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1930s French Art Deco Desk in Black Lacquer with Nickeled Metal Applications
Located in Ulm, DE
Desk Piano lacquer, black high gloss Metal applications, freshly nickel-plated Non-functional
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Rare Executive Tubular Steel Desk by Mücke-Melder, 1930s
By Mücke Melder
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Executive Tubular Steel Desk by Mücke-Melder, 1930s An exceptional and rare example of early
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Early Bauhaus "B21" Side Table Desk by Marcel Breuer Produced by Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early Bauhaus "B21" desk / side table in black stained wood with chromed tubular
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Antique Art Deco Industrial Simmons Small Metal Desk 1930s
By Norman Bel Geddes, Simmons Company Furniture
Located in Detroit, MI
This antique Art Deco machine age metal desk was produced by Simmons circa 1930. Possibly a Norman
Category

Vintage 1930s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Set of Desk and Stool in Oak with Green Blue Patina, Spain 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Industrial Desk and Stool, Oak, Spain, 1930s A lovely set composed by an industrial desk with Art
Category

20th Century Spanish Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Pine, Wood

French Art Deco Black Lacquered Executive Table Desk, 1930s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning French desk from the 1930s with an elegant design characterized by linear and symmetrical
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Rosewood Palisander Desk by Jules Leleu, 1930s
By Jules Leleu
Located in Zurich, CH
This original and rare desk can be found in the design book by V. Jutheau JULES ET ANDRÉ LELEU on
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Executive desk in Macassar ebony by Pander zn, Netherlands 1930s
By Paul Bromberg, H.Pander Zonen
Located in ECHT, NL
High quality custom made executive desk. Made from solid Macassar ebony and Macassar ebony veneer
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Ebony, Macassar

Original Italian Art Deco Desk in Walnut and Briar Root, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Amazing Italian Art Deco desk in walnut and briar root original, 1930. In very excellent condition.  
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Desk with Drawers in Metal Glass and Wood 1930s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Cascina, Pisa
, designed by Osvaldo Borsani; Italian manufacturer from the 1930s. This desk presents a simple and linear
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century French Desk Carved Table with Three Drawers, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
This is an elegant piece with timeless beauty. The dimensions, proportions, the wavy edge and the slender legs are valuable elements.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

1930s Restored French Art Deco Mahogany and Chrome Executive Desk w/ Bookshelves
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This fully restored French Art Deco large desk features stunning Rosewood complemented by sleek
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Art Deco Table by Danish Cabinetmaker in Patinated Oak, 1930s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Odense, DK
. The table could be used as a small dining table or simply as a writing desk. Acquired in Denmark from
Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

1930s Colonial Revival Style Turned and Veneered Occasional Bookshelf Table
Located in Lomita, CA
example. The style is colonial revival, popular during the 1930s to 1940s. The rectangular shaped table
Category

Early 20th Century American Colonial Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Louis XV Style Walnut Table with Bronze Mounts, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
writing desk is made of walnut with a veneered walnut parquetry design and elegant bronze mounts, circa
Category

Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Black Bauhaus Table made in 1930s Germany, Fully Restored
By Bauhaus
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Made in Germany in the 1930s and restored by our team. The wood used for the top is Oak. Chromed
Category

Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Restored Bauhaus Small Dissociative Table, by Mücke-Melder, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Mücke Melder
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Dissociative: 95 cm / 37.4″ It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. The chrome p...
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Art Deco Design Writing Desk, France 1930 s
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Art Deco Design Writing Desk. Made in France, 1920's / 30's period. Minimalist in design
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks

Materials

Wood

1930s French Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Paris, this French Art Deco desk dates to the 1930s and features a clean, architectural
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks

Materials

Metal

1930s French Art Deco Oak Writing Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
A stunning 1930s French Art Deco writing desk sourced directly from Provence, France. Expertly
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desks

Materials

Oak

Art Deco English Compact Walnut Writing Desk, 1930s
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this lovely and totally original walnut desk dating from the 1930s
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Desks

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Bakelite Desk Writing Accessory, 5 pieces in box, France 1930s
By Travail Francais
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco Bakelite desk accessories writing set dates from the 1930s. The set is built
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desk Sets

Materials

Metal, Brass

German Designer, Complete Writing Set, 1930s/40s
Located in København, Copenhagen
German designer, complete writing set with inkwell, letter holder, wax seal and a letter knife
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Desk Sets

Materials

Marble

1930s Art Deco Italy in the Manner Pagano Attributed Writing Desk
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in Biella, IT
Walnut veneer desk Art Deco rationalism years '30 Italy design in the manner of Pagano(attributed
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks

Materials

Wood

Early Baker Furniture Regency Rosewood Writing Desk or Console Table, 1930s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Regency style petite writing desk, sofa table, or entry console table By Baker
Category

Vintage 1930s American Regency Console Tables

Materials

Brass

Restored Oak Writing Desk, Hynek Gottwald, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Oak Writing Desk by Hynek Gottwald. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Maker: Hynek
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Sofas

Materials

Metal, Steel, Chrome

Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk, Hynek Gottwald, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk by Hynek Gottwald. Period: 1930-1939 Source: Czechia
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus More Mirrors

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk, Robert Slezak, Chrome, Steel, Czechia, 1930s
By Robert Slezák, André Lurcat
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Oak Writing Desk. Maker: Robert Slezak Designer: André Lurcat This desk was
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus More Mirrors

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Restored Pair of Oak Writing Desks, Hynek Gottwald, Chrome, Czechia, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Pair of Oak Writing Desks by Hynek Gottwald. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Maker
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Sofas

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Steel

Bauhaus Writing Desk and Chair, Thonet, Chrome-Plated Steel, Czechia, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Bauhaus writing desk and chair. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Material
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Sofas

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Restored ArtDeco Cherrytree Writing Desk, J. Halabala, UP Zavody, Czechia, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored ArtDeco Cherry-Tree Writing Desk by Jindrich Halabala Designer: Jindrich Halabala Maker
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco More Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Cherry

English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique circa 1930s Goddard chest / writing desk featuring a drop front door that opens to multiple
Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

1930 s Desk
Located in Brussels, BE
Made in Beech, Italy 1930 H. 80 x 160 x 78 cm
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Fully renovated ART DECO writing desk, 1930´s, Central Europe
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This fully renovated art deco writing desk is a stunning piece of furniture that will add character
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Oak Writing Desk with Roll Cabinet, circa 1930s
Located in Zohor, SK
Stylish and practical writing desk after partial restoration. The table shows some wear on the top
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Childs Art Deco Oak Desk English circa 1930s Vintage Childrens Writing Table
Located in Leeds, West Yorkshire
A charming and unusual vintage English art deco childs oak desk dating from circa 1930s. With a
Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

1930s President s Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s Art Deco streamline president's desk, French.
Category

Vintage 1930s French Desks and Writing Tables

Very Stylish 1930s French Desk
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very stylish and with great lines, circa 1930s French desk with bronze handles, one drawer and
Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Macassar

Modernist Desk, France, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Small tubular steel desk from France from the main epoch of tubular steel furniture, produced
Category

Vintage 1930s French Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Czechoslovak modernist chrome and wood writing desk, 1950´s, Europe
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Large Bauhaus Partners Desk, piano lacquer, chrome, Czechoslovakia, 1930´s This large Bauhaus
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Massive 1930s Desk in the manor Ruhlman
Located in London, GB
Massive 1930s Desk in the manor Ruhlman
Category

20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Desk with Matching Stool in a Modernistic Dutch Colonial Style, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The rectangular and asymmetrical shape of the desk is inspired by the New Hague School (1925-1940
Category

Vintage 1930s Indonesian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

1930s Light Grey Steel Desk by Jean Prouvé
By Le Corbusier, Jean Prouvé
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Very rare and attractive desk designed by famous Jean Prouvé in 1934. The desk comes on a steel
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Outstanding 1930s Arts Crafts Glasgow School Desk / Dining Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A good quality, circa 1930s Glasgow School Arts & Crafts dining table / desk. The top made of a
Category

Vintage 1930s British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Birka Desk by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Birka desk by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Paint

1930s Bauhaus Chrome Steel Tube and Beech Desk by Rudolf Vichr
By Rudolf Vichr
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful Bauhaus writing desk with two containers made of steel tube and shellac polished beech
Category

20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Chromed Steel and Tinted Beech Bauhaus Desk by Petr Vichr for Kovona, 1930s
By Petr Vichr
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This desk was designed by Petr Vichr and was originally manufactured by Vichr and Co., and then by
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

1930s School Art Easel/Hostess Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
1930s school art easel/Hostess stand.
Category

Vintage 1930s American Schoolhouse Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Art Deco Cabinet Veneered with Rose and Rosewood, Poland, 1930s
Located in Krakow, małopolskie
Luxurious study desk made in the style of Art Deco. Beautifully veneered with rose and rosewood
Category

Vintage 1930s Polish Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

1940s Bauhaus Steel Tube Desk Lacquered Black by Slezak
Located in Berlin, DE
A 1930s Bauhaus Functionalism writing desk black lacquered.
Category

20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome, Steel

English Writing Desk Table Plat 1930s Fold Down
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent 1930s writing desk with burl accents and in great condition. It features drawer both
Category

Vintage 1930s English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1930s Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern Wood, Glass and Brass Writing Desk
By Paolo Buffa, Ico Luisa Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Melchiorre Bega, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian 1930s writing desk, bureau with elegant and classic wood worked according its
Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Provincial Writing Desk 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century painted French Provincial style desk. The desk stands on four cabriole legs that
Category

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

1930s Limed Oak Deco Writing Desk
By Heal s
Located in London, Lambeth
Wonderful compacted writing desk in limed oak with lots of storage space. On the top of the desk
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare Walnut Root and Chrome Writing Desk from Vichr Co., 1930 s
By Vichr Co.
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare chrome writing desk from one piece of walnut root from a famous furniture store Vichr & Co. in
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Children s Writing Desk by Gio Ponti, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This desk is made from oak and features the original Gio Ponti's archive label (n° 12002/000).
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Stylish Italian Writing Desk in Lacquered Parchment, 1930s
Located in New York, NY
Stylish writing desk, top in lacquered parchment with tapering ebonized legs, Italian, 1930s. This
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Goatskin, Wood, Lacquer

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1930s Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic 1930s writing desk available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and walnut, every 1930s writing desk was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the 1930s writing desk you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Each 1930s writing desk bearing Art Deco, Industrial or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks is very popular. A well-made 1930s writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Gilbert Rohde, Marcel Breuer and Kaare Klint are consistently popular.

How Much is a 1930s Writing Desk?

The average selling price for a 1930s writing desk at 1stDibs is $4,926, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $120,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Desks-writing-tables for You

Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.

Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.

Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.

Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.

The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.

From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.

Questions About 1930s Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.

  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    Yes, people had record players in the 1930s. In fact, record players began to become more common during the decade and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Thomas Edison made the first phonograph record player in 1877. Shop a variety of record players on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023
    What brides wore in the 1930s varied. Some wore long flowing dresses made of satin or silk. Long sleeves were popular and designs often featured only minimal embellishments like appliqués and beading. Because many people faced difficult financial situations due to the Great Depression, brides also sometimes simply wore their best dresses on their wedding days. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage wedding dresses.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
    To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of desks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    In the 1930s, phones typically looked like rotary telephones. They had either a round or square base with a numbered dial that spun when you dialed and a handset receiver with both an earpiece and a mouthpiece. A cord connected the handset to the base. Find a variety of rotary phones on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.