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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
1
357
81
21
to
17
275
140
459
250
287
1,397
459
338
272
239
203
184
169
117
90
83
80
56
45
37
30
23
10
1
80
378
2
23
36
1
3
3
5
6
22
7
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
320
248
56
74
66
317
76
76
74
63
39
23
16
16
15
Style: Modern
Returnable Items Only
Contemporary Levita Desk in Solid Matilisguate Wood by Labrica
Located in Oakland Park, FL
The concept that inspired the levita chest and desk was to make it appear that they were levitating. The drawers are delicately supported by a structure inspired by the geometric traditional patterns found in indigenous Guatemalan textiles...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Nancy Corzine Wakefield Executive Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Nancy Corzine Wakefield executive desk in excellent condition
Piece comes fully restored free of dents and scratches.
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Michel Ducaroy 'attributed to', Desk, Circa 1975
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Tray dimensions: L180 x P90
Desk dimensions: L138 x P65 x H73
Smoked glass top
Good condition, slightly pitted stainless steel.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Lorin Marsh, Modern, Desk, Gray Embossed Leather, Chrome, 2000s
By Lorin Marsh
Located in Stamford, CT
Hollywood Regency style modern desk or writing table. Embossed and stitched leather on a sleek and stylish chromed steel base. All sides finished in chrome and leather including interior of drawers. This custom quality desk is sure to add sparkle to any room in the home or office. A simply stunning example of detail to workmanship. This particular desk is selling for three times ($25,350) the listed price at Lorin Marsh.
In 1975, Lorin Marsh established their eponymous furniture and décor showroom in the historic New York Decoration and Design building, with the aim of providing comprehensive interior decorating options while maintaining a chic, boutique experience. Not only offering an array of home décor, including furniture, lighting and accessories, Lorin Marsh also presented a wide variety of styles, comprising antique, vintage and modern, as well as imported pieces with European, Asian and South American aesthetics. Over the decades since its inception, the brand expanded to include bespoke pieces, made to the same high-quality standards of craftsmanship that Lorin Marsh has come to be recognized for. Arguably one of the more unique aspects of the company’s operation is the purveying of both brand-designed pieces and unique vintage furnishings...
Category
2010s Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Writing Desk or Console by Byron Robitaille
By Byron Robitaille
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting maple and walnut custom desk/console table with drawer by Byron Robitaille.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry
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
Shape Shifting Desk
By Ken Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This desk is made from three walnut panels connected by two wooden hinges allowing the desk to alter shape, it can even lay flat for transport. Here it i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Walnut
21st Century Two-Drawer Mirrored Glass and Brass Writing Desk or Console
Located in Miami, FL
This is one of five exclusive pieces.
Two-drawer mirrored glass and brass writing desk
Beautiful and elegant design
Perfect finished.
Overall dimensions: 127 cm W x 51 cm D x 8...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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 s...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Multi Laminated and Lacquered Wood Bureau, Argentina, circa 1970
By Stilka
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Multi laminated and lacquered wood bureau. Argentina, circa 1970.
Attributed to Stilka.
Category
1970s Argentine Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Willy Rizzo Fiorentina Model Steel and Brass Crystal Top Table, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in IT
Fiorentina Model table by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s. Steel and brass structure, glass top. Size: 101 x 204 cm, H 75 cm. A video is available upon request. Good conditions, wears cohe...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
Glass Modern Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Glass modern desk with gold-plated decorative plates, beautifully designed, gold plated plates gives it that elegant and vintage look.
Category
20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold Plate
Decorative Aluminium Table or Desk
Located in New York, NY
Decorative aluminum table or desk with glass top.
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Saki Naka, Table, Matang
By Matang, Lucien Dumas
Located in Paris, FR
A rectangular wood and marble table.
The rectangular tabletop is made out of Grey marble from Kishangarh, on eight walnut legs assembled as compasses joined with white marble keys f...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
21st Century Sean Desk in Wood with Top in Leather by Gianfranco Ferré Home
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Elegant, functional and comfortable, the Sean desk plays the leading role in the office environment. Made in Tay wood tinted smoky grey, it features inserts with a bronzed finish and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
1980s Italian Design Black Metal Base and Travertine Tray Table
Located in Tourcoing, FR
1980s Italian design black metal base and travertine tray table.
Category
20th Century European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Travertine, Metal
Stone and Brass Desk with Honed Granite Top by John Pawson
By BENCHMARK, John Pawson
Located in Saffron Walden, GB
With a focus on clarity of line, form and function, this special edition desk with Indian honed granite top and angular patinated brass frame, is almost 2 metres long and stands an i...
Category
2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Granite, Brass
Ghidini 1961 Miami Table in Stainless Steel by Nika Zupanc
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Desk in stainless steel. Just when you're feeling down, and a little bit battered or numbed by life in general, along comes a spectacularly shiny square-meter of table surface to put...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Teak Desk by Ilmari Tapiovaara, manufactured by Cantú, 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
Wooden desk made by finish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara, made of solid teak wood with drawers and brass details.
Labeled 'La Permanente di Cantú'
Il...
Category
1660s Italian Antique Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Tapparelle Desk, in Solid Oak, Inspired by Ancient Roll-Up Shutter Office
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Tapparelle is a desk in solid oak with a strong and material grain, where the sinuous and modern forms are the counterpart of a solid structure enhanced by the material and by the very high quality of the workmanship, largely artisanal.
The desk is equipped with a compartment closed by a wooden shutter made of oak rods mounted by hand on canvas. An ancient suggestion; one would expect to find inside pen and inkwell, but it is thought today to hide the tools of modernity, telephone, laptop and tablet.
It belongs to a timeless collection of wooden containers...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
American Maple Butcher Block Parsons Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A supremely chic 20th century American maple butcher block parsons waterfall table constructed of two inch thick strips of laminated maple and ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple
Le Bureau de Paolo Wooden Desk with several drawers
By Sam Baron
Located in Roma, IT
Le bureau de Paolo is a desk constituted of wide variety of boxes and drawers.
These boxes have a structural function: They compose the feet of the desk to w...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Original Shagreen Gilt Metal Writing Table Desk with Single-Drawer
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning RRP £13,000 original shagreen black lacquered with gold gilt metal detailing writing table desk
This is a very substantial desk. Shagreen for those of you who aren’t familiar is shark or ray skin. There are reproductions skins available however these are totally original, the way to tell apart from the feel is on the reproductions each skin is exactly the same, on the real hide...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Shagreen
Machined Aluminum Dining Table with Glass Top
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Custom-built Modernist dining table with a machined aluminum base. Perfect for the Futurist and Modernist setting. The table would work well as a large desk.
Category
1990s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Custom Modern Walnut Table with Leaves by Dos Gallos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom modern table with two separate 18 inch extension leaves that slide in on each side. Starting out at 60 inches long and expands to 96 inches. As shown, in Walnut, with custom f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Tapparelle Desk, in Solid Oak, Contemporary design, hand made in Italy
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Tapparelle is a desk in solid oak with a strong and material grain, where the sinuous and modern forms are the counterpart of a solid structure enhanced by the material and by the ve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Curvy Vanity Table Available
Located in San Pietro di Morubio, Verona
Easily transferable from the bedroom to the living room, where it can be used as a writing desk, this vanity merges functionality with style in a sleek design that will fit a modern ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Rectangular Iron Cube Table with Embedded Wood Top, Dinner or Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
Rectangular iron cube table with embedded wood top. Dinner table. Desk table
Frame material: Extruded and hand-welded iron rods
Frame finish: Black
Iron rods dimensions: 3.93i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Rare Hand Painted Pedestal Desk by the Artist Ambrose Thomas Marquis d'Oisy
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand painted circa 1940 solid oak best by the Marquis d'Oisy Ambrose Thomas (1880-1959)
The painted pedestal desk is circa 1940-1950...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Rectangular Iron Cube Table with Embedded Wood Top, Dinner Table, Desk Table
Located in Miami, FL
Rectangular iron cube table with embedded wood top, dinner table, desk table
Frame material: Extruded and hand-welded iron rods
Frame finish: Black
Iron rods dimensions: 3.93 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Contemporary workplace or dining table, "Table B" by Konstantin Grcic metal wood
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
George Nelson Home Desk for Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
Walnut with original custom white leather writing surface and sliding floating doors, small drawers in maple. Storage and drop down typing table with original perforated aluminum fil...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Contemporary office meeting table model "Table B" wood, laminated top, Spain
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
Italian Hollywood Regency Bimetal Bicolor Table or Desk, in Romeo Rega Style
By Romeo Rega
Located in Telgte, DE
Italian Hollywood Regency bimetal bicolor table desk metal gilded brass
Italy, stunning table. Impressive Geometric base made of chromed and brass-plated steel. Can be used as a din...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Metal
Solid Rosewood Dining or Work Table
By Founders Furniture Company, Dave Parmelee
Located in Hudson, NY
Solid butcher block technique rosewood top on flat polished chrome x-leg base.
Made by Founders.
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Important Modernist Prototype Desk & Chair by U.A.M. Attributed to Le Corbusier
By Union Des Artistes Modernes, Robert Mallet-Stevens
Located in New York, NY
Rare handmade French modernist desk and chair prototypes in hand-formed and hand-hammered (non-commerially produced) tubular steel. The chair and desk are elegant architectural state...
Category
1930s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
2001 Rectangular Metal Desk in Gold and Bronze Leaf by Jean Jacques Argueyrolles
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful 2001 rectangular in handcrafted iron desk in gold and bronze leaf by the French artist "Jean Jacques Argueyrolles".
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron, Gold Leaf
"Post and Truss" Dining Table by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Danville, CA
Masterfully engineered and crafted "Post and Truss" Series dining table constructed of 4.5" diameter Lucite dowels with brass mounts. This would also ma...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1980s Tecno by Norman Foster Christal top Steel Structure Nomos Desk Table
Located in IT
Table produced in the 1980s by Tecno on design by Norman Foster. Chromed steel metal structure. Rectangular glass top recently added . Feet are adjustable. This table is suitable bot...
Category
1980s European Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel
High end palissander desk by Promemoria italy, 1990s
By Promemoria
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
High end italian desk by Promemoria italy with a incredibly beautiful palissander frame and top.
Inside the two drawers we find a leather finish, labelled with makers mark.
The nat...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Palisander
Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
Introducing the perfect addition to your home office or study - the Modern black lacquered writing desk. With its clean and minimalist design, this desk exudes a sleek and contempora...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Thomas O’Brien For Century Modern Mahogany & Kingwood Writing Desk / Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a beautiful desk designed by Thomas O’Brien for Century. It is a compilation of kingwood veneers over mahogany, which gives it a rosewood effect. It has two drawers and is ma...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Kingwood, Mahogany
Contemporary Curved Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair
Located in North York, ON
This set exudes elegance and sophistication with its natural light wood finish that adds a touch of warmth to any space. The desk and chair both feature beautiful curved details that...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
W80 Pecs Black Desk designed by Marcel Breuer for Simon by Cassina
By Cassina, Marcel Breuer
Located in Traversetolo, IT
The Pecs desk, designed in 1964 by Marcel Breuer for Simon by Cassina, is crafted from black stained ash and is available in a single size. It features two drawers, with three drawer...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
Modernist desk by Etienne Fermigier, France, 1970s
Located in Lyon, FR
Beautiful modernist desk by Etienne Fermigier, produced by JFR, made in France in the 1970s.
Laminate top, aluminum structure.
Very good condition, few traces of time on the top.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
1970s Peter Protzman Zebrawood executive desk for Herman Miller
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Peter Protzman’s zebra wood executive desk for Herman Miller. These were manufactured in 1970 and 1971. This desk was only produced for a short period of time because of issues with ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Round Dining Center able with Stone Mosaic Surface by Karl Springer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A glamorous circular dining table designed by Karl Springer circa 1980s. Supported by a pedestal in a large column shape, the thick tabletop features a rounded beveled edge and encir...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
Modern French Desk, Light
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French two drawer desk with our mangrove 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
Leather, Wood
Cassina Rodolfo Dordoni Chrome Mylar and White Milk Glass Dining Table or Desk
Located in North Miami, FL
This Italian modern and contemporary round dining table or desk or entry table designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Cassina is from about 2012. ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Curvy Vanity Table
Located in San Pietro di Morubio, Verona
Easily transferable from the bedroom to the living room, where it can be used as a writing desk, this vanity merges functionality with style in a sleek design that will fit a modern decor. The rectangular oak-veneered top is supported by two U-shaped brass legs with a slightly curved base. On one side, a flip-top mirror reveals a practical space to keep cosmetics, jewelry, and accessories out of sight and well organized.
Combining the traditional smoked oak pattern with contemporary curves in furniture, Kabinet Studios transforms this time-old technique into a refined modern-day collection.
Complementing the oak veneer so that each piece appears to be made from solid wood which gently curves. The Curvy collection includes a sideboard, display cabinet, vanity table...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Custom Sit/Stand "Essentials Desk" with Solid Wood Top and Metal Base, Small
Located in Vancouver, B.C.
Break up long periods of sitting at a desk and improve your productivity by switching to standing. The height adjustable Essentials Desk gives you the freedom to do both. The desks h...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Custom Sit/Stand "Essentials Desk" with Solid Wood Top and Metal Base, Medium
Located in Vancouver, B.C.
Break up long periods of sitting at a desk and improve your productivity by switching to standing. The height adjustable Essentials Desk gives you the freedom to do both. The desks h...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Custom Sit/Stand "Essentials Desk" with Solid Wood Top and Metal Base, Large
Located in Vancouver, B.C.
Break up long periods of sitting at a desk and improve your productivity by switching to standing. The height adjustable Essentials Desk gives you the freedom to do both. The desks h...
Category
2010s Canadian 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 AllMore Ways To Browse
Regency Leather Top Writing Desk
Antique Mahogany Desk French
Bamboo Writing Desk
Antique Wooden Desk Table
Antique Wooden Table Desk
Italian Small Writing Tables
Midcentury Desk With Floating Top
Traditional Antique Desk
Desk Table 70
Carved Oak French Desk
Small Victorian Desk
Writing Table Light Wood
Antique Solid Oak Writing Desk
Painted French Writing Table
Antique Ornate Desk
Wood Brass Inlay Desk
Neoclassical Style Desk
Green Victorian Desk