Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden and Finland
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus and modernism; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Corner Desk / Vanity / Storage Unit in the Manner of Frode Holm
By Frode Holm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare corner desk / vanity / storage unit in the manner of Frode Holm. Produced in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Poul Kjaerholm Professor Desk for Rud. Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm professor desk. Oxidixed steel frame and top of Oregon Pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Working Dining Rosewood Table by Hans Wegner #AT-318 for Andreas Tuck
Located in Hudson, NY
Brazilian rosewood table desk design by Hans Wegner for Andreas Tuck chrome legs sign on the bottom.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Hans Wegner Dining Table Model AT-318 by Andreas Tuck in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare dining table or desk model AT-318 designed by Hans Wegner. Produced by Andreas Tuck in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm Professor's Desk, 1955
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm 'Professor's desk with grey lacquered metal frame and top of Oregon pine.
Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for the Royal Danish Academy of Fine art in Copenhagen, 1955. ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Convertible Danish Desk, Dining Table or Partners Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Teak top with drawers on either side elevated on ebonized tapered legs. With the legs set at the four corners, it functions as a partners desk or a dining table in the middle of a ro...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Wood
Swedish Art Moderne Black Writing Desk with Zebra Hide Insert
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fabulous black lacquered writing desk with bookcase and lockable cabinet on front and curved desktop, pencil drawer and another cabinet wit...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
Fabricius and Kastholm Dining Table Danish Scandinavian Design
Located in Lyon, FR
Rare dining table designed by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Bo-Ex.
Base made of steel with a top glass.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Modernist Writing Desk
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A writing desk finely crafted in solid teak having a floating bank of drawers and turned dowel legs.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Drop Leaf Executive Desk by Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rectangular teak executive desk with a demi-lune drop leaf.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Poul Kjaerholm Very Rare Large Professor Desk
Located in London, GB
An original Professor's desk from the School of Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The tabletop is a continuous piece of plywood made from ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Teak and Steel Desk by Larsen and Madsen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak desk with steel frame and pulls, with a left side return housing filing shelves designed by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen. Return dimensions; 39.5" W, 17.5" D, 26.5" H.
Category
1960s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Elegant Mid-Century Desk Designed by Severin Hansen Jr. 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
This desk is an iconic example of Danish midcentury design, created by the talented designer Severin Hansen and manufactured by the renowned Haslev Møbelfabrik in the 1950s. The desk...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Desk
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century Danish / Scandinavian Modern teak desk.
This piece is in excellent refinished condition with very few signs of age-related wear (see photos).
If you w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Unique Danish Modern Desk in Teak & Oak, 1950s
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Rare desk produced in Denmark during the 1950s. The top is made of teak and the refined compass legs of solid oak. The whole is connected through a brass support bar. Underneath the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Desk in teak and oak "AT-305" by Hans J. Wegner, For Andreas Tuck, 1950s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk model "AT-305" designed by Hans J. Wegner. Produced in Denmark by Andreas Tuck during the 1950s. Made from mainly solid teak, aside from the table top. Drawers and pulleys in so...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Teak
Arne Vodder for Sibast. Corner desk. 1970s.
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Arne Vodder for Sibast.
Corner desk in rosewood, opening on the front with a box with three drawers and a large drawer in the central part. Drawers and doors on the left side. Strai...
Category
1970s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Ole Wanscher Rosewood Desk by A.J. Iversen
Located in Highland, IN
This 1950s Ole Wanscher design by A.J. Iversen is a transitional piece, combining traditional elements of a double pedestal desk with a decidedly modern approach.
The most striking ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Swedish modern desk by Oscar Nilsson from 1938, checker table top
Located in Hägersten, SE
Swedish modern desk designed by interior architect Oscar Nilsson. Produced in Stockholm, Sweden by Cabinetmaker Allan Lindgren in 1938. Made from f...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood
‘Paletti’ desk by Olavi Hanninen for Mikko Nupponen, Finland 1960’s.
Located in Antwerp, BE
‘Paletti’ desk by Olavi Hanninen for Mikko Nupponen, Finland 1960’s. This asymmetrical free standing desk is made out of oak and features a series of four drawers. Some age related m...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Art Deco Writing Desk in Elm, Förenade Möbelfabrikerna, Swedish Grace, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
This Art Deco Writing desk crafted by Förenade Möbelfabrikerna in the 1940s embodies timeless elegance with its exquisite design and rich materials. Constructed with a sophisticated ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
Danish Modern Teak Desk by Falster
Located in Highland, IN
This handsome and incredibly well built Svend Madsen desk by Falster Mobelfabrik has a bank of three shallow drawers on the left and a deep file drawer on the right. The back feature...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Desk / Dining Table in Teak Wood of Finnish Design from the 1960's
Located in Lejre, DK
Desk / Dining table made of teak wood with a very unique design from Finland around the 1960s. The table has a Dutch pull-out where the plate is inside under the top plate. Incredibl...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Scandinavian Middle Teak Desk, 1960s
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Scandinavian desk in teak and maple, 1960. Mounted on a portico base, the desk consists of a library on the visitor side and two drawers in the belt. The purity of the lines and the ...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Teak
Bernt Petersen Danish Mahogany Writing Desk, circa 1950s
Located in London, GB
Bernt Petersen
Mahogany Writing Desk, circa 1950s
Four drawer executive desk produced in Denmark by master cabinetmakers Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark. Solid mahogany legs and drawer...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Danish Writing Desk by Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Beautiful massiv oak writing desk by Danish architect Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf.
Danish furniture designers that gets inspiration from the time before. Style of the baroque and good woodcarved woodworking. His characteristic shaped legs in baroque style fits perfectly with the modern home interior.
Lot of space in the drawers and in the back, this table is ideal to stand off...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Jens Risom Solid Wood Desk, Denmark, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in Utrecht, NL
Jens Risom: wood desk, manufactured by Risom Design. 1960s.
This nicely shaped Jens Risom desk has a well sized desktop, two drawer units with drawers and a pull-out leaf with glass top on each side. An internal lock allows you to lock the drawers with a key. The black steel drawer handles are mounted onto chrome rings and have a minimal design. The desk has cylindrical legs and refined adjustable feet. The back legs are a bit detached from the drawers which give the desk an open look to what otherwise would have been a quite solid / closed desk. The wood of the desk has a wonderful grain, that has come out beautifully over the years. It was manufactured by Risom Designi in the 1960s.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor marks and scratches. One key is enclosed. Some drawers don’t come out totally fluid. Manufactured by Risom Design.
Dimensions:
66.93 in. W x 35.44 in. D x 28.75 in. H
170 cm W x 90 cm D x 73 cm H
Shipping:
This solid wood desk...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Hans J. Wegner - rare PP571 Architect's Desk in soaped oak, 1953 for PP Møbler
Located in Munster, NRW
Hans J. Wegner designed the extraordinary pp571 Architect´s Desk in 1953 as a match to the Round Chair (The Chair).
Later in 1955 he designed the Swivel Chair hence completing a line of exclusive, functional and exquisitely crafted masterpieces for the CEO office.
(This table was purchased circa 2000 from the first owner!)
The desk marks the beginning of Wegner's work on combining sharp steel and sculptural solid wood in most elegant and well-balanced solutions.
In this respect the desk precedes such unique classics as the Swivel Chair, the Cross Legged Table and the pp75 table...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Danish Rosewood Desk by Erik Riisager Hansen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Erik Riisager Hansen.
Freestanding desk in Rio rosewood. Top with raised edge on tapered legs. Three drawers at front with recessed pulls
The desk shows remarkable high-quality craft...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
Severin Hansen Jnr.
Writing Desk, circa 1950s.
Produced by Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark. Rosewood veneer construction and brass fittings with 4 integral drawers. Original keys...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Arne Vodder Desk & Sideboard Rio Rosewood, 1955 by Sibast Møbelfrabrik, Denmark
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Munster, NRW
Arne Vodder office desk & sideboard, model 209 in Rio rosewood, made in 1955 by Sibast Møbelfrabrik, Denmark (for this property we have a valid cites certificate.)
Stunning and huge desk...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Børge Mogensen Dining Table "No. 284" Oak Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Rare vintage dining table or desk by Børge Mogensen designed in 1958 and manufactured at "Fredericia Stolefabrik". Solid aged oak with beautiful grain. This piece is stamped with mod...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Danish Modern Desk / Dining Table in Birch Attributed to Philip Arctander, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
Rare dining table with two extendables made in birch. Attributed to danish designer Philip Arctander. Beautiful structure and lines.
It can also be used as a desk.
Each extendable ...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Birch
Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
Severin Hansen Jnr.
Writing Desk, circa 1950s.
Produced by Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark. Rosewood veneer construction and brass fittings with 4 integral drawers. Original keys...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
Severin Hansen Jnr.
Writing desk, circa 1950s.
This iconic piece of Danish design was produced by Haslev Mobelsnedkeri in Denmark in the late 1950s. The desk is made from solid...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Rosewood Dining Table by Henning Kjærnulf for Vejle Møbelfabrik, 1960, Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
Danish modernist design extendable dining room table /desk in rosewood
The extension leaves are nicely integrated into the design, stored under the tabletop, so that the table is bo...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk & Table, 1st Edition, 1945 by Illums Bolighus, København
Located in Munster, NRW
Finn Juhl - BO69 Nyhavn Desk / Table and detachable flip-down leaf in teak.
1st Edition, 1945 by ILLUMS BOLIGHUS KØBENHAVN (labelled undernea...
Category
1940s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Nanna Ditzel Writing Desk
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nanna Ditzel Writing Desk Designed in 1958 and Produced by Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Scandinavian Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian 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, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Denmark 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 Éric Gizard, Børge Mogensen, Hans J. Wegner, and Arne Vodder. 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 $458 and tops out at $90,000 while the average work can sell for $4,800.
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