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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
"Symmetric" Console / Desk, Black Walnut, Patina Steel
Located in North Branch, NY
The "Symmetric" console / desk is a perfectly balanced design of interlocking steel plate joinery and a solid black walnut surface. Customizable to any variation of dimensions, mater...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Radius Cutaway Reclaimed Walnut Desk
Located in brooklyn, NY
Radiused outer edges and scalloped inner edge create a contrasting profile that adorns this minimal desk. Made from hand oiled solid walnut, this desk blends simple lines with unique...
Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Armona modern desk pays homage to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Organic Modern Castelo Desk, Green Marble Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Castelo Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Castelo modern desk table pays h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Modern Chiado Console Table, Red Leather, Stone, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chiado Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Chiado console table honors Lisbon’s historic quarter, cap...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Granite
Modern Silhueta Console Table Carrara Marble Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
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 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Modern Armona Dining Table, American Oak, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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
Organic Modern Oga Desk Raw American Oak Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Oga Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Oga seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance of contemporary design. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Modern Mismatch Desk Oak Walnut Root Brass Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Mismatch Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Mismatch seamlessly combines the beauty of organic materials with the elegance of cont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Walnut Brass Onyx, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Armona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
21st Cent. Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Verde Alpi Marble Top Mat Base
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical supports...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Modern Armona Dining Table, American Oak, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Organic Modern Armona Desk, Oak Root Onyx Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Armona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Modern Arco da Augusta Console Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Arco da Augusta Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Inspired by Lisbon's historical arch and as a homage to the Portuguese architecture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Steel
Modern Castelo Console Table, Sahara Marble, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Castelo console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel
Modern Menir Console Table, Calacatta Marble, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Menir Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
The Menir modern console table draws inspiration from menhir sil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Modern Castelo Console Table, Sahara Marble, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Castelo Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel
Modern Armona Dining Table, American Oak Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armona Dining Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Brass
Organic Modern Accent Home Office Writing Desk Black Oak Wood Black Lacquer
Located in Vila Nova Famalicão, PT
João Faria created the stunning home desk ROOTS for contemporary and home offices. Rather than placed against a wall, it should stand in the middle of the room and be admired from al...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cut Steel, Metal, Steel
Modern Art Deco Desk in Solid Wood and Leather by Costantini, Alvear
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Alvear Modern Art Deco Desk in Solid Wood and Leather by Costantini
This elegant desk crafted from solid Argentine Rosewood and leather combines subtle Art Deco influences with mode...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Contemporary dressing table and stool in cherry
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Contemporary dressing table and stool in cherry circa 1990.
Well made in cherry wood, concave shaped dressing table with decorative brass fittings for the adjustable mirror. 3 draw...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Off-Grid Solid Wood Contemporary Sculptural Carved Wall-Mounted Bar Cabinet
By Grain
Located in Bainbridge Island, WA
Our Off-Grid Cabinet takes inspiration from the distinctive checkerboard pattern and functional pivot hinge of a Door for an Inner Room made in the late 19th century by an unnamed Ba...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Off-Grid Solid Wood Contemporary Sculptural Carved Credenza Cabinet Sideboard
By Grain
Located in Bainbridge Island, WA
Our Off-Grid Credenza takes inspiration from the distinctive checkerboard pattern and functional pivot hinge of a Door for an Inner Room made in the late 19th century by an unnamed B...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Green Marble Scapin Collezioni
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
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
Modern Arco da Augusta Console Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Arco da Augusta Console, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
Inspired by Lisbon's historical arch and as a homage to the Portuguese architecture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Minimalist Modern Desk in Oak for Home Office
Located in Lisbon, PT
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure. Front desk is available in ash, oak and walnut...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak, Wood, Plywood
Minimalist Modern Desk in Walnut
Located in Lisbon, PT
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure, as well as cable storage under the tabletop. F...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Walnut
Roller One Co. Writing Desk Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Roller One Co. Writing Desk Table
This minimalist desk/table with three drawers by Roller One Co. Ltd. would be a functional and sleek addition to your office, at-home or away.
I...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Walnut Writing Desk with Drawers, Made in Italy
By Riva 1920
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Writing desk made completely of solid walnut. The drawers are assembled with dovetail joints (includes 2 top drawers and 3 drawers under the desk). This writing desk is characterized by an “X” joint...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Minimalist Modern Desk in Ash for Home Office
Located in Lisbon, PT
A stylish desk for home or office. The clean look is achieved by using the drawers almost hided, and as a part of the desk’s structure. Front desk is available in ash, oak and walnut...
Category
2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Oak
Gala ash wood structure and veneer cover Desk
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Gala desk exhibits wood as the principal material. Composed of solid wood legs and wood veneer top and cabinet with three drawers, this desk is the ideal element for any space th...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Hamilton Modern Desk, by Ambrozia, Tinted Glass, Black Steel, Solid Black Walnut
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, Quebec
The Hamilton modern working desk is handcrafted from a light weight 2” x 1” steel frame. Featuring a nice 10mm tinted tempered glass which let you see the solid wood storage...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Pierre Guariche. Desk in teak and lacquered metal. 1960s. LS56631534M
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pierre Guariche, by.
Desk in teak with its lacquered metal base. Black laminate top.
French work realized in the 1960s.
Dimensions: H 75 x W 161 x D 71 cm
Reference: LS56631534M
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Artedi Travertine and Brass Dining Table
By Artedi
Located in Denton, TX
Travertine cube with brass cross design that support beveled glass top.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Desk
By Mark Grattan
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Lacquered wood, velvet interior drawers and steel pulls.
A sum of quotidian mental captures, memories, utopias, and life experiences come as a whole in Mark Grattan ́s case pieces c...
Category
2010s Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Black Lacquered Legs
Located in Madrid, ES
Large desk veneered with dark wood, front with four drawers with gold-colored pulls. Legs of black lacquered metal.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Sierra Desk in solid Walnut
Located in København Ø, DK
Minimalist desk with surprising details like grooves for cables and different-width legs.
Category
2010s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Walnut
Mario Botta “Tesi” Dining Table for Alias, Italy 1980
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Argelato, BO
A very rare desk/dining table designed by Mario Botta, model “Tesi”, manufactured by Alias in, Italy around 1980.
This eye-catching piece has a clear glass rectangular top allows th...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Crooked Desk by Nazara Lazaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Crooked desk by Nazara Lazaro
Dimensions: H 75 cm x W 170 cm x D 96 cm
Materials: Massive oak with oil wax surface
Also available in natural massive oak, walnut, and white lacquered...
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Pixel Desk by Morgan Clayhall, sculptural steel and marble
Located in Toronto, CA
The Pixel Desk is designed and finish by hand in our Toronto studio
The Pixel Desk is designed with creating a whimsical interpretation of deconstructionism in the breaking apart of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel
Wicker + Bamboo Writing Desk with Brass Trim, Italy 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage Italian writing desk clad in woven cane with an elegant patinated brass trim. The front and back of this desk are framed in bamboo and it features three front drawers with ...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker
Cerused oak three drawer writing desk having pull out slides.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cerused oak three drawer writing desk having pull out slides that allow for a generous work area. This desk is hand made in our workshops and comes in a darker version. 83" wide whe...
Category
2010s Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Famed Brass & Wood Desk with Marble Drawers **LEAD TIME 5-6 WEEKS**
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
**LEAD TIME 5-6 WEEKS**
The Famed Desk was designed with the aim of allowing you to work with more elegance and more simplicity.
Measures: Length: 47.2'' ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
Sextante Drawing Board
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
The drawing remover SEXTANTE designed for Breuer is an iconic piece. The piece shows that a designer or architect also enjoys working on a carefully designed and crafted piece.
Thi...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Elm Desk, France, c. 1940
Located in New York City, NY
Distinctive desk showcasing a single drawer and elegantly rounded, tapered wooden legs.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
Hayche HOS Desk - Oak & White, UK
Located in Liverpool, GB
The HOS Desk, standing for Home Office System, epitomizes adaptability and modern design. Featuring three mountable and dismountable wooden panels, each with three detachable solid w...
Category
2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Ban Curved Steel and Maple Wood Desk by 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...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Oak, Walnut
Elle Ecrit Office Desk by Riva 1920, Walnut Knot
By Jamie Durie
Located in New York, NY
The Elle Ecrit Desk is designed with sleek, rectangular contours and enhanced functionality, featuring a central drawer flanked by two sets of side drawers. Its top includes a slidin...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Aurora Sculptural Steel and Ash Wood Desk by 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...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Oak, Walnut
Katakana Desk by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Katakana desk by Dare Studio
Dimensions: W 120 x D 70 x H 85
Materials: American black walnut, black leather
The Katakana desk is a bold and versatile...
Category
2010s British Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Vintage French Design Kidney Shape Carved Walnut Office Library Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Design Kidney Shape Carved Walnut Office Library Desk
Featuring a charming mahogany & walnut French design small office or library desk in the classic kidney shape. ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Scriptor Desk By Giorgetti In Macassar Ebony
Located in London, GB
Scriptor Desk By Giorgetti In Macassar Ebony, designed by Leon Krier, 2004.
This executive desk features ebony wood and a glass top, set on a cone shaped leg and chest with three l...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Anonima Castelli Palisander Wood Desk with Elegant Metal Insert Handle, 1970s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
The desk, produced in the 1970s by Anonima Castelli of Bologna, is an authentic vintage piece in impeccable condition, crafted entirely from fine Palisander wood. Its design includes...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Industrial Modern Wrought Iron Tilt Top Drafting Desk / Table
By Jorge A. Marien
Located in Weymouth, 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 us...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Central Asian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Molteni&C Touchdown Workstation Desk by Studio Klass
Located in Boston, MA
Touch Down Unit, an innovative workstation designed by Studio Klass and originally thought for advanced work environments and produced by UniFor has become part of the Molteni&C coll...
Category
2010s Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Guy LeFevre for Maison Jansen Lacquered Wood w/ Leather Desk, France C 1970s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Designed by noted designer Guy LeFevre who worked extensively with Maison Jansen in the 1970s, this handsome desk incorporates many of his signature details. The base and hardware ar...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
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.
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