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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Returnable Items Only
Modern Mismatch Desk Oak Walnut Root Brass Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Mismatch Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Mismatch seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance of cont...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Jobe Writing Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
We love the Jobe writing table desk for its generous surface area and classic style. The top surface features a rift-sawn oak grain with solid three band framing along the edge. Ea...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The 1960s functionalist style desk represents a fascinating piece of furniture that embodies the elegant marriage of functionality and aesthetics. This design object, with its tubula...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Long Study Desk / Large Console Table in Beige Linoleum and Steel
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large Study desk / Console Table is made with a butternut beige powder-coated steel frame and a pearl linoleum top made from all-natural ingredients, such as flax, wood flour, a...
Category

2010s English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

The Bi Writing Desk. Handcrafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia wood.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Bi writing desk brings modernity and lightness combined with a classic touch. It's crafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia woods and features a movable storage compartment that c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

The Square desk with 3 Drawers. Brazilian Solid wood and Straw.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Square Desk was inspired by the design of Brazilian modern furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, featuring straight lines and Indian straw weaving. It's delicate and highly comfort...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Straw, Wood

Modern Flamingo Side Table Calacatta Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Flamingo Side Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Flamingo side table honours the exquisite beauty of nature's design. The luxurious ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel

White Kidney Shaped Desk, Gesso, Antique Mirror Top
Located in Miami, FL
White kidney shaped desk with Gesso finish. The top is antiqued mirror glass. Ready for a new home.
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Wood

Modern Light 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

1960s Finn Juhl France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak Made in Denmark
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1960's Finn Juhl for France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak. Overall this item is in very good to excellent condition. The wood top is free from any major scratches, stains, or major imperfections. It has aged quite nicely and shows a gorgeous and very subtle patina. The drawers open easily and the metal finish on the legs are intact and clean. The bottom of the desk top from the ground is 26-1/2" but total clearance from the ground is 24-3/4" to the middle support beam. This piece came from a notable modern estate in Boston. It was purchased from Machine Age by the previous owner. The Eames aluminum chair...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1980s Style Black and White Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Interesting 1980s era writing desk. Black lacquer and white laminent tops by Carlton House Furniture.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Wood, Lacquer

Modern Metal Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Metal Leather top desk, featuring a digitally carved, traditional woven cane design. The carved metal desk boasts mesmerizing textural layers. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Bold Geometric, contemporary, modern Library desk, writing
Located in Greenwood Village, CO
Elevate Your Space with a Bold Style Statement: The Modern Aesthetic Desk Indulge in the opulence of this literary desk, originally conceived as a book...
Category

2010s Pakistani Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Paint

Walnut X-Leg Desk, 20th Century
Located in New York City, NY
Walnut X-Leg Desk, Italy, 20th C. Elegant walnut desk with clean lines and a single drawer. Additional Information: Materials: Walnut Origin: Italy Period: 1950-1979 Styles / Movem...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Bureau Bubble Ivoire Desk by Charly Bounan
Located in Geneve, CH
Bureau Bubble Ivoire Desk by Charly Bounan One of a Kind Dimensions: D 72 x W 240 x H 75 cm. Materials: Lacquer and marquetry wood. Charly Bounan, is a Parisian designer renowned f...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Leather and Teak Desk by Pierre Jeanneret, 1959
Located in New York City, NY
Leather and Teak Desk by Pierre Jeanneret, Chandigarh, India Beautiful patinated desk by PIerre Jeanneret. The full-grained leather is beautifully dyed and ties seamlessly with the ...
Category

20th Century Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Obsidian Desk - Modern Black Lacquered Desk with Chromed Plinth
Located in London, GB
The steep accents of the Obsidian collection confers its unique design with a sublime and powerful presence, gifting it with a head-turning look and a sharp personality of its own. This piece is built in lacquered wood with a chromed plinth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Light Ash Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
The desk makes a statement with its contemporary design and unique personality. Its metal pulls in an Ember finish and figured cathedral ash construction add elegance and set it apar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Smart Desk in Oak, Steel, and Laminate by Pierre Paulin, circa 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Oak, Steel, and Laminate Desk by Pierre Paulin, France Smart desk with clean lines and beautiful patina.
Category

20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Century Furniture Modern Chrome and Zebra Wood Metal Base Desk Table 849-761
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Century Furniture Modern Chrome and Zebra Wood Metal Base Desk Table 849-761. Item features 3 drawers, original label, sculptural metal stretcher base, beautiful laminate wood grain,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Colorful Ash Desk by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful ash desk by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada Measures: W 140 * D 75 * H 103 cm Desktop in painted ash veneer • fronts in matte paint finish Structure in MDF • Metal legs with pain...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Kidney Desk by Fred Rigby Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Kidney desk by Fred Rigby Studio. Dimensions: L 174.5 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Materials: solid oak wood. Taking inspiration from the simplicity of a ...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Modern Castelo Console Table, Sahara Marble, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Castelo Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Steel

Coastal Breeze Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
handcrafted wire-brushed cerused pine in a light and subdued Sea Salt finish, the desk displays three functional drawers with organic ribbed metal knobs in our Dark Sterling finish a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

The Square Desk. Brazilian Solid Wood Writing Table Design by Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Square Desk was inspired by the design of Brazilian modern furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, featuring straight lines and Indian straw weaving. It's delicate and highly comfort...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Straw, Wood

Study Desk / Large Console Table in Charcoal Linoleum and Steel
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large Study desk / Console Table is made with a charcoal black powder-coated steel frame and a charcoal linoleum top made from all-natural ingredients, such as flax, wood flour, and limestone. The furniture linoleum provides a natural matt surface with a warm fine texture - a look that is very tactile and looks great with the sleek powder-coated steel frame. This modern minimal desk...
Category

2010s English Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Dark Ash Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
The desk makes a statement with its contemporary design and unique personality. Its metal pulls in an Ember finish and figured cathedral ash construction add elegance and set it apar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Famed Brass & Wood Desk with Marble Drawers **LEAD TIME 5-6 WEEKS**
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
**LEAD TIME 5-6 WEEKS** The Famed Desk was designed with the aim of allowing you to work with more elegance and more simplicity. Measures: Length: 47.2'' ...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary, Black
Located in Berlin, BE
Wall Art, Workstation Functional and discreet, this Fla¨pps wall desk makes the perfect seated or standing workstation depending on the height it is mounted on the wall. When the ...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Calen Desk by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Calen desk by Madheke. Dimensions: D 90 x W 210 x H 78.5 cm. Materials: leather, wood, veneer, metal. Classic leather front and upper, dead matte veneer, bronzed metal detailing...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Fluted Walnut Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
This modern fluted walnut writing desk is a beautiful piece of furniture made of walnut wood, designed with modern styling and a fluted frame finished in a turtle green color lacquer...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Alva Alato Table Red Lacquer Table Top, 1930
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very early desk, writing table by Alva Aalto, circa 1930, red lacquer tabletop, birch, bentwood, table size 182 cm x 90 cm x 72 cm.
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Bentwood

Hayche HOS Desk, Oak & White, United Kingdom, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
The HOS Desk, standing for Home Office System, epitomizes adaptability and modern design. Featuring three mountable and dismountable wooden panels, each with three detachable solid w...
Category

2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk or Writing Table Crystal Glass Origami Design Collectible Made in Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The desk 'Origami' is made of extra-clear crystal glass. Each sheet of extra-clear crystal glass is cut and ground with extreme precision, then the sheets are assembled by hand, havi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Crystal

Walnut Orange MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi table creates a slender, graceful profile punctuated with painted surfaces that ca...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Plywood, Birch

Midnight Desk - Modern Black Lacquered Desk with Stainless Steel Legs
Located in London, GB
Like glittering streams of silver flowing down the shadowy contours of the night, the Midnight collection combines the beauty of metal and natural wood in one unique design, unfoldin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Amorph Astra Desk in Metallic Gold Lacquer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amorph Astra desk solid Wood with metal finish, dimension: 60" L x 24" D x 30" H. It is available in different finishes and custom sizes. About Am...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mais, Desk by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mais - Desk by Alva Design Materials: Wood, MDF, Formica, Leather details Dimensions: 190 x 87 x 74 cm ALVA is a furniture and objects design office, form...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Organic Modern Accent Home Office Writing Desk in Black Oak Wood & Copper Effect
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
João Faria created the stunning home desk ROOTS for contemporary and home offices. Rather than placed against a wall, it should stand in the middle of the room and be admired from al...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper, Metal, Cut Steel, Steel

Modern Home Office Accent Writing Executive Desk Walnut Wood and Brushed Brass
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Executive Desk ExCentric 2.0 listed here is made in walnut wood and brushed brass. The desk has two drawers, electrical plugs, and a wireless phone charger...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

Modern Arco da Augusta Console Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Arco da Augusta Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Inspired by Lisbon's historical arch and as a homage to the Portuguese architecture...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Steel

Modern Dark Brushed Oak Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern oak writing table with our Charteris finish. This desk has gently splayed solid end supports and a matte tungsten silhouette and it has two suspended frieze drawers. Dime...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Colorful Ash Desk by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful ash desk by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada Measures: W 140 x D 75 x H 103 cm Desktop in painted ash veneer • fronts in matte paint finish Structure in MDF • Metal legs with p...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Colorful Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada. Measures: W 160 x D 30 x H 110 cm or W 130 x D 30 x H 110 cm. Top in painted ash veneer • fronts in ...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Colorful Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada Measures: W160 x D30 x H110 cm or W130 x D30 x H110 cm Top in painted ash veneer • fronts in matte pa...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Void 03 by DMNTS Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Void 03 by DMNTS Design Dimensions: 42 x 39 x 50 cm Materials: Quercus suber cork Unique Piece Also available in set of two Void 03 is a multipurpose object based on the ana...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cork

Arc Desk by Estudio Persona
Located in Geneve, CH
Arc desk by Estudio Persona Dimensions: l 149.86 x d 76.2 x h 76.2 cm Materials: Bleached Maple Veneer, Black Stained Maple Desk with a bleached maple veneer exterior and black ...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Colorful Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada. Measures: W 160 x D 30 x H 110 cm or W 130 x D 30 x H110 cm. Top in painted ash veneer • fronts in m...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Colorful Console by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful console by Thomas Dariel, Maison Dada Measures: W 160 x D 30 x H 110 cm or W 130 x D 30 x H 110 cm Top in painted ash veneer • fronts in ma...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Confidence of Cloud Writing Desk by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Confidence of a cloud writing desk by Thomas Dariel Dimensions: D 43 x W 120 x H 147 cm Materials: Structure in MDF with color-painted ash veneer. Fronts and back in the matte or ...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Antique Brass Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass plated desk, Pols Potten Studio. Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm. Materials: Black powder coated iron frame, aluminium, anti...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Iron

Herringbone Waterfall Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Herringbone Waterfall Desk, create a serene space for work and moments of reflection with this parsons style desk, engaging the senses with its fluid f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Midnight Modern Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Midnight Modern Desk with a unique dark cerused greyed finish having a large flat top writing surface, three drawers with metal grommet finger pulls. Rais...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

The Square Desk, Square Armchair, Carbonized Finish with Shou Sugi Ban, Japanese
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Square Desk was inspired by the design of Brazilian modern furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, featuring straight lines and Indian straw weaving. It's delicate and highly comfortable for everyday use, seamlessly blending functionality and elegance. The wood's ebonization is achieved through the Japanese technique of charred wood known as shou sugi ban. Crafted from solid freijó wood and adorned with a drawer featuring natural Indian straw. About the designer: Amilcar Oliveira hails from São Paulo, the capital city. He studied Radio and TV at ECA-USP and worked as a director at production companies like Sentimental Filmes and Your Mamma. Currently, he's part of the directorial roster at Mixer. In parallel, he studied carpentry at the Cosi de Legno school under Piero Calò, carrying on the teachings he received from his father and grandfather, who were both carpenters deeply passionate about this craft. Amidst the pandemic, he created his debut piece, the Square Armchair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Straw, Wood

Modern Leather Wrapped Dressing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern leather wrapped dressing table with an embossed leather-wrapped table top with three drawers on a modern gilded frame meta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary White 80x80-2
Located in Berlin, BE
What would a library be without a small place to study? So what would the Fläpps shelves 80x80-2 and 80x80-3 be without the small workplace of the Fläpps secretary 80x80-2 with integrated folding shelf? The three modules with the square design now make it even easier to plan full walls with Fläpps. But even without the square relatives, the double secretary...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

Desk Console, Unique Daté Kan Stone Sculptural Design by Okurayama
Located in Geneve, CH
Desk console, unique Daté Kan stone sculptural design by Okurayama Materiel: Oak and Daté Kan stone Sculpted in the Okurayama's Studio in Miyagi's Prefecture, Japan Each creation ...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone

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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