Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Returnable Items Only
Midcentury Inspired Writing Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
This midcentury inspired writing desk is perfect for those looking for a blend of elegance and modernity in their home office. Crafted from Prima Vera and finished in our Bistre fini...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Oval Dining Table or Desk by Florence Knoll in Carrara Marble
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An elegant executive table designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a beautiful polished white & gray Carrara marble top and a chrome-plated star base. This was ...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Chrome
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Multifunctional Table
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' table, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, 1960s.
In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hir...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
White Orix Desk by Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina for Molteni
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
1970s desk made of a single sheet of molded plastic creating the shape for various holders and storage spaces. There is also an integrated glass panel than can be lifted up and a ret...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century American Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Double pedestal mid-century desk with laminate top. Six total drawers for storage and finished wood back.
Please confirm location.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rosenthal Writing Table 'Talete' by Regondi & Ghianda
By Rosenthal
Located in Dronten, NL
Rare Talete dining table designed by Gabriele Regondi & Pierluigi Ghianda for Rosenthal.
Steel wire reinforced black safety glass top on solid dark stained ash frame.
Exceptional and...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stained Glass, Ash
1960s Midcentury Desk in Wood & Laminate by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage Mid-Century Modern desk by Jens Risom circa 1960 has a Classic Danish modern design with clean, Minimalist, geometric lines. The desk is solid, heavy and well-crafted an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Vintage French School Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century Modern French school desk, featuring a black laquered steel structure supporting both a wooden adjustable chair and a wooden adjustable ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Style Desk - Drift White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style desk with a three-quarter wooden gallery, a single frieze drawer, and raised on square tapered legs. Finished in our custom drift white lacquer.
Dimension...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Collage Wrapped Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind midcentury desk covered completely in collage paper. Fun and funky for your home office. Three drawers and side shelves for storage.
Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Restored Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Desk W/ Side Shelf
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Finished in rattan and mahogany, this Mid-Century era desk has an attached single drawer for storage and two-tier side shelf built in for further storage.
...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan, Mahogany
Rosewood Roll top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452. All Original
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 452 Rosewood Tambour Door Executive Desk in very good completely original condition. Two rolltops, one on each side and three drawers. Large work se...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Rustic Brutalist Table Mobichalet, Belgium, 1960s
By Mobichalet
Located in Echt, NL
Handmade brutalist table in very good original condition.
Manufactured by Mobichalet, Belgium in the 1960s
The top is made from very heavy solid oak which was not heavily processed...
Category
20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Desk Console Table Wood Metal and Leather by Gervasoni. Italy, 2000s
By Gervasoni
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
High manufacturing writing desk or console table in zebrano wood, metal and leather by the italian design manufacture Gervasoni. 2 drawers with a slow sliding high quality system. In...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Classroom Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage classroom desk and chair that has been beautifully refinished. The chair rests on a swiveling base, and the desktop raises to reveal a l...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage "Biscayne" Floating Top Walnut Desk by Drexel
By Milo Baughman, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful vintage “Biscayne” floating top walnut desk by Drexel and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This desk has been built from the highest quality walnut wood and ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Teak Desk, Model 77, Omann Jun, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A bright Mid-Century Modern teak desk, made in Denmark in the 1960s by Omann Jun Mobelfabrik. Classic Danish design, timeless exclusive vintage style.
Furniture in very good condi...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Reguitti Italy design in years '60 rare children desk school in wood
Located in Biella, IT
Reguitti Italy Brescia design in years '60 rare children desk school in wood
good structure with little sign of use and wood worming, your see in photo's detail please
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
MCM Teak Expandable Desk and Chair by Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard, Denmark c.1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A mid-century teak writing desk with expandable sliding top for more working space. One smaller drawer with brass key hole and one large drawer, each with carved pulls and dov...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Secretary by Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati, 1954
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful secretary by Gianfranco Frattini from 1954 was made out of rosewood.
Frattini was an italien architect and designer.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
Industrial Desk, France circa 1960
Located in Culver City, CA
Industrial Desk
France circa 1960
Painted wood with chrome hardware.
Measures 74.5"L x 23.75”d x 31.75”h.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Child Beech Writing Table Slant Top Desk and Foldable Chair, France, Mid 20th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
French slant top desk writing table and its chair, circa 1950.
Foldable beech pupitre for child and its ceramic inkwell
Good vintage condition with nice patina.
dimension of the cha...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ceramic, Beech
Table by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A Dining table by Joaquim Tenreiro made of solid Imbuia with beautiful grain and veins.
A wide solid wood border underlines the modernity of the lines.
The table can be use as a ...
Category
1950s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Walnut Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Midcentury Walnut Desk. Built with a solid oak frame and with a warm walnut veneer writing top and frieze with a simple elegant gilded iron fram...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Rosewood Desk Brazilian Midcentury Design by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Category
1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Restored Post-War Hawaiian Koa Wood Desk W/ Rattan Border
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Stacked Koa Wood secretary desk with Koa Wood top and rattan accents, center drawer with four drawers on each side of the desk.
Measures: 29.5" high x 49" wide x 25" deep
We only pur...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan
Rustic Brutalist Table Mobichalet, Belgium, 1960s
By Mobichalet
Located in Echt, NL
Handmade brutalist table in very good original condition.
Manufactured by Mobichalet, Belgium in the 1960s
The top is made from very heavy solid oak which was not heavily processed...
Category
20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Mid Century Modern Bert England for Widdicomb Leather Top Desk
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
The Bert England for Widdicomb Leather Top Desk is a remarkable blend of style and functionality. Designed by renowned designer Bert England...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
20th Century Paolo Buffa Desk and Chair in Wood for Lietti, 50s
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclass...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Vintage Danish Modern Writing Desk by Domino Møbler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern office desk with two banks of drawers. Danish made teak wood desk for home or office use.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Cerused Oak Trip-Tic Adjustable Mirror Mid-Century Modern Dressing Table Vanity
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Cerused oak trip-tic adjustable mirror Mid-Century Modern dressing table vanity mint!
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mirror, Oak
Wooden Writing Desk with Metal Structure, Italy, 1960s
Located in Madrid, ES
Small writing desk of wood and metal, Formica table top. Front of the two drawers painted in black and white. Made in Italy in the 1960s. Please note...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Le Corbusier LC/BD-01-A Ahmedabad Console Desk / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Le Corbusier
Located in Zürich, CH
This console desk was created by B. Doshi and Le Corbusier. It is not only a very rare piece but also an item of museum quality. It is raw in its simplicity and splendid with that so...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Italian Writing Table, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian writing table, 1950s.
Dimensions: H= 76 cm; W= 110 cm; D= 50 cm.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Midcentury Burl Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Midcentury Burl Desk with an exotic Olive Ash burl veneer top, with a solid oak working pencil drawer and raised on a brass finished modern four ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955. Professionally restored in showroom condition, this beautiful desk has a drop leaf on the left side with all orig...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Sculptural Solid Stone Desk / Console with Wave Feet Reminiscent of Sottsass
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Two wave-shaped stone feet are the feature of this multipurpose console/desk.
This sculptural piece has a perfect eye for proportion abed form and colour. The piece fits well in co...
Category
2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone, Marble, Travertine, Limestone
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Desk: Timeless Elegance & Quality
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the timeless elegance of our 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desk, a vintage gem meticulously restored to its original glory by our dedicated team. Crafted from quality mahogany wo...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Industrial 7900 series 'Economy' desk by André Cordemeyer for Gispen, 1960's
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This industrial desk was designed as a writing machine desk by André Cordemeyer for N.V. Gispen. It is part of the 7900 series. The desk has a metal base with high tapered leggs, 2 d...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Rustic Brutalist table Mobichalet, Belgium 1960s
By Mobichalet
Located in Echt, NL
Handmade brutalist table in very good original condition.
Manufactured by Mobichalet, Belgium in the 1960s
The top is made from very heavy solid oak which was not heavily processed...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Newly refinished vintage American desk with unique features that are sure to impress! Featuring contrasting sculpted drop-pulls, a finished back,...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Walnut
Vintage Faux Bamboo Brass & Wood Weiman Console Table or Desk with Drawers
By Weiman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage wood, faux bamboo & brass console table or desk with 2 drawers. Brass has been polished. Marked in drawer and underneath Weiman. Original wood finish has a few minor scratche...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Walnut Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern desk made by the Indiana Desk Company. Large walnut desktop and five drawers with brass handles.
Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Michael Taylor for Baker Midcentury Chinoiserie Teak and Walnut Partner Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous midcentury Hollywood Regency chinoiserie double sided partner desk
By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Florence Knoll 1950s Mid-Century Wood Veneer Black Frame Desk or Console Table
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A wonderful modernist American made Mid-Century desk by Florence Knoll, circa 1950s. Made from a black painted square tubular iron frame with a veneered wood (we presume teak). This ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Iron
Midcentury teak desk in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1960's
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage desk, Italy 1960s in the style of Gianfranco Frattini.
A beautiful italian desk with teak wood top and structure and cherry wood feet.
Very stylish piece of design from the...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Black Lacquer Finish
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1560 double drawer desk Black Lacquer on maple with aluminum ring knobs solid maple. Desk is in great condition. Very beautiful designed desk on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Pierre Jeanneret: X Leg Chandigarh Desk, France/ India c. 1960
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Jeanneret (1896-1967)
A rare and spectacular four-drawer bureau in teak by Pierre Jeanneret for the civic buildings in Chandigarh, India, designed by Le Corbusier. A stunning...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Paolo Parigi
Located in London, Lambeth
Drafting table or desk. Designed by Paolo Parigi for Heron Parigi, 1975 Italy. Structure in black high pressure laminate and green metal. Forming an archi...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, Large Version
Located in Bern, CH
Design classic desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, large version.
Offered is a rare original design classic rarity, the desk Action Office 1. Model 64 902. Designe...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage Writing Desk Beech Italy 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawers made of beech wood with Formica-covered top.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Beech
Modernist Teak Rollup Secretary Desk by Fratelli Proserpio, Italy, 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
Modernist Italian 1960s teak compact rollup secretary desk by Fratelli Proserpio. Writing surface pulls out for ease of use, two trays inside the top. Very good vintage condition, un...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Wonderful Minimalistic Wenge Wood Table or Desk
By Metz & Co.
Located in Munich, DE
Modernist massive wenge dining table from the 1960s, retailed by the dutch exclusive department store metz & co. very intelligent and minimalistic design - easy to disassemble to sto...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Modern Style Patchwork Burl and Chrome Desk / Writing Table by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a patchwork burl and chrome desk with modern styling by Bernhardt Furniture. The desk is in very good condition and is marked in the drawer.
My shipping is for the Contin...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Ladies Desk from Hikor, 1980s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
A Simple beech wood writing desk from the Hikor Písek company, 1980´s, Czechoslovakia
The design is very simple and elegant. It features a section with 4 drawers. The surface of thi...
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Beech
20th Century Ico Parisi Wooden Writing Desk with Two Drawers, 50s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Turin, Turin
Ico Parisi was born in Palermo, Italy, in 1916, but as early as 1925 with his family he moved to Como, where in 1936 he graduated as a building surveyor and served an apprenticeship at the Terragni studio. Discharged from the front in 1943, he returned to Como and resumed his design activity, dealing with the creation of individual furnishings, exhibition layouts and interior architecture. He collaborated with Luisa Aiani, whom he married in 1947 and with whom he opened the studio La Ruota. In the 50s he designed furniture, first in one-piece and later for Industrial Production with companies such as Cassina. In the 60s, with the "Contenitoriumani" he began a new path aimed at defining a utopian-existential IDEA of living. The culmination of his research is between 1974 and 1976 with "Operation Arcevia," aimed at designing an entire Community.
Here we have a wooden desk designed...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Corner Desk with Original Lamp
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' corner/writing desk, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s.
In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hired BBPR to design their New York showroom on Fifth Avenue and to create their first series of office furniture, called Spazio (1959/60). This line included chairs, shelving, cabinet systems, and desks, just like the one shown here. This ingenious design embraces a dynamic system, affording the ability to adjust the cabinet's positioning. Beneath the desk lies a compartment housing three drawers, while the mobile cabinet itself features three drawers alongside an extra compartment, providing both utility and versatility. The original lamp is affixed to the top that can be moved sideways. The tops are furnished with a burgundy red vinyl which adds a fresh touch the overall industrial appearance. The design won the Compasso d'Oro Award in 1962.
Studio B.B.P.R. was an Italian architectural partnership founded in Milan in 1932 by Gianluigi Banfi (1910-1945), Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso (1909-2004), Enrico Peressutti (1908-1976) and Ernesto Nathan Rogers (1909-1969) who had studied at the Politecnico di Milano. B.B.P.R. was thus an acronym formed from the first letters of their family names. The architects found each other in their opposition to fascism in Italy in the 1930s and 1940s during Mussolini's autocratic regime. The architects therefore believed in developing a style that would have no references to contemporary politics. During the Second World War, they all joined the resistance. However, Rogers, a Jew, fled to Switzerland and both Belgiojoso and Banfi were deported to the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, where Banfi died in 1945. Despite the immense loss of Banfi, their architectural practice continued in the same name as before after...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Mid-century Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Lawson-Fenning, Charlotte Perriand, and Paul McCobb. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $299 and tops out at $184,000 while the average work can sell for $4,773.
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