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Metal Writing Desk

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Italian Mid-Century Walnut Desk from the Sixties
Located in bari, IT
Sectional desk 1960s double removable drawers.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Antique Spanish Architect Table, Metal Wood, Circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
patina. The combination of metal and wood materials ensures durability while giving it an industrial, yet
Category

Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
desk and his lamp by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960 The keys are present, some scratches
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Ico Parisi "Urio" Executive Desk, MIM Roma, Italy 1950s
By MIM Roma, Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, IT
crafted in a luxurious rosewood, polished steel and enameled black metal. The desk showcases stunning
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Metal

English Double Pedestal Desk of Mahogany with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English double pedestal desk of mahogany from the 19th century, in the Georgian style
Category

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

English Mahogany and Gold Accented Roll Top Desk
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian style mahogany roll top desk that opens to reveal drawers, letter holders, and a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

Nerone e Patuzzi Desk, Gruppo NP2, Italy Mid-20th century.
Located in New York, NY
Large metal executive desk with side shelf and wooden relief by Nerone Ceccarelli and Giovanni
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Ico Parisi Desk for Mim Rome from 1960s
By Ico Luisa Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in bari, IT
Ico Parisi desk in wood and steel including leg protectors for MIM Rome. MIM (Mobili Italiani
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Lovely Desk by Herbert Hirche for Holzäpfel, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Lovely Desk by Herbert Hirche for Holzäpfel, Germany, 1960s Slight signs of use due to age
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Jens Risom Desk Produced by Gutenberghus in Denmark
By Jens Risom
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare large executive desk designed by Jens Risom. Produced by Gutenberghus in Denmark.
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Steel

Prod. Italy, c. 1930 Deco desk with curvilinear forms
Located in London, GB
briarwood. The practicality of this desk is that it has four side drawers with chrome-plated metal and
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Hugh Acton Style Rosewood Executive Desk
By Hugh Acton
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Hugh Acton Style Rosewood Executive Desk. Featuring a
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York City, NY
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel for Maison Internationale Paris, France, c. 1955. This elegant
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Famed Modern Brass and Wood Desk with Marble Drawers
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
The Famed Desk was designed with the aim of allowing you to work with more elegance and more
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Vintage Industrial Jean Prouvé Style One Seat School Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful Vintage Industrial school desk. In the style of Jean Prouvé Striking French design from
Category

Vintage 1950s French Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Louis XV Style Gilt Metal and Kingwood Bureau Plat
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XV Style Gilt Metal Mounted Kingwood Bureau Plat, 20th century, the rectangular inset leather
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Red Orix Desk by Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina for Molteni
By Molteni C, Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Striking example of Italian Radical design, this red “Orix” desk was created by architects Vittorio
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Nautical-Inspired Coastal Desk With Ship Wheel Drawer Pulls
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Blending nautical charm with coastal esthtics, this one-of-a-kind desk serves as a true statement
Category

Vintage 1980s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Dutch Design Desk, Netherlands, 1960 s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Dutch Design Desk, made in the Netherlands 1960's. In the style of
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Willy Van Der Meeren Desk by Tubax Belgium 1955
By Tubax, Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
typical fifties Industrial desk has a very nice Industrial look with the black metal folded v structure
Category

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

Materials

Metal

"Kroma" Desk by Antonia Astori for Driade, Italy, 1980s
By Antonia Astori, Driade
Located in Brussels, BE
"Kroma" desk by Antonia Astori For Driade, Italy, 1980s.
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Freestanding Reception Desk - Consierge Table in Bright Yellow by Spinzi Milano
By Spinzi
Located in Milano, IT
console with integrated writing desk and matching stool, from the Silös collection by Spinzi. It's been
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Rare Single Desk by Willy Van Der Meeren for Tubax
By Willy Van Der Meeren, Tubax
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This single desk was designed by Willy Van Der Meeren in the early 1950s and manufactured by Tubax
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Jules Wabbes Early Versatile Free-Standing Corner Desk in Wengé
By Jules Wabbes
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jules Wabbes, two-part corner writing desk, teak, coated steel, wengé, chrome, Belgium, 1960s This
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Cavalletto Table Desk by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, Italy 1970s
By Kazuhide Takahama, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare project by the Japanese architect and designer Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina. Metal base, top
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Desk Series 9000 by George Nelson for Herman Miller, USA 1960s.
Located in Lot/Drogenbos, BE
Large Desk in wood, serie Executive Office Group (EOG) model “ 9000 ” with a multitude of storage
Category

Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Arthur S Carpanese Home Italia Desk with Leather Base
By Carpanese Home Italia
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Small desk in Walnut Canaletto and leather base and inserts. The beautiful mix between natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Arthur XL Carpanese Home Italia Desk with Leather Base
By Carpanese Home Italia
Located in Sanguinetto, IT
Big desk in Walnut Canaletto and leather base and inserts. The beautiful mix between natural Walnut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk in the Style of Art Deco in Black Piano Lacquer
Located in Ulm, DE
Modernist desk in black lacquer Writing desk Piano lacquer, high gloss black Metal fittings in
Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Vintage “Surveillant” desk attributed to Ateliers Jean Prouvé, France, c. 1960s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Vintage “Surveillant” desk attributed to Ateliers Jean Prouvé, France, 1960s. A striking example of
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern 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

Industrial Portuguese Oak-wood Tambour Door Desk, 1940 s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This Industrial Portuguese Oak-wood Tambour Door Desk was designed and produced in Portugal during
Category

Vintage 1940s Portuguese Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Modernist DESK by THONET, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A rigorous and luxurious small desk, Modernist, Constructivist, Reconstruction, black lacquered
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Free form and Largest desk by Georges Frydman for EFA
By EFA, Georges Frydman
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Grand bureau de forme libre par Georges Frydman pour EFA,
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Tony Selmersheim French Art Nouveau Oak and Brass Architect s Desk
By Tony Selmersheim
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau mahogany architect's desk featuring an upper section of three small drawers with
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Burl Wood and Black Lacquer Desk by Oscar Dell Arredamento
By Miniforms
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Discover this exquisite vintage desk, a stunning creation by Oscar Dell'Arredamento for Miniforms
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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

Customizable Desk/Vanity In Matte Walnut with Ottoman In Chocolate Velvet
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This minimalist desk and accompanying ottoman offer a functional and adaptable solution for various
Category

2010s European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Floating desk manufactured by Tijseling Nijkerk, The netherlands, 1960 s.
By Tijsseling
Located in CASTENRAY, NL
Dutch design teak desk by Tijsseling Nijkerk The Netherlands. Hairpin leggs. Look in my
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1930 s Desk in chromed tubular with drawers on the side
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2602 Desk in chromed tubular with drawers on the side and a thick ground glass top
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Giancarlo Piretti "Platone" White Folding Desk for Castelli, 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely midcentury off-white "Platone" folding desk designed by Giancarlo Piretti and produced by
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

Bureau vintage en verre fumé et métal chromé des années 70
Located in BESANÇON, FR
tréteaux en métal chromé tubulaire fin, très bon état général avec quelques marques et rayures d’usage sur
Category

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

Materials

Metal

French Directoire Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Leather Top Desk
Located in Queens, NY
French Directoire (Late 18th Century) mahogany and bronze trim desk with a black leather top having
Category

Antique 18th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Teak Desk with Stacked Drawers by Herbert Hirche for Holzapfel
By Herbert Hirche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Teak desk by Herbert Hirche for Holzapfel. Handsome writing desk with attractive teak
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Large English Partner s Pedestal Desk of Mahogany with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A large handsome English partner's double pedestal desk of mahogany, from the Edwardian era
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Bureau italien moderniste avec bibliothèque étagère string modulable teck métal
Located in BESANÇON, FR
, en teck et métal noir, pieds en laiton réglables pour ajustement au sol, 4 étagère ouverte type
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Empire Estremoz Desk - Hand-Crafted Turned Marble Brass - Boca do Lobo
Located in Rio Tinto, PT
An elegant writing desk built in marble with polished brass details. Its cracks are hand-carved and
Category

2010s Portuguese Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Wooden Desk With One Drawer, Wood veneer, Handcrafted, Italy, 1960
Located in Berlin, DE
Mid-century wooden desk with one drawer made of veneered wood. Italy c. 1960
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Giancarlo Piretti Red "Platone" Folding Desk for Castelli, 1970s
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and incredibly rare midcentury red "Platone" folding desk designed by Giancarlo Piretti
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

Extraordinary, One of a Kind, Sculptural Desk and Chair, Japan, 1970s/80s
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A striking, unique, sculptural desk and chair, Japan, 1970s/80s. Fast shipping worldwide. Desk
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Desk "Little Shanghai" by Aymeric Lefort Black and Santos Wood
By Aymeric Lefort
Located in SENLIS, OISE
Little Shanghai desk in santos wood and black saycomore silver painted leg. There are two drawers
Category

2010s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Raymond Loewy for Hill-Rom Single Pedestal Student Desk
By The Hill-Rom Company, Raymond Loewy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1960s single pedestal desk by Raymond Loewy for Hill-Rom composed of a walnut and brushed metal
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office 1 Desk
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early George Nelson Action Office 1 desk in original condition with minor wear. George Nelson for
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Teak Desk by Peter Hvidt Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg, Denmark
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Barcelona, ES
Desk designed in 1959 by danish architects Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

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Metal Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal metal writing desk for your home. Frequently made of metal, wood and hardwood, every metal writing desk was constructed with great care. There are 2001 variations of the antique or vintage metal writing desk you’re looking for, while we also have 322 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a metal writing desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A metal writing desk, designed in the mid-century modern, modern or industrial style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made metal writing desk over the years, but those crafted by Ahrend de Cirkel, Osvaldo Borsani and Tecno are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Metal Writing Desk?

A metal writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,892, while the lowest priced sells for $1 and the highest can go for as much as $495,000.

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 Metal 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 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The best way to refinish an old metal desk is to start by cleaning the desk. Ensure that the surface is free of dust and rust, then prime the desk with one to two coats of primer. And dependent upon its condition, a coat of any metal paint can freshen up an old metal desk. Browse a wide selection of vintage metal desks 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.