Nanna Ditzel desk

This rare freestanding desk with four drawers was designed by Danish architect and designer Nanna Ditzel and produced by Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik in Denmark in 1955. The desk exemplifies the clarity and refinement typical of Ditzel’s early furniture work, marked by geometric precision, functional detail, and an emphasis on the honest expression of materials.

Constructed from solid and veneered teak, the desk features drawer interiors made from oak, creating a subtle yet deliberate contrast between the warm reddish-brown exterior surfaces and the pale, finely grained wood of the drawer compartments. The teak surfaces are finished with a soft satin sheen, revealing consistent tone and grain structure across the broad tabletop and drawer fronts. The top presents a sharply defined rectangular form with clean edges and balanced proportions. Supporting the top is a frame of tapered round legs connected by low stretchers, which provide structural stability while maintaining a sense of lightness.

The four drawers are arranged symmetrically across the front of the desk, each equipped with a recessed, sculpted teak pull integrated seamlessly into the drawer faces. The drawers are crafted with dovetail joints and fitted with smoothly operating wooden runners. The desk is fully finished on all sides and designed to stand freely within a room, making it well suited as a central feature in a workspace or studio environment.

Nanna Ditzel is regarded as one of the most significant female figures in Danish modernism. She trained under Kaare Klint and graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, gaining recognition for her work in furniture, textiles, and industrial design. Her collaboration with Søren Willadsen, a cabinetmaker known for high craftsmanship and partnerships with leading designers, resulted in several notable pieces during the 1950s and 1960s.

This example remains in very good vintage condition, exhibiting minor signs of age and use such as light surface wear on the tabletop and edges. The construction is solid, and the finish retains its original warmth and depth.

The desk measures 175 centimeters in width, 75 centimeters in depth, and 72 centimeters in height (approximately 68.9 inches wide, 29.5 inches deep, and 28.3 inches high).