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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
White Ángulo Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte powder coating.
The Ángulo Desk was desi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
$2,650 / item
Cantilever Desk by Phaedo
Located in Geneve, CH
Cantilever desk by Phaedo
Dimensions: W 60" x D 24" x H 45" inches
Materials: Natural Black Walnut
The Cantilever Desk draws upon the form and function of the seating in this series of work.
Phaedo is a sculpture and design company founded by Morgan Spaulding.
At once playful and restrained, somber and lively, Spaulding’s art and furniture personify the ambiguous curvatures of ethereal in-betweens: dreamstates, memories in recession, thresholds in passing.
In balanced practice, Spaulding’s ornamental sculpture...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$9,849 / item
Little Shanghai Desk in Olive Wood and Black Sycamore Silver Painted Leg
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Little Shanghai desk in olive wood and black sycamore silver painted leg. There are two drawers on each side.
The and sides are in olive and black...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Ángulo Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with galvanized aluminum, coated with matte powder coating.
The Ángulo Desk was desi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
$2,650 / item
Modern Wood and Glass Desk at cost price.
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
One-drawer desk with onyx, top in glass showing a ceramic plate.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx
$4,536 Sale Price
68% Off
Dawkins Desk
Located in New York, NY
CREATE YOUR HOME OFFICE IN STYLE
Discover Michael's D A W K I N S Desk today! Bespoke sizes available upon request
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$6,100
Poet Table
Located in New York, NY
Perfectly shaped desk. Ideal for an office or as a console in a foyer. Bespoke configurations available upon request
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$5,610 / item
Rare Hand Painted Pedestal Desk by the Artist Ambrose Thomas Marquis d'Oisy
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand painted circa 1940 solid oak best by the Marquis d'Oisy Ambrose Thomas (1880-1959)
The painted pedestal desk is circa 1940-1950...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$2,904 Sale Price
30% Off
Unique Gold Brass and Rough Black Slate Sculpted Console by Frederic Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass and slate sculpted console by Frederic Saulou
Intègre
Console
Black Slate, chemical engrave brass
Measures: L 150 x W 35 x H 90 cm, approxim...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Slate, Brass
Trace Table in Contemporary White Powder-Coated Steel and Ebonized Maple
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Through a single, contiguous line, the legs of the trace define the edge, rotating and pivoting each time there is a change in plane. The line is only interrupted by a slight idiosyn...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Shika Desk by A+A Cooren
Located in Geneve, CH
Shika desk by A+A Cooren
Materials: Base in chromed or black lacquered metal. Upper top in green, gray, or beige lacquered MDF Lower top in white lacquered MDF
Dimensions:
Upper she...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$1,667 / item
Kartell Viscount of Wood Table by Philippe Stark in Ash and Black Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Viscount of wood tables are the latest addition. These naturally composed tables complement the collection's choice of seats and create a sustainable livin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Kartell Viscount of Wood Table by Philippe Stark in Walnut and Black Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Viscount of wood tables are the latest addition. These naturally composed tables complement the collection's choice of seats and create a sustainable livin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Original Shagreen Gilt Metal Writing Table Desk with Single-Drawer
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning RRP £13,000 original shagreen black lacquered with gold gilt metal detailing writing table desk
This is a very substantial desk. Shagreen for those of you who aren’t familiar is shark or ray skin. There are reproductions skins available however these are totally original, the way to tell apart from the feel is on the reproductions each skin is exactly the same, on the real hide...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Shagreen
$6,777 Sale Price
30% Off
Gentile Solid Wood Desk, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural grey Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Aesthetics and functionality combine in the Ideale solid wood desk. A piece of high quality craftsmanship tailor-made for everyday use as well as to furnish with style. The desk feat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Nestep by DMNTS Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Nestep by DMNTS Design
Dimensions: 20 x 40 x 20 cm
Materials: Recycled fibre-glass and expanded plastic boards
Unique piece.
NESTEP, is based on the reuse of manufacturin...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plastic, Fiberglass
$4,018 / item
Blue and Brass Rockconsole, Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue and brass Rockconsole, royal stranger
Dimensions: Width 160cm, height 90cm, depth 50cm
Materials: lacquered body suspended by stainless steel coated in brass leg, docked on a ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$15,699 / item
Office Nutshell by Deborah Bowmann, Belgium, 2022
By Deborah Bowmann
Located in Antwerp, BE
This piece was created by artist duo Deborah Bowmann. The table was exhibited when they did the scenography of our Art Brussels booth in 2022. Later that year, the table also became ...
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 140 x D 60 x H 75 cm
Materials: Walnut Natur, Black Metal...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$3,987 / item
Ash Noir Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Noir Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 140 x D 60 x H 75 cm
Materials: Ash Noir, Black Metal.
Fra...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
$3,319 / item
Oak Natur Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Natur Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 160 x D 80 x H 75 cm
Materials: Oak Natur, Black Metal.
F...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$4,453 / item
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 160 x D 80 x H 75 cm
Materials: Walnut Natur, Black Metal...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$5,085 / item
Original Ocean Travertine Desk by Clement Brazille
Located in Geneve, CH
Original Ocean travertine desk by Clement Brazille
Material : Ocean travertine stone
Dimensions : 160 x 75 x 74 cm
Signed and numbered by Clément B...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Travertine
$19,699 / item
Big Crocco Desk by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Crocco desk by Egg Designs
Dimensions: 60 L X 160 D X 74.5 H cm
Materials: Ardmore ceramics, Glass, Walnut, Genuine Crocodile Skin Handles
Founded by South Africans and life...
Category
2010s South African Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$10,936 / item
Marble Desk by Jonathan Hansen
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble desk by Jonathan Hansen
9 Editions + 1 AP
Dimensions: 116.8 x 55.9 x 76.2 cm
Materials: Calacatta marble, architectural bronze, Resin
Se...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$78,796 / item
Modern Handpainted Hardwood Console Desk SideTable Dilmos Colourful Geometric
Located in Milan, IT
Console, support surface and desk, interchangeable according to desire. Handpainted hardwood structure embellished with hand-drawn graphic details designed by the author, then protec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Acrylic, Hardwood, Paint
Graphite Secretaire Desk, Pols Potten Studio
By Pols Potten
Located in Geneve, CH
Graphite secretaire desk - Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W119 x D59 x H75.5 cm.
Materials: Black powder coated iron frame, graphite plated aluminium top
Pols Potten products...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Iron
$3,151 / item
Savignyplatz Desk by Sebastian Herkner in Solid Oak Wood
Located in Toronto, ON
The Savignyplatz in Berlin is an idyllic park and square named after jurist Friedrich Carl von Savigny. Savigny was hailed throughout Germany as the founder of modern jurisprudence a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Console Table in Contemporary Blackened Steel and White Washed Ash
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The clean lines and simple form of the a-console convey a sense of lightness and precision. A small reveal at the corners expresses the connection to the top and the structure hidden...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Constantine Oak and Metal Writing Desk, Bronze Age Collection by Mark Zeff
By Mark Zeff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Constantine writing desk from Blackbarn bronze age collection by Mark Zeff, oak stand with metal and leather side panels.
Bronze Age collection by Mark Zeff
Bronze Age is a furnitur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
21st Century by Arch.K.Hacke Marble Table/Desk with wood lacquered Drawers
Located in massa, IT
Marble table/desk "Hacke S" with wood lacquered drawers designed by K.Hacke
Size: cm. 200 x 88 x 75 H.
Materials: White Carrara - Black Marquinia - Calacatta - Imperial Bardiglio
Des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Contemporary Vittoriale Writing Desk in Aluminium by Altreforme
Located in Calolziocorte (Lecco) Italy, IT
Refined desk paying tribute to the famous author Gabriele D'Annunzio and his luxury residence on Garda lake.
Pricing excludes VAT.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
21st Cent. Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Marquinia Marble Top Mat Base
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
"Symmetric" Console / Desk, Black Walnut, Patina Steel
Located in North Branch, NY
The "Symmetric" console / desk is a perfectly balanced design of interlocking steel plate joinery and a solid black walnut surface. Customizable to any variation of dimensions, mater...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Quaderna Desk by Superstudio 1970’s
Located in London, England
Quaderna writing desk designed Superstudio Zanotta.
1970s original.
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Laminate
Modernist Steel and Glass Desk, French Early-Mid 20th Century
By Le Corbusier
Located in London, GB
A sculptural statement desk in patinated black enamelled steel, with new floating frosted glass top. Le Corbusier-esque in it’S Form - a nod to both modernism and industrialism. Fren...
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Moooi Paper LHS Desk in Wood & Cardboard with Oak Veneer Top by Studio Job
By Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Despite the advances made in technology, many of us still use paper pad and pen for grocery lists, notes & cards while sitting busily at our desks. But have you ever dreamt of a clas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
A-Table in Contemporary Blackened Steel and White Washed Maple
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The clean lines and simple form of the A-Table convey a sense of lightness and precision. A small reveal at the corners expresses the connection to the top and the structure hidden w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Matte Stainless Steel Decorative Engraving Top Side Ebony Macassar Front Drawers
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Italian Hollywood Regency Bimetal Bicolor Table or Desk, in Romeo Rega Style
By Romeo Rega
Located in Telgte, DE
Italian Hollywood Regency bimetal bicolor table desk metal gilded brass
Italy, stunning table. Impressive Geometric base made of chromed and brass-plated steel. Can be used as a din...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Metal
21st Century by Arch.K.Hacke Marble Table/Consolle in P.Serena & B.Pennsylvania
Located in massa, IT
Marble table/console "Hacke Tavolo" designed by K. Hacke
Size: cm. 200 x90 x 73 H.
Materials: Bianco Pennsylvania + Pietra Serena.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
J1 Blackened Steel Desk by Edelman New York
Located in New York, NY
The hot rolled J Desk is New York sleek. She's hot and cool, smooth and effortless. Dark, but transparent about it. Hides nothing, elevating your home character.
Featuring removable arch desk...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$27,500 / item
Oak Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Natur Frame Office Table M by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 140 x D 60 x H 75 cm
Materials: Oak Natur, Black Metal.
F...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$3,569 / item
Ash Noir Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Noir Frame Office Table L by Milla & Milli
Signed by Maša Vukmanović, Jelena Lukač Kirš, Jakov Šrajer
Dimensions: W 160 x D 80 x H 75 cm
Materials: Ash Noir, Black Metal.
Fra...
Category
2010s Croatian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
$4,083 / item
Set of 2 Nestep by DMNTS Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 nestep by DMNTS Design
Dimensions: 20 x 40 x 20 cm (each piece)
Materials: Recycled fibre-glass and expanded plastic boards
One of a kind.
NESTEP, is based on the...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plastic, Fiberglass
$8,024 / set
Blue and Brass Rockconsole, Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue and brass rock console, Royal Stranger.
Dimensions: width 160cm, height 90cm, depth 50cm
Materials: lacquered body suspended by stainless steel coated in brass leg, docked on ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$15,699 / item
Plume Osis Block Desk by Llot Llov
Located in Geneve, CH
Plume Osis block desk by Llot Llov
Dimensions: H 100 x W 90 x D 40 cm
Materials: birch
Pattern: Plume
Also available in mouse, lime, yeti.
With the new OSIS BLOCK EDITION, which is inspired by the shape of various rectangular bodies and is used as coffee tables or desks, the design duo LLOT LLOV presents the new colours of the OSIS surface. Inspired by the first furniture edition of OSIS – these three tables are a further development, which present the OSIS surface very well with particularly large surfaces, as one can dive into the depths of the pattern when looking at them.
Behind the LLOT LLOV brand is the studio for product and interior design as well as the producer of furniture, objects, lighting and surfaces. Since their foundation in 2006 by Ania Bauer and Jacob Brinck, the two Berlin based author designers have established themselves internationally. One of their recognizable features is the reinterpretation of traditional arts and crafts brought into a contemporary design context.
An example of this is OSIS, an innovative surface finish using salt...
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch
$5,384 / item
Bow Tie Table in Contemporary Blackened Steel and White Washed Maple
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Viewed from one end, the top and base of the bow tie appear to come together in a simple connection of the two materials along the same plane. As the viewer turns the corner, an unex...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
21st Century Modern Wooden Table with White Laminated Top Ermete Made in Italy
Located in Sant'Elena, IT
The new family of tables defined by an innovative connection system between the parts (table-top and legs) that is completely hidden.
The table design allows an expansive solution ranging from small tables to large meeting tables...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Laminate, Wood, Oak
Maree Table / Desk, IT
Located in New York, NY
The desk features two solid brass bases and a resin cast top, designed to achieve a liquid-look surface; it is finished with brush strokes of more textured resin, applied with a flui...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Price Upon Request
Contemporary Claro Walnut Live Edge Table with Cast Bronze Edge
Located in Sebastopol, CA
Handcrafted by Taylor Donsker in Northern California, the cast edge desk features a cast bronze live edge seamlessly attached to a single slab of highly figured Claro walnut. The woo...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Price Upon Request
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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