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Modern Desks and Writing Tables

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Color:  Gold
Modern Chiado Console Table, Red Leather, Stone, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chiado Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Chiado console table honors Lisbon’s historic quarter, cap...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Granite, Onyx, Marble, Brass

Doris Double Pedestal Dining Table in White Carrara Marble and Cast Aluminum
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Dining tables with marble tops and multifaceted pedestals in cast bronze, blackened bronze or aluminum. Inspired by Doric columns in archaic architecture, the extruded multi-point ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Siena Marble, Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Aluminum, Bronze

Doris Oval Double Pedestal Dining Table in Green Marble and Blackened Bronze
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Dining tables with marble tops and multifaceted pedestals in cast bronze, blackened bronze or aluminum. Inspired by Doric columns in archaic architecture, the extruded multi-point star pedestals have a different finish on each vertical face: the cast metal is polished on one side but left raw on the other. The shading is amplified by the different finishes resulting in a dramatic effect. The pedestal(s) can be combined with tops in any kind of marble and with any shape or dimension. Crafted in Tuscany, Italy, in a foundry specialized in bronze sculptures, serving artists among the most renowned in the world. These pieces are part of our Doris collection that also comprises a console, side and coffee tables. Standard top materials: pink Portugal, white Carrara, green Serpentino and gold Calacatta marble. Standard pedestal materials: oxidized bronze, blackened bronze and aluminum (polished and coarse). Standard sizes: round top 5'3" diameter (seats 8) oval top 3'7" x 6'7" (seats 8) rectangular top 3'11” x 7'11” (seats 10) top thickness 0.8" single pedestal 25.2" diameter double pedestal 14.2" diameter each This listing is for a double pedestal oval table...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Aluminum, Bronze

Karl Springer Lucite, Glass and Gold Plated Over Brass Console, Desk or Table
Located in North Miami, FL
This elegant vintage Karl Springer console table, writing desk, entry table or dining table has 4 arched lucite columns that rest on a 22 carat gold plated over brass angled plinth p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold, Brass

Gold Contemporary Rectangular Table, Glass Top and Gold Plated Aluminium Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SEM Gold collection, rectangular table with glass top: extra light transparent glass or smoke grey transparent glass (12 mm thick). Plated aluminium legs finished in 24-karat polishe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold, Aluminum

Doris Double Pedestal Dining Table in White Carrara Marble and Blackened Bronze
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Dining tables with marble tops and multifaceted pedestals in cast bronze, blackened bronze or aluminum. Inspired by Doric columns in archaic architecture, the extruded multi-point ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Aluminum, Bronze

Doris Oval Double Pedestal Dining Table in Green Marble and Cast Aluminum
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Dining tables with marble tops and multifaceted pedestals in cast bronze, blackened bronze or aluminum. Inspired by Doric columns in archaic architecture, the extruded multi-point star pedestals have a different finish on each vertical face: the cast metal is polished on one side but left raw on the other. The shading is amplified by the different finishes resulting in a dramatic effect. The pedestal(s) can be combined with tops in any kind of marble and with any shape or dimension. Crafted in Tuscany, Italy, in a foundry specialized in bronze sculptures, serving artists among the most renowned in the world. These pieces are part of our Doris collection that also comprises a console, side and coffee tables. Standard top materials: pink Portugal, white Carrara, green Serpentino and gold Calacatta marble. Standard pedestal materials: oxidized bronze, blackened bronze and aluminum (polished and coarse). Standard sizes: round top 5'3" diameter (seats 8) oval top 3'7" x 6'7" (seats 8) rectangular top 3'11” x 7'11” (seats 10) top thickness 0.8" single pedestal 25.2" diameter double pedestal 14.2" diameter each This listing is for a double pedestal oval table...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Aluminum, Bronze

Gold Contemporary Rectangular Table, Glass Top and Gold-Plated Aluminium Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sem Gold collection, rectangular table with glass top: extra light transparent glass or smoke grey transparent glass (12 mm thick). Plated aluminium legs finished in 24-karat polishe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Gold

Glass Modern Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Glass modern desk with gold-plated decorative plates, beautifully designed, gold plated plates gives it that elegant and vintage look.
Category

20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold Plate

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Supernova, Recycled Cast Aluminum Trestle Table Legs & Glass by Made in Ratio
Located in London, GB
The contemporary supernova is a dynamic, self-levelling trestle cast entirely from entirely recycled aluminium in a fully sustainable closed-loop factory. Simple and versatile to ori...
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2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Marquetry Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Marquetry console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada. Measures: W 160 x D 34 x H 110.8 cm. Structure in MDF coated with painted multiple veneers. Fronts in matte paint finish. Metal l...
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2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Marquetry Console by Thomas Dariel
Marquetry Console by Thomas Dariel
H 43.63 in W 63 in D 13.39 in
Mastercraft Brass 'Trilobi' Triangular Dining Table or Desk Bases, circa 1970
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 Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rustic Modern Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rustic modern console table, American, 20th century. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a console or sofa table, desk, bar, or medi...
Category

20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rustic Modern Console Table
Rustic Modern Console Table
H 28 in W 61.75 in D 18.25 in
Italian Neoclassic Oval Walnut Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Amazing Italian neoclassic oval walnut dining table, recalling the glory days of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, this stunning dining t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Solid Wood Desk Console Handmade in Organic Design
Located in Dietmannsried, Bavaria
Solid wood desk or console in organic design. Manufactured by German carpenter and sculptor Eckehard Weimann. The furniture is handmade. The body is or...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Supernova, Recycled Cast Aluminum Table Leg in Black by Made in Ratio
Located in London, GB
The contemporary supernova is a dynamic, self-levelling trestle cast entirely from entirely recycled aluminium in a fully sustainable closed-loop factory. Simple and versatile to ori...
Category

2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Schonbuch Bureau Console Table by Earnest Studio
Located in New York, NY
The table from the BUREAU line melds clear modernity with timeless class, its rounded lines being a key design feature. BUREAU is the perfect size for a dining table, but also makes the ideal showcase for creative arrangements of plants or decorative accessories. An eye-catching addition to any space, it can equally well be used as a home office desk. To make space for other things when needed, laptops and office utensils can quickly be stowed in the handy storage compartment under the table top. The compartment is closed on three sides and can be fitted with two electrical sockets if desired. Whether at home or in a hotel room, the elegant BUREAU table complements any interior. The frame is made of solid beech, with an array of matt colors to choose from to add a personal touch. Alternatively, BUREAU is available in bleached, matt maple or oiled, natural walnut wood, with a solid wood top and frame. With the painted versions of BUREAU, the top can additionally be finished with a protective nano coating that is especially resilient and ideal for commercial settings. The BUREAU line also includes a slim console table...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Schonbuch Bureau Console Table by Earnest Studio
Schonbuch Bureau Console Table by Earnest Studio
H 29.14 in W 47.25 in D 13.78 in
Exotic Wood Twin Pedestal Modern Minimal Dining Table from Costantini, Andre
Located in New York, NY
The Andre Table is shown here in natural Argentine Rosewood, with two solid wood pedestals. This piece comes in any of our standard wood species a...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Organic Modern Handmade Portuguese Green Tiles Nouvelle Vague Console Table
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Exceptional in its craftwork, Nouvelle Vague is a console that rejects traditional conventions in favor of experimentation. Round ceramic handmade pieces, painted in a unique craquele glaze are placed around a lacquered center top, creating a sense of movement that evokes the motion of the waves. Our Nouvelle Vague collection is crafted using portuguese hand made tiles...
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21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Supernova, Recycled Cast Aluminum Table Leg in Seagreen by Made in Ratio
Located in London, GB
The contemporary supernova is a dynamic, self-levelling trestle cast entirely from entirely recycled aluminium in a fully sustainable closed-loop factory. Simple and versatile to ori...
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2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Aluminum

Post Modern Marble Glass Dining Table Made in Italy by Artedi
Located in New York, NY
Chic, voguish, and sophisticated late 20th C large dining table by noted Italian furniture maker Artedi. The table features an impressive beveled plate glass top ( 78.25. x 39. 25 x ...
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Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Marble, Brass

Previously Available Items
Shagreen Writing Desk, one off, EDHA by Reda Amalou - Gallery Collection
Located in Paris, FR
The Gallery collection showcases exclusive designs by Reda Amalou. The pieces are crafted by some of the best artisans around the world and are edited as a unique îece or a serie of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Promemoria Leather Desk
Located in Jersey City, NJ
This elegant handmade leather-upholstered desk by Promemoria features red-brown leather with contrast stitching all the way around, a bronze base and two drawers with wooden interior...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Bronze

Promemoria Leather Desk
Promemoria Leather Desk
H 29.88 in W 47.63 in L 29.88 in

Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Marco Zanuso Jr., Finn Juhl, Greenapple, and Elena Salmistraro. 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 $205 and tops out at $76,270 while the average work can sell for $6,480.

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