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1950s Desk
Located in Freiburg, DE
Legroom: height: 63cm, width: 49cm
material: massive beech (table-top), was probably been renewed some time,
corpus: oak (massive and veneered)
2 drawers.
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech, Oak
$852
Fabricius / Kastholm Desk
By Preben Fabricius, Kill International, Jørgen Kastholm
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Writing Desk in Teak with two drawer and chromium plated steel base.
Designed by Preben Fabricius
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Mid Century German Drafting Table
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Mid Century German counter-weighted drafting table.
Category
Vintage 1940s German Desks and Writing Tables
Biedermeier Table/Desk
Located in Chamblee, GA
In satin wood/ French walnut, long center drawer on one side. Finished both sides.
Category
Antique 19th Century German Desks and Writing Tables
$9,500
Olivia Desk with Trim
By Birgit Israel
Located in London, GB
White (RAL 9001) piano lacquered desk with brass lined drawers, antique brass frame, vellum
Category
2010s German Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$10,296
Bernd Zimmermann Attributed Desk
By Bernd Zimmermann
Located in Belmont, MA
Bernd Zimmermann attributed desk on four colored lacquered metal surfaces. Storage compartment on
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Desk Attributed to Bruno Paul
By Bruno Paul
Located in Saarbrücken, DE
Desk attributed to Bruno Paul in walnut veneer.
One central and each two lateral drawers.
On each
Category
Early 20th Century German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Danish Teak Desk by Bramin
By Bramin Mobler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Cologne, DE
Executive teak desk, manufactured in the 1970s by Bramin. The design of this piece is usually
Category
Vintage 1970s German Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Simon Desk in Vellum Parchment
By Birgit Israel
Located in London, GB
Vellum parchment desk with clear piano lacquer, brass lined drawers and nickel escutcheons. Bespoke
Category
2010s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$10,652 / item
1950s Desk, WK, Georg Satink
By Georg Satink
Located in Karlsruhe, DE
A design Classic from the 1950s. Desk version 468 by Georg Satink for WK Möbel. Walnut-faced
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Children
s Desk, circa 1900
Located in Freiburg, DE
Material: oak, ceramic (ink holder)
foldable.
Category
Antique Early 1900s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Casala Werke, Lauenau School Desk
By Casala
Located in New York, NY
Wood and plywood, beech, tabletop of reddish and brown plastic.
Category
Vintage 1950s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plywood, Beech, Plastic
Small Vintage Desk, circa 1940
Located in Freiburg, DE
Solid beech, veneered oak
Lockable top drawer
Sanded and oiled
Extension of the tabletop on the left
Legroom: 62cm.
Category
Vintage 1940s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech, Oak
A Philip Plein Croco Embossed Desk
By Philipp Plein
Located in Cathedral City, CA
A leather customized desk by Philip Plein. Embossed croco leather.
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Marcel Breuer Bauhaus Desk by Thonet
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Bern, CH
Designed by the Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer in 1935, this desk shows very well the functional
Category
Vintage 1970s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Tubular steel desk by Mücke-Melder
By Mücke
Melder
Located in Berlin, DE
This table is a Mücke-Melder Company design from the early 1930s.
Category
Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood Executive Desk with Metal Base
Located in Lijnden, Noord-Holland
Solid executive desk with rosewood top, back and drawers and metal frame.
This desk has a built in
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Restored 1950s Walnut Desk, Helmut Magg
By Helmut Magg
Located in Karlsruhe, DE
A rare design classic from the 1950s: shapely desk based on a draft by Helmut Magg, 1952, for
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Vase, West Germany, 1960s
By Søholm Stentøj
Located in Copenhagen, DK
West Germany, 1960s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ceramic
Large Walnut Desk with Chrome Legs, 1960s
Located in Antwerpen, BE
A large directors desk, in walnut veneer with legs in chrome-plated steel. The desk has 2 drawers
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
" Hommage a Mondrian" Desk by Danilo Silvestrin
By Danilo Silvestrin
Located in New York, NY
Desk in colorful high gloss lacquered wood, " Hommage a Mondrian ", by Danilo Silvestrin for
Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Vintage Side Table or Desk
Located in Freiburg, DE
Solid walnut plate assembled with metal frame (silver grey)
Sanded and oiled
Non-toxic woodworm treatment
Good stable condition.
Category
Vintage 1930s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Bauhaus Desk with Beautiful Cherry Wood
Located in Senden, NRW
Beautiful Bauhaus style desk with a bi-color design. The solid designed feet are painted with black
Category
Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Lacquer
Elegant Desk by Helmut Magg for WK, 1952
By Vereinigte Werkstätten München, Helmut Magg
Located in Munster, NRW
Helmut Magg for Vereinigte Werkstatten, Germany. This desk combines functionality and elegance. The
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Wood
"Alpha" Walnut Table by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
This walnut table from the Alpha series was produced by German manufacturer Walter Knoll in the
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
1960s Macassar Double Side Desk and Stool
Located in Cimelice, Czech republic
Macassar double side desk and stool from the 1960s, Germany. Box-shaped structure on four legs, two
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Velvet, Macassar
1960s Macassar Double Side Desk and Stool
Located in Cimelice, Czech republic
Macassar double side desk and stool from the 1960s, Germany. Box-shaped structure on four legs, two
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Velvet, Macassar
1960s Macassar Double Side Desk and Stool
Located in Cimelice, Czech republic
Macassar double side desk and stool from the 1960s, Germany. Box-shaped structure on four legs, two
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Velvet, Macassar
Executive 1974 Office Desk Sets in Rosewood
By Karl Springer
Located in Lijnden, Noord-Holland
desk system is developed by German manufacturer Stolzenberg and is in very good, working condition
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
High Desk Hand-Crafted by Artist Anderl Kammermeier
By Anderl Kammermeier
Located in Berlin, DE
This high steel desk was produced in the 1980ies in Germany by the Artist Anderl Kammermeier for
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
A Unique and Rare Desk by Mauser
By The Mauser Corp.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
rare and difficult to find today. Our petite desk is a fine example in refinished condition. The top
Category
Vintage 1930s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Wonderful Art Deco Metal Desk by Bauhaus
By Bauhaus
Located in Kingston, NY
This wonderful turn of the 20th century metal desk was created by Bauhaus. It features chrome lines
Category
Vintage 1950s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Important Art Deco Desk and Chair by Mauser
By The Mauser Corp.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
rare and difficult to find today. Our executive desk and chair are fine examples in refinished
Category
Vintage 1930s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Sidestep Table or Desk by Franck Thorsten
Located in Bridport, CT
Glass top table on two molded plywood bases by Franck Thorsten for Mobelbau Kaether & Weise. Winner of many design awards these molded plywood table bases are functional and stylish.
Category
Early 2000s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Plywood
Art Deco Ladys Desk with Macassar Top
Located in Senden, NRW
Art Deco lady's desk with a beautiful Macassar tabletop. Elegant design with black legs with
Category
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Macassar, Lacquer
Ernest H. Igl for Bayer AG
HADI
desk set
By Ernest Igl
Located in Wien, AT
writing desk feels retro, without clashing with contemporary interiors.
Ernest Hofmann (1920-2001) – in
Category
Vintage 1970s German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Polyester
$106 / set
Mid-Century Desk from the 1950s with Ash Veneer
Located in Munster, NRW
Beautiful desk from the 1950s. The desk was produced by Behr, Germany. It is made with impressively
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Post-Modern Duo Desk by Peter Maly for Interlübke
By Interlübke, Peter Maly
Located in BAARLO, LI
Postmodern 1980s desk by Peter Maly for Interlübke Germany. From the 'Duo' series.
The desk has
Category
Vintage 1980s German Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
B-21 Bauhaus Desk Designed by Marcel Breuer for Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful desk was originally designed for use as a typewritter desk. Today it works very well
Category
20th Century German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1960s Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Munster, NRW
Beautifully designed desk by Arne Wahl Iversen executed with well crafted details. The desk is in
Category
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
1970s Walnut and Metal Stand-Up Desk by Egon Eiermann
By Gustav Veith, Egon Eiermann
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Rare Egon Eiermann stand-up desk made out of walnut, chromium-plated metal and lacquered metal
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Curved Desk, Walnut Grain Bauhaus Style Design
Located in Senden, NRW
On offer is a great design made of solid walnut. Wins you over with the great curved tabletop and the unique grain of the walnut wood. It offers six drawers for storage room, which c...
Category
Vintage 1950s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Desk in Burl-Wood and Birch
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and handsome desk was created in the 1830s and will make the perfect piece for your
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birch, Burl
White Piano Lacquered Olivia Desk with Vellum Parchment Detail
By Birgit Israel
Located in London, GB
White (RAL 9001) piano lacquered desk with brass lined drawers, antique brass frame base, vellum
Category
2010s German Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
20th Century, Walnut Art Deco Partners Desk with Leather Insert
Located in Lingfield, West Sussex
This is a remarkable large, Art Deco style partners desk.
Made from hardwood and finished with
Category
20th Century German Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Freestanding Desk by Ernst Max Jahn for Deutsche Werkstätten Hellerau, 1950s
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare freestanding desk was designed during the 1950s by Ernst Max Jahn for VEB Deutsche
Category
Vintage 1950s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
Small Ladies Desk Neo-Classicism circa 1810 in Cherry, Shellac Polish
Located in Berlin, DE
Small ladies desk neo-classicism, circa 1810
Desk or side table, originally intended for the
Category
Antique Early 1800s German Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry
Contemporary Brown Wood and Rosewood Desk by Johannes Hock
C
By BDDW
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Desk by contemporary artist Johannes Hock, veneered tabletop in diamond pattern with thirty
Category
2010s German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Herbert Hirche Teak, Rosewood and Steel Floating Top Executive Desk, circa 1950
By Herbert Hirche
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
executive desk, circa 1950. Rare floating top desk with solid steel frame, teak body with brass and rosewood
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Desk in Ash with 2 Black Drawers by Helmut Magg for WK Möbel, 1955
By Helmut Magg
Located in Antwerpen, BE
A desk in ash with 2 drawers and a bookshelf lacquered in black. Design by Helmut Magg in circa
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
Rare German Biedermeier Writing Desk
Located in Long Island City, NY
A practical Biedermeier writing desk with a lower 3 drawer chest for storage and an upper lectern
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks
Materials
Maple
Portable typewriter MIGNON
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Mignon" means "cute" in French, and this unrestored, but very clean typewriter is just that. Used by individuals who did not want to type, it responds to one's handwriting instead,...
Category
Vintage 1940s German Desks and Writing Tables
Important Biedermeier Lyre-Based Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A very large South German Biedermeier table of exceptional quality. This table's importance is 1
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Pine, Walnut
French Table and Chair in the Style of Marcel Gascoin, 1950s
By Marcel Gascoin
Located in Cologne, DE
French table and chair, in style of Marcel Gascoin 1950's.
Execution: unknown
Category
Vintage 1950s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Ferdinand Kramer Table
By Otto Kind, Jean Prouvé, Ferdinand Kramer
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
This Table was designed by German modernist Ferdinand Kramer in 1959 for Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$2,456
Fabricius / Kastholm Office Set large
By Kill International, Jørgen Kastholm, Preben Fabricius
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Beautiful Fabricius / Kastholm office set consisting of one sideboard and one table. Both items are manufactured by Kill international. The table and the sideboard are made of Wenge ...
Category
20th Century German Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
Writing Desk by Franz Ehrlich for Deutsche Werkstätten Hellerau, Germany, 1969
By Franz Ehrlich, Deutsche Werkstätten Hellerau
Located in Berlin, DE
Ash writing desk with three drawers and two folding doors. The handles and drawer frames are made
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Plastic, Ash
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German Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic German writing desk available at 1stDibs. A German writing desk — often made from wood, metal and hardwood — can elevate any home. There are 204 variations of the antique or vintage German writing desk you’re looking for, while we also have 41 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer German writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A German writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Art Deco styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made German writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Helmut Magg, Marcel Breuer and ClassiCon are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a German Writing Desk?
Prices for a German writing desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $737 and can go as high as $125,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,664.
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 German 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.
- 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.
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