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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
$1,129Sale 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
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
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
Aurora Sculptural Curved Steel and Solid Ash Wood Desk by Autonomous Furniture
By Kirk Van Ludwig, Autonomous Furniture
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
Ban Curved Steel and Maple Wood Desk by Autonomous Furniture
By Autonomous Furniture, Kirk Van Ludwig
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
Princeton Desk by Hugues Chevalier, Hand-Crafted Modern Sycamore
Located in Munich, Bavaria
The Princeton Desk is a true statement piece — refined, bold, and designed with purpose. Its audacious details breathe new life into classic desk design while staying true to a sense...
Leather
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
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
Hugues Chevalier Haussmann Desk, Leather & Wood, Modern Design
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Haussmann Office by Hugues Chevalier A Contemporary Interpretation of Art Deco Elegance The Haussmann Office is a sophisticated homage to the Art Deco era, reimagined with a modern ...
Leather
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
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
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
$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
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
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
$1,412 / item
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
$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
$4,500 / item
Contemporary Porro White Metal Square Work Tables
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
$2,530Sale Price / set|50% Off
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
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 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
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
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
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
Midcentury Style Iron Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful iron table is a perfect addition to any modern or transitional design scape. Detailed clean lines and geometric pattern on the leg's, this table is signed with the art...
Iron
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
$5,605 / 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
$8,041Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 110.24 in D 39.38 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Mod. Nomos by Norman Foster for Tecno, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern table mod. Nomos by Norman Foster for Tecno, 1970s Chromed table mod. Nomos with chromed steel structure with support...
Metal
Industrial Live Edge Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolutely fantastic writing desk, seamlessly blending nature and machine. A sturdy live edge slab desktop offers ample workspace for any project on hand. An industrial iron base fea...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
19thC French Oak Bank Counter Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 19thC French Oak Bank Counter Desk, the matching Waiting Bench is also available separately Ideal for a hotel reception or Lobby, restaurant et...
Oak
1970s Norman Foster Glass Table Model Nomos for Tecno, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- good /very good condition with minor signs of use.
Metal
$1,295Sale Price|23% Off
H 29.5 in W 33.625 in D 21.75 in
1954 Coen de Vries Desk in Birch with Ebony Base, Red Drawer and Formica Top
By Coen de Vries, Devo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great little writing desk in birch wood with ebony x-base, red drawer and Formica top. Coen de Vries is one of the Dutch pioneers of industrial des...
Formica, Birch, Ebony
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
$3,800Sale Price|60% Off
H 30.5 in W 36 in D 20 in
Victorian Soapstone Laboratory Writing Desk Bohemian Rustic Farmhouse Steel Fire
By Shaw Walker, Globe Wernicke
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful example of 19th century Laboratory (Institutional, Academia) Furniture. Writing desk with pullout vulcanized surfaced writing board and single drawer. Estimated weight: ...
Soapstone, Brass, Steel
Vintage Rustic Sawhorse Work Table Industrial Pine Trestle Desk
Located in High Point, NC
A wonderfully timeworn vintage sawhorse work table, featuring a solid plank pine top resting on a pair of sturdy trestle-style bases. Its simple, func...
Wood
FRONT – Minimalist Work Desk in Solid Ash Wood 140x70
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A statement piece for refined workspaces – handcrafted in solid ash, this minimalist executive desk blends functionality and sculptural presence. Elevate your workspace with this lu...
Ash
$7,463
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Italian Glass Top on Chrome Executive 'Nomos' Desk by Norman Foster for Tecno
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A Large Executive Desk, designed by Sir Norman Foster and manufactured by Tecno, Italy. This vintage example dates to late 1980s and in superb original condition. A modern and sleek ...
Aluminum, Chrome
$14,712
H 30.71 in W 37.41 in D 82.68 in
Exceptional Italian Executive Desk in Veneer Burl Briar Walnut Wood and Steel
Located in Carimate, Como
An exceptional, impressive and rarely seen Italian executive desk with its stunning veneer burl wood pattern. The huge (82.6 x 37.4 inch) and beautiful top of the desk is standing on...
Steel
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
Pair of French Chrome Metal Table Trestles, 1970s
Located in CA, CA
Pair of French chromed metal table trestles. These stylish and versatile trestles date from the 1970s and were designed to work with a number of different tops from marble to plate g...
Chrome