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1940
s French Mahogany Desk by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
Signed by French designer Jules Leleu, this 1940's table desk is composed of brass trimmed mahogany
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1940
s Modernist French Desk with Leather Top
By Andre Sornay
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting French, modernist desk with a leather top. Each side had three drawers.
Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
Italian 1940
s Desk in Cherry and Sycamore
Located in London, GB
Stunning 1940's Italian eight drawer desk in Cherry with pale Sycamore wood details and shaped
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Sycamore
Restored Bauhaus Writing Desk, Steel, Glass, Germany, 1940s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Dimensions of the desk:
Height: 70 cm (27.6 in)
Width: 100 cm (39.4 in)
Depth: 55 cm (21.7 in)
Leg
Category
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome, Metal
Oak Trestle Desk, France 1940
s
Located in New York, NY
Solid oak Desk with a trestle base.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Wood Writing Desk Table
By Ico
Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in beautiful dark veneer burl
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1940
s Italian Silver Gilt Desk Attributed to Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Queens, NY
Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, this 1940's Italian table desk is composed of ebonized oak and
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Silver Leaf
Frits Henningsen Writing Desk
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A Frits Henningsen mahogany writing desk, circa 1940s, the rectangular top above four frieze
Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
1940
s Glass Top Mahogany Desk by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
Signed by French Art Deco designer Jules Leleu, this four legged 1940s mahogany desk features three
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Completely Restored Red Functionalism Chrome Writing Desk, Czechia, 1940s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Writing desk made in Czechoslovakia
Material: Chrome, lacquered wood
Completely restored.
Period
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
1940
s Art Deco French Oak and Leather Desk
Located in Paris, FR
each side. The leather
France. 1940's
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We are an exhibition space and an online destination
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
1940
s Kidney Shaped Cerused Desk by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Dallas, TX
1940. The desk is uniquely designed with architectural lines. The heavy kidney-form top floating above
Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage 1940
s Teak leather topped desk
Located in Malton, GB
This is a very nice quality 1940's teak desk with leather top. The top is a great colour with a
Category
20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Root Burl Curved Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Stunning Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in beautiful veneer burr walnut
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Slat Carved Wood Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, with beautiful side and front
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
Desk, Italy, 1940s
Located in Greding, DE
Completely ebonized Italian desk, standing on tapered fluted legs with brass sabots and volute
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$2,137
1940s Plywood Desk
Located in London, GB
Charming plywood desk from the 1940s or possibly 50s following the style of Marcel Breuer and his
Category
20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$1,360
Desk, Italy 1940s
Located in Greding, DE
Italian desk, standing on conical legs, with four drawers and a stained glass top. The writing
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$3,040
1940s Art Deco Italian Walnut Burl Black Glass Waterfall Writing Desk Table
By Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico
Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in veneer burl wood and precious
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Opaline Glass, Wood
1940
s English Oak Compact Desk - Four Drawer
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1940’s English Oak Compact Desk – Four Drawer.
Practical petite desk in superb original condition
Category
Vintage 1940s English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
A Stylish and Unique Bauhaus Meets Industrial Desk, Circa 1940
s/50
s
Located in Hastings, GB
This stylish and highly functional desk was probably a one off commission, its rarity suggests so
Category
Vintage 1940s French Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
French 1940s School Writing Desk with Extension Flap and Four Drawers.
Located in Santa Monica, CA
French 1940s School Writing Desk with Extension Flap and Four Drawers.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Designer Desk, Italy, 1940s
Located in Greding, DE
Wonderful Italian Designer Desk, dating from the 1940s. With black glass top and six drawers.
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
1940s French Macassar Desk
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very stylish French desk, in Macassar ebony, with pull out brushing slides to each side. Having
Category
Vintage 1940s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Macassar
Desk Rosewood Italy 1940s
Located in Milano, IT
Large desk with double row of drawers on one side and open compartments with shelves on the other
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl Wood and Brass Writing Desk Table
By Ico
Luisa Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in beautiful veneer burl wood
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Slat Walnut Wood and Brass Writing Desk Table
By Ico
Luisa Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, with floating top and
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl Wood and Brass Writing Desk Table
By Ico
Luisa Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in beautiful veneer burl wood
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Frits Henningsen Mahogany Writing Table, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A Danish mahogany bureau-plat by Frits Henningsen, circa 1940s. Furniture designer and cabinetmaker
Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Mahogany Writing Table, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A Danish mahogany writing table by Frits Henningsen, furniture designer and cabinet maker (1889
Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Art Deco oak desk and matching chairs 1940
s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This desk is a beautiful example of the 1940s art deco period, with turned legs, geometric details
Category
Vintage 1940s Belgian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Italian Architectural 1940s Curved Desk
Located in Milan, IT
Spectacular Italian 1940s desk.
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Cerused Oak Desk, France 1940s
Located in New York, NY
1940s French cerused oak desk with tapered column legs. The desk has very clean, smooth lines
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Art Deco Desk, France, 1940s
Located in Greding, DE
Art Deco desk with two drawers on conical feet. The writing surface is covered with black imitation
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Desk - France 1940s
Located in Madrid, ES
. France 1940’s.
Category
Vintage 1940s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Mahogany
$3,950
Oak Bauhaus Chrome Writing Desk by Kovona, Good Condition and Patina, 1940s
By Kovona
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Desk with a legs in tubular chromed steel.
Manufactured by Kovona, Czechoslovakia, in the 1940s
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Suzanne Guiguichon Desk, France, 1940s
By Suzanne Guiguichon
Located in Greding, DE
Small desk rounded at the left side and veneered in maple by Suzanne Guiguichon (1900-1985) with
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Parchment Paper
Desk Burl Veneer Italy 1940s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with drawers under the top, container compartments with hinged doors on one side and
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl
1940s Regency Style Faux Bamboo Desk
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
1940's Regency style faux bamboo cherry desk. Gorgeous velvety silk tooled leather top and nice
Category
Vintage 1940s American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Leather
French 1940s Louis XVI Style Desk
By Maison Jansen
Located in Doylestown, PA
A nice French 1940's Louis XVI style bureau plat in ebonized wood with an inset tooled brown
Category
Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Art Déco Iron and Marble Desk / Writing Table in Industrial Design 1940s
Located in Salzburg, AT
French Art Déco Iron and Marble Desk / Writing Table in Industrial Design 1940s
The object is
Category
Vintage 1940s French Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
Danish Oak Writing Table by Frits Henningsen, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A large Danish European oak writing table by Frits Henningsen, circa 1940s, the rectangular top
Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
art deco desk desk oak 1940s
Located in Lemmer, NL
art deco desk desk oak 1940s
period 1940s
design unknown The Netherlands
condition good
Category
Vintage 1940s Dutch Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
French Louis XVI Style Writing Desk Stamped Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Louis XVI style writing desk, circa 1940s, the rectangular top with black embossed leather
Category
Vintage 1940s Argentine Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Desk, France, circa 1940s
Located in Greding, DE
Small Art Deco desk with shelfing space on the side, five drawers and a compartment with shutter
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satinwood
French 1940
s Desk or Dining Table with Adjustable Bases, Burl and Glass Top
Located in Austin, TX
sides for desk use. Custom cut 1/4" glass protects the top.
See images of the table with desk
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
Partners Desk, France, 1940s
Located in New York, NY
1940s French single drawer on both sides of partners desk
Classic bronze sabot's
Simple design.
Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
Carl Malmsten Desk, Sweden, 1940s-1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pine writing table designed by Carl Malmsten, 1940s-1950s, Sweden. Marked CM.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Italian
Neo Classical
Centre Desk, Italy, 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
A splendid Italian 'neoclassical' centre desk, Italy, 1940s
Grissinato drawer and brass details.
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1940s Belgian Oak Desk
Located in High Point, NC
From circa 1940, this desk features plenty of drawer storage, an elegant
traditional construction
Category
Vintage 1940s Belgian French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$1,750
French 1940s Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A refined leather top mahogany desk, done in the Louis XVI style, in the 1940s. The leather top is
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1940s Italian Walnut, Opaline Glass
Brass Desk
Located in Aspen, CO
Beautiful brass leaf embellishments on drawers and corners of desk. 2 Drawers.
The desk is
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Italian Hand Painted Venetian Style Desk, circa 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, 1940s. The writing table stands on four straight tapered legs. Beautiful hand painted finish of flower
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1940s Art Metal London Desk with Linoleum Top
By Art Metal Co.
Located in Hook, Hampshire
. Beautiful compact metal desk from the late 1940’s. The desk is in excellent condition with all drawers
Category
Vintage 1940s British Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Carlton House Style Mahogany and Burl Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in Peabody, MA
An American made "Carlton House" writing desk, circa 1940s, First popularized in England as a
Category
Vintage 1940s American Hepplewhite Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Burl
1940s Norman Bel Geddes Metal Desk for Simmons
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Wilton, CT
Offering a rare 1940's industrial design desk designed by Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons Furniture
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
French Modernist Desk 1940s Mahogany
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Desk made of mahogany. French modernist style in 1940s.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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1940s Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 1940s writing desk you’re looking for. Each 1940s writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and brass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect 1940s writing desk — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A 1940s writing desk made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. A well-made 1940s writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Maison Jansen, Frits Henningsen and George Nelson are consistently popular.
How Much is a 1940s Writing Desk?
A 1940s writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,995, while the lowest priced sells for $60 and the highest can go for as much as $113,245.
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 1940s Writing Desk
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs 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, 2021A 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, 2021A 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.
- What is a 1940s style dress?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The most popular 1940s-style dress was the shirtwaist dress. It had a front opening like a men’s shirt, but with large buttons in the front of the dress, which was practical and easy to wear. The sleeves were short and necklines varied from shirt style to sweetheart and other necklines. Antique and vintage dresses from well-known designers are available on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A number of dresses were popular during the 1940s. Many women wore short-waist dresses with button necks, collars, fitted waists and full skirts. The classic A-lines with knee-length hems in red, white and blue colors were also a trend. Shop a collection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021In the 1940s, ladies wore clothes defined by clean and slim silhouettes. The jackets, blouses and sweaters often featured shoulderpads and had somewhat of a military feel. Most dresses were quite casual and pants and playsuits became part of a woman's everyday style.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What 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 3, 2023In 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024Claire McCardell was the designer often called the Mother of American Fashion in the 1940s. An American designer, she helped introduce women's sportswear to the United States and was particularly well-known for her bias-cut, loose-fitting Monastic dress. When World War II broke out in the 1940s, she designed pieces out of readily available materials like denim, calico and wool jersey, introducing new fabrics for women's clothing that would remain popular well after the close of the war. Many people point to McCardell as one of the first successful American fashion designers. Shop a collection of Claire McCardell apparel on 1stDibs.
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