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 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
Mid-Century Modern Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perfect for any home office or study, this beautiful Mid-Century Modern desk shows off a rich woodgrain and sturdy construction. A small hutch and drawer a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto Desk/Dining Table by Franco Albini for Poggi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Rare Johan Tapp for Gumps Desk
By Gumps, Johan Tapp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Johan Tapp designed this beautiful writing desk, constructed of Koa wood for San Francisco emporium Gumps
On the right, four individually sized drawers feature bookmatched fronts ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Walnut Brassy Gold
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a bevelled wooden top. The irregular b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Maple Prairie Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Ate Van Apeldoorn Pine Waterfall Dining Table or Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Ate Van Apeldoorn pine waterfall table is the perfect balance between stunning craftsmanship and minimalistic design. Lightly refinished, in otherwise original condition this ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
French Futurist / Mid-Century Modern Trapezoid Desk by Alain Marcoz, circa 1956
By Alain Marcoz
Located in New York, NY
A rare and important desk by French avant-garde architect Alain Marcoz; the piece was hand made for his Parisian home, circa 1956. The desk or writing table in solid oak has a unique...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
White Mid Century Table Made in´50s Czechia, Designed by František Jirák
By Tatra, Frantisek Jirak
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
White mid century table made in´50s Czechia. Designed by František Jirák and made by Tatra Nábytok. The table is made out of lacquered w...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Italian Red Lacquered Wood Desk from the 50s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Red lacquered wood desk from the 50s, Italian.
Desk 1950s
Country: Italian
Materials: Red lacquered wood
Finish: polyurethanic lacquer
It is an ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in Grenoble, FR
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s
model made for Sonacotra fireplaces and available in several versions. Very good condition of the top, scratches from use on the base
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Wood
Cabinet with Flowers Inlaid Inside, Mounted on an X-Shaped Base in Gilt Metal
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cabinet with flowers inlaid inside, mounted on an X-shaped base in gilt metal.
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1950s
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Guillerme et Chambron, Tile-Topped Oak Writing Table, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Tilework executed by Boleslaw Danikowski.
Robert Guillerme placed equal emphasis on function and aesthetics, creating a look as staid as it was arresting. While his work was in ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ceramic, Oak
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 Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Elegant Desk in Blackened Wood and Leather circa 1950 Patina to Be Redone, Leath
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elegant desk in blackened wood and leather, circa 1950
Patina to be redone, leather to be changed.
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
French Modern Neoclassical Ebony & Leather Desk /Writing Table, JeanMichel Frank
Located in New York, NY
An elegant French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical desk in the style of Jean-Michel Frank. The piece was hand made by a small French workshop and is original in design, handsome and f...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
50° Desk in Wood Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Wood desk from the 50s, Italian.
Desk 1950s
Country: Italian
Finish: polyurethanic lacquer
It is an elegant and sophisticated desk.
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Poul Nørreklit For Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik, Wood
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern desk by Poul Nørreklit For Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik, Wood and Plexiglass, 1970s.
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood
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
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-TAT-05-A Architect Table / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
Although delicate in its appearance, this piece was designed from a constructive, pragmatic point of view. The relationship between different shapes ensures a balanced composition. T...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
50° Desk Italian, Material, Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
wood desk from the 50s, Italian.
Desk 1950s
Country: Italian
Finish: polyurethanic lacquer
It is an elegant and sophisticated desk.
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Copper State River Table
Located in Frankfurt, KY
A bird's eye view of a desert river, reimagined as functional art. Spalted maple from the Atlantic coast in a unique combination; hand-cut inlaid pacifica blue glass and custom solid copper bowtie keys both divide the glass and join together the two pieces of maple. Completed with bespoke steel frame to complete this one-of-a-kind river table...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Copper, Steel
1970-1980s, Vintage Console Tabel/Writing Table, Structure in Plexiglass
Located in Milan, IT
Vintage console from the seventies, eighties, Italian manufacture.
The console has a completely plexiglass structure and iron footrest.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-TA-11-A Collapsible Work Table / Authentic Mid-Century
Located in Zürich, CH
The relationship between the different shapes ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both ten...
Category
1960s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Cedar
Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant proportions, conical tapering legs and brass X-handles. Reminiscent of Tommi Parzinger. This item should be purchased with the intent to refinish. Structurally sound.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Swedish Sycamore Drop Leaf Desk
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage Swedish sycamore drop leaf desk, dating from the 1960’s.
This is of amazing quality and has a wonderful design. It is large and impressive, with...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Modernist Table from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rectangular stainless steel framed dining table/ desk with a white marble top. Two tables could be placed end to end to make one continuous ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Chrome, Steel
Modern Black Lacquer Occasional Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage modern occasional table and desk, in black lacquered wood, featuring a glass top shelf, lower wooden shelf, and brass fixtures. This piece showcases both straight and tapered...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Postmodern 'Martino' Dining Table by Gigi Sabadin for Emme, Italy, 1973
By Emme, Gigi Sabadin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gigi Sabadin dining table, Emme Italy, 1970s, beechwood
The table show smart architectural lines and well-considered use of materials, which are clearly visible in the little det...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Italian Console, Pine Wood, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Console, Pine Wood, 1960s
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Custom Genuine Watersnake Python Writing Desk with Stainless Steel X Band Base
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Customizable options:
Finish textile size hardware.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
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
Pair of Midcentury Chromed Steel Italian Trestles After Milo Baughman, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous pair of midcentury trestles fully made in chromed steel. These incredibly stylish trestles were designed in Italy after Milo Baughman during the 1970s.
These versatile tres...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Stone Steel Minimalist Table by William Katavolos, Ross Littell & Douglas Kelly
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Minimalist desk or table fashioned from a rectangular slab of black granite perforated by stainless steel column legs.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Granite, Steel
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955
Located in New York City, NY
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel for Maison Internationale Paris, France, c. 1955.
This elegant desk consists of a solid oak construction, dark for...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Desk by A. Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen for Willy Beck Cabinetmaker
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Interesting and rare Danish designed desk by A. Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen and manufactured by Willy Beck. Desk features a 21-inch drop-leaf. Ta...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Teak
1950s Television table/desk from Televise
By Teleavia
Located in London, Lambeth
Super Stylist table originally used for vintage TV easily re used as a desk
angled black legs with polished oak surface sitting on castors make it easy
for mobility. Cc Italian
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Maple Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Maple Black
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Michel Boyer Console Table with Modular Aluminum Structure in X
By Michel Boyer
Located in Grenoble, FR
Michel Boyer (1935-2011)
Console table with modular aluminum structure in X, supporting a glass top Around 1968
AG Bibliography:- FAVARDIN Patrick, Les Décorateurs des 1970s, éd....
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Wood, Leather and Bronze Desk, Argentina, circa 1950
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Wood, leather and bronze desk. Argentina, circa 1950.
Category
1950s Argentine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage Henredon Taliesin Mahogany Desk 1955/56
Located in Camden, ME
A classic nine drawer mahogany desk designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his Taliesin line for Heritage Henredon furniture.
Beautifully detailed with a continuous incised carved greek ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Fine French Mid-Century Lacquered Desk by Raphael
Located in Long Island City, NY
Raphael (Raphael Raffel, 1912-2000) Rare Beka lacquer pedestal desk with three drawers, a black lacquered base and bronze details.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Fine French 1950s Leather Covered Desk and Chairs by Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacques Adnet (1900 - 1984) - A fine French mid-century leather-covered curved desk with patinated metal details, a compass style cherry frame with tapered legs finished with silver-...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Cherry
Bloch Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
This piece belonged to BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING which commissioned its interiors to Joaquim Tenreiro and Sergio Rodrigues.
This desk presents both a patrimony label with an identification number as well as labels from "Tenreiro Moveis e Decoracoes...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
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.