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Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Gray
Marble Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
With a grey and taupe color stone top and shelves, on a modern openwork iron frame in a silver antique finish. Dimensions: 62" W x 26" D x 29" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Iron

Mid century formica writing desk or side table, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Mid century writing desk or side table, it features a formica surface and chromed legs and one drawer. It was made in Czechoslovakia in the 1960´s. the table top is lined with a bla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Saw Horse Desk with Steel Base and Rectangular Glass Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
This iconic desk, designed in steel and glass, grounds a room without taking up visual space, thus a great option for both large and small spaces. The solid ground glass top, 1/2" th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

U-Shape Burdick Desk for Herman Miller with Floating Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage U-shaped desk designed by Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller. This enormous desk has three separate surface tops: 84"x 44" glass top, a round onyx top, and a dark granite Geig...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Granite, Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Oval Dining Table or Desk by Florence Knoll in Carrara Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An elegant executive table designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a beautiful polished white & gray Carrara marble top and a chrome-plated star base. This was ...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Vintage Desk Metal, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawer column in enamelled metal with leatherette-covered top.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Waterfall Glass Desk or Console Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
49? waterfall glass desk or console Pace style modern and minimalist glass waterfall desk or console table. We have 2 available that would work...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Karl Springer Shagreen & Chrome Executive Desk
Located in Denton, TX
Extremely Rare Karl Springer Shagreen & chrome executive desk. Each corner has brass accents to compliment the chrome. Dark Shagreen top and draw...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Vintage Plate Glass and Chrome Dining Table Model 6060 by Leon Rosen for Pace
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish and sophisticated dining table (model 6060) designed by Leon Rosen for the Pace Collection composed of a heavy plate-glass 72" long top supported by two chrome and plate-glas...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Desk by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
desk and his lamp by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960 The keys are present, some scratches on the board.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1970’s Mid Century Pieff Glass Dining Table / Rare Very Large
Located in London, GB
In immaculate condition, this is a 1970’s Tim Bates for Pieff smoked glass and chrome dining table / desk. Pieff sounds French but is very British. Tim Bates and his family design...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

‘Acanto’ Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Zanotta
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Sculptural dining table model 'Acanto' by Enzo Mari (Novara 1932 - Milan 2020) for Zanotta, Italy 1990. The design immediately catches the eye due to the asymmetrical sculptural base...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

20th Century Grey Italian Brutalist Galvanized Metal Writing Desk, Office Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A silver-grey, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Brutalist writing, office desk made of hand crafted galvanized metal, designed by an unknown artist from Milan, in good condition. T...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Friso Kramer Reform Table Small Ahrend de Cirkel, 1963
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice small and rare sized industrial 'Reform' table designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland 1955. This dining table was a part of the Reform table program that was designed by Friso Kramer in 1955. The Reform series contained a lot of variety of tables in different sizes and editions to the client’s needs. One thing was always the same, the structure of the base, applied in several different sized and shaped tables. This base was a folded metal frame which was light but also very strong. The tops varied from hardcore, linoleum, Formica and wood. Whatever the client wanted. This has a rectangular shaped top, finished with white formica and an aluminum edge. The table has a grey painted frame in good condition with normal wear and losses. This table comes from TH Delft...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Table À Plateau Interchangeable, by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1937. Relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The first model of this historic design low table was crafted in 1937 for Charlotte Perriand’s studio in Montparnasse. The first example of this table was made in 1937 for Charlotte Perriand’s Parisian studio in Montparnasse. The structure of the base of the Table à plateau...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Table À Plateau Interchangeable, by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1937. Relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The first model of this historic design low table was crafted in 1937 for Charlotte Perriand’s studio in Montparnasse. The first example of this table was made in 1937 for Charlotte Perriand’s Parisian studio in Montparnasse. The structure of the base of the Table à plateau...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

White Leather and Polished Iron Writing Desk, Contemporary
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A white leather and polished iron writing desk, in the manner of Jean-Michel Frank. Two drawers with brass handles. Contemporary.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

French Forged Wrought Iron Vanities Vanities Toilette
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful French vanities dressing table belonging to the 1930s, made in France. The toelette is entirely made of forged wrought iron, unp...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Desk Conference Table, Leather, Chrome
Located in Miami, FL
Great leather top table with chrome base. Leather has a green brown color with a rich patina. Please see pictures. High-quality. Ready for a new home.
Category

1970s Canadian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Mcm White Lacquer Jamestown Trapezoid Desk With Upholstered Chair
Located in Medina, OH
Vintage Jamestown white lacquer and black metal accents with upholstered chair. Perfect to add to your home office! This desk has a unique trapezoid...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Chic Work Table with Sawhorse-Style Lucite and Chrome Bases and Glass Top 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Work table with 2 saw horse style lucite and chrome bases and thick glass top, American 1970's. Glass top pictured is 68” x 36” inches, but a new top can be made to accommodate any s...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Salterini Atr. Wrought Iron Wrap Around Vanity Dressing Table Glass Shelves Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Glass measures 3/8'' in thickness.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Italian Midcentury Desk with Glass Top from the 70s
Located in bari, IT
Typical 70's desk with chromed steel trestles and smoked glass top.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Crystal, Steel

Square Stainless Profile Base Glass Top Dining Writing Work Station Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern square stainless profile base 3/4" glass top dining writing work station table. Glass measures 3/4'' in thickness.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Paolo Piva Style Metal and Glass Desk, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Rectangular dining table with geometric black lacquered metal frame and transparent glass top, in the style of Paolo Piva 1970.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1970-1980s, Vintage Console Tabel/Writing Table, Structure in Plexiglass
Located in Milan, IT
Vintage console from the seventies, eighties, Italian manufacture. The console has a completely plexiglass structure and iron footrest.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Aquamarine Glass Desk by Gallotti & Radice Italia 1970s Bar Cart
Located in Roma, IT
Gallotti & Radice in 8 mm transparent tempered glass. Metal parts in polished stainless steel. On wheels This trolley is a functional piece of furniture that can be placed in your...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Crystal, Chrome

Marble Desk with Brass Legs
Located in Chicago, IL
A marble top desk featuring a bamboo formed brass plated base with adjustable feet. A fantastic work desk option or dining table, USA, 1970s.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Romeo Rega Chrome, Brass and Glass Dining Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Sculptural Art Deco style dining table attributed to Romeo Rega. Curved arch tubular base features brass and chrome striped design with .5 inch thick glass top. A stunning oversized desk...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Black Vintage Desk Platone Giancarlo Piretti, 1969, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern black foldable vintage writing desk "Platone" designed by Giancarlo Piretti 1969 Italy and produced by Anonima Castelli, Italy. The desk is framed with chromed ste...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Round Metal and Glass Top Dining or Conference Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Simple and elegant, this MCM table will make a great desk, writing, dining or conference table. The metal frame has a gold tone to give it extra style and presence. Add your favorit...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Vintage Cini Boeri for Knoll Lunario Cantilevered Table/Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern desk features a polished stainless steel base with a 1/2 inch thick cantilever glass top. By Cini Boeri for Knoll ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Jean Prouvé Rare Green Compas Desk
Located in New York, NY
Elegant green desk by Jean Prouvé in green color. Original untouched condition, produced by Atelier Jean Prouvé in 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Lacquered Brass Executive Desk by Mastercraft for John Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous executive desk built by Mastercraft for John Widdicomb Furniture. A gold abstract splatter over an ebonized lacquered top helps the brass legs stand out in any room. Please...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Metal Desk, Top Covered with Faux Leather, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Metal desk, top covered with faux leather circa 1960 Maybe a former dentist's office.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Chrome with Woven Rush Dining Table
Located in Denton, TX
Tubular chrome with rush panel under the glass top by Chrome craft.
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Carrara Marble Console Table with Chrome Legs by Vittorio Introini, Italy, 1970s
Located in London, GB
An elegant oval shaped versatile console table which can easily become a desk and/or a small dining table Chrome rounded legs base. Measures: L 195cm W 70cm.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble, Chrome

Midcentury Scrolled Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern console table or desk in the style of Karl Springer. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).   
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Thick Glass Top Glass Base Writing Table Compact Desk
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Slick Mid-Century Modern all thick 3/4" glass design writing table or small desk.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Ladislav Rado White Enameled Steel Modern Desk, Vanity, 1955, Knoll and Drake
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ladislav Rado white enameled steel modern desk, Vanity, 1955, Knoll and Drake. Knoll and Drake produced a signature modern line of furniture for a few...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Nickel and Glass Vanity, France 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Nickel and glass vanity in the style of Boris Tabacoff with adjustable light, the two-tiered bean-shaped glass levels complement the curved shape of the frame, the mirror is backed i...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Nickel

Rare French Mid-Century Modern Lucite & Glass Writing Desk / Vanity by P. Vandel
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French Mid-Century Modern lucite and glass desk /writing table / vanity by Pierre Vandel. This piece expresses the essence of modernism. It's transparent, minimal and functio...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Outstanding Industrial Iron Desk
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Extraordinary iron desk, vinyl top, nice shaped legs. Six drawers and very nice sculptural back.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Kaizo Oto Design Institute of America DIA Dining Table Chrome Brass Geometric
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Uncommon Vintage Design Institute of America DIA Kaizo Oto dining table base. Glass is not included. A mix of metals including brass, chrome, gunmetal...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome, Steel

John Mascheroni Polished Aluminum and Glass Desk
Located in New York, NY
John Mascheroni polished aluminum and glass desk. Desk has a tubular frame with a 1/2 inch thick glass top.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Special Double Desk Attributed to Gaston Eysselinck
By Gaston Eysselinck
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This double desk is made of natural oak wood, glass, chrome and aluminium. It is very well made and nice detailed. Take a look at the detail photos. This rare piece of Belgian desig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Desk, Probably France, Mid-20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Desk, standing on three cylindrical chromed metal legs with a rectangular tabletop out of opaque glass.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Glass Top X-Base Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique antiqued glass writing table features a wonderful chrome X-style base and two drawer storage. Unique pulls, sturdy construction, and antique finish on the beveled mirror ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Petit Chrome Brass and Thick Glass Top Dining or Writing Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Small Mid-Century Modern 42 x 30" brass chrome and 3/4" thick glass dining or dinette table in style of Maison Jansen.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Lucite "Iceberg" Desk, in the Lion in Frost Style
Located in Miami, FL
Impressive and huge desk, composed by two Lucite bases iceberg look and a beveled glass top. In the style of Lion in Frost.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Lucite

Mid Century Modern Vintage Metal Glass Desk by Max Sauze France c 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage dining table, which is a fantastic foldable chromed metal construction with a clear glass top (thickness 0.32 in = 0.8 cm). This minimalistic Desk or Dinin...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Michel Boyer Console Table with Modular Aluminum Structure in X
Located in Grenoble, FR
Michel Boyer (1935-2011) Console table with modular aluminum structure in X, supporting a glass top Around 1968 AG Bibliography:- FAVARDIN Patrick, Les Décorateurs des 1970s, éd....
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Custom Designed Slumped Glass Desk by Laurel Fyfe
Located in Dallas, TX
This is an absolutely breathtaking piece. It is impossible to capture the beauty and simplicity of this desk with a camera. It is a thick clear sheet of glass that has been manipulated by the world renowned glass artist Laurel Fyfe into the form of a gently draped desk...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Foldable Metal Dining Table Max Sauze, circa 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
This fantastic foldable metal construction with a loose smoked glass plate ( thickness 0.8 cm ) was designed by Max Sauze, circa 1970, France. It is great to use as a dining table or...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1970s Aluminum "Sawhorse" Table or Desk
Located in Highland, IN
An ingenious and attractive design. Two Campaign-style aluminum sawhorse forms support a glass top creating a wonderful desk or table. The original glass shows damage– ordering a new...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Stellar Italian Steel, Cane and Brass Dining or Writing Table, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fabulous dining or writing table, circa 1970. Stunning polished stainless steel frame with a lovely cane and brass inset detail, clear glass top. An exquisite piece of jewelry desi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Friso Kramer Reform Table, Netherlands, c. 1950s
Located in New York City, NY
Iconic "Reform Table" by Friso Kramer, manufactured in the Netherlands, circa 1950s. Solid stained wood tabletop sits on an industrial metal frame with ...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian Chrome X-Base Trestle Dining Table or Writing Desk
Located in Danville, CA
Rarely seen X-base trestle style dining table base that can be used as either a dining table or writing desk. The base will easily support a glass or stone top as large as 48 x 108 x...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Stone, Chrome

Mid-century Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century 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, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century 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 Cassina, Lawson-Fenning, Charlotte Perriand, and Paul McCobb. 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 $299 and tops out at $184,000 while the average work can sell for $4,773.

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