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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Gold Contemporary Square Table, Glass Top and Gold-Plated Aluminium Legs
By SEM, Paolo Rizzo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SEM Gold collection, square table with glass top: extra light transparent glass or smoke grey transparent glass (12 mm thick). Plated aluminium legs finished in 24-karat polished or ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold, Aluminum
St. Charles Desk by Volk
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown:
Bleached ash veneer with solid ash, marble and inset leather blotter.
Poplar drawers with turned brass drawer pulls
Powder coated steel base
Flat waterborne finish
D...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel, Brass
Paris Bureau White and Gray Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic
Located in Kolkata, IN
Paris Bureau White and Gray Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic is an extraordinary console/writing table, with two drawers. It is available in a ran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Resin
"Dalsace" Desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
"Dalsace" desk in the manner of Pierre Chareau. Handcrafted in the Los Angeles and French workshops of noted French designer and antiques deal...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Gold Contemporary Square Table, Smoke Glass Top and Gold-Plated Aluminium Legs
By SEM, Paolo Rizzo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SEM Gold collection, square table with glass top: extra light transparent glass or smoke grey transparent glass (12 mm thick). Plated aluminium legs finished in 24-karat polished or ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Gold
EPIC Metal Desk by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
EPIC metal desks semi-circle embodies power and confidence. The finishes consist of a Handcrafted textured aged brass front center leg and three drawer fronts and a black bronze steel top and outer legs.
Customization available upon request.
Featured in Elle Decor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
"Il Pezzo 10 Console" solid walnut - polished brass casting base - three drawers
Located in Firenze, IT
Rigid, strong and impenetrable, like a medieval Florentine palace, it seems to be suspended and floating over an imaginary Arno river. Il Pezzo 10 Console...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold, Brass, Gold Plate
Paris Bureau Gray and White Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic
Located in Kolkata, IN
Paris Bureau Gray and White Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic is an extraordinary console/writing table, with two drawers. It is available in a ran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Resin
Saki Naka, Table, Matang
By Lucien Dumas, Matang
Located in Paris, FR
A rectangular wood and marble table.
The rectangular tabletop is made out of Grey marble from Kishangarh, on eight walnut legs assembled as compasses joined with white marble keys f...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
General Study Desk Writing Table in Brass by Matteo Cibic
Located in Kolkata, IN
General Study Desk Writing Table in Brass by Matteo Cibic is a chic study table in brass, with an extendable writing top and small details, reminiscent of a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Custom Modern Walnut Table with Leaves by Dos Gallos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom modern table with two separate 18 inch extension leaves that slide in on each side. Starting out at 60 inches long and expands to 96 inches. As shown, in Walnut, with custom f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Tulare Demilune Desk
By Jerry Nance
Located in New Hampton, NY
Shown in oiled walnut and gunmetal steel with burnished bronze hardware, the Tulare demilune desk features two solid wood drawers, custom made hardware a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Solid Wood Writer's Desk Maple with Steel Joinery and Removable Legs
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
This writer's desk is an exercise in restraint. This sleek desk’s tapered legs are made from solid Walnut and are detachable thanks to the custom blackene...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
21st Century Sean Desk in Wood with Top in Leather by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Elegant, functional and comfortable, the Sean desk plays the leading role in the office environment. Made in Tay wood tinted smoky grey, it features inserts with a bronzed finish and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Bronze Age Desk by Mark Zeff
By Mark Zeff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bronze Age desk by Mark Zeff, hot rolled steel with wood tanned top.
Bronze Age collection by Mark Zeff
Bronze Age is a furniture collection designed by Mark Zeff. Zeff takes ins...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Machined Aluminum Dining Table with Glass Top
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Custom-built Modernist dining table with a machined aluminum base. Perfect for the Futurist and Modernist setting. The table would work well as a large desk.
Category
1990s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
ClassiCon Orcus Desk in Walnut by Konstantin Grcic
Located in New York, NY
Orcus desk in walnut by Konstantin Grcic. Secretary desk in MDF and plywood, veneered, drop-flap writing surface, 4 drawers, secret compartment, storage spa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood
Walnut and Antique Nickel Small Dining Table
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A newer addition to Stephen Kenn's The Inheritance Collection-dining. A solid walnut and steel dining table with simple, minimal and modern lines. Pairs well with the Inheritance Din...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
ClassiCon Orcus Desk in Lacquered White by Konstantin Grcic
Located in New York, NY
Orcus Desk in high gloss lacquer by Konstantin Grcic. Secretary desk in high gloss lacquered drop-flap writing surface, 4 drawers, secret compartment, stora...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Amuneal's Loft 4 Post Work Suite
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
The loft work suite is a modular office system from Amuneal’s Loft shelving system. Posts in blackened steel are coupled with solid brass machined fitting...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
Tapparelle Desk, in Solid Oak, Contemporary design, hand made in Italy
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Tapparelle is a desk in solid oak with a strong and material grain, where the sinuous and modern forms are the counterpart of a solid structure enhanced by the material and by the ve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Contemporary Levita Desk in Solid Matilisguate Wood by Labrica
Located in Oakland Park, FL
The concept that inspired the levita chest and desk was to make it appear that they were levitating. The drawers are delicately supported by a structure inspired by the geometric traditional patterns found in indigenous Guatemalan textiles...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Tapparelle Desk, in Solid Oak, Inspired by Ancient Roll-Up Shutter Office
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Tapparelle is a desk in solid oak with a strong and material grain, where the sinuous and modern forms are the counterpart of a solid structure enhanced by the material and by the very high quality of the workmanship, largely artisanal.
The desk is equipped with a compartment closed by a wooden shutter made of oak rods mounted by hand on canvas. An ancient suggestion; one would expect to find inside pen and inkwell, but it is thought today to hide the tools of modernity, telephone, laptop and tablet.
It belongs to a timeless collection of wooden containers...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Dos Gallos Custom Walnut Desk with Straight Legs and Pencil Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mahogany, walnut or oak custom desk with pencil drawers. Can be made any dimension. Color and finish are custom and can be contemporary or distressed.
As shown in medium walnut with ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Custom Bent Office/Writing Desk, Made of Bronze and Walnut Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
A single brass sheet is bent creating the surface and sides, aptly giving the desk its name. The finish is darkened by hand through a proprietary solution and the drawers are made from solid walnut and veneered fronts. Perfect as a writing desk in any residential library or office or even as a concierge desk...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
PAPILLON 48" Round Dining Table in Black Metal and Black Glass by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
The Papillon Dining Table forms the perfect union between black glass and a dark grey/black metal base.
Use as an entry foyer table or desk/writing table.
Featured in Architectural Digest and Elle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
"Maxine" 21st Century Black & White Ebony and Flamed Maple Table
Located in Turin, IT
The simplicity of straight geometric squares classically implemented and juxtaposed onto legs with an ideal styling distinguishes "Maxine" table from lots of others. This desk table ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Fumed Oak 'Contour' Desk by Bodo Sperlein
Located in Stamford, CT
A signed Bodo Sperlein fumed oak desk made by Bodo Sperlein Studio. Signed Bodo Sperlein London FO-O1.
Category
Early 2000s English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
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
French Hammered Iron Desk/ Sofa Table Base, Giacometti & Jean-Michel Frank, 1930
Located in New York, NY
Sober, elegant French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical handwrought iron writing table bases or console bases in the manner of Alberto and Diego Giacometti for Jean-Michel Frank. The pair of bases...
Category
1930s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Tulare Desk
By Jerry Nance
Located in New Hampton, NY
Shown in oiled walnut and gunmetal steel with burnished bronze hardware, the Tulare desk features three solid wood drawers, custom-made hardware and hand a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Mirrored Flip-Top Vanity Desk
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Mirrored flip-top vanity desk with three drawers. Customization is available in different sizes, finish and hardware.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mirror, Wood
ClassiCon Pegasus Desk in Black with Leather by IF Group & Tilla Goldberg
Located in New York, NY
The Pegasus Home Desk is a small, ingeniously conceived home workplace that provides space for the digital devices that have long since become part of our everyday lives. A well-desi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather
Argentine Exotic Wood Sabre-Leg Writing Desk from Costantini, Uccello
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Uccello Writing Desk is handcrafted one by one in Costantini's workshop in Buenos Aires. The surface of the table can be specified in any species of wood, or color, or really any...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Solid Wood Writer's Desk in Walnut with Steel Joinery and Removable Legs
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
This writer's desk is an exercise in restraint. This sleek desk’s tapered legs are made from solid Walnut and are detachable thanks to the custom blackene...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Curvy Vanity Table Available
Located in San Pietro di Morubio, Verona
Easily transferable from the bedroom to the living room, where it can be used as a writing desk, this vanity merges functionality with style in a sleek design that will fit a modern ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Geo Dining Table in Contemporary Blackened Steel and Marble
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by the idea of geological plates slipping past one another, this ethereal table features cutaway arches and parabolic curves without end. Kin & Company continues to build on their language of sculptural geometry, this time with a volumetric and chunky blackened steel base. The custom patterned marble...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel
"Brown" Pc/Laptop Unit Cabinet or Desk Designed by Stephane Lebrun for Dessie'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Brown" is a pc/laptop unit cabinet or desk, designed by Stephane Lebrun and manufactured by Dessie', with four drawers, one closed front compartment, two top compartments (for CPU a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron, Nickel
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
Ghidini 1961 Miami Table in Stainless Steel by Nika Zupanc
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Desk in stainless steel. Just when you're feeling down, and a little bit battered or numbed by life in general, along comes a spectacularly shiny square-meter of table surface to put...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ziricotte Wood Desk "Litle Shanghai" with Leather Top and Silver Leg
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Little Shanghai desk in ziricotte wood and silver patined leg. There are two drawers on each side.
The sides are in zircone and black sycamore mar...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Rare Hand Painted Pedestal Desk by the Artist Ambrose Thomas Marquis d'Oisy
Located in GB
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
Classic Modern Mirrored Desk
Located in New York, NY
Custom classic modern mirrored desk with silver trim legs. Customization is available in different sizes, finishes and hardware.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Silver, Silver Leaf
"Tecnica" Walnut Top Desk with Tie Rods Designed by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tecnica" is a desk, designed by Jaume Tresserra and manufactured by Dessie', featuring a metallic structure in antique nickel finish, footrest and tie rods in stainless steel, adjus...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel, Nickel
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
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
Shape Shifting Desk
By Ken Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This desk is made from three walnut panels connected by two wooden hinges allowing the desk to alter shape, it can even lay flat for transport. Here it i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Writing Desk or Console by Byron Robitaille
By Byron Robitaille
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting maple and walnut custom desk/console table with drawer by Byron Robitaille.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry
Paradigm Desk
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
The paradigm desk seamlessly integrates three elemental materials, concrete, steel and wood. The combination of cast concrete with hand-turned walnut leg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Concrete, Steel
"Brown" Wooden Top and Metal Base Table Designed by Stephane Lebrun for Dessie'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Brown" is a table, designed by Stephane Lebrun and manufactured by Dessie', with a base structure made in antique nickel or gunmetal finished iron or in satin finished stainless ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel, Iron, Nickel
Rectangular Iron Cube Table with Embedded Wood Top, Dinner Table, Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
Rectangular iron cube table with embedded wood top, dinner table, desk table
Frame material: Extruded and hand-welded iron rods
Frame finish: Black
Iron rods dimensions: 3.93 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Harrier 'Jump' Jet Tailplane Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning desk made from an original Harrier 'Jump' Jet Tailplane Horizontal Stabiliser that has been stripped of its paint and polished to a mirror finish. Three aluminium legs and...
Category
Late 20th Century British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Rectangular Iron Cube Table with Embedded Wood Top, Dinner or Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
Rectangular iron cube table with embedded wood top. Dinner table. Desk table
Frame material: Extruded and hand-welded iron rods
Frame finish: Black
Iron rods dimensions: 3.93i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
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
Contemporary workplace or dining table, "Table B" by Konstantin Grcic metal wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Table B, which inaugurated the Extrusions Collection in 2009, can reach up to five metres using a simple profile of extruded aluminium. Its apparent simplicity covers a complex t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Desk Table by Maurice Marty
Located in New York, NY
Desk table
2017
Bronze, grey oak, brown lacquered wood (drawer)
Edition of 8 + 4 A.P
Signed and numbered
Measures:
H 30.8 x L 74.75 x W 31.5 in.
( H 78.5 x L 190 x W 80 cm)
Mau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Sculptural Resin And Wood Desk
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Large desk (dining table) cover with resin and curved wood top. Steel base with chrome plated finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Contemporary office meeting table model "Table B" wood, laminated top, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Table B, which inaugurated the Extrusions Collection in 2009, can reach up to five metres using a simple profile of extruded aluminium. Its apparent simplicity covers a complex t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
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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