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1930s Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
1930s mahogany leather top writing desl with five drawers all with drop handles standing on cabriol
Category

Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Bauhaus Beech Writing Desk by Marcel Breuer, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A rare and iconic Bauhaus-era writing desk by Marcel Breuer. This beautifully balanced piece
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

French 1930 s Art Deco Desk
Located in Doylestown, PA
A small Art Deco 3-drawer desk in blonde beechwood with nickel plated hardware, circa 1930, French
Category

Vintage 1930s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Streamlined Art Deco Writing Desk in Oak France, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wonderful streamlined Art Deco writing desk in Oak. France, 1930s Horizontal lining referring
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Bauhaus Writing Desk Art Deco, Austria, 1930s
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic white lacquered Bauhaus writing desk from the era circa 1930s in Austria. Renown as
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

small 1930 s Art Metal Co. Desk
By Art Metal Co.
Located in Bainbridge, NY
early Art Metal Desk Industrial Modern Desk with single (20"W) drawer. Sturdy, heavy gauge Steel
Category

Vintage 1930s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

French Provencial Style Desk, C. 1930’s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Provencal style desk standing on four cabriole legs with rams head feet. The desk has five
Category

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Portuguese Art Deco Small Desk, 1930 s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This desk was designed and produced in Portugal during the 1930's. It is an elegant Art Deco design
Category

Vintage 1930s Portuguese Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Small Desk by Hjalmar Jackson 1930 s, Sweden
By Hjalmar Jackson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A small desk by one of Stockholm's most skilled carpenter and cabinetmaker, Hjalmar Jackson. Made a
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Victorian Style Walnut Writing Table Desk, 1930s
Located in London, GB
This is a lovely vintage English writing table, circa 1930 in date. This desk has been crafted
Category

Vintage 1930s English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Jacques Ruhlmann Style, French Art Deco, Writing Desk, Macassar, France, 1930s
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Manhasset, NY
Jacques Ruhlmann Style, French Art Deco, Writing Desk, Macassar, France, 1930s A sleek and stylish
Category

Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1930s Opulent Art Deco Free standing Writing Desk
Located in Praha, CZ
-partly renovated -newly lacquered in high gloss finish -handmade polished -Very representative!
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Restored Art Deco Writing Desk, Germany, 1930s, Revived Polish
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Art Deco writing desk, Germany, 1930s Revived Polish Material: Palisandr Measures
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Palisander

Vintage 1930s "Coronado" Rancho Monterey Style Writing Desk Set
By Coronado Furniture
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming, beautifully preserved, Coronado writing desk, matching chair and companion lamp, all
Category

Vintage 1930s American Rancho Monterey Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine, Paint

Bauhaus Desk, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful Bauhaus desk, produced in the 1930s. Nice detail, the vertical chrome handles. Made from
Category

Vintage 1930s French Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

1930 s Original Art Deco Walnut Desk
Located in London, GB
from the 1930’s. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully designed and looks amazing from all
Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Modern Italian Curved Rosewood Elm Writing Desk Glass Topped, 1930s
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an outstanding, Art Deco writing desk, made of elm and rosewood, and with
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm, Rosewood

Art Deco Modern Italian Curved Rosewood Elm Writing Desk Glass Topped, 1930s
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an outstanding, Art Deco writing desk, made of elm and rosewood, and with
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm, Rosewood

Restored Black Bauhaus Beech Writing Desk, Mücke-melder, Czechia, 1930s
By Mücke Melder
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Completely restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Maker: Mücke - Melder
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Rare Console Table or Desk designed by Gilbert Rohde - 1930 s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Art Deco Console Table or Desk, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Kroehler, circa 1930s. This is
Category

Vintage 1930s American Desks and Writing Tables

1930 s Art Deco Figured Walnut Partners Desk by Maple Co
Located in London, GB
dates from the 1930’s. The quality is absolutely superb, this is beautifully designed and constructed
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Czech Art Deco Writing Desk Made in the 1930s, Restored Maple
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Czech Art Deco writing desk made in the 1930s. Restored maple.
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Czech Art Deco Oak Writing Desk Made in the 1930s, Restored
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Czech Art Deco oak writing desk made in the 1930s, restored Revived polish. Leg space
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Desk, Anonymous, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk anonymous, Sweden, 1930s. Lacquered wood. Measures: H: 74 cm/ 29'' L: 105 cm/ 41'' W: 60
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Oak, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Bauhaus writing desk originates from Czechoslovakia from the 1930s. It is an authentic
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1930s French Directoire Desk
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Leather top, fine brass accents. The back is finished in a faux partners desk style.
Category

Vintage 1930s French Desks and Writing Tables

Art Deco Writing Desk Designed by Czech Architect Jindřich Halabala, 1930s
By Up Závody, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
One of the most successful writing desk made in United Arts & Crafts Manufacture (UP) in Brno
Category

20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Unusual Czech Oak Bauhaus Chrome Writing Desk by Hynek Gottwald, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Hynek Gottwald, Czechia, in the 1930s
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Unusual Czech Oak Bauhaus Chrome Writing Desk by Hynek Gottwald, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Hynek Gottwald, Czechia, in the 1930s
Category

20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Czech Mahogany Bauhaus Chrome Tubular Writing Desk by Robert Slezak, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Robert Slezak factory, in the 1930s
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Arredamenti Osvaldo Borsani Varedo Atelier Table Desk Walnut Italy 1930 s Deco
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
. 1930's Art Deco. In very good condition. The dimensions are 79" W x 35.5" D x 31" H. Includes key to
Category

Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezák, Walnut, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
) Leg space: Height: 71 cm (28 in) Width: 57 cm (22.4 in) Luxurious desk design in Caucasian walnut
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Bauhaus Restored Oak Writing Desk Made in 1930s by Robert Slezak, Czechia
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored writing desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Designed by Robert Slezak in the
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Dark brown Art Deco Writing Desk from 1930s Czechoslovakia, Restored Walnut
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Material: walnut Completely restored, surface is polished by piano lacquers to the high gloss.
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, by Robert Slezak, Beech, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Robert Slezák
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Dimensions of the table: Height: 74 cm (29.1 in) Width: 145 cm (57.1 in) Depth: 72 cm (28.3 in) Leg space: Height: 69 cm (27.2 in) Width: 72.5 cm (28.5 in) This table was designed ...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome, Steel

1930 s Art Deco Burr Walnut Desk by Hampton s of Pall Mall
Located in London, GB
made by the famous Hampton’s of Pall Mall in London, it dates from the 1930’s. Hampton’s furniture was
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Oak Bauhaus Chrome Writing Desk by Thonet, Good Condition and Patina, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Thonet, Germany, in the 1930s
Category

Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Oak Bauhaus Chrome Writing Desk by Thonet, Good Condition and Patina, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a frame in tubular chromed steel. Manufactured by Thonet, Germany, in the 1930s
Category

Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Restored Art Deco Writing Desk, by UP Zavody, Walnut. Polish, Czech, 1930s
By Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco writing desk comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Walnut

1930s Laquered Desk
Located in London, GB
A 1930's Swiss black lacquered desk, the inverse breakfront top above a pair of cupboards flanking
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Other Desks and Writing Tables

1930s Industrial Oak Library Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1930s, Industrial, oak library desk with brass pulls and cast aluminum glides Measures: 50" W x
Category

Vintage 1930s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Art Deco Writing Desk H-180 Designed by Jindrich Halabala, Walnut Chrome, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala, Up Závody
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
One of the most successful writing desk made in United Arts & Crafts Manufacture (UP) in Brno
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Black Czech Bauhaus Chrome Plated Steel Writing Desk, Made 1930s, Vichr a Spol
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a tubular chromed steel frame Manufactured in the 1930s. Wood is original and so is
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Midcentury Italian Rationalist Writing Table with Brass Finishes, 1930s
Located in bari, IT
Midcentury rationalist writing table made in Italy with brass finishes at the end of 1930s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Walnut Art Deco Desk, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning French Art Deco desk. Striking French design from the 1930s. Walnut with three original
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

1930s French Oak Architect s Trestle Desk
Located in London, GB
An excellently proportioned early 20th century architect’s desk constructed from solid oak timber
Category

20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

1930 s French Art Deco Desk on Curved Legs in Makassar with High Gloss Finish
Located in Ulm, DE
Desk in Makassar, high-gloss lacquer finish The desk rests on curved legs All metals original
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1930 s French Art Deco Desk on Curved Legs in Makassar with High Gloss Finish
Located in Ulm, DE
Desk in Makassar, high-gloss lacquer finish The desk rests on curved legs All metals original
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Haagse School Desk in Wood, Holland, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Haagse School; The Hague School; Wooden Desk; Writing Table; The Netherlands; Holland; Geometric
Category

Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Carlo Turina Rationalist wooden desk - Italy, 1930s
Located in London, GB
Functional, symmetrical, honest. This wooden desk, designed by Carlo Turina (b.1885) bears the
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1930s Banker s Metal Roll Top Industrial Desk
By Art Metal Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Banker's metal roll top Industrial desk, probably made by the Art Metal Company, American, circa
Category

Vintage 1930s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Fine French 1930s Macassar Ebony Writing Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco macassar ebony writing table with one drawer and a chrome pull. Height of
Category

Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

1930s Robert "Mouseman" Thompson Desk
Located in New York, NY
Only three ever made. A 1930`s Robert ``Mouseman`` Thompson Oak Double School Desk, the central
Category

Vintage 1930s British Desks and Writing Tables

1930s Small Desk in the style of Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in CA, CA
A 1930’s desk in the style of Jacques Adnet with two drawers to the front and glass handles set in
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1930s Art Deco Desk Attributed to Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in The Hague, NL
A French rosewood Art Deco writing desk, attributed to Jacques Adnet. Distinctive characteristics
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Bauhaus Tubular Steel and Wood Desk, Germany, 1930s
Located in Prague, New Town
Bauhaus tubular steel and wood desk, made in Germany, 1930s. Date of manufacture: 1930s Origin
Category

Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Antique Childrens School Desk, 1930s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Antique childrens school desk. Beautifully crafted cast iron legs with oak seat and desk
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

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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 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 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 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.