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Rare Hugh Acton Rosewood & Chrome Executive Desk

Creator: Hugh Acton
Offered by: Hobbs Modern

Description
Quietly radical and unmistakably Mid-Century, this Hugh Acton executive desk pairs luminous rosewood with crisp chrome architecture. A long, elegantly slim top seems to float over a sculptural trestle base, while three thin, full-width drawers keep the profile razor-clean. The effect is all line, proportion, and restraint—an “architect’s desk” that reads as functional sculpture.

Why it matters
Hugh Acton sits in that fascinating tier of American Mid-Century designers who worked at the intersection of contract and residential furniture. Trained as a sculptor and deeply fluent in metalwork, Acton brought an architectural rigor to his pieces—benches with integrated planters, lean steel frames, and spare, durable forms that feel both industrial and refined. His production volumes were modest compared to the era’s giants, which makes authentic Acton designs genuinely hard to find—especially in rosewood and in this condition. For some collectors, he’s a lesser-known name with major design credibility and serious conversation value.

Design highlights
Exceedingly rare configuration: rosewood top, chrome trestle base, and three slim, concealed drawers that preserve the thin-edge profile.

Floating lightness: the linear stretcher and T-feet base create negative space, balancing the richness of the rosewood with a crisp, weightless stance.

Mid-Century purity: minimal hardware, disciplined geometry, and contract-grade construction meant to live beautifully at home or in a studio/office.

Use & styling
At over six feet of uninterrupted surface, this desk anchors a room without feeling heavy—perfect with a lean chrome task chair, a warm reading lamp, and a single object with presence (a favorite vessel, a bronze, a stack of monographs).

Condition
Beautiful vintage condition with restored rosewood top. Drawers work smoothly; chrome presents with a bright polish; rosewood shows lively grain and depth. Dimensions

Overall Dimensions: Coming Soon
Knee clearance:
Drawer interior (each):

Shipping
Delivery nationwide; local delivery available from our San Diego showroom. International crating and global freight arranged with care.

More Information

Documentation:	Documented elsewhere (similar item)
Period:	1950-1979
Styles / Movements:	Modern, Mid Century
Incollect Reference #:	831686

Message from Seller:

FURNITURE SHOULD BE FUNCTIONAL ART, YOUR HOME SHOULD BE THE PERFECT RETREAT. Hobbs Modern is the premier mid century modern furniture dealer in San Diego, CA. We hand-select and curate each piece of our inventory which represents the iconic and exemplary Danish, American, and Brazilian vintage modern design with a relentless pursuit of restoration perfection and historical accuracy. Our passion is to breathe new life into vintage pieces. We ship nationwide.