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Industrial and Work Tables For Sale
French 19th Century Workbench from Burgundy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century workbench is a fascinating relic of technology from before the assembly line, a hybrid of artisanal rusticity and industrial innovations specially adapted fo...
Category
19th Century French Brutalist Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
French 19th Century Artisan’s Workbench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century workbench is a fascinating relic of technology from before the assembly line, a hybrid of organic rusticity and industrial innovations specially adapted for ...
Category
19th Century French Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
Late 19th Century French Artisan-Made Oak Sculptor's Stand, Rotating Platform
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late nineteenth century artisan-made oak sculptor's table from France stands ready to accommodate any oeuvre d'art. Hand pegged with mortise and tenon construction, it is suppor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Oak
French 19th Century Carpenter’s Workbench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century workbench is a fascinating relic of technology from before the assembly line, a hybrid of artisanal rusticity and industrial innovations. The top planks are ...
Category
19th Century French Brutalist Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
Rustic Distressed Maple Industrial Workbench
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful distressed chunky masculine 19th century maple workbench having one side with wood vice. Work surface with back brace.
55” wide with vices closed, Back brace 7” height, F...
Category
19th Century American Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Maple
Antique Dual Aspect Sewing Table, English, Ladies, Work Box, Regency, Circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique dual aspect sewing table. An English, rosewood ladies work box, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820.
Fascinating dual aspect table, with striking figuring an...
Category
1820s British Regency Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Cotton, Rosewood
Vintage industrial 1950s Nike Eskilstuna drafting table
Located in Leicester, GB
An impressive 1950's cast iron drafting table by NIKE Eskilstuna. Made in Sweden. An iconic true vintage 'architect's table'; this drafting table is in great working order with a hy...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal, Iron
Antique Hamilton Printer's 20 Drawer Typeset Industrial Cabinet c.1920-1930
By Hamilton Products
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An early 20th century printer's wooden typeset cabinet by Hamilton Mfg Company with 20 wooden drawers used to house steel typeset letters. Origi...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Steel
English 19th Century Painted Shop Counter
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Fantastic painted counter from a 19th Century English shop, this rare and outstanding fixture would transform your kitchen or retail establishment. Darkened oak planks on the surface...
Category
19th Century English Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Pine, Paint
Industrial Table Base Made in Cast Iron
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this Industrial Table Base Made in Cast Iron. Fantastic Patina. Ready to be installed in a workshop and put a big size table top. The base can be screwed to the ...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
Large 1920’s painted industrial steel table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large 1920's painted industrial steel table
Here we present a unique table that was found local to us. Extensive original painted tubular base with supportive apron and stretchers....
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Steel, Iron
19th Century Antique Carpenter's Workbench Crafted in Estonia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning antique carpenter's workbench with lovely patina by Viljandi RTK. This 19th Century piece was made in Estonia and used by carpenters of the period, with built in organizatio...
Category
19th Century Estonian Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Steel
French 19th Century Oak Kitchen Island
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A unique drapery table from Burgundy, France, dating to the late 1800s. The tall and large surface area is ideal for any creative pursuit, artistic to culinary, which makes this exam...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Wooden Collapsible Ironing Board
Located in San Carlos, CA
For sale: A fantastic antique wooden ironing board, perfect for adding a touch of vintage and antique charm to any space. This industrial style ironing board is in great structural condition considering its age, with some age-related cosmetic flaws that add to its character. Beyond its original use as an ironing board, this piece can be repurposed as a unique display table, entry hall table, or console table—the possibilities with this antique piece are endless!
Dimensions: 47.5" long, 11.5" wide, and an adjustable height of approximately 50". This versatile and charming antique ironing...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood
Custom American Antique Industrial Farm Clipper Now Work Table Kitchen Island
Located in Forney, TX
A custom one-of-a-kind A.T Ferrell & Co. Clipper Grain Cleaner now table or kitchen island.
Featuring an antique American "Clipper" grain and seed cleaner by A.T. Ferrell and Company (Saginaw, Michigan, United States), dating to the turn of the late 19th / early 20th century, repurposed and now fashioned as a work table / kitchen island, with later wooden slab tabletop, beside tole grain chute, pulley turn wheels, tiered open shelf storage and a lower drawer, in the original red paint finish, with painted maker's mark to lower drawer. circa 1900
Beautifully aged warm rustic worn weathered distressed patina from age and industrial use adds to the overall authenticity, antique character, charm, and rich historical depth that can only be acquired over long periods of time
- Dimensions: (approx)
Overall: 44.5" High, 60.5" Wide, 35.5" Deep
- Versatile:
Having the ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a farmhouse kitchen island or chopping block cutting board stand, workbench, large console, dining room sideboard server buffet serving table, bar height cocktail drinks or wine tasting table, Victorian era center table, placed in the foyer as a striking statement piece, general store counter, retail display, or in a old fashioned restaurant as a hostess counter or decoration that's sure to garner a lot of attention!
- Company History:
The history of AT Ferrell dates to 1869, when John E. Smith, a steam ship captain in the civil war, built the first air / screen grain cleaner. Having returned to Ohio after the war, Smith became interested in a small water powered flour mill and needed a wheat cleaner. Lacking the funds and credit, Smith built his own cleaner, and in 1869 the first fanning mill using a vertical air blast principle was put into operation. From his naval background Smith named his new machine “Clipper” after the very fast and advanced sailing ships of the time. Smith moved on from the flour mill business and turned his interest with the help of his new cleaner to becoming a grain buyer and trader. His success in that business stimulated the idea of further developments to the cleaner. And in 1879, ten years after the first, Smith had built 20 hand operated Clippers and sold them in the surrounding counties in Northern Ohio. By 1891 having built some 200 Clipper cleaners Smith thought he had hit his peak. He also thought he had saturated the market. Not able to foresee the future and wanting to retire, he sold his little cleaner business to Albert T. Ferrell who had been an employee for eight years. By the time just prior to World War Two more than twenty thousand various models of Clipper cleaners had been produced by the A.T. Ferrell company. Today it's estimated that sixety thousand Clipper cleaners have been produced and placed into operation worldwide over the last 150 years. Many of those have long been forgotten and lost to time, especially the older models, but surviving examples are still recognizable in barns, museums, feed mills and seed plants around the world.
Keywords:
Late Victorian era craftsman old fashion original general store counter country fair farm tool machine machinist agriculture machinery agricultural industry heavy-duty coffee bean grinder grinding mill vice carpenter shop carpentry bench Americana advertising commercial business fixture merchant mercantile display...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Oak Drapers Table
Located in Ongar, GB
A very nice 19th century French oak drapers table with a lovely colour to the wood.
In very good solid condition ready to use.
Please contact us directly for a worldwide shipping ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century Antique Carpenter's Workbench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning antique carpenter's workbench with tons of charm, lovely patina and paint splatter. This 19th Century piece was used by carpenters of the p...
Category
Late 19th Century Estonian Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Steel
Vintage French Artisan Workbench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French artisan’s work table from the 19th century made from oak and pine could easily be used as a small kitchen island or sturdy console. This utilitarian antique has a thick top ...
Category
19th Century French Rustic Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Oak, Pine
French 19th Century Work Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A heavy-duty work table or drapery table from 19th century France offering two levels for working and display, supported by massive painted legs. The thick, beech wood planks are an ...
Category
19th Century French Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Beech
Vintage Green Belgian Bar or Planting Station with Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage green belgian planting station with dark green vinyl and brass accents with patina and discoloration. Finely worn vinyl. Replaced bolts to attach upper shelf. End folds down ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Kitchen Island with Walnut Butcher Block or Work Table Made to Order in Chicago
Located in Chicago, IL
Kitchen Island with a solid Walnut Butcher Block Top made to order in America to your exacting specifications. The example we are showcasing here is built from Stainless Steel with S...
Category
2010s American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Bronze, Stainless Steel
James de Wulf Outdoor Concrete Pool Table
Located in Paia, HI
The classic James de Wulf Concrete Billiards Table is a staple to any game room. The regulation sized table is constructed of concrete reinforced with carbon fiber. It features a smo...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Concrete
A 19th Century Shop Counter
Located in Conwy, GB
A 19th century pitch pine shop counter.
Original well patinated surface decoration, later rudimentary shelf to the interior.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Pine
19th c. Monumental American Carpenter's Workbench with Two Drawers c.1850-1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A large, 19th century carpenter's workbench with two pull out drawers and long bottom shelf. Constructed with two wide solid Maple planks on top, mortise and tenon joints and ...
Category
19th Century American Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Steel
Early 19th Century French Butcher Block Table Billot de Boucher
Located in Forney, TX
Take a step back in time with this authentic antique country French boucherie billot de boucher (butchershop butcher block)
A charming early example, circa 1810, with beautifully aged heavily worn patina, full of antique character and charm, rustic warmth, and rich historical depth!
Created in Provincial France in the early 19th century, this culinary icon exudes history and craftsmanship, hand-crafted of mixed woods including maple and oak, quality solid wood construction with visible pegged mortise and dovetail joinery that adds to the interest, having a shaped backsplash with convenient tool slot for storing utensils, meat cleavers, and knives.
Featuring a thick heavy-duty contoured end-grain work surface with attractive worn smooth dark rich distressed patina, authentic wear, knife marks, and uneven organic form acquired from generations of cutting, chopping, carving, typical industrial knife work and butchery. Banded with large brass corner brackets, the rectangular butcher block sits over a paneled base stand fitted with a single deep spacious drawer, affixed with the original oversized brass ring pull, ideal for convenient knife storage and easy access, over a scalloped apron, rising on chunky turned legs.
Includes a later stag antler handled sharpening rod and two primitive antique wooden handle...
Category
Early 19th Century French Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique c. Large Carpenter's Workbench c.1890-1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A large, antique solid Maple carpenter's workbench with inlay tray used to house larger tools and dovetail joints. The bench features two wooden and castiron screw vises that ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Industrial Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Steel
Custom Made Industrial Iron BASE for Kitchen Island or Work Table by BH&A
Located in Sheffield, MA
Attention to details is what this custom made base is all about. This large 9' x 30" handcrafted iron base has two self-closing drawers and two open shelves that will hold an abunda...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Heavy Swedish Butcher Block Table with Pine Legs and Metal Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy Mid-Century Swedish butcher block. Manufactured around the middle of the 20th century this piece consists of a solid wood top on thick pine...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal
Antique French Butcher table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique weathered butcher table. These tables were used as a chopping block for meat. Completely original and in good condition. Table is made of beech wood. Maker and orig...
Category
1910s French Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Beech
Visetta coffee table with typewriter, by Gio Ponti, archived published
By Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Visetta sewing machine coffee table, original design by Gio Ponti, archived and published.
Published in "Gio Ponti Archives," and exhibited at the museum of the Milan Triennale.
t...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal
Table Otto Wagner "Die Zeit" Re Edition from the Original
Located in Vienna, AT
Reading table for the dispatch bureau of the daily newspaper "Die Zeit" in Vienna, Kärntnerstrasse/Annagasse, 1902 designed by Otto Wagner. A reconstruction of the façade is exhibite...
Category
2010s Austrian Vienna Secession Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Brass
French Walnut Bistro Table or Cafe Table with Marble Top and Brass, C. 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French walnut bistro table or cafe table from the turn of the twentieth century features a rose colored marble top with grey and white veining. The top is surrounded by wooden t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage French Leather Workshop Table Kitchen Island
Located in Mckinney, TX
This rustic workbench, once utilized in a leather workshop in France, embodies strength and durability. Its substantial 3-board top sits atop squared legs, accompanied by a lower pla...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Sewing Table, English, Burr Walnut, Ladies Work Box, Victorian, C.1840
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique sewing table. An English, burr walnut and maple ladies work box, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1840.
Exceptional visual appeal to this fine sewing ...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Maple, Walnut
French Oak Two Tier Work Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French, 19th century work table in two tiers, formerly used in a winery. The tall and large surface area is ideal for any creative pursuit, from the artist's studio to home baker–p...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Oak, Paint
Larch Work Table Mid-20th Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Work table, made of larch wood with four turned legs joined by band under top and bottom just above turned foot. Two white marble countertops rest on these bands, revised only in cle...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Marble
Early 20th Century Rustic Work Table Large Kitchen Island with Shelf
Located in Round Top, TX
Rustic work table or shop counter with two drawers and lower shelf.
This heavily used table reflects generations of use in every gouge, nick, crack, scratch, and stain. Typical aged ...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Rustic Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood
Pine shop counter, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful counter with four drawers with porcelain knobs. Made of pine wood. The blue paint gives the counter an exceptional color and character.
Category
1930s French Rustic Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Pine
Fantastic Kitchen Island Repurposed from a Wisconsin Butcher's Table Restored.
Located in Chicago, IL
Fantastic Kitchen Island Repurposed from a Wisconsin Butcher's Table Restored. One of our favorite pickers found this extremely rare American made early 1900's Butcher's Table in the...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Steel
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 Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Victorian Walnut Sewing Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice earl Victorian Burl walnut sewing stand and work table in very good condition. This unique piece has a fold out writing or work surface under...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Butcher's Block Cupboard Kitchen Unit Table – High-Quality
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique French Butcher's Block Cupboard Kitchen Unit Table – Solid Beech Worksurface Circa 1900.
This rare antique French butcher's block features a refinished 3-inch (7.5cm) thick ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Beech, Pine
Early 20th Century Printers Turtle Tables
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
a pair of early 20th century Turtle tables from a defunct print shop. Excellent patina on these iron & steel tables. they are extremely heavy duty & would add gravity & a grounding e...
Category
1920s Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
French Mid Century Industrial Boulangerie Trolley Basket Cart C1950
Located in Trensacq, FR
Large French baker's bread cart, provenance from a boulangerie in the southwest of France. Wonderfully distressed and full of character, this basket was...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal
18th Century French Directoire Period Walnut Work Table or Console Table
Located in Birmingham, AL
An exceptional 18th century French Directoire period work table, handcrafted from solid walnut in Lyon, the historic capital of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, circa 1790s. Sit...
Category
18th Century French Directoire Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Walnut
French Wooden Pétrin Table with Original Dough Bin and Baluster Legs, circa 1750
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French wooden pétrin table with removable top, original dough bin and single side drawer from the mid-18th century. Born during the reign of King Louis XV, this French kneading table...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood
Rare Aluminum Drafting Table
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This elegant drafting table is made of aluminum and wood and rather light. It was created and made in the 1920s.
It is a great piece in very good authentic condition.
Tabletop 120 c...
Category
1920s Belgian Industrial Vintage Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Trestle Table "Work" in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie USA
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Introduced in 2016, WORK table is a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries.
The table has height adjustable trestles...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Antique Pottery Stand
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Pottery Stand – A beautifully aged stand, crafted to support and showcase pottery with elegance. Featuring rich patina, it serves as both a functional and decorative piece, p...
Category
Early 20th Century French Rustic Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Oak Kitchen Island, Butcher Block, Industrial Work Table Cast Iron
Located in Miami, FL
Antique Oak Kitchen Island, Butcher Block, Industrial Work Table Cast Iron with large heavy drawers on both sides that works perfectly
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
1930s Art Deco Raymond Patten Signed Industrial Kitchen Work Table
Located in Forney, TX
A fabulous original American Art Deco industrial Smartline kitchen work table, designed by Raymond Patten (American, 1897-1948), retailed by Internation...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Chrome, Enamel, Stainless Steel
Glass Top Confection Bakers Table with Wood Base and Porcelain Enamel Feet
Located in New York, NY
Charming early 20th Century vintage confection, or bakers, table having a thick ( 1 inch ) milk glass top, solid wood base, and porcelain enamel boot style feet. Originally designed as a commercial kitchen work table, this stylish piece can easily be repurposed as a dining or kitchen table, or use as a desk or hobby table...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Porcelain, Glass, Wood
Antique Foldable Wood Worktable Wallpaper Table
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Foldable Portable Industrial Worktable Wallpaper Table
Original use for wallpaper installation.
amazing item with beautiful unrestored patina
33.25 h x 73.75 x 24 D. 31.25 D ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Antique Walnut Draper’s, Drapier Table, Antique Tailor Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An important antique 19th Century French Draper’s Table or Table de Drapier made of and crafted Walnut with a rich warm patina, in good condition. The huge top planks of the large ta...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Walnut
American Industrial Style Carpenters Work Bench Table or Etabli
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Beautifully aged and weathered American industrial style carpenters work bench table or etabli. The hardwood bench features 2 iron vices from Columbian Vice Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. T...
Category
20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
Vintage Cast Iron & Oak Articulating Tripod Base Drafting Table , TILT / SWIVEL
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique Keuffel & Esser Drafting Table with Iron Base.. Adjustable height from 30 inches tall to 38 inches tall maybe a little bit more if you push it 24 inches wide original oak top...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
Vintage Carpentry Woodworking Pine Workbench Table
Located in Forney, TX
A vintage carpentry woodworking - craftsman's pine workbench.
Dating to the first half of the 20th century, having a thick rectangular solid pine top with desirable overhang and recessed chanel trough, single hand crank vice clamp with heavy iron and steel elements (easy to remove to free up tabletop space if needed), all rising on four strong straight block legs, joined by a sturdy lower tier stretcher shelf. circa 1940s
Similar to the centuries old original Roubo workbench, circa 1769, designed by French carpenter and master cabinetmaker André Jacob Roubo (1739–1791).
Simple, reliable, and effective, retaining original antique character marks and beautifully aged patina over the whole. As warm and attractive as it is useful, having the ideal size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including as originally intended as a functional work bench, repurposed as a kitchen island in an old farmhouse, industrial butcher block cutting board stand, Provincial vineyard wine tasting counter, rustic dining table or sideboard server, wooden writing desk, oversized hall console, or potting bench...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Steel, Iron
Antique Industrial Adjustable Cast Iron Drawing Easel Table
By Washburn Shops 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This antique, industrial, artist rendering easel or drafting table features a 24 x 22 inch, solid oak top on a tilt and height adjustable, cast iron pedestal base with the Washburn S...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Industrial and Work Tables
Materials
Iron
Antique and Vintage Industrial Tables and Work Tables
From drafting tables to preparation tables to kitchen islands and more, the collection of antique and vintage industrial tables and work tables on 1stDibs features a wide range of robust furnishings that fit seamlessly into modern interiors.
Work tables, just like most tables, have evolved considerably over the years.
More than 1,000 years before iconic American furniture brand Herman Miller would help shape the way we work — and later, how we live at home — monks who lived and worked in medieval-era monasteries stood at what you might call crude writing desks, translating religious texts and copying them by hand.
While those who practiced the art of handwritten letters definitely needed a suitable writing desk, the world wouldn’t see proper roll-top desks and the like until the 19th century. Owing to the work of architects such as Antoni Gaudí, these monastery “desks” were essentially work tables. (Chairs, much less actual desk chairs, weren’t a part of the workspace until the Renaissance.) It was a far cry from the cozy home office that affords many of us the opportunity to work remotely today.
Near the end of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought with it the founding of mills and factories, and hand production methods gave way to machinery and mass production. Factory workers needed sturdy industrial tables to perform tasks that required precision and to support the manufacturing industry. Spare work tables — durable and easy to clean — were constructed of metal and wood and became essential on assembly lines and in packing facilities. Today, industrial-style furniture celebrates the past even as it suggests vigor, productivity and brawn.
Aside from how well antique and vintage industrial tables and work tables will fit in your industrial-style interior — think raw brick walls, exposed steel beams and oak floors — these furnishings have practical uses. They’re a must-have item for a number of creative endeavors: They’re an ideal food-prep surface in your kitchen or an efficient work surface for any kind of hands-on workshop or painting and drawing studio. With some creativity, you can turn a vintage wood industrial table or work table into a desk, dining room table or coffee table.
At 1stDibs, we love the industrial-style furniture trend, and here you can find a wide range of antique and vintage industrial tables and work tables as well as other furnishings that will look wonderful in your heavenly loft space.