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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Returnable Items Only
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
Pierre Jeanneret Desk and Stool from the city of Chandigarh, India 1950 - 1959
Located in New York, NY
Pierre Jeanneret Desk and Stool from the city of Chandigarh, India 1950 - 1959 Teak Holland and Sherry boiled wool.
Desk: 27 H x 31.5 W x 23 D inches
Stoo...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Wool
Industrial Design Executive Metal Desk, Customizable, Germany, 2018
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Industrial design executive metal desk, customizable, Germany, 2018.
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Orange glossy top & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Black, glass & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Red glossy top & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Wenge, glass & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Grey glossy top & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Grey glossy top & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Grey glossy top & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Orange glossy top & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut, glass & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak, glass & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Orange glossy top & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Red glossy top & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Grey glossy top & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Orange glossy top & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Red glossy top & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut, glass & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
'Ripple' Black Walnut Desk by Tom Vaughan
By Tom Vaughan
Located in London, GB
'Ripple' black walnut desk by Tom Vaughan
British, 21st Century
Height 70.5cm, width 179cm, depth 81.5cm
This intriguing contemporary desk was expertly designed and made by the Bri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut, glass & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr white, glass top & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr walnut, glass & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut veneer & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr White Matt top & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
The Chiquita Desk. Brazilian Solid Wood and Natural Straws.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita writing desk features smooth and delicate lines, with 4 drawers featuring fronts made of natural wicker and brass handles that impart a nostalgic and romantic feel to th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Straw, Wood
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr white, glass top & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut veneer & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Brass and 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
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr white, glass top & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Set desk and chair Derk Jan De Vries 1980 circa
By Maisa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The SAMARA collection desk, designed by Derk Jan De Vries (Obergum, 1917 – Veendam, 1991) for MAISA (Belgium) in 1977, offers a fascinating blend of timeless design and functional el...
Category
1980s Belgian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr white, glass top & gold base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris.
The desk is composed of a central extra clear glass panel with a stora...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut veneer & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Walnut veneer & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & golden base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & white base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & chrome base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Handcrafted English Oak Desk
Located in London, GB
A new freestanding modern English oak desk design. Designed and handmade in England using skilled traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from the finest full...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Adentro Cosimo Desk design Marco Zanuso jr Natural oak veneer & bronze base.
Located in PARIS, FR
The Cosimo desk was designed by the architect Marco Zanuso Jr. in 2017 for luxury French furniture brand, Adentro Paris. The central panel of the desktop folds back to reveal a hidde...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Large Bespoke Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large beetroot color study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Transitional Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Stardust Transitional desk, for moments of reflection, this desk adds a note of glamour in our pearlescent Stardust finish. Platinum-striped beading ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
B&B Italia Maxalto by Antonio Citterio Recipio ‘14 Black Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto B&B Italia in 2014, the Recipio ‘14 desk is a fantastic example of modern Italian design.
Constructed from wood with a black sh...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Modern Dark Oak Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
With its rounded subtle barrel-shaped top with alternating quarter straight cut oak veneers stands squarely on solid trapezoid style legs. The facing two drawers have adequate enough...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Handcrafted English Oak Desk Console
Located in London, GB
Our larger handcrafted Modernist wall mounted oak desk/vanity or console table designed and handmade in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Leather
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisbon, PT
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Oracle Desk by kars
Located in Geneve, CH
Oracle Desk by kars
Dimensions: W 168 x D 56 x H 75 cm
Materials: Ash Wood, High Gloss.
Oracle bone script dates back to the Shang Dynasty of China, a text engravedon tortoise shells and animal bones for divination. Taking China's oldestscript as its creative source, kar presents a new collection of furniture,"Oracle", which consists of a chair, a desk, a bench, a shelf, and a screen.The symbolic form of the ancient script...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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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