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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
Minimal and elegant desk with drawer. Solid wood construction, take top made of solid elm wood, legs with wooden screw thread. Exhibited at Trienale Milano 1954.
Osvaldo Borsan...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Design Desk, French Designer Charly Bounan
Located in Geneve, CH
Charly Bounan, is a Parisian designer renowned for its refined creative style and the important eclecticism of its influences.
As an art dealer and designer he worked closely with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Resin
Table "Urn" by Robert Venturi, Knoll International, USA, 1984
By Knoll, Roberto Ventura
Located in Berlin, DE
Table "Urn" by Robert Venturi, Knoll International, USA, 1984.´
made of laminate over plywood with chrome-plated steel elements, urn shaped sculptural structure.
This rare and spec...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Berlin, DE
Chique and minimal, rare desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1956 and manufactured by Tecno Italy.
the plate and the drawers are made of walnut wood, its construction is made of bla...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Whitetravertinetop Glossy Legs
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash for Home Office
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
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
Ash
Kartell Earl of Wood Desk by Philippe Stark in Light Wood and Chrome Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Earl of wood is a simple new desk with a curved wooden surface, offering the perfect solution to the Office and Habitat worlds on account of its myriad diffe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Gentile Solid Wood Desk, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
Aesthetics and functionality combine in the Ideale solid wood desk. A piece of high quality craftsmanship tailor-made for everyday use as well as to fu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
DC-3 ‘Dakota’ Wingtip Desk
Located in London, GB
The Douglas DC-3 was designed in the mid-1930s as a passenger and freight aircraft, but built during the war years 1941-1945 in large numbers, as the DC-3 (C47) Transport Plane known...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Boho Faux Goatskin Waterfall Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
Infuse your workspace with bohemian elegance using this Vintage Boho Faux Goatskin Waterfall Desk. The American-style design features a smooth, faux goatskin finish and a sleek water...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hardwood & Green Leather Partner Desk with Sliding Keyboard Shelf Twin Pedestal
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage Twin Pedestal partner desk with drop front sliding keyboard shelf
A good looking and well made desk with a premium vintage green le...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
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
Kartell Lunat Desk by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The LUNAT desk, designed by Patricia Urquiola, creates the ideal solution for a home smart working station as well as a desk in a hotel room. The powde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Wall-Mounted Writing Desk or Catch All
Located in New York, NY
Highly functional and stylish piece. Perfect solution to the modern clutter dilemma, the desk features three color coded letter dividers to the right with a single storage slot to th...
Category
20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Green Marble Scapin Collezioni
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Geometry Study Desk By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
designed as a nod to bauhaus architecture, this study table is bold on its geometries yet intricate at the same time. crafted in solid Ash, the tabletop is adorned with two built-in ...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
"Nizza" Table or Desk with Copper Varnished Steel Top by Moroso for Diesel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Nizza" is a table or desk, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, featuring a top made of a perforated steel sheet varnished with a copper finish and black var...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane White Carrara Marble Mat
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
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
Lounger and ottoman "Alta" by Oscar Niemeyer / Authentic
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define these objects. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Their expressive form offers...
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Modern Eglomise Glass Byzantine Gold Vanity with Forged Metal by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Mystic Byzantine gold vanity by Ercole Home has a 5-drawer, with ivory wood finish on oak. Hand painted eglomise glass panels are inset on the surface.
There are five aluminum pulls in brushed brass finish.
The hand hammered metal base...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Cartesio Writing Desk in Ebony
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Writing desk made with a mix of raw materials: wood, leather, stainless steel and glass. Drawers in curved plywood, with a Makassar ebony finishing, equipped with drawers with full-e...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ebony
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
Gervasoni Writing Desk in Black Lacquer with Wooden Feet by Paola Navone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
When a house becomes a space for thinking, creating and working, as well as for living, desks take on a whole new dimension: LC 60 is an elegant desk of rather small dimensions, desi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Colorful Pink Rockconsole, Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Colorful pink Rockconsole, Royal Stranger
Dimensions: Width 160cm, height 90cm, depth 50cm
Materials: lacquered body suspended by stainless steel coated in brass leg, docked on a m...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
AD7, Solid Walnut and Cold Rolled Steel with Pencil Drawer
Located in Newburgh, NY
Spare, refined, and meticulously handcrafted of solid hardwoods and steel, the AD7 desk is distinguished by superb detailing, the finest materials and timeless design. The compositio...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Modern Walnut and Black High Gloss Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
Modern walnut and black high gloss writing desk. Beautiful walnut wood grains finished in a high gloss espresso color. Featuring accented high gloss black lacquer painted trim. Compl...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Exotic Wood Twin Pedestal Modern Minimal Dining Table from Costantini, Andre
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Andre Exotic Wood Twin Pedestal Modern Minimal Dining Table from Costantini Design
Measurements are 96”L 48”W 30”H as shown. Custom sizes available.
The Andre Table is shown here in natural Argentine Rosewood, with two solid wood pedestals...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Modern Chrome and Black Oak Adjustable Dining Table or Writing Desk
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Modern chrome and black oak adjustable dining table or writing desk
Size: 90 x 150 + 2 x 60 = 90 x 270 cm.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Terracotta Ángulo Desk
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Conceptualized in 2023 by Leonardo Floresvillar, and crafted by hand with metal, coated with matte powder coating.
The Ángulo Desk was designed with two surface heights to work com...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Vintage Niedermaier Furniture Mundo Tripod Desk Stainless Steel and Lacquer
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Niedermaier Furniture Mundo Tripod Desk Stainless Steel and Lacquer
Offered for sale is an out of production petite Mundo Desk by Niedermaier Furniture. This is a rare smal...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Iconoclast Solid Wood Pedestal Dining Table by Izm Design
By Izm Design
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
This iconic pedestal dining table can be made rectangle or round and is 100% solid hardwood. It's angular base allows for myriad chair placement while and providing maximum stability...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
"Gran Torino Big Version" Walnut and Maple 21st Century Desk, by Ivan Paradisi
Located in Turin, IT
Designed as a modern elegant and at the same time functional desk, Gran Torino piece is named after the city of Turin, a place rich of culture and history with numerous art galleries...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Maple, Walnut
"Moleskine" Portable Atelier Desk Designed by Philippe Nigro for Driade
By Driade, Philippe Negro
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Moleskine" is a desk, designed by Philippe Nigro and manufactured by Driade, with a folding top in birch plywood and oak veneer.
Matte black painted steel structure with cable flap....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Grigio Billiemi Marble Top
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Desk
By Raymond Cohen
Located in New York, NY
Brushed steel frame enclosing two mahogany drawers, faced with aluminum and inset with a dark-green tinted glass work surface. The top drawer locks.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Oak and Brass Office Desk Shelving and Loft Storage Suite by Amuneal
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This Oak and Brass Office Desk Shelving and Loft Storage Work Suite by Amuneal is a modular office system from Amuneal’s Loft shelving system. Posts in bl...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
Nakamura Contemporary Desk in Metal and Leather
Located in London, GB
The Nakamura desk is an exploration of the possibilities and precision of expert leather-working. Two pieces of leather curve around the table top and me...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Grigio Billiemi Stone Glossy
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Organic Design, Natural Beige Working Desk in MDF Frame, with drawer by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Lifting desk by kar
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 repet...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fiberglass
Two-Drawers Table Special Price at stock for Sale
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood, Ebony
Duna Desk in Solid Walnut Wood, Home Office Writing Desk by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Duna Desk in Solid Walnut Wood, Home Office Writing Desk by Joel Escalona
Duna Collection is a set of wood tables and surfaces inspired by the vast sand dune regions of the world. T...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Temaki Pinewood Desk by Stephane Parmentier x Giobagnara
By Giobagnara
Located in New York, NY
For nearly twenty years, the Giobagnara brand has combined traditional know-how and leading-edge technology to produce elegance of the highest standard. With luxurious creations avai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Pine
Custom Made Modern Large Executive Desk with Aluminum Trim, circa 1990
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Custom made one of a kind executive desk made in the modern style sometime in the mid-1990s with a slight Art Deco flair. The desk features 3 drawers to the left and a place for a co...
Category
1990s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Ion Writing Desk Designed by Chi Wing Lo
Located in Boston, MA
This writing desk in walnut Canaletto wood and saddle leather harks back to the lightness and elegance of an Ionic column.
A versatile and practical product which has been designed ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
General Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic
Located in Kolkata, IN
General Study Desk Writing Table by Matteo Cibic is a formidable study table, which has an extendable writing top, and small details, which is reminiscent o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Resin
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
21st Cent. Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Verde Alpi Marble Top Mat Base
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical supports...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Black Design Desk by French Designer Charly Bounan
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Design desk by French Designer Charly Bounan
Dimensions:
Height: 80 cm.
Width: 240 cm.
Depth: 80 cm.
Charly Bounan, is a Parisian designer renowned for its refined crea...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Resin
Two-Drawers Table Ebony Veneer Frame Solid Timber Wood Caps at Feet Vetrite
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Ebony, Wood
Pivoting Drafting Table, Blackened Steel and Smoked Glass, by Force/Collide
Located in Seattle, WA
Designed and made-to-order in our Seattle studio with artists, architects, drafters, designers and creatives in mind, the Pivoting Drafting Table is modern, minimal and sleek. It features a satin black oxide steel framework with a tempered gray glass inlay (materials and finishes are customizable).
The flush, uninterrupted work surface pivots between 0 and 40 degrees to eliminate ergonomic interference for a more versatile way of working. Both clamping levers are easily accessed with an ergonomic feel for quick-change operation, featuring subtle bronze hardware accents. The silhouette of the legs imitates the work surface when expressed in its pivot position for minimal, geometric line-work that lends to a contemporary, minimal feel. The body has an open style for the option of storing a matching Rolling Utility Cart...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Steel, Cut Steel, Iron
Custom Modern Walnut Dining Table with Column Pedestals by Carrocel
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom modern walnut dining table with column pedestals by Carrocel. Hand crafted and made to order, simplistic modern styling with clean grain walnut pattern. Thick top with rectang...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
"Il Pezzo 10 Console" solid walnut - gold finished brass 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
Baker Furniture Regency Burlwood Writing Desk - Pair
Located in Countryside, IL
Baker Furniture Regency Burlwood Writing Desk - Pair
Each desk measures: 48 wide x 26 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches
W...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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.