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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Freestanding Oregon Pine Desk by Andreas Hansen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Andreas Hansen, b. 1936
Large freestanding desk made from Oregon pine with three drawers on each side. An elegant detail is the visible dovetail joints on the drawer fronts. Between...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Acrylic, Pine
Miniforms NAMI Desk in Laquered by E-GGS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Nami desk by Miniforms, the result of a collaboration with the talented design team at E-ggs, embodies this idea perfectly. From a barely sketched sketch on a sheet of paper, an ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Maple Parallel Desk by Juntos Projects
By JUNTOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Parallel desk is built around two suspended horizontal slabs that create an expansive workspace. The structure is anchored by cross-shaped legs that pierce through the top and fr...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple
EPIC Metal Desk by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
EPIC metal desks semi-circle embodies power and confidence. The finishes consist of a Handcrafted textured aged brass front center leg and three drawer fronts and a black bronze steel top and outer legs.
Customization available upon request.
Featured in Elle Decor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
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
Handcrafted English Oak Desk Console
Located in London, GB
Our larger handcrafted modernist wall mounted oak desk/vanity or console table designed and handmade in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Leather
French Marcello Desk in Blue Lacquer, Glass, and Brass by Joris Poggioli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ultra-glam statement-making desk in glossy blue lacquer, with glass base, brass accents, and velvet and MDF drawers by French designer Joris Poggioli. I...
Category
2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Large Turquoise Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Two Drawers, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large turquoise study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
"Volpi" writing desk with drawer in natural Brazilian wood, office table
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Alfredo Volpi is a Brazilian painter who, throughout his career, experimented with geometric shapes, especially variations on flag shapes. The Volpi desk is inspired by the geometric...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Handcrafted English Desk
Located in London, GB
A totally unique handcrafted modernist desk designed and made in England by our craftspeople using traditional woodworking and cabinetry techniques. The beautifully figured surface i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Bagutta writing desk by Annig Sarian for Arflex - Italy - 1960s
By Annig Sarian
Located in Milano, IT
Small desk with three drawers, wooden frame and chromed and curved tubular metal supports.
The desk has a slight defect on one side, as shown in the photo.
Manufactured by Arlex, It...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
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
Jacques Terracotta Red Console 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 console table is ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple
Jacques Pastel Pink 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
Leon Rosen for Pace Collection Burl & Chrome Waterfall Executive Desk, c 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This grand executive desk by Leon Rosen for Pace features an exotic Rosewood colored burlwood floating top and drawers with polished stainless steel waterfall trim, legs and accents....
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome, Stainless Steel
Cream Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Table Top and Drawer, Customisable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This study desk is made with a pearl powder-coated steel frame and colour matched natural linoleum tabletop. The linoleum for our desks is selected for the ecological properties of t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
St. Charles Desk by Volk
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown:
Bleached ash veneer with solid ash, marble and inset leather blotter.
Poplar drawers with turned brass drawer pulls
Powder coated steel base
Flat waterborne finish
D...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel, Brass
Lucite and Dark Walnut floating Desk
Located in Ballard, CA
A highly engineered modernist desk made from a walnut (or oak, mahogany, or rosewood veneer) case “floating” on a Lucite base, which is affixed by custom-designed hardware. Custom si...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
White Kidney Shaped Desk, Gesso, Antique Mirror Top
Located in Miami, FL
White kidney shaped desk with Gesso finish. The top is antiqued mirror glass. Ready for a new home.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Bespoke Modernist Tubular Steel Table in Chromed Metal and Glossy Lacquered Wood
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Bespoke modernist tubular writing table made of chrome plated tubular steel and lacquered wood.
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Xitle Desk with 2 Drawers
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern furniture...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Modern Milano Leather 3-Drawer Desk with Sleek Cerused Oak by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very functional writing, computer desk with 2 covered leather drawers on the side and in the middle a drawers that open to accommodate your writing keyboard. It fits perfectly your...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Kidney Shaped Desk in Walnut by Jonathan Field
Located in London, GB
The kidney-shaped desk in solid walnut was designed and made for a client's bay window home study; it has three main drawers of different depths that run on fully extendable Blum run...
Category
2010s English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Amuneal’s Collector's Knife Edge Console with 4 Drawers
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 four-drawer unit with vintage bronze metal details and raised kni...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Modern Eglomise Glass Byzantine Gold Vanity and Forged Metal Legs by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Mystic Byzantine Gold Green vanity by Ercole Home has a 9-drawer, with ivory wood finish on oak. Hand painted eglomise glass panels are inset on the surface.
There are nine pulls in brushed brass finish.
The hand hammered metal base...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Jacques Pine Green Console 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 console table is ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple
Handcrafted English Oak Desk
Located in London, GB
Our new prime English oak 2 drawer dovetailed desk. Designed and handmade in England using skilled traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from the finest ful...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Organic Modern Pontes Desk, Green Marble Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pontes Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Pontes ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Modern Toscana Vanity Table Oak Beige Leather Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Toscana Vanity Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The organic modern Toscana vanity table is a captivating blend of natural beauty and c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Baker Furniture Regency Burlwood Writing Desk
Located in Countryside, IL
Baker Furniture Regency Burlwood Writing Desk
This desk measures: 48 wide x 26 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches
We take ...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desks and Writing 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 Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Utopia Desk, Cream Oak and Polished Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The utopia desk is designed in the likeness of the architectural scale that suggests a crossing through the structures of a utopian city, organized by the principles of symmetry and ideal forms.
The imposing design combines cream oak and polished brass. As a futuristic project, two brass blades stylize the cream oak top, curving it with an Avant Garde detail. Surprisingly, a pencil drawer is hidden in one brass blade. At the base, the open shape of two blocks suggests a passage between two identical metal arches...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Concrete table/ desk designed by Sergio and Giorgio Saporiti. Italy, 1972
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The SAPO table, designed with a concrete base and hardened Glass top, attached by two chromed bolts. The concrete base shows a beautiful imprint of the wooden mould it was made from....
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Concrete
Modern Silhueta Console Table Carrara Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Silhueta console, Modern Collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
Inspired by the organic shapes and lean silhouettes, this console adds a modern touch to every li...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Bespoke Walnut Desk with Cast Iron Legs Industrial Modern Work Custom Table
Located in Oakville, CT
Bespoke Industrial modern work / office bespoke desk / table with 1 3/4" wooden walnut top, "Brown & Sharpe" Cast iron legs and steel s...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Iron
"Xilte" Desk
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern furniture...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Waxed Iron and Exotic Wood Dining Table from Costantini, Fierro, in Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
This one of a kind table is inspired by the massive sculptures of cold rolled steel by Richard Serra. The raw iron top was allowed to oxidize for several years before we applied a wa...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Iron
Modern Eglomise Glass Pink Dust Vanity with Forged Metal Legs by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The églomisé pink dust vanity by Ercole Home has a 5-drawer, with silver leaf wood finish. Hand painted églomisé glass panels are inset on the su...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
ClassiCon Orcus Desk in Lacquered White by Konstantin Grcic
Located in New York, NY
Orcus Desk in high gloss lacquer by Konstantin Grcic. Secretary desk in high gloss lacquered drop-flap writing surface, 4 drawers, secret compartment, stora...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Danish Desk
Located in New York, NY
A very handsome Danish desk with wooden sabots.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Palisander
Industrial Modern Wrought Iron Tilt Top Drafting Desk / Table
By Jorge A. Marien
Located in East Freetown, MA
Extraordinary modern wrought iron and glass tilt top drafting desk/table. Glass top is framed by wrought iron and tilts when the steampunk style handles are loosened. Table can be used as a dining or large entrance table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Central Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Karl Springer Rare "Goatskin Free Form Desk" 1988
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional "Goatskin Free Form Desk" in high gloss lacquered goatskin with drawer by Karl Springer, American 1988 (date stamped on bottom). Springer’s Free Form...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer
Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk Walnut Black Lino, 1945
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table desk designed by Finn Juhl in 1945, relaunched in 2009. Manufactured by House of Finn Juhl in Denmark.
During his career, Finn Juhl designed a series of different tables with ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
ClassiCon Jean Fold Out Table by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Jean, named after Eileen Gray‘s intimate friend of many years, the architect Jean Badovici, stood in various modeis in their summer villa E 1027. "Every room has at its disposal one ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Herringbone Waterfall Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Herringbone Waterfall Desk, create a serene space for work and moments of reflection with this parsons style desk, engaging the senses with its fluid f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Kaare Klint Mahogany Desk with Pull-Out Writing Surfaces, Designed 1949
Located in Kastrup, DK
Writing desk by Kaare Klint, crafted in mahogany with a profiled edge on the tabletop and an apron with three drawers: a wide central drawer flanked by two smaller drawers, each equi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Design Office Desk Violet Marble with Details Polished Brass
Located in Porto, PT
Queena Desk promises to be the next statement design for a modern office project. Contemporary offices need to keep a corporative language, but that doesn’t mean they need to be boring. Take your home office design...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Jack Writing Desk by Daytona
By Daytona
Located in Milan, IT
A magnificent addition to your contemporary or more Classic style home, the Jack Writing Desk features an elegant brass base with a burnished brass finish, a plywood structure with t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Fusion Desk by Daniele Lo Scalzo Moscheri
Located in Milan, IT
Designed for presidential offices, this desk's large scale conveys a sense of importance. The soft lines of its rope-colored leather desktop contrast the sharp edges of its dark canaletto-walnut legs, making it extremely modern, sophisticated and visually striking. Central drawer. Front modesty panel...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Kroma' Desk by Antonia Astori for Driade, Italy 1980s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1980s ‘Kroma’ desk designed by Antonia Astori for Driade. This modern desk embodies a minimalist aesthetic, featuring a rectangular white surface composed of wood with fine black l...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Oscar Writing Desk
By Guerra Vanni
Located in Milan, IT
A remarkable piece of refined taste, this splendid writing desk with 3 drawers and push pull blumotion expertly combines tradition with modernity. The fabulous design of the new Osca...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Silver Leaf
Amuneal’s Collector's Knife Edge Console with 1 Drawer
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal’s wall hanging oxidized oak console table uses our traditional Collector’s Shelving hardware to support this one-drawer unit with raised knife-edge surround. The scale of the...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Rare Solid Mexican Cocobolo Wood Desk Don Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bespoken and rare desk by celebrated Mexican designer and woodworker Don Shoemaker, model no F46. Designed in 1970s and executed in 1981, the desk is constructed with patchwork of ...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cocobolo
Jumbo Table with Structure in Black Ash, by Paolo Cappello
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jumbo table is a solid looking writing desk designed to meet the challenges of the home office or limited space of bedrooms. A band of metal embraces the top, embellishing its volume...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Pietra Serena' Inca' Desk or Dining Room by Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 1978
Located in Almelo, NL
Pietra Serena' Inca' Desk or Dining Room by Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, Italy, 1978
The "Inca" range represents an advancement of the previously established "Eros" system, main...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stone
Modern Light Oak Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
With its rounded subtle barrel-shaped top with alternating quarter straight cut oak veneers stands squarely on solid trapezoid-style legs. The facing two drawers have adequate enough...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Rare complete desk set by Jules Wabbes
Located in Brussels, BE
Very complete desk set from Belgium in the early 1960's featuring :
- A double storage unit desk
Depth: 76 cm Weight: 50kg
Width: 180 cm
Height: 73.5 cm
including 4 dra...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome, Iron
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.