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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Dining Table, Unique Daté Kan Stone Sculptural Design by Okurayama
Located in Geneve, CH
Dining table, Unique Daté Kan Stone sculptural design by Okurayama Materiel: Daté Kan Stone and forged iron Sculpted in the Okurayama's Studio in Miyagi's Prefecture, Japan Each c...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone

Lifting Desk by kars
Located in Geneve, CH
Lifting desk by kars Dimensions: W 120 x D 45 x H 75 cm Materials: MDF Frame Available in black. Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetiti...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

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

Italian Industrial Metal and Wood Desk with Drawers, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian industrial metal and wood desk with drawers, 1970s Wooden desk with metal frame, with satin finish, top with 45 degree cut corners and ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Void 03 by Dmnts Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Void 03 by DMNTS Design Dimensions: 42 x 39 x 50 cm (each piece) Materials: Quercus suber cork One of A Kind Void 03 is a multipurpose object based on the analysis of ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cork

Elm Double Desk in the Manner of Charlotte Perriand, France, circa 1940
Located in New York City, NY
Unique, impressive desk in the manner of Charlotte Perriand. The beautifully aged, warm-toned elm lends itself beautifully to the organic yet defined shapes of the double desk top an...
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Katakana Desk by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Katakana desk by Dare Studio Dimensions: W 120 x D 70 x H 85 Materials: American black walnut, black leather The Katakana desk is a bold and versatile...
Category

2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Modern Oak and Iron Boomerang Form Desk, France, circa 1930s
Located in Norwalk, CT
A real statement piece, this French early modernism desk features a boomerang shaped top in solid oak. The distinctive iron base hold a storage space t...
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

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

Contemporary Beauty Desk, Makeup Table, Writing Table, Mirror, Oak, Brass Medulu
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Beauty desk with simple lines and sophisticated details. Vivian is ideal for intimate environments such as a boutique-hotel or a private residence. A brass box contains two jewel boxes. The white lacquered wooden shell houses...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary 100x60-1 - White
Located in Berlin, BE
A lot of work requires a lot of space. But only until it is done. That's why we now have the large Fläpps Secretary (100x60-1). After work, this fully-grown desk folds back up so discretely against the wall that you can no longer see anything of your work. But it's not just a folding wall desk...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ebonized Oak and Antique Copper Small Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A solid oak top with an ebonized finish and antique copper steel frame dining table with simple and modern lines. Pairs well with the Inherita...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash
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

Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak
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 the tabletop. F...
Category

2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Plywood, Walnut

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary-1 - White
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

Plywood

Ledoux Shelving, a Custom, Architectiural, Modular Shelving System by Piscina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The modular design of our Ledoux Shelving system allows for it to be uniquely imagined and effortlessly reconfigured. Introduced just this year, Piscina won Best new Designer and Bes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash, Mahogany, Maple, Oak

Fläpps Secretary of State White
Located in Berlin, BE
Load and fold your Workstation! When folded away the Secretary of state is restraint like a statesman and you can hardly suspect his full potential. Unfolded however, diplomacy co...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern French Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French two drawer desk with our Rowan beech veneer finish, embossed leather wrapped frieze and drawers with brushed brass finish handles. Dimensions: 54" W x 28" D x 30" H.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Carbon Fiber and Cast Brass Talon Desk by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Carbon fiber and cast brass talon desk by Madheke Dimensions: W 180 x D 75 x H 74.5 cm Materials: Leather, Carbon Fibre, Metal The TALON desk is defined by a rich matte black ...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modernist Steel and Glass Desk, French Early-Mid 20th Century
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

Vintage Ron Seff Substantial Gun Metal Bronze & Brass Table, circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Ron Seff substantial gun metal bronze & brass table circa 1980s Offered for sale is a very heavy substantial table by Ron Seff in gunmetal and brass. The table is quite el...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Rails Functional Sculpture Plywood Trestles Table Desk
Located in London, GB
Composition of x2 RAILS 750 with a tabletop. Bespoke accessories can be made to order in various materials and finishes. A modern system for fluid living. RAILS® is a unique con...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root Onyx Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Armona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Lifting Desk by kars
Located in Geneve, CH
Lifting desk by kars Dimensions: W 120 x D 45 x H 75 cm Materials: MDF Frame Available in black. Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetiti...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Wall Mounted Sit/Stand Desk "Muro" in Oak and Stainless Steel by Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall anchored stainless steel rails support three wood shelves of varying depths. Each shelf serves a different function: shallow for small objects and pictures, medium for books and larger objects...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Pierre Jeanneret Student Desk and Library Chair
Located in New York, NY
Excellent example of a student desk and library chair from Chandigarh India circa late 1950s. Exceptional patina on the wood including various name inscriptions from young studen...
Category

1950s Indian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Design Office Desk Violet Marble with Details Polished Brass
Located in Porto, PT
Queena Desk promises to be the next statement design for a modern office project. Contemporary offices need to keep a corporative language, but that doesn’t mean they need to be boring. Take your home office design...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary Alps by Joe Mania
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

Plywood

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary 100x60-1 - Black
Located in Berlin, BE
A lot of work requires a lot of space. But only until it is done. That's why we now have the large Fläpps Secretary (100x60-1). After work, this fully-grown desk folds back up so discretely against the wall that you can no longer see anything of your work. But it's not just a folding wall desk...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plywood

Locust desk by AROUNDtheTREE
Located in Agualva-Cacém, PT
Locust desk designed by Alexandre Caldas to AROUNDtheTREE was created to be a memento to those, who by simple liberation, just have a go on doing things! T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash, Walnut

Alvar Aalto 60's Beech Desk and White Drawer
Located in 東御市, JP
Alvar aalto design beachtop desk and drawer set in white paint. You can expect yellowing to amber in the future, and it has a beautiful aging feeling.  
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech, Birch

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, aluminum, antique brass-plated top. Pols Pott...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Iron, Aluminum

Beluga Leather Writing Desk by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Beluga leather writing desk by Madheke Dimensions: W 150 x D x 60 x H 86 cm Materials: Leather, fabric, metal, veneer The minimalistic desig...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Sitting Standing "Work" Desk in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie, USA
Located in Chicago, IL
Work desk is the smaller sibling of our WORK table, a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries. The choice of materials combine...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary 100x60-1 - White
Located in Berlin, BE
A lot of work requires a lot of space. But only until it is done. That's why we now have the large Fläpps Secretary (100x60-1). After work, this fully-grown desk folds back up so discretely against the wall that you can no longer see anything of your work. But it's not just a folding wall desk...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plywood

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

Belgian Black Marble, Marble, Brass

Modern Desk Wood and Steel by Cyril Rumpler, Gustav
Located in Les Acacias, GE
Modern Desk Wood and Steel by Cyril Rumpler, Gustav. The shape of the top and its variations in thickness combined with the metal mesh create an effect of lightness. The combination ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Chrome

Modern Home Office Writing Desk in High-Gloss Ironwood and Gold Lacquered Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The "Fifties Home Desk" is made in high-gloss ironwood and gold lacquered steel. We can also produce this in customized options: The tabletop can be in different wood veneers and dimensions. Feet: Other lacquer colors. You can try it in your space using Augmented Reality with your mobile phone (Fifties Collection, available on our website). Assembled piece. It will be delivered in a wooden box packed in bubble wrap. This table is entirely made in Portugal and manufactured artisanally. The author carefully executed or supervised every process step in a small workshop context. Labor of love from Portugal. Designer/Author - João Faria...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cut Steel, Metal, Steel

Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut for Home or Office
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. Front desk is available in ash, oak and walnut...
Category

2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut, Plywood, Wood

Fläpps Wall Desk/Secretary Sunrise by Joa Herrenknecht
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

Plywood

Organic Modern Madrona Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Organic modern madrona desk, Inspirational design elements lead with a mesmerizing butcher block top honed from Madrona burl finished in smoke gray. Organically textured stainless...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

A.G.Fronzoni Square Fronzoni 64 Table in Metal Top and Wood Top for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
An ode to clean lines, the Fronzoni ’64 table embellishes settings with its absolute rigour and essential elegance. Austere and perfectly functional, the Fronzoni ’64 tables are the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk "Orlando" by MarCo Romanelli
Located in Napoli, NA
Orlando is a home / office desk designed by designer MarCo Romanelli. This desk has an essential, fine and robust structure that avoids any formal excess. A discreet and functional ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Other

Fläpps Secretary of State 80x50-1 - Black
Located in Berlin, BE
Load and fold your Workstation! When folded away the Secretary of state is restraint like a statesman and you can hardly suspect his full potential. Unfolded however, diplomacy come...
Category

2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plywood

Tilde '~' Coworking Desk by Vintage on Point
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measures: W95 D36 H30.5 KC25.5 Tilde (~) Coworking desk handcrafted in house, made in a mix of solid wood and birch veneer. Unsealed so that you can choose your own stain and fini...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Birch

Vanity Desk in Estremoz Marble & Polished Brass
Located in New York, NY
The distinctive marble desk initiates a design tension between rough and smooth, straight lines and faceted shapes. It’s novel metal structure is the foundation from where mountains ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Modern Milano Leather 3-Drawer Desk with Sleek Cerused Oak by Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very functional writing, computer desk with 2 covered leather drawers on the side and in the middle a drawers that open to accommodate your writing keyboard. It fits perfectly your...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Minimalist Home Office Writing Desk in Walnut Wood and Brushed Brass
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
Simple but sophisticated is the best way to describe the VOID Collection. Furniture with a void, reinforced by the existence of an exoskeleton, captures our attention to this space. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

Blue and Brass Rockconsole, Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue and brass Rockconsole, royal stranger. Dimensions: width 160 cm, height 90 cm, depth 50 cm Materials: lacquered body suspended by stainless steel coated in brass leg, docked o...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Modern Home Office Writing Executive Desk Ebony Macassar Wood and Brushed Brass
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Executive Desk ExCentric 2.0 listed here is made in ebony macassar wood and brushed brass. However, we can produce this in customized options: Structure: Stainless steel (polished or brushed); brass (polished or brushed). Tabletop: Another kind...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

Modern Painted Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern painted desk with a lacquered top section with three drawers, the center drawer fold out for keyboard surface, on a silver gilt iron cube form base...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Curved Home Office Writing Desk Oak Wood White Lacquer Stainless Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Orbit Collection is perfect for relaxed home designs, full of light and personality. The Home Desk has an oval shape, with oak wood and white lacquered wood interconnected on its tabletop. The feet are in polished stainless steel. This piece would make the ideal companion to the Sideboard from the same collection. Custom dimensions are available after analysis by the design department. This piece is entirely made in Portugal and manufactured in an artisanal way. The author carefully executes or supervises every process step in a small workshop context. You can try this piece in your space using Augmented Reality with your mobile phone (Orbit Collection, available on our website). Need simple assembly. It will be delivered in a wooden box packed in bubble wrap. This piece is entirely made in Portugal and manufactured artisanally. The author carefully executed or supervised every process step in a small workshop context. Labor of love from Portugal. Designer/Author - João Faria/Emotional Objects. Manufacturer - João Faria/Emotional Objects. At Emotional Objects, we don't follow trends or fashion. Instead, we create distinct and timeless objects with solid ideas and concepts. Every Emotional Object has a meaningful story behind them. Made to last for generations, we proudly see our objects as future furniture...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

Modern Minimalist Home Office Writing Desk in Black Oak Wood and Black Lacquer
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
Simple but sophisticated is the best way to describe the VOID Collection. Furniture with a void, reinforced by the existence of an exoskeleton, captures our attention to this space. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

Colorful Green Rockconsole, Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful rockconsole, Royal Stranger Dimensions: Width 160cm, height 90cm, depth 50cm Materials: lacquered body suspended by stainless steel coated in brass leg, docked on a matte ...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk in Solid Black Ash and White Carrare Marble - om34 by Mjiila
Located in PARIS, FR
Om34 is a radical geometrical desk in solid brushed wood whose board is pierced by a piece of white Carrara marble. The contrast of the two noble mater...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Marc Newson Riga Table in Matte Lacquered Woods for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Marc Newson, the Riga table is a writing desk made of Matte lacquered wood (in all of the colors in the collection) with legs in solid beech wood. The feet and knobs are ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Home Office Writing Executive Desk Tineo Wood and Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The executive desk ExCentric 2.0 listed here is made in tineo wood and brushed stainless steel. However, we can produce this in customized options: Structure: Stainless steel (polished or brushed); brass (polished or brushed). Tabletop: Another kind...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel

Modern Minimalist Home Office Writing Desk Oak Wood and Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
Simple but sophisticated is the best way to describe the VOID Collection. Furniture with a void, reinforced by the existence of an exoskeleton, captures our attention to this space. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Metal, Brass, Steel, Cut Steel

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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