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
Recognized Seller Listings
Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons #2135 Extendable Dining Table, c 1950, Refinished
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This restored Model 2135 extendable dining table with four leaves by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons features gorgeously veined Italian Walnut with sculpted legs to Gio Ponti's signature...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Giotto Stoppino Set of Desk and Armchair in Yellow Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giotto Stoppino, desk and armchair, lacquered wood, lacquered metal, fabric upholstery, Italy, 1970s
Playful combination of a desk and armchair designed by Italian architect Giotto ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
20th Century Marcel Breuer for Gavina Desk mod. Canaan
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Turin, Turin
Marcel Breuer was a Hungarian-German modernist architect and furniture designer. He became one of the first and youngest students at the Bauhaus – a radical arts and crafts school th...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, cherry, brass, beech, formica, Italy, 1950s
Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The upper part of this piece is made fro...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Beech
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Oak and Granite
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron, desk, oak, granite, France, 1960s
Corner desk by French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This beautiful desk holds the characteristic decorations and lines...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Granite
Silvio Berrone for Bialetti Headquarters Free Standing Writing Desk
By Silvio Berrone
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Berrone for Bialetti headquarters, writing desk, faux leather, brass, stained beech, Vitrex glass, Italy, 1955-56
This writing desk is designed by Silvio Berrone for the Bial...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
American Designer, Desk, Rosewood, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood desk designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova Executive Desk in Black
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova, desk, black lacquered wood, nickel-plated steel, Italy, 1960s
This modern, streamlined writing desk is designed by Gianni Moscatelli in the sixties....
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Nickel
Danish Modern Teak Peter Lovig Nielsen Flip-Top Writing Desk, 1975
Located in Shippensburg, PA
DANISH MODERN PETER LØVIG NIELSEN TEAKWOOD FLIP-TOP WRITING DESK
With Lovig Dansk brand to underside Denmark, manufactured in 1975 (marked to two drawer undersides)
Item # 306OPB21A
This brilliant desk was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and originally was offered finished in teak, oak and rosewood. The present example is the soothing teak veneer.
We love with this design how Lovig utilizes a hinged shelf on the desk top that flips down, allowing the profile and working space to be flexible - flipping down the shelf allows a much larger desk space, while still allowing all of the shelves to be used for storage and organization. The flipping shelf is comfortably divided with open paper compartments, two with a removable dovetailed box...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Jules Wabbes Corner Desk with Drawers in Mutenyé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, corner writing desk, mutenyé, nickel-plated metal, aluminum, Belgium, 1957
Beautifully designed desk by one of Belgium's most renowned designers Jules Wabbes. This pie...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Nickel
Wim Den Boon Dining Table in Mahogany and Black Lacquered Steel
By Wim Den Boon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wim den Boon, dining table, mahogany, lacquered steel, The Netherlands, designed in 1955 and manufactured in 1958.
Exclusive dining table designed by Wim den Boon for a Dutch famil...
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, cherry, mahogany, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s
Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1940s Italian Writing Desk in Ash and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, brass, Italy, 1940s
Made in Italy, this writing desk is a testament to the design ethos prevalent in the 1940s and 1950s. The office table bears witness to the de...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Milo Baughman, Wall-Mounted Desk or Console, Rosewood, Brass, USA, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A rare wall-mounted rosewood and brass desk or console designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Thayer-Coggin, High Point, North Carolina, USA, 1960s.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova Executive Desk
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova, desk, black lacquered wood, nickel-plated steel, Italy, 1960s
This modern, streamlined writing desk is designed by Gianni Moscatelli in the sixtie...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Nickel
Studio BBPR 'Spazio' Corner Desk with Movable Cabinet
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desk with various storage compartments, coated steel, plastic, fabric, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s
In 1954, Olivetti, the Ita...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Milo Baughman, Rare Desk, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A rare walnut and brass desk designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Glenn of California, USA, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Rare Jules Wabbes Executive Corner Desk in Wengé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, writing desk with drawer compartments, wengé, metal, lacquered wood, Belgium, 1960s.
This corner desk is designed by Jules Wabbes. The table is executed with a solid w...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Metal
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl Directors Writing Desk in Fiberglass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, Directors writing desk, fiberglass, Germany, 1970s
This design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies – a bright and bold era – featuring the com...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fiberglass
Studio BBPR for Olivetti Small 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s
In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, h...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Unique Italian Large Wall Unit with Writing Desk in Maple and Birch
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wardrobe with writing desk, birch, maple, fabric, glass, brass, coated steel, Italy, 1950s
Hailing from a skilled artisan of Italy, this exceptional set embodies a unique combinatio...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
Rare Ico Parisi for Fratelli Rizzi Writing Desk in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ico Parisi for Fratelli Rizzi, Intimiano, writing desk, cat. no, '1950.56', chestnut, Italy, 1950
This highly refined writing table is designed by the acknowledged master of Italian...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chestnut
Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Stained Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, corner desk, stained oak, France, 1960s
This executive desk shows the fine craftsmanship and aesthetic characteristics of designer duo Guillerme and Chambron....
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desks in Grey Coated Steel
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desks, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s
In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
20th Century Melchiorre Bega Desk with wooden structure, drawers Brass details
Located in Turin, Turin
Born in Bologna but grown up in Milan, Melchiorre Bega is a fine professional who spans five decades and three seasons of Italian architecture, from rationalism to international styl...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desk with Drawers in Grey Coated Steel
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s
In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, h...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Sears Roebuck & co., Writing Desk, Oak, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small solid oak writing desk from the "Harmony House Ranch-Mode"-series, designed and produced by Sears Roebuck & co, USA, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Studio BBPR Versatile ‘Spazio’ Table
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' table, steel, felt, vinyl, plastic, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s
In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufacturer, hired B...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Warren Platner Writing Desk with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, leather, metal, oak, United States, design 1973
This heavy, sturdy desk is designed by the American modernist Warren Platner. He is most know...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Pietro Lingeri Desk in Briar Root Veneer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pietro Lingeri, desk, briar root veneer, glass, brass, metal, Italy, 1930s
This rationalist desk is designed by the Italian architect Pietro Lingeri. The desk features several compa...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Unique Italian Sculptural Free Standing Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Executive desk, walnut, brass, glass, Italy, 1950s
Made in Italy, this writing desk is designed according to the midcentury design principles that were in vogue in the fifties. The ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Oak and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desk, oak, leather, France, 1960s.
This desk is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds an utter...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Set with Desk, Sideboard and Table
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' set with desk with drawers sideboard and side table with drawers, steel, vinyl, plastic, Italy, ca. 1960
This olive green industrial office set w...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
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
Jules Wabbes Early Versatile Free-Standing Corner Desk in Wengé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, two-part corner writing desk, teak, coated steel, wengé, chrome, Belgium, 1960s
This exceptional free-standing corner desk was crafted by the renowned designer Jules W...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Unique Multi-Tier Desk by Eben W. Haskell Studio
By Haskell Studio
Located in New York, NY
Walnut. Organic-from structure, with 5 independent arms. Each arm supporting a horizontal surface. This desk has 2 pencil drawers & one large file drawer. A fantastic California stud...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rectangular Table or Desk in Solid Wengé
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table or desk, solid wengé, Northern Europe, 1960s
This rectangular shaped table is completely executed in solid wengé. The corpus is structured in a horizontal manner, whic...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wenge
Free-Standing Corner Desk in Solid Wengé
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Free-standing writing desk, solid wengé, Northern Europe, 1960s
This rectangular shaped table is completely executed in solid wengé. The corpus is structured in a horizontal manner...
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wenge
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desks in Oak and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desks, oak, leather, France, 1960s.
This set of desks is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
Studio BBPR for Olivetti Spazio Desk
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio B.B.P.R. for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, metal, vinyl, plastic, Italy, circa 1960
This industrial 'Spazio' desk is designed by Studio B.B.P.R. A black vinyl tablet...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk, Style of Gio Ponti, c 1950s, Refinished
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully refinished Mid-Century Modern desk produced in Italy circa 1950s. Featuring black steel and wood frame with large brass elements and alternating black and white drawer fr...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Karl Springer Ming Writing Desk/Console in Embossed Crocodile 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted Ming Writing Desk/Console in lacquered embossed crocodile leather with 3 drawers by Karl Springer, American 1970's. This was originally designed as a console whi...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Early Franco Albini for Knoll Model '80' Desk
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini for Knoll, model 80, glass, lacquered wood, lacquered steel, Italy, 1949
Franco Albini’s model 80 desk combines glass, steel and wood which resu...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Luther Conover, Desk, Mahogany, Iron, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and black-painted iron desk designed by Luther Conover and produced by Luther Conover Inc. USA, 1950s
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Multifunctional Table
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
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
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
American Designer, Desk, Oak, Bamboo, Rattan, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A small oak, bamboo and rattan writing desk designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Oak
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
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
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
Mid-Century Victorian-Style White Painted Wicker and Wood Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Victorian-style white painted wicker writing desk with a wooden rectangular with rounded corners, a short back gallery with two small basket compartments, resting on wick...
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Wicker
Standard Furniture Co. American Dark Wood Veneer & Brass Executive Desk
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Mid-Century-style dark wood veneer executive desk with an angular desktop supported by two column drawers with front privacy panel, resting on four tapered wood and bras...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
French Writing Desk in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, pine, France, 1960s
This writing desk of French origin has a splendid construction that epitomizes a simplistic, natural and timeless aesthetic. The design is charact...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Studio BBPR for Olivetti 'Spazio' Desks in Grey Coated Steel
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desks, coated steel, plastic, vinyl, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s
In 1954, Olivetti, the Italian office equipment manufactur...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Italian Modern Walnut and Rootwood Desk, Attributed to Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rootwood Desk, attributed to Gio Ponti.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Warren Platner for Knoll Writing Desk in Cherry and Black Leather
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, cherry, chrome-plated metal, black leather, United States, 1970s.
This writing table with two drawers and an extendable panel...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
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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