1930s Desks and Writing Tables

Charming bird’s eye birch veneer over solid beech wood writing desk with exterior bookcase and cabinet at left. In the style of Axel Einar Hjorth or Carl Malmsten, this desk is stamp...

This writing desk or kitchen table is a fine example of designer Alvar Aalto’s bentwood furniture design, produced by his Artek workshop. The unusually narrow proportions of the piece, suggest this was a bespoke commission for a private collector. Made late 1930s, early 1940s. Alvar Aalto (1898 - 1976), was a significant contributor of the International Style architectural movement since the opening on his firm in 1923. Working in collaboration with his first wife, architect Aino Marsio, they sought to create gersamkunstwerks - total works of art in which his designs would produce integrated spaces stimulating all senses. His intention was to design furniture recognisably modern, human - but most significantly, Finnish. Through his use of local birch wood in his furniture, Aalto imbued his designs with a warmth through curvilinear form. Focussing on the human through analysing the social implications of his designs, his humanist mode of practice inspired the likes of American designers Charles and Ray Eames, and George Nelson. This vintage example displays beautifully his innovative bent-wood L leg, developed alongside Otto Korhonen...

This beautifully streamlined desk is designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK in the 1930s. Clad in a pale gold birch veneer (Birka is Swedish for birch) with three locking drawers and a locking door with four concealed drawers. Two shelves are built into the frontside. The entire desk constructed in a graceful arc. Brass lined keyholes, the original keys are present. Axel Einar Hjorth (Swedish, 1888 - 1959) was an important Swedish furniture designer, and the chief architect at Nordiska Kompaniet, a high-end department store in Stockholm, from 1927-1938. From this prestigious position, Hjorth became renowned for designing many of Stockholm's public interiors, such as the city library and Centre Hall, as well as private interiors for an impressive list of clients, which included the Shah of Persia. His designs received acclaim in exhibitions both at home and abroad, including the World Exhibition in Barcelona in 1929, the Stockholm Exhibition in 1930, and the World Expo in New York in 1939. Hjorth began his education in the arts in 1908 at the prestigious Högre Konstindustriella Skolan (later called the Konstfack) and remained until 1910 without completing the program, unable to continue his studies for financial reasons. However, in learning through experience, Hjorth became well established as a designer prior to his career at Nordiska Kompaniet, not to mention an important advocate of introducing Swedish design to international audiences. Early in his career, Hjorth designed for several different manufacturers, including H. Joop & Co., Myrstedt & Stern, and Jonsson...

Kaare Klint table of mahogany with pull-out extension underneath top. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØ...

A very rare and exceptional desk made in Rio rosewood. Likely to be one of a kind, made by cabinetmaker C.B. Hansen, labelled accordingly. The desk features an elegant and unique cre...

Simple desk made in solid oak by Danish architect Mogens Koch for "Sønderborg State Hospital" made in 1936. Stamped by maker. Provenance: Designed as...

Elegant 1930s library/dining table or desk by Axel Einar Hjorth, from the “Corall” series. Clean, compact lines. Made from birch with darker wood inlays and details.

Amazing functionalist dressing table by Axel Einar Hjorth. Made from elm with contrasting inlaid darker wood. The rounded forms of the sides come together beautifully with the clean,...

Elegant functionalist desk “Sara” by Axel Einar Hjort, with clean lines. Made from birch with lively woodgrain. Black stripes along the legs and around the tabletop accentuate the silhouette. Neat size. Provenance: This piece was purchased from NK by the Hotel Reisen, located in Gamla Stan...

Kaare Klint freestanding desk in mahogany with two fold-down leaves. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, 1930-1932. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 N...

Bureau “Typenko” designed by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1932. Ebonized birch. Measures: H 137 cm/ 4' 6 1/4" D 52 cm/ 1' 8 7/8" W 80 cm/ 2' 7 7/8" Desk height 76 cm/ 2' 6 1/4". Literature: Bengt Lundberg, "Hur ett hem...

Very rare and important desk designed by Mogens Koch. Produced and executed by cabinetmaker N. C. Jensen Kjær, Denmark. Teak, brass and original pigskin...