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Wall-Mounted Desk by Charlotte Perriand, France, 1950s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Antwerp, BE
writing desk, console table, or display surface, embodying Perriand’s vision of versatile, modern living
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern EB04 Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern EB04 desk. Design by Cees Braakman for Pastoe. Striking
Category

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

Materials

Birch, Plywood

Danish Cabinetmaker Oak Desk with Drawers, Denmark ca 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
trends alike, concentrating on crafting with quality materials instead. This desk is characterized by its
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Jacques Adnet - A French 1950s Desk with Lamp by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacques Adnet - A fine French Mid-Century rectangular desk and lamp, with a black lacquered metal
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1950s Italian Mid-Century Marquetry Desk with Ship Motif Built-in Shelves
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally beautiful Mid-Century Italian "Ship" desk, dating to the 1950s, is a stunning
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Danish Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Teak Desk, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Modern boomerang teak writing desk made in Denmark in the early 1950s. Asymmetrical table top and
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak, Teak

Louis XV Gold and Bronze Desk, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Small desk with drawers. Finely decorated with gold and fake turtle, Boulle style. handles and
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Gold and Bronze Desk, 1950s
Louis XV Gold and Bronze Desk, 1950s
$1,186 Sale Price
44% Off
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in Grenoble, FR
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s model made for Sonacotra fireplaces and available
Category

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

Materials

Formica, Wood

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Double Pedestal Desk, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern double pedestal executive writing desk By Paul McCobb for
Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Victorian Ladies Desk With Kingwood Marquetry Inlay, 1950s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
An attractive antique Victorian French lady's writing desk or dressing table with fine marquetry in
Category

Vintage 1940s French Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Bbpr for Olivetti, Spazio Table, Desk, 1950s/60s
By Studio BBPR
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large 'Spazio' table or desk with a top covered in green vinyl, resting on a gray and black metal
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk /Table by Bengt Johan Gullberg, Metal and Teak, Sweden, 1950s
By Bengt Johan Gullberg
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk by Bengt Johan Gullberg. Produced by Gullberg trading company in Sweden during the 1950s. Made
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Svend Aage Madsen Model "200" Desk for Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1950s
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Utrecht, NL
trends, instead they concentrated on crafting with quality materials. This model "200" desk by Svend Aage
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Rare Desk and Armchair by Jacques Adnet, Stitched Leather and Skaï, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
These desk and armchair by Jacques Adnet are quite rare with its marine type handles. Thea are
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Wood and brass Desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Argelato, BO
Large wood and brass desk by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s Large Mid-Century Wood and Brass desk by
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rare Desk by Carlo Hauner, Móveis Artesanal, 1950s, Brazilian Mid-Century
Located in New York, NY
This desk was designed between 1950 and 1953 and stood out within the production of Hauner and
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Large executive desk, design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Napoli, IT
This is a large executive desk that is featured in several furniture magazines.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Freestanding Desk in Teak by Børge Mogensen, Danish Design, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen, Søborg Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
Desk in teak, designed by Maa. Børge Mogensen for Sobørg furniture. Great original condition.
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

George Nelson by Herman Miller Laminated Aluminum Design 1950s Rare Desk
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brescia, IT
Modernist Desk George Nelson by Hermann Miller 1950 Laminated wood, aluminum base Rare model.
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Alvar Aalto Writing Table Model K81 in Birch Red Linoleum, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Mid-Century Modern writing desk in full birch and red linoleum model K81 manufactured by
Category

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

Materials

Birch

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Mid-Century Modern executive desk. Design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Modern Mahogany Desk by Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen, Denmark, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking desk by Ole Wanscher, made in mahogany with table top dressed in black leather. Very
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Danish Mid Century Wooden PK52 Desk by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen, 1950s
By Rud Rasmussen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare Danish mid century "PK52" academy desk for the School of Architecture in Copenhagen
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Danish Modern Desk / Dining Table by Børge Mogensen in Teakwood Brass, 1950s
By Søborg Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
Danish Modern Desk or Dining Table by Børge Mogensen. Designed in 1952 for Søborg Møbelfabrik
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Aluminium Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Desk in painted aluminium with laminate top from Carlotti. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Merighi Dall Olmo Italian Desk in Teak, Iron and Turquoise Blue Top 1950s
By Cantu
Located in Waalwijk, NL
desk by Merighi & Dall'Olmo was made in the 1950s in Italy. The teak wood, brass, and fine ironwork
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk, Style of Gio Ponti, c 1950s, Refinished
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully refinished Mid-Century Modern desk produced in Italy circa 1950s. Featuring black steel
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid Century + Art Deco Metal DESK / CONSOLE by Simmons Furniture Co., c. 1950s
By Simmons Company Furniture
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid Century Modern with an art deco vibe, this desk by Simmons Furniture Company, c. 1950’s
Category

Vintage 1950s Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Stadera Desk Model 840 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Stadera Desk Model 840 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Unique French Modern Solid Rosewood Desk, Pierre Chapo, 1950s
Located in Queens, NY
Unique French Modern Solid Rosewood Desk, Pierre Chapo, 1950s.
Category

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

Vintage Desk by Willy Van Der Meeren for Tubax, 1950s
By Tubax, Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century school desk designed by Willy Van Der Meeren and produced by Tubax in Belgium
Category

Vintage 1950s Belgian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Painted Aluminum Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Painted aluminum desk with laminate top from Carlotti, 1950s.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Painted Aluminium Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Painted Aluminium Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Painted Aluminium Desk with Laminate Top from Carlotti, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Painted aluminium desk with laminate top from Carlotti, 1950s.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Boomerang Shaped Desk, Shop Counter, 1950s by Alfred Hendrickx
By Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Antwerp, BE
Custom made handcrafted shop counter or desk in a boomerang line with vertical slats at the front
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Italian Mid Century Table Desk attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern table desk attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s. This exceptional piece
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gio Ponti Office Desk in Wood and Glass for Bnl Italian Manufacture 1950s Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Office desk with two frontal drawers with structure in wood, top in colored glass and brass details
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Freestanding Desk in Oak, Danish Mid Century Modern, Henning Kjærnulf, 1950s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant freestanding writing desk designed by Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf in the 1950s
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani wall-mounted wood and brass desk model E22 by Tecno Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A wall-mounted desk in wood, metal, and brass, part of the E22 series, produced by Tecno, designed
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Kittinger, English Regency, Campaign Desk, Rosewood, Satinwood, Brass, USA 1950s
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Manhasset, NY
Kittinger, English Regency, Campaign Desk, Rosewood, Satinwood, Brass, USA 1950s Regency campaign
Category

Vintage 1950s American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Freestanding Desk in Oak, Danish Mid Century Modern, Henning Kjærnulf, 1950s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant freestanding writing desk designed by Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf in the 1950s
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Oak Desk by Hans Wegner for Andreas Tuck, Denmark 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
in the 1950s. Made from stunningly fresh and beautiful oak wood, this desk exudes timeless charm and
Category

Vintage 1950s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

A bean-shaped table desk made of dark slate and iron, Italy, late 1950s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
were gently hovering in space. Whether used as a writing desk or side table, the piece embodies a rare
Category

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

Materials

Slate, Iron

1950s Italian ash wooden desk with two drawers in the style of Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Mid-century ‘modernist organic ‘Italian design desk/console table with 2 drawers , tapered legs
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Ash

Roll Top Standing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A unique and elegant standing desk in walnut with a roll top cover and a single drawer.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian Mid-Century Stately Wooden Desk with Glass Top, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Italian mid-century stately wooden desk with glass top 1950s Sturdy multipurpose desk with eight
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid-century desk inlaid wood 1950s mid-century light brown
By Mid Century Antiques
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Scrivania mid-century, in legno chiaro, con piano in legno intarsiato, periodod del design: 1950
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Ico Parisi for Mim Roma, Italy, 1950s
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Office desk by Gunnar Ericsson for Facit AB Buromöbel Zurich - 1950s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Office desk by Gunnar Ericsson for Facit AB Buromöbel Zurich - 1950s Wear consistent with age and
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bentwood

Rosewood Desk by Geraldo de Barros 1950s, Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Desk Geraldo de Barros.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Fritz Hansen 1950s Small Maple Desk with Laminate Top and Two Drawers
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Dronten, NL
spaces. Whether styled as a home office desk, a writing nook, or a chic console, it brings effortless
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Maple

Danish Rosewood Desk with Tambour Doors by Hans J. Wegner, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Rare Danish Rosewood desk with tambour doors, 1950s. Large and impressive Danish rosewood
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Dassi Desk walnut Mid-Century Modern Brass Minimal Scultural 1950s Italian
By Dassi
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Dassi small desk rosewood Mid-Century Modern brass minimal scultural 1950s Italian. Colored glass
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Roll Top Standing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A unique and elegant lectern in walnut with a roll top cover and a single drawer.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Fine French 1950s Leather Covered Desk and Chairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacques Adnet (1900 - 1984) - A fine French mid-century leather-covered curved desk with patinated
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Cherry

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1950s Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 1950s writing desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every 1950s writing desk was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect 1950s writing desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A 1950s writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Industrial styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made 1950s writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Paul McCobb, Nanna Ditzel and Cees Braakman are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a 1950s Writing Desk?

Prices for a 1950s writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1 and can go as high as $115,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,684.

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 1950s 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
    Some popular watches for men during the 1950s were the Rolex Submariner, the Enicar Sherpa Dive, the Breitling Navitimer, Omega, Constellation and the Rolex GMT-Master. Rolex, Timex, Orvin, Tower and Elgin were among the top watchmakers for women during the decade. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    The clothing style in the 1950s was well tailored and classic. For women, dresses with padded busts, cinched waists and hips, and full circle skirts were popular, and the collared button-up shirt dress came into fashion during the decade. Men tended to wear suits in neutral gray, dark blue and brown colors made out of easy-to-care-for synthetic fabrics. Straight-cut double-breasted blazers were commonly worn for casual occasions. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage clothing from the 1950s.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes. While the gem has always been a mainstay in jewelry, there was a boom in demand for pearl pieces in the 1950s. The style at the time was black-and-white-chic, and pearls were an excellent accompaniment to pieces like the classic little black dress. Shop a collection of expertly vetted pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers 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 ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023
    There were a few popular diamond cuts in the 1950s. One was the brilliant round cut, which is still common today due to its simple shape and prominent sparkle. Other favorite cuts of the decade included the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of engagement rings.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023
    In the 1950s, a Chanel bag was priced between $200 and $300. The iconic Chanel 2.55 bag cost $220 when first introduced in February 1955. Accounting for inflation, that works out to around $2,536 in today's money. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023
    In the 1950s, several diamond cuts were popular. They included the brilliant round cut, the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Rings that featured a large central stone flanked by smaller baguettes were also trendy during the decade. Find a collection of vintage diamond jewelry 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025
    Frank Stella is the artist who became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These works featured bands of black paint separated by thin, precise stripes of bare canvas. At a time when contemporary painting was all about wild gestures, thick paint and formal abandon, the “Black Paintings” created a sensation. Explore a range of Frank Stella art on 1stDibs.