin, maker or designer, but it's awesome nonetheless. Similar to the Henredon "Scene Two" ...

Impressive mid century modern writing desk or console table having whitewashed carved wood with lattice pattern and finished on top with leather and chrome. Chunky legs with Asian f...

A leather top writing desk with brass accent on the edge and three drawers

Designed by noted designer Guy LeFevre who worked extensively with Maison Jansen in the 1970s, this handsome desk incorporates many of his signature details. The base and hardware ar...

Glass desk, Italy 1980 Product details Dimensions: 150 W x 72 H x 70.5 D cm

Dyrlund. Desk, model 'Space' with side table and drawer module in lacquered wood, handle and legs in steel. Desk D. 95 cm, L. 200 cm, H. 73 cm, side table H. 61 cm, W. 120 cm, D. 40 ...

On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and one of a kind, sculptural Burlwood solid wood desk you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. Chrom...

Monumental Louis XV / Napoleon III style office desk. A serpentine form made from birdseye maple with three large dovetailed drawers in the frieze and long tapered cabriole legs. Fea...

Space Age Yellow Chapter One desk by Broyhill Premier, 1970's. In good vintage condition.

Stunning desk or console table in chromed steel with a brown plexiglass top. This incredibly rare piece is signed by Romeo Rega and was designed in Rome,Italy during the 1970s. This...

A Queen Anne style writing desk by Henkel Harris, of Winchester, Virginia, USA. Solid mahogany with a distressed finish, decorative brass hardware, an ogee edge to the top, brass rai...

On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and one of a kind, Tiffany teal laminate over solid wood desk you could hope to find. Outstanding d...

Italian modern round coffee table with decorative bacterio pattern top, 1980s Round coffee table composed of a top covered in laminate with "Bacterio" pattern, orange-red painted met...

A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style slant front standing desk or architect's desk By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware. Me...

elegant desk with a simple design made in the 1970s by the Zevi company from brass and thick glass.

Writing desk designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1971. Part of the 'DJOB' system for Denmark's National Bank. The desk has stacking drawers on both sides and is made of beech wood with an a...

This exquisite design by Elinor McGuire for McGuire of San Fransisco is an exercise in subtle beauty and refined detailing. With a body covered in cane, slightly splayed legs, and so...

White Platone Folding Desk by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s Designer - Giancarlo Piretti Producer - Anonima Castelli Model - Platone Folding Desk Design Period - Sev...

Minimal Desk with wheeled chest of drawers in white lacquered wood, thick cut glass and chrome plated metal. Minimal and elegant Desk with chest of drawers on wheels in white lacqu...

3-drawer desk with leather and wood top and chromed metal legs designed by Hans Von Klier in the 70s. Wear due to age and time of the desk.

Elegant desk table, with arched legs and finished baccellate silver leaf patinated, the body is covered in parchment. Italy, '90s. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is i...

Italian Bauhaus White Desk Comacina by Piero Bottoni for Zanotta, 1980s Desk mod. Comacina with rectangular wooden top and rectangular insert in whi...

Postmodern Large Architect-Designed Plywood and Steel Custom-Made Desk, the heavy mirrored steel-framed top and supporting legs cut from flat panel steel, with recessed chipboard inset, the right return supported by a cut veneered plywood side cabinet with three long drawers with steel pulls, three sides veneered in Brazilian rosewood patterned Corian veneer, the back in untreated chipboard, the clean lines reminiscent of Christian Liaigre (French, 1943-2020). Provenance: Property from an Ai Wei...

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This stunning vintage Bombay Company campaign style writing desk sits on a beautifully carved faux bamboo base. It has been professionally refinished with stunning black lacquer. Original campaign style brass hardware accents contrast beautifully with the black lacquer. Construction is solid and the drawers work well. Ready for many years of use and enjoyment! Wood construction is strong and stable...

This is a gorgeous superb quality desk. The desk features incredible bronze ormolu and mounts and a rich leather top. The desk Measures 43.5 wide x 27 deep x 30 tall. Dates to the 19...

Desk designed by George Nelson in the 1970s produced under license in italy by ICF de padova. Original condition, preserved. High-thickness black laminate top, front panel covered in...

One of the hottest items currently with interior designers are these gleaming brass 'Trilobi' Mastercraft dining table bases, which also work excellent for a desk or work table, feature a hefty triangular design with sculpted ends. The gorgeous brass displays subtle signs of an admirable patina, which can be highly desirable, bringing more vibrancy to this set of 1970s brass table bases by Mastercraft. And most importantly - these are authentic vintage examples... there is now an inferior (but still pricey) knock-off by RH and many dealers do not know how to spot the difference and will sell the fakes as authentic. We have owned and sold over 30 of these over the course of the last 10 years and can guarantee the ones we offer are authentic 'originals' of the design by Mastercraft. *Please note, the table bases in this listing are priced individually. **In addition, the Trilobi bases in the photos have already sold, however we two more in similar condition that are en route to us now and are available for pre-sale. Please message us with any questions. You can use a single base for a round or square top. Looks excellent with glass or marble tops - we can assist in the production of a new glass or stone top - contact us for more details. Or you can pair 2, 3 or even all 4 bases together to form a larger dining table, conference table or desk with a large rectangular or oval top. These Mastercraft brass 'Trilobi' dining table bases would be great as part of a classic or contemporary dining room, living room, family room, sunroom or kitchen. These Triboli tables would also be an apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique restaurant...

A stunning secretary desk with bookcase by top-quality furniture maker Craftique, in the style of early American John Hancock desks. Solid mahogany with their Old Wood finish, brass ...

Beautiful modernist desk by Etienne Fermigier, produced by JFR, made in France in the 1970s. Laminate top, aluminum structure. Very good condition, few traces of time on the top.

Desk with 3 drawers and leather and wood top and chromed metal legs by Hans Von Klier in the 70s. Compartment with 2 cubes for storing pens. Wear due to age and time of the desk.

A fabulous Louis XV style desk which boasts elegant cabriole legs, four drawers, the left being a double height drawer, with wonderful oak grain and charming carved details. The desk...

A Large Executive Desk, designed by Sir Norman Foster and manufactured by Tecno, Italy. This vintage example dates to late 1980s and in superb original condition. A modern and sleek ...

1970s Campaign desk on faux bamboo metal base. Brass hardware, glass top. Some nicks in finish.

Le Corbusier L6 style table base for Cassina. Selling without glass.

Set Sedia Plia con Scrivania Pieghevole Platone disegnati alla fine degli anni 60 da Giancarlo Piretti per Anonima Castelli. Lo scrittoio, per le sue Dimensioni compatte e la possibi...

The tan leather-lined rectangular top over a frieze fitted with three drawers with brass pulls; raised on spiral-fluted tapering legs.