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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Handcrafted French Oak Art Nouveau Work Table, Circa 1920, Unique
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A unique handcrafted oak drapery or work table from France, early 20th century, its Art Nouveau styling would be ideal for any creative pursuit from artistic to culinary which makes ...
Oak
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...
Wood, Oak
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...
Wood, Oak
Bespoke Executive Metal Desk, Lacquered Steel, Walnut Veneer, Industrial Design
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Industrial design executive metal desk, customizable. The desk is made of lacquered steel, aluminum, walnut veneer.
Metal, Aluminum
$2,850Sale Price|25% Off
Italian Architect's Oak Table / Desk Made with a Slant, circa 1960
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An Italian Architect's desk made with a slant, supported by an oak base and with a black glass top, circa 1960.
Oak
$1,097Sale Price|20% Off
Nomos Table by Sir Norman Fosterf for Tecno, 1980s Italy
Located in Debrecen, HU
Discover the elegant and functional Nomos Table by Sir Norman Foster, produced by the Italian company Tecno, is a work of art in the world of workspace design. This modern masterpi...
Steel
Solid Wood Butcher Block island with End-Grain Top by De Kercoet
Located in PARIS, FR
A refined statement piece for culinary connoisseurs, this French designed butcher block is part of the Bacchus collection by De Kercoet — a line dedicated to the art of epicurean liv...
Beech
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Iron
Industrial Design Executive Metal Desk, Customizable, Germany, 2018
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Industrial design executive metal desk, customizable, Germany, 2018.
Metal, Aluminum
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...
Walnut
Rolling Utility Cart, Blackened Hot Rolled Steel, Customizable, by Force/Collide
Located in Seattle, WA
This Rolling Utility Cart, originally designed to be paired with our Drafting Table, is versatile enough to accompany any desk in a home, art stud...
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel, Iron, Sheet Metal
1970s Orange Acerbis Bases for Table Easels set of 4
By Acerbis
Located in IT
1990s Orange Acerbis bases for table Easels There are four easels available, price refers to the set. Each easel measures W 64 x D 29 x H 70 cm. A video is available upon request. Do...
Wood
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...
Walnut
Ideale Solid Wood Writing Desk, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
A Classic element reinterpreted through refined contemporary design. It’s a high-quality piece handcrafted in Italy with a top in premium walnut veneer blockboard and the structure a...
Walnut
Bespoke English Oak Dining Table by Jonathan Field.
Located in London, GB
English oak dining table commissioned for a private client's lakeside house in the Cotswolds, England. Made from several slabs of live edge oa...
Oak
Aurora Sculptural Curved Steel and Solid Ash Wood Desk by Autonomous Furniture
By Autonomous Furniture, Kirk Van Ludwig
Located in Victoria, BC
Elevate your workspace with the stunning Aurora Desk from Autonomous Furniture. Crafted from the finest Whitened Ash wood and raw steel, this modern industrial desk is a true stateme...
Ash, Oak, Walnut
Ideale Solid Wood Writing Desk, Walnut in Hand-Made Natural Finish, Contemporary
By Dale Italia
Located in Cadeglioppi de Oppeano, VR
A Classic element reinterpreted through refined contemporary design. It’s a high-quality piece handcrafted in Italy with a top in premium walnut veneer blockboard and the structure a...
Walnut
Ban Curved Steel and Maple Wood Desk by Autonomous Furniture
By Kirk Van Ludwig, Autonomous Furniture
Located in Victoria, BC
Introducing the Ban Desk by Autonomous Furniture, where timeless elegance meets industrial edge, crafted to elevate your workspace with unparalleled sophistication. Imagine your wor...
Ash, Oak, Walnut
Solid Wood Butcher Block work table with End-Grain Top wine rack by De Kercoet
Located in PARIS, FR
A refined statement piece for culinary connoisseurs, this French designed butcher block is part of the Bacchus collection by De Kercoet — a line dedicated to the art of epicurean liv...
Beech
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Iron
Contemporary Square Work Tables by Porro, White Glass & Metal, Italy
By Porro
Located in Queens, NY
2 Contemporary large white glass square work tables with white metal legs (PORRO)(PRICED EACH). Some scratches, scuffs on legs
Metal
Italian 40s Adjustable Industrial Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking adjustable table combining industrial functionality with rustic charm. The round wooden top rests on an iron tripod base with crank mechanism, allowing the height to be ad...
Iron
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...
Walnut
$27,500 / item
J1 Blackened Steel Desk by Edelman New York
Located in New York, NY
The hot rolled J Desk is New York sleek. She's hot and cool, smooth and effortless. Dark, but transparent about it. Hides nothing, elevating your home character. Featuring removable arch desk...
Metal
$5,445 / item
D33, Sideboard by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
D33 - sideboard by Cultivado Em Casa. Dimensions: 120 x 45 x 80 cm. Materials: D33 foam, acrylic paint, acrylic resin, carbon steel. Also available: different colors The D33 ...
Resin
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...
Chrome, Enamel, Stainless Steel
FRONT – Minimalist Work Desk in Solid Oak Wood 120x60
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A statement piece for refined workspaces – handcrafted in solid OAK, this minimalist executive desk blends functionality and sculptural presence. Elevate your workspace with this lu...
Wood, Walnut, Plywood
$1,829
H 29.14 in W 45.67 in D 29.53 in
Italian Modern Glass Aluminum Dining Table by Bruce Burdick for Tecno, 1980s
By Bruce Burdick, Tecno
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern glass and aluminum dining table by Bruce Burdick for Tecno, 1980s Dining table with rectangular glass top. The structure is composed by a central part in aluminum wi...
Metal, Aluminum
$238Sale Price|19% Off
H 33.86 in W 63 in D 31.11 in
Unique Green Industrial Workbench Work Table Wood Metal 160cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large green industrial workbench, work table made of a thick wooden table top and metal base, circa mid-20th century. Sturdy workbench with a beautiful and much-used table top, the ...
Metal
Industrial oak work table, circa 1950
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This robust industrial work table, crafted from solid oak and dating from circa 1950, combines functionality with an authentic appearance. The tabletop displays a beautiful weathered...
Oak
Industrial French Steel Postal Sorting Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
French steel postal sorting desk in two parts. The desk in two parts with upper having 25 open compartments with a grid back. The desk with an oak ...
Steel
$2,650
H 29.63 in W 39.5 in D 19.75 in
19th Century French Oak Console Table with Marble Top, Circa 1870
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Dating to circa 1870, this 19th-century butcher shop or bakery display table features a patinated gray marble top on an oak frame. The unusual marble slab is shaped with gently round...
Marble
Desk Made In Teak By Omann Junior From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
The desk in teak, designed by Omann Junior in the 1960s, is a prominent example of Danish furniture design from that time. With its characteristic teak wood design, the desk radiate...
Teak
$5,995
H 30.25 in W 77 in D 42.75 in L 30.25 in
Early 20th Century French Marble-Top Oak Work Table, circa 1910 with 2 Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
A statement of timeless utility and rustic charm, this antique French work table features a richly patinated pine base topped with a thick slab of white marble. At 77 inches wide, it...
Marble
Antique Rustic French Painted Work Table
Located in Forney, TX
Patina Perfection!! A rustic French farmhouse work table from the 19th century. Featuring hand-crafted pegged solid wood construction, ...
Metal
Oak carpenters workbench, circa 1920
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This oak workbench from circa 1920 combines craftsmanship, character, and functionality. The robust construction is crafted from solid oak and displays a beautiful, weathered patina ...
Oak
Early 20th Century Iron Base Work Table
Located in Round Top, TX
The appeal of this old work table comes from the aged wood itself, worn and distressed through years of use adding to the character imbedded in the table. Notice the expected age-related separation of the planks of wood that comprise the top, in addition to cracks, stains and heavy gouges. The industrial iron base is solid, allowing this to function as a desk, console, work or craft table. This rustic work table has been restored so is strong, stable and ready for use. ** In light of current affairs and fluctuating fuel prices shipping quotes and timelines are estimates only. Buyer is required to notify us upon purchase if there are interior or exterior stairs, steps, or freight elevators...
Iron
Fantoni desk and two chairs, 1960s, set of 3
By Fantoni
Located in Manzano, IT
Elegant vintage office set consisting of a desk with drawers and two black leather chairs, one of which swivels, made by Fantoni in 1960s Italy. An authentic example of mid-century d...
Aluminum
Sold
H 48.82 in W 71.66 in L 48.82 in
Rem Koolhaas Inspired Architectural Working Desk, the Netherlands, 1990's
By Rem Koolhaas
Located in Antwerp, BE
Working desk; Writing table; Office desk; Architects desk; 1990's, The Netherlands, Rem Koolhaas; Modernism; Deconstructivism; Structuralism; Humanism; OM...
Metal
Sold
H 37.5 in W 60 in D 60 in
Tecnostyl Magnum Drafting Table Drawing Board Adjustable Foot Pedal Metal Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tecnostyl magnum drafting table drawing board adjustable foot pedal metal frame. Item features metal frame, wooden drawing board, foot pedestal adjuster/lock for board angle pivot, v...
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 71.66 in D 48.82 in
Rem Koolhaas Inspired Architectural Working Desk, the Netherlands, 1990's
By Rem Koolhaas
Located in Antwerp, BE
Working desk; Architects desk; 1990's, The Netherlands, Rem Koolhaas; modernism; deconstructivism; structuralism; humanism; OMA; Rem Koolhaas-inspired ...
Metal
Confidence of a Cloud Writing Desk by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
Confidence of a Cloud Writing Desk by Thomas Dariel Dimensions: D 43 x W 120 x H 147 cm Materials: Structure in MDF with color-painted ash veneer. Fronts and back in the matte or ...
Metal
Sold
H 37.5 in W 60 in D 60 in
Tecnostyl Magnum Drafting Table Drawing Board Adjustable Foot Pedal Metal Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tecnostyl magnum drafting table drawing board adjustable foot pedal metal frame. Item features metal frame, wooden drawing board, foot pedestal adjuster/lock for board angle pivot, v...
Metal
Architectural Studio Design Wood Dining or Work Table, 1970's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A nice work or dining table walnut with rounded edges and metal band detailing original vintage condition, patina, minor scuffs and scratches, no damage.
Wood
Italian Desk in Steel and Glass and Black Wood, 1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Essential Italian desk from the 1970s, in excellent condition. The desk has a tubular chrome-plated steel frame. Its top is made of thick glass with a shaped form. In the left sectio...
Steel
Sold
H 29.14 in W 118.12 in D 53.15 in
In Stock in Los Angeles, Brass and Ceramic Dining Table, Lievore Altherr Molina
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (1.8) In Stock in Los Angeles Dining table with base in burnished metal finish and ceramic t...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 42 in L 32.5 in
Antique Oak Drafting Table Adjustable Work Desk by Hamilton Industries, USA
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: Vintage Hamilton drafting table by Hamilton Industries of Two Rivers, Wisconsin USA Antique Hamilton Industries Cranking ...
Iron
Sold
H 29.14 in W 118.12 in D 53.15 in
In Stock in Los Angeles, Brass / Ceramic Dining Table by Lievore Altherr Molina
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8) Dining table with base in burnished metal finish and ceramic top. Designed by Lievore ...
Brass
Sold
H 29.14 in W 47.25 in D 127.96 in
Salvaged English Oak Dining Table by Jonathan Field with Inset Live Edge
Located in London, GB
English oak dining table commissioned for a private client's lakeside house in the Cotswolds, England. Made from several slabs of live edge oa...
Oak