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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Italian Mahogany & Lacquer Dining Table
Located in Denton, TX
Italian mahogany & lacquer dining table. This table top stands on a black lacquer and wood accented pedestal. One leaf extends this table out to fit up...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer
Contemporary Home Desk in Metallic Base
Located in New York, NY
Home desk comes in two sizes and the top has one drawer and one extra open box. There is a second open box in lacquer and the base is metallic with powder coating in variety of color...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Wall Mounted Sit/Stand Desk "Muro" in Oak and Stainless Steel by Casey Lurie
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
Desk or Writing Table Crystal Glass Origami Design Collectible Made in Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The desk 'Origami' is made of extra-clear crystal glass. Each sheet of extra-clear crystal glass is cut and ground with extreme precision, then the sheets are assembled by hand, havi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Crystal
Contemporary Sitting Standing "Work" Desk in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie, USA
By Casey Lurie
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
Modern White Blossom Glass Mosaic Desk with Modern Metal Base by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pavia Blossom desk/vanity by Ercole Home has a 2-drawer, with a painted white wood finish on oak.
Handcut glass mosaics in white and silver decorate the drawer fronts in blossom...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
'005' Desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Glendale, CA
'005' desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau.
Handcrafted in the Los Angeles and French workshops of noted French designer and antiques dealer ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Walnut Orange MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi table creates a slender, graceful profile punctuated with painted surfaces that ca...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Plywood, Birch
Modern Industrial Leather Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern industrial leather desk with a solid hammered metal base. It has three drawers accented with cast brass campaign drawer pulls.
Dimensions...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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
Bruce Burdick Desk for Herman Miller
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Rarely found with so many modules. Can be configured as a L-shaped desk or as 2 linear desks. Can be purchased in any configuration you may need.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Sculptural Green Wood Segment Desk by David Vu - Customizable
By David Vu
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Taking inspiration from the conceptual forms of Hiroshi Sugimoto, the Segment desk by Brooklyn designer David Vu starts with the exploration of simple geo...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Plywood
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
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
Oak, Wood, Plywood
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
21st Century by Arch.K.Hacke Marble Table/Consolle in P.Serena & B.Pennsylvania
Located in massa, IT
Marble table/console "Hacke Tavolo" designed by K. Hacke
Size: cm. 200 x90 x 73 H.
Materials: Bianco Pennsylvania + Pietra Serena.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
FIJN Desk in Solid Black Walnut
Located in Calgary, CA
Our FIJN desk is handcrafted in solid wood. Both desks pictured were built in figured Oregon black walnut. Solid wood drawers are lined in leather and inserts can be customized to su...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Modern Menir Console Table, Calacatta Marble, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Menir Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Menir modern console table draws inspiration from menhir sil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Modern Castelo Console Table, Onyx Stone, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Castelo Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel
Barbara Barry for Baker Mahogany Writing Desk or Console, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous contemporary mahogany console sofa table or writing desk
By Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture
USA, circa 1990s
Measures: 32" W x 20" D x 25" H.
Newly refinishe...
Category
1990s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Desk or Writing Table Geometric Glass Crystal Collectible Design Handmade Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The executive 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 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass
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...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Wood, Plywood
Burgundy Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top and Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This study desk is made with a beetroot powder-coated steel frame and a burgundy coloured natural linoleum tabletop. The linoleum for our desks is selected for the ecological propert...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Custom Modern Walnut Starburst Dining Table with Black Curved Pedestals
By Carrocel
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
Whitewashed Ash Linderman Wall-Mounted Desk with Leather Wrapped Drawer in Stock
Located in Accord, NY
New York Heartwoods' Linderman wall-mounted desk is influenced by Mid-Century Modern, Shaker and Asian design, and features a hand-shaped base, leather wrapped pen drawer (shown here...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Ash, Leather
Radius Cutaway Walnut Desk with Drawers
Located in brooklyn, NY
Radiused outer edges and scalloped inner edge create a contrasting profile that adorns this minimal desk. Made from hand oiled solid walnut, this desk blends simple lines with unique...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Amuneal’s Collector's Knife Edge Console
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal’s wall hanging bleached oak console table uses our traditional Collector’s Shelving hardware to support this two-drawer unit with raised knife-edge surround. The scale of the...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Kartell Earl of Wood Desk by Philippe Stark in Black Slatted Ash
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
Pierre Jeanneret Pigeon Hole Desk, France/India 1957
Located in London, GB
Pierre Jeanneret (1896-1967) is recognised as a pivotal figure in modernism. His collaborations with his cousin Le Corbusier are especially significant, particularly their codificati...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak 160x80 cm
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
Oak, Wood, Plywood
Karl Springer "Ming Writing Desk" in Embossed Leather 1980s
Located in New York, NY
“Ming Desk” in color embossed textured leather with 2 drawers by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The craftsmanship and materials are superb and this is a wonderful example of Karl Springer’s work. This is a pared down version of the Chinese Style Series which preceded it.
Reference:
Karl Springer LTD red binder catalog published in the 1980’s, section “Coffee Tables and Bar Carts”, on page 9 there is a photo of the coffee table model of this desk with the page titled “KARL SPRINGER LTD CHINESE STYLE COFFEE TABLE...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Radius Cutaway Reclaimed Walnut Desk
Located in brooklyn, NY
Radiused outer edges and a scalloped inner edge create a contrasting profile that adorns this minimal desk. Made from hand oiled solid walnut, this desk blends simple lines with unique subtle details. Three deep drawers with recessed pulls offer ample storage options, while offering soft close drawer slide movement. Finished with a water resistant non toxic finish from Germany. Hand made in our small studio in Red Hook Brooklyn...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Isabella Costantini, Italy, Duilio Desk with Polished Brass
Located in Ascoli Piceno, IT
Designed by IC and beautifully crafted by Italian artisans, the Duilio desk features a ribbed drawer and stylish legs. The brass, or powder coated metal, details and stunning design will bring elegance and sophistication to any space of your home.
Accessories and details: 1 velvet, or faux leather, lined drawer...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Simply Modern Writing Table, 49
Located in Westwood, NJ
An elegant modern writing table with two singular leather-wrapped drawers, our Cardamon finish on the veneered frame (and handles) with panel end supports and brushed brass finish ac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
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 the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Wood, Plywood
Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Maple Pink
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
Modern Black Walnut Burl Curved Desk with Leather Inset
Located in Hobart, NY
Walnut burl veneered desk, with 2 pencil drawers and leather worktop.
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Burl
Gentile Solid Wood Desk, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural grey 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 furnish with style. The desk feat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Large Modern Desk in Glass, Birch and Steel, Rectangular
By Duffy London
Located in London, GB
Abyss Desk expands Duffy’s explorations on the concept of depth with a mesmerising depiction of the Earth’s seabed, played out in vivid turquoise colours and grounded on stainless steel drawers...
Layers of glass and wood combine to create a three-dimensional viewing canvas; the yellow-tinted wood reacts with the blue glass to produce an array of luxurious colours, offering a glimpse into the thrilling ocean depths from the comfort of your dining room!
Abyss Desk is raised to office level at 75cm high on two stylish matte black plinths.
The original Abyss Table...
Category
2010s English 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 the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Wood, Plywood
Butterfly Desk
Located in Milan, IT
The Butterfly desk has a folded sheet metal base covered in leather and the top is made in leather with seams. Modesty in bronze lacquered sheet metal. ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
1970's "Boomerang" Desk in Walnut, Chrome Plated Steel and Glass - Italy
Located in Girona, ES
"Boomerang" desk, large top in varnished walnut covered with a thick glass. Two chrome plated steel columns.
Italy c. 1970
Measure: Width top: 77 cm.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Venezia Rialto Writing Desk
By Morici
Located in Milan, IT
Effortlessly enriching any modern interior - from a conference room, office, home study - this sculptural piece will create a timeless and elegant focal point. Entirely crafted of wo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Modern Castelo Console Table, Sahara Marble, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Castelo Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel
Organic 2fold black walnut desk With Pencil Drawers
Located in Hobart, NY
2fold black walnut with leather lined drawer and bronze handles
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Jacques Powder Blue Dining Table in Bird's Eye Maple by Fred&Juul
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Designed with the aim to find the perfect balance between clean lines and warm texture. Consisting of 5 rounded, 50 mm thick slats with bird’s eye maple veneer, the dining or coffee ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple
Modern Spalted Roundback Maple Reception Desk with Acrylic and Blackened Steel L
Located in Hobart, NY
Spalted maple round back with rose gold fill and 2' thick acrylic and blackened steel legs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Ideale Solid Wood Desk, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Grey 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 furnish with style. The desk feat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Roll Contemporary Desk in Metal and Wood
Located in London, GB
Writing desk by day and vanity table by night; roll desk 02 is a minimal piece with four metal legs supporting a solid wooden top. The top is upholstered in ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Raily Dark Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
This sophisticated writing desk will transform simple office tasks into a luxurious occasion with its exclusive details. Prized leather covers the wooden top, featuring a practical s...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
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 the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Wood, Plywood
Hayche WW Desk CS3, United Kingdom, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
The iconic WW collection celebrates the beauty of materials. An exquisite exercise in joinery and a future heirloom. This designed family is ever expanding and the playful juxtaposit...
Category
2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Pebble Edge English Walnut Dining oval Table by Jonathan Field
Located in London, GB
The Pebble Edge Oval Table on Chapel Legs:
The pebble edge refers to the tabletop edge, which takes inspiration from the perfect skimming stone, a stone that has been smoothed and made tactile by natural forces. The photographs show it with the Carol Bentwood walnut chairs.
The two pieces of English walnut used for the top are joined centrally along the live edge and held in place with butterfly ties on the underside.
The tabletop stands...
Category
2010s English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Hayche WW Desk Oak & Black, United Kingdom, Made to order
Located in Liverpool, GB
The iconic WW collection celebrates the beauty of materials. An exquisite exercise in joinery and a future heirloom. This designed family is ever expanding and the playful juxtaposit...
Category
2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Kartell Viscount of Wood Table by Philippe Stark in Walnut and Black Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Viscount of wood tables are the latest addition. These naturally composed tables complement the collection's choice of seats and create a sustainable livin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Kartell Earl of Wood Desk by Philippe Stark in Dark Wood and Black 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
Gervasoni Gray 50 Writing Desk in Air Force Blue Lacquered Oak 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: Gray 50 is a small elegant desk, designed in the name of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
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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