Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

1
357
80
21
to
22
275
139
458
249
286
1,397
458
338
272
239
203
184
169
117
90
83
80
56
45
37
30
23
10
1
79
378
2
23
35
1
3
3
5
6
22
6
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
319
248
56
74
66
317
76
75
74
62
39
23
16
16
15
Style: Modern
Returnable Items Only
Custom Modern Waterfall Desk with Marble Accent
Located in North York, ON
Custom modern waterfall desk with marble accent. Unique modern styling with rich walnut woods. Finished in a satin espresso color. Featuring beautiful...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Custom Modern Walnut Starburst Dining Table with Black Curved Pedestals
Located in North York, ON
Custom modern walnut starburst dining table with black curved pedestals. Magnificent sunburst walnut top in a medium walnut satin finish. Comple...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

A. G. Fronzoni Square Fronzoni 64 Table in Anthracite Top & Base 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 Fr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Églomisé Glass Fume Silver Dust Vanity Desk by Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The mystic fume silver vanity by Ercole Home has a 5-drawer, with Earl gray wood finish on oak. Hand painted églomisé glass panels are inset on the surface. There are five aluminum pulls and the hand-hammered metal base...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Gray Blossom Glass Mosaic Desk with Bronze Metal Base by Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pavia Blossom desk/vanity by Ercole Home has a 2-drawer, with a sky gray wood finish on oak. Handcut glass mosaics in bluegreen and turquoise decorate the drawer fronts in bloss...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Williams Writing Desk Maple Rose Copper
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a bevelled wooden top. The irregular b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Large Two Tone Bespoke Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large two-tone 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

Pine Perriand Tables, French Modernism
Located in Antwerp, BE
Charlotte Perriand; French design; 1920's; Modernism A unique collection of 10 Perriand tables. Very pretty solid pine table by the French designer Charlotte Perriand, this model was created in the 1960s for the creation of the Les arcs ski resort. We have 10 tables with legs available and 1 extra table top without legs. Charlotte Perriand (24 October 1903 – 27 October 1999) was a French architect and designer. Her work aimed to create functional living spaces to believe that better design helps create a better society. In her article "L'Art de Vivre" from 1981, she states "The extension of the art of dwelling is the art of living — living in harmony with man's deepest drives and with his adopted or fabricated environment." Charlotte liked to take her time in space...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Walnut Orange
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk or Writing Table Glass Crystal Geometric Shape Collectible Design 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

Glass

Rare Solid Mexican Cocobolo Wood Desk Don Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bespoken and rare desk by celebrated Mexican designer and woodworker Don Shoemaker, model no F46. Designed in 1970s and executed in 1981, the desk is constructed with patchwork of ...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cocobolo

Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Walnut Prairie Green
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Table Desk Writing Home Office Pink Onyx Gold Mirror Steel Modern Collectible
Located in Ancona, Marche
The table 'Bangles Desk Gold' is an important desk with structure in mirror polished stainless steel with 24 Kt gold galvanic special finish and top in rare pink onyx. The 24 Kt gold...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Stainless Steel

21stCentury Table B Desk Konstantin Grcic Top Anodized Silver with Inox Legs
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Table B, which inaugurated the Extrusions Collection in 2009, can reach up to five metres using a simple profile of extruded aluminium. Its apparent simplicity covers a complex t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Large Charcoal Study Desk with Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large black 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

A. G. Fronzoni Rectangular Fronzoni 64 Table in Anthracite Top & Base 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 Fr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Table Desk Writing Home Office Orange Onyx Mirror Steel Contemporary Collectible
Located in Ancona, Marche
The 'Bangles Desk' is an important desk with structure in mirror polished stainless steel and top in rare orange onyx. Dimensions are customizable. Every single bangle is welded and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Stainless Steel

Organic Modern Home Office Writing Desk White Lacquer Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
João Faria created the stunning "Roots Home Desk" for contemporary and home offices. Rather than being placed against a wall, it should stand in the middle of the room to be admired from all angles. This listing is for a white lacquered wood and brushed stainless steel desk...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Cut Steel, Metal, Stainless Steel

Table Desk Writing Home Office Grey Marble Top Mirror Steel Modern Collectible
Located in Ancona, Marche
The table 'Gallio' is an important desk with structure in mirror polished stainless steel and top in grey Versylis marble. The structure is inspired by a formation of crystals of Gal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel

Evo, Oak and Brass Desk or Dining Table by Feruccio Laviani, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. Table with firm design, made combining old and modern woodcraft. The classical side is in ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Maple Blood Red
Located in Cincinnati, US
A thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

21st Century Antigua Writing Desk in Carbalho by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Writing desk with top and chest of drawers in glossy grey color. Under-desktop covered with leather from the collection. Metal base is available in all t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk Table Home Office Pink Onyx Mirror Polished Steel Collectible Design Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The 'Bangles Desk' is an important desk with structure in mirror polished stainless steel and top in rare pink onyx. Every single bangle is welded and highly polished by hand. The mi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Stainless Steel

Modern Eglomise Glass Byzantine Gold Vanity with Forged Metal 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

Colombo Moboli Burlwood Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Countryside, IL
Colombo Moboli burlwood secretaire a abattant Desk measures: 42 wide x 21 deep x 75.5 inches high This piece is in excellent vintage condition with only a small dent and a coup...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl, Wood

Modern White Lacquered Executive Desk
Located in North York, ON
Modern white Lacquered executive desk. Timeless Art Deco inspired design lacquered in a designer finish with oil rubbed bronze hardware and execut...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Utopia Desk, Cream Oak and Polished Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The utopia desk is designed in the likeness of the architectural scale that suggests a crossing through the structures of a utopian city, organized by the principles of symmetry and ideal forms. The imposing design combines cream oak and polished brass. As a futuristic project, two brass blades stylize the cream oak top, curving it with an Avant Garde detail. Surprisingly, a pencil drawer is hidden in one brass blade. At the base, the open shape of two blocks suggests a passage between two identical metal arches...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Patchwork and Iron Writing Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Contemporary Patchwork and Iron Writing Desk This desk measures: 65 wide x 36.5 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 25 inches This piece is in Great Vintage Condition. Ther...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Organic Modern Accent Home Office Writing Desk Walnut Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
João Faria created the stunning "Roots Home Desk" for contemporary and home offices. Rather than being placed against a wall, it should stand in the middle of the room to be admired ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Steel, Cut Steel, Metal

Modern Home Office Writing Executive Desk Black Oak Wood Black Lacquered Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Executive Desk ExCentric 1.0 is made in black oak wood and black metallic lacquered steel and can be placed in contemporary executive and home offices. This piece would make the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Cut Steel, Steel, Stainless Steel

Bespoke Walnut Desk with Cast Iron Legs Industrial Modern Work Custom Table
Located in Oakville, CT
Bespoke Industrial modern work / office bespoke desk / table with 1 3/4" wooden walnut top, "Brown & Sharpe" Cast iron legs and steel s...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

Modern Home Office Writing Executive Desk Tineo Wood Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
The Executive Desk ExCentric 1.0 is made in Tineo wood and brushed stainless steel and can be placed in contemporary executive offices and home offices. This piece would make the ide...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Cut Steel, Stainless Steel, Steel, Brass

Custom Modern Reclaimed Pine Desk, Made to Order by Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This modern desk with one large drawer is seen here in 60" x 36" however it can be built in any size, it also has the option for hollow legs to accommodate wiring. Because each tabl...
Category

2010s North American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Reclaimed Wood

Compact Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top - Customisable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
The &New study desk is made with a powder-coated steel frame and a color-matched linoleum tabletop. The linoleum for our desks is selected for the ecologica...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Fred Desk Top in Saddle Extra Leather Cammello
Located in New York, NY
This desk is a meeting of light, almost ethereal geometries. Roberto Lazzeroni creates a piece of furniture in which the visual pleasure of a continuous saddle-leather surface is underlined by delicate hand-produced incisions and cold markings that create refined graphic decorations. A special procedure makes it possible to curve the front of the saddle-leather without any need for internal supports. The ideal companion of the desk is the Ginger chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Ash

Hardwood & Green Leather Partner Desk with Sliding Keyboard Shelf Twin Pedestal
Located in GB
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

Ashiana, a Marble and Wood Desk, Design by Matang and Natasha Sumant
Located in Paris, FR
A rectangular wood and marble desk. The tabletop is made out of Pink marble from Makrana. On a walnut rectangular support on four feet. The table is joined with white marble keys from Makrana and brass dowels. A hatch allows the storing of cables and other electronics devices. Design by Matang and Natasha Sumant...
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Walnut and Antique Nickel Small Dining Table
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

Dinning Table B 90cm x 160cm Aluminum Anodized Silver Top Wooden legs
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Table B, which inaugurated the Extrusions Collection in 2009, can reach up to five metres using a simple profile of extruded aluminium. Its apparent simplicity covers a complex t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Eglomise Glass Pink Dust Vanity with Forged Metal Legs by Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The églomisé pink dust vanity by Ercole Home has a 5-drawer, with silver leaf wood finish. Hand painted églomisé glass panels are inset on the su...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Chrome and Black Oak Adjustable Dining Table or Writing Desk
Located in Weiningen, 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

Modern Waterfall Desk in Custom Grey Hand Polished Finish
Located in North York, ON
Modern waterfall desk in custom grey hand polished finish. Beautiful modern minimalist design with sculpted waterfall accent. Hand polished in a grey lacquer finish with hand painted...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Black Painted Tree Trunk Design Desk or Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary black painted desk / console table with an irregularly shaped table top on two carved legs with a tree trunk design.       
Category

20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Engraved Brass, Walnut, and Lacquered Wood Burlesque Dining Table by Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
The Burlesque table embodies the playful spirit often evident in the works of Egg Designs. For this table Egg collaborated with Kim Longhurst a South African illustrator to develop the burlesque design which is engraved into the solid brass top...
Category

2010s South African Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Dos Gallos Custom Walnut Desk with Straight Legs and Pencil Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mahogany, walnut or oak custom desk with pencil drawers. Can be made any dimension. Color and finish are custom and can be contemporary or distressed. As shown in medium walnut with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Walnut

Shagreen Writing Desk, One Off, EDHA by Reda Amalou, Gallery Collection
Located in Paris, FR
The Gallery collection showcases exclusive designs by Reda Amalou. The pieces are crafted by some of the best artisans around the world and are edited as a unique îece or a serie of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Isabel O'neil Attributed. Hand Painted Kneehole Desk
By Isabel O'Neil Studio
Located in New York, NY
Isabel O'Neil (1908-1981) hand painted kneehole desk. The desk is a Louis XIV style and was hand-painted in 1986. The desk is black lacquered with hand-painted flowers. The desk ha...
Category

20th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Modern Black Desk Credenza by Jacques Garcia Baker Rachmaninov
Located in North York, ON
Modern black desk credenza by Jacques Garcia Baker Rachmaninov. Featuring unique modern styling, finished in a black hand polished look. Complemented with sleek brass handles and met...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

21st Century Modern Desk In Copper And Wood With Rotating Glass Extension
Located in Milan, IT
An original desk with a wooden top and a glass extension that can rotate around a central pivoting point, like the hand of a clock. This allows the table to expand and contract its usable surface and to adapt to different uses: a dedicated support for a printer or other peripherals, a smaller desk for an additional person or simply more tabletop space. Both tops are supported by a light and essential structure made of copper tubing...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Copper

St. Charles Desk by Volk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown: Bleached ash veneer with solid ash, marble and inset leather blotter. Poplar drawers with turned brass drawer pulls Powder coated steel base Flat waterborne finish D...
Category

2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Steel, Brass

Contemporary Lucite and Inset Mirror Top Desk
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary lucite desk with 3 inset antiqued mirror squares on the top surface, a shallow glass compartment/shelf, and geometric scroll-shaped ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Lucite

Wooden Desk Interlock André Fu Living Home Office Laptop Writing Table Oak New
Located in CENTRAL, HK
Description: Geometry desk Color: Grey Size: 145 x 60/75 x 73 H cm Material: Oak Collection: Interlock Wooden desk grey oak veneer with drawer. Geometric design. Customisable sizes ...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Karl Springer Lucite, Glass and Gold Plated Over Brass Console, Desk or Table
Located in North Miami, FL
This elegant vintage Karl Springer console table, writing desk, entry table or dining table has 4 arched lucite columns that rest on a 22 carat gold plated over brass angled plinth p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold, Brass

Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
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

Custom Modern Charcoal Dining Table with Diamond Pattern Inlay
Located in North York, ON
Custom modern charcoal dining table with diamond pattern inlay. Featuring beautiful oakwood work with diamond pattern inlay and sleek double pede...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Wooden Desk, Ico Parisi, 1968
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant and minimalistic desk has a wooden construction, with the original lacquer in blue-grey. The top is made of glass plate, handles made of matt-chromed metal. Listed Pari...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
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

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.

Recently Viewed

View All