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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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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 celebrated 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.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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
French 1970s Steel Desk
By Raymond Cohen
Located in London, England
For Cohray An extremely handsome brushed and polished steel desk with clean lines, the drawer pull with pale, subtle brass finish. Hemispherical steel sections support the 10mm glass top. Two extending...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child's Desk, Modernist, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early George Nelson desk / return, child's desk, Modernist, Herman Miller, Retains original Herman Miller foil label, 4 drawers, pencil dividers, steel frame, minor pitting (lower right side bottom). Original designed for larger desk, return, typewriter desk...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Gerald McCabe Shedua Executive Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American made desk, c.1970s, by Gerald McCabe is beautifully crafted from Shedua, also known as African Walnut. This piece features a desk and return with natural wood grain variance...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Desk in Cherry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati, writing desk, cherry, metal, Italy, 1958 This piece of furniture is based on a solid construction featuring straight lines and right-angle...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern writing desk featured in rich walnut grain. This desk sits on sleek tapered legs and has two spacious drawers. This would be...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Vintage Walnut Desk
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very practical vintage walnut desk, made in England and dating from the 1960’s. The quality is superb, this is beautifully designed with ...
Category

1960s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Early production Florence Knoll Desk, Classic Modernist design, Knoll New York
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early production walnut and rosewood desk designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll ,features richly grained walnut top rosewood frame, pencil drawer and file drawer. Retains early Knoll ...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Architectural Desk In Walnut By Carlo de Carli, Italy 1950's
Located in Hellouw, NL
Architectural Desk in walnut by Carlo De Carli.This desk has a very solid and a kind of determined look with the unmistakable charm of the Italian design of the fifties. According to...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Heavy Gray Slate Top 30x60 Rectangle Bronze Finish Base Work Library Table MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Heavy Gray Slate Top 30x60 Rectangle Bronze Finish Base Work Library Table MINT. Rag & Bone New York!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Slate, Brass, Steel

Gaetano desk glass table by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta 70s
Located in Padova, IT
Gaetano work table by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta with original glass top supported by two folding trestles in black and red enamelled metal. Timeless object. With a dry and essential de...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Writing Desk By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful and rare walnut desk designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar ca' 1950's. Single drawer, dark walnut original finish, with nice graining. Edges are raised to give...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Apartment Sized Mid Century MODERN Teak DANISH DESK + Chair, c. 1960's
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Apartment sized Mid Century Modern Danish Teak Desk by Bent Silberg, circa 1960s. Perfectly sized for an apartment or smaller office space yet offers a generous workspace. Two drawe...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

French 1970’s designer desk
By Roneo, Paris
Located in London, GB
A chrome and metal French designer 1979’s desk by Roneo, Paris.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Fine French 1970s Palisander Desk-Console-Commode
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French 1970s desk in palisander with seven drawers and one door. As all sides of the piece are veneered, it may be placed in the middle of a room. Can also be used as a consol...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Palisander

Vintage Custom Pulaski Writing Desk, Style of Theodore Alexander/Maitland Smith
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare custom made vintage desk by Pulaski. Styled after Theodore Alexander/Maitland Smith with tooled leather bound antiquarian stacked books, with a storage drawer. A rare version ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Anna Desk in Black Limed Oak, Handcrafted in Portugal by Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Anna desk is an imposing and elegant writing desk. With a high gloss lacquered body that contrasts with the brushed oak top and feet with lime finish. The delicate brass details add ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Burl Cityscape Executive Desk By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
A period Paul Evans Desk in Cityscape Burl wood. In rather remarkable original condition minus some minor wear and tear that can easily be fixed. Please request additional photos a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Metal Desk, Top Covered with Faux Leather, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Metal desk, top covered with faux leather circa 1960 Maybe a former dentist's office.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Harvey Probber Zebrano & Ebonized Mahogany Two Drawer Desk
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American Mid Century American Harvey Probber Inc. Writing Desk, 1960's. Featuring a rectangular form in mixed wood construction with smooth heavily veneered Zebrawood surface and ski...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Zebra Wood

Small walnut desk with two drawers and storage compartment.
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2641 Small walnut desk with two drawers and storage compartment. Italian manufacture, ca. 1950.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Paolo Piva Style Metal and Glass Desk, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Rectangular dining table with geometric black lacquered metal frame and transparent glass top, in the style of Paolo Piva 1970.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Luigi Caccia Dominioni Folding Desk for Villa Mazzotti, Italy 1946
Located in Milan, IT
Architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni Rare oak wood folding desk for Villa Mazzotti, Milan, Italy Luigi Caccia Dominioni used this form of desk design to...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Salterini Atr. Wrought Iron Wrap Around Vanity Dressing Table Glass Shelves Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Glass measures 3/8'' in thickness.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Limed Oak Desk in the Manner of René Gabriel, France 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The materials and techniques used by mid-century French cabinetmakers were directly derived from the possibilities offered by industrial production at the time. Oak has never gone ou...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare Hand-Painted Lacquered Console/Desk by Allesandro for Baker, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent console is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. A ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Leather

Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-16-A Z-Element Table / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Its expressive form offers a c...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Vintage Danish Modern Teak Desk
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a vintage Danish Modern Teak Desk. Featuring a straight line design, checkerboard top, large filing cabinet drawer,...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Teak

1960s, Danish Roswood Wall-Mounted Bar / Desk by Erik Buch for Dyrlund
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Closed dimensions - height: 55cm, depth: 39cm, width: 127cm Open dimensions - height: 78cm, depth: 70cm, width: 127cm A beautifully figured 1960s Danish rosewood wall-mounted bar or desk by Erik Buch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Cini Boeri for Knoll Lunario Cantilevered Table/Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern desk features a polished stainless steel base with a 1/2 inch thick cantilever glass top. By Cini Boeri for Knoll ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons Italian Walnut Asymmetrical Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Diminutive midcentury angled student desk in Italian walnut designed by Bertha Schaefer for M. Singer & Sons (Model 2162 - USA, ca. 1955). Often co-attributed to Gio Ponti, who also...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1960s Desk, Günter Renkel
Located in Neuss, NW
Minimalistic freestanding desk from the 1960s by Günter Renkel for Rego Möbel. Corpus in teak veneer with three drawers, a bookcase on the rear and square steel feet in black. Quali...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Bureau Modèle B40
Located in Paris, FR
Solid elm desk
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Coast Table Square by Sun at Six, Nude Minimalist Dining Table or Desk in Wood
Located in San Jose, CA
Sun at Six is a contemporary furniture design studio that works with traditional Chinese joinery masters to handcraft our pieces using traditional joinery. Handcrafted using traditio...
Category

2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Teak & Chrome Base Mid Century Danish Modern Petit Desk Console Writing Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Teak & Chrome Base Mid Century Danish Modern Petit desk Console writing table.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Rare Hans Wegner Desk Model AT325 by Andreas Tuck, 1960
Located in Oirlo, LI
Rare Hans Wegner Desk Model AT325 by Andreas Tuck, 1960 Hans Wegner desk model AT325 for Andreas Tuck, Denmark. This is an oak desk and we had it completely renovated by a furnitu...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Mid Century Modern Vintage Metal Glass Desk by Max Sauze France c 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage dining table, which is a fantastic foldable chromed metal construction with a clear glass top (thickness 0.32 in = 0.8 cm). This minimalistic Desk or Dinin...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen, 1950s, Rare Oak Wishbone Desk, Model JH-563
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Hans Wegner (Danish 1914-2007) Model JH-563 Freestanding Desk, also known as the Wishbone or 'V' Desk, designed by Wegner and made by cabinetmakers Johannes Hansen in Copenhagen, Den...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

1950's Mid-Century Modernist Floating Top Curved Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Stylize your room with this impressive writing desk. This unusual desk takes its inspiration from Art Deco design. It has a curved design that gives it a distinctive appeal and a lar...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1970s Monumental Executive Floating Lucite and Wood Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning lucite desk you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Lucite, Wood

Desk Console Table Wood Metal and Leather by Gervasoni. Italy, 2000s
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

Le Corbusier L6 Style Table Base for Cassina
Located in New York, NY
Le Corbusier L6 style table base for Cassina. Selling without glass.
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Charlotte Perriand Pine Desk for Les Arcs with Matching Stool, 1960s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Charlotte Perriand desk for Les Arcs. circa 1960s. Comes with matching stool. This gorgeous solid pine desk can be used as a console or writing desk. Beautiful vintage condition...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Elegant Vintage Faux Tortoiseshell Oil Drop Lacquer Extension Dining Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. An ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sleek writing desk featuring a dual-panel tabletop with a crisp white finish and red trim. This piece offers a minimalist aesthetic perfect for any contemporary space. The sturdy met...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful organic shaped walnut base and silvered glass top. I was not able to get a good picture of the top.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Veneered Walnut Writing Table
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant Italian design desk from 1930 with seven drawers in excellent condition. This desk is made entirely of veneered walnut, elegantly finished, as you can see from the details ...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Italian Midcentury Desk with Glass Top from the 70s
Located in bari, IT
Typical 70's desk with chromed steel trestles and smoked glass top.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Crystal, Steel

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Foldable Metal Dining Table Max Sauze, circa 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
This fantastic foldable metal construction with a loose smoked glass plate ( thickness 0.8 cm ) was designed by Max Sauze, circa 1970, France. It is great to use as a dining table or...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Danish Teak Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish made mid-century modern desk in teak wood grain. Four drawers and finished back. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Elmwood B40 Desk by Pierre Chapo in Black Ash, France, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pierre Chapo; B40 desk; Elm; France; 1970s; Mid-Century Modern, Rustic; Postmodern; Cabinets; Black ash; Exceptional B40 desk by Pierre Chapo crafted from solid elmwood in black ash. This piece dates back to the 1970s and adds a vintage touch to your workspace. The carved tabletop...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Mid-Century Bespoke Long Writing Table, High Gloss Lacquered Walnut Veneer, 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
Hand crafted long writing table manufactured in Italy, c. 1960.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Italian Walnut, Beech and Brass Writing Table Desk by Gio Ponti for BNL
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic writing table designed in the 1940s by Gio Ponti for Schirolli to furnish BNL (Banca Nazionale del Lavoro) offices across Italy. This early 1950s model was acquired directly f...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Square Stainless Profile Base Glass Top Dining Writing Work Station Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern square stainless profile base 3/4" glass top dining writing work station table. Glass measures 3/4'' in thickness.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Baker Country French Black Lacquer Gold Trim Leather Desk Console
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Black lacquer embossed green lather top French Provincial writing table or desk with three drawers by Baker. Stunning looking piece.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-19-A Administration Desk / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
This item is raw and sturdy. Its rugged textures and bold lines define that radical character. Its presence is uncompromising and captivating. Each piece is slightly different, where...
Category

Early 1600s Indian Antique Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Made to Measure Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Mid-Century Modern Made to Measure desk.Design by Cees Braakman for Pastoe.Striking Dutch design from the 1960s.Original teak veneered base with three drawers wi...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Studio BBPR for Olivetti Spazio desk with mobile cabinet and type writer desk
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
the designed office. a collectors table designed by the „workshop of modernity“: bbpr’s ‚spazio‘ desk. banfi, belgiojoso, peressutti and rogers (bbpr) we...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Diagonal Desk By Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Diagonal Desk By Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Giovanni Offredi (born 1927, Milan–died 2007, Milan) was a prominent Italian furniture and...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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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