What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

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.

1940s French Desk

Jean Michel Frank Desk

Stand Up Desk

Desks On Sale

Student Desk

Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks

Materials

Elm

1940s French Desk and Chair in Elmwood and Leather Accents

H 30.25 in W 59 in D 27 in

1940s Drop Front French Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

1940s French desk with original faux leather books and key to lock and open both doors.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

1940s Drop Front French Desk

H 62 in W 31.5 in D 17.5 in

Oak Wood Desk or Dining Table Style of Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s

By Charles Dudouyt

Located in New York, NY

1940s French desk in the style of Charles Dudouyt. Also would make a great dining table. Two

Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Oak Wood Desk or Dining Table Style of Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s

H 31 in W 30.5 in D 29.5 in

French 1940s Leather Top Mahogany Desk

Located in Buchanan, NY

Unusual and handsome mahogany French desk from the 1940s-1950s with a distressed leather top. There

Category

Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 1940s Leather Top Mahogany Desk

H 31.5 in W 64.5 in D 36.5 in

French 1940s Neoclassical Style Desk Chair

By André Arbus

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Chic Art Deco 1940s desk chair in blond walnut with original dark green upholstery.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

French 1940s Neoclassical Style Desk Chair

H 39.77 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in

A Stylish and Unique Bauhaus Meets Industrial Desk, Circa 1940's/50's

Located in Hastings, GB

This stylish and highly functional desk was probably a one off commission, its rarity suggests so

Category

Vintage 1940s French Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

A Stylish and Unique Bauhaus Meets Industrial Desk, Circa 1940's/50's

H 26.38 in W 37.8 in D 55.52 in

Desk Card Holder, France, 1940s

Located in Palermo, IT

Desk card holder, France, 1940s Golden Spelter, one of the small studs on the front is missing

Category

Vintage 1920s Italian Paperweights

Materials

Spelter

Desk Card Holder, France, 1940s

No Reserve

H 9.65 in W 8.08 in D 6.11 in

Charles Dudouyt Desk & Chair Setin Oak, France 1940's

By Charles Dudouyt

Located in New York, NY

Writing desk en suite with its matching chair, hand carved Walnut with many details. Desk

Category

Mid-20th Century Desks

Materials

Oak

Charles Dudouyt Desk & Chair Setin Oak, France 1940's

H 32 in W 28 in D 22 in

Art Deco Desk by Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s

By Charles Dudouyt

Located in Antwerp, BE

Charles Dudouyt oak desk with double base, made in the 1940s in France. The sturdy oak construction

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Art Deco Desk by Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s

H 29.93 in W 74.81 in D 30.52 in

Imposing 1940's French Modernist Desk in Mahogany in Style of Dupré Lafon, E498

Located in Lyon, FR

Imposing 1950's French modernist desk. Structure in solid mahogany and veneer, top in black glass

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Imposing 1940's French Modernist Desk in Mahogany in Style of Dupré Lafon, E498

H 30.32 in W 34.26 in D 71.26 in

1940s French Oak Desk attribute to Rene Drouet

Located in London, GB

A beautiful French 1940s desk in oak with pull out extendable side leaves and double sided lockable

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks

Materials

Oak

1940s French Oak Desk attribute to Rene Drouet

H 28.75 in W 68.9 in D 33.47 in

Jean Prouvé, Cité Desk, likely 1940s, original condition

By Jean Prouvé

Located in Wargrave, Berkshire

Nancy, France, probably 1940s Totally original with cream enamel painted metal frame and oak top

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouvé, Cité Desk, likely 1940s, original condition

H 29.14 in W 39.38 in D 27.56 in

Art Deco French Desk

Located in Houston, TX

. Condition is good, finish is not renewed, slight scratches are visible. France, c. 1940s Measures: 63”W x

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Art Deco French Desk

H 31 in W 63 in D 32 in

1940's Original Large French Bottle Drying Rack 'Model 1400.20777'

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1940’s Original Large French bottle drying rack (Model 1400.20777) 1940’s Original French Bottle

Category

Vintage 1950s French More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

1940's Original Large French Bottle Drying Rack 'Model 1400.20777'

H 54.73 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in

1940's Original Large French Bottle Drying Rack 'Model 1400.17'

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1940’s Original Large French bottle drying rack (Model 1400.17) 1940’s Original French Bottle

Category

Vintage 1950s French More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

1940's Original Large French Bottle Drying Rack 'Model 1400.17'

H 59.85 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in

Art Deco French Grand Desk

Located in Houston, TX

keyed middle drawer in the table top. France, c. 1940s Condition is perfect. Restored 85”w x 35”d x

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Art Deco French Grand Desk

H 31 in W 85 in D 35 in

Antique French Louis XVI Escritoire Writing Desk

Located in North York, ON

Writing Desk. This exquisite piece, made in France circa 1940’s, exudes timeless charm and grandeur

Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Louis XVI Escritoire Writing Desk

H 30 in W 63 in D 31.5 in

French Mid-Century Louis XV Style Writing Desk

Located in Brooklyn, NY

French, Louis XV style, black lacquered chestnut writing desk, circa 1940's features a brass

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Mid-Century Louis XV Style Writing Desk

H 30 in W 41 in D 23 in

French Marquetry Desk and Chair Set After Leleu

By Jules Leleu

Located in New York, NY

Marquetry top desk and chair set, in the style of LeLeu. French, circa 1940. Desk and matching

Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Marquetry Desk and Chair Set After Leleu

H 28.75 in W 55 in D 33.5 in

French Andre Arbus Ormolu Maple Writing Desk

By André Arbus

Located in New York, NY

French 1940s ormolu mounted maple writing desk with leather inset top above 2 frieze drawers on

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Andre Arbus Ormolu Maple Writing Desk

H 29.25 in W 58.5 in D 27 in

France Desk Style: Biedermeier, 1847

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French desk style: Biedermeier Year 1847 It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. If you are

Category

Antique 1840s French Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

France Desk Style: Biedermeier, 1847

H 48.04 in W 19.69 in D 55.12 in

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

By Jacques Adnet

Located in New York, NY

French 1940s brass mounted black lacquered bureau plat /writing desk with tan leather inset top

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

H 29.75 in W 71 in D 32.5 in

Maison Jansen French Louis-XVI Style Ebonized Secretary Desk

By Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

French Louis XVI-style (1940s) ebonized & bronze trim abbatant form desk with a drop front interior

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Maison Jansen French Louis-XVI Style Ebonized Secretary Desk

H 52.25 in W 32 in D 16.25 in

Art Deco French Desk in Macassar with Leather Top Insert

Located in Houston, TX

Art Deco French desk in Macassar wood Desk is made out of Macassar wood and newly re-upholstered

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Art Deco French Desk in Macassar with Leather Top Insert

H 30 in W 48 in D 24 in

Maison-Jansen Attributed French Leather, Top Bureau Plat Desk

By Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

Vintage French leather top bureau plat desk with pull-out slides. The table extends 12.5" on each

Category

Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Maison-Jansen Attributed French Leather, Top Bureau Plat Desk

H 30.5 in W 47.25 in D 25.5 in

French Oak Dudouuyt Parquetry Desk

By Charles Dudouyt

Located in New York, NY

French 1940s oak double pedestal base desk with front panels and a raised ¬Ω round inset top with a

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks

Materials

Oak

French Oak Dudouuyt Parquetry Desk

H 30 in W 71 in D 30 in

Jansen French Louis XVI Style Ebonized and Black Leather Desk

By Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

French Louis XVI style (1940s) ebonized & gilt bronze trim desk / cartonnier with 2 drawers and a

Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf, Ormolu

Jansen French Louis XVI Style Ebonized and Black Leather Desk

H 37 in W 53.25 in D 21.75 in

Classic French Desk Chair in Faux Shagreen Leather

By Jules Leleu

Located in East Hampton, NY

Wonderful simplicity in this perfectly restored French armchair - perfect for a desk in the style

Category

Vintage 1940s French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak, Leather

Classic French Desk Chair in Faux Shagreen Leather

H 37.5 in W 23.5 in D 21 in

Modernist Steel and Glass Desk, French Early-Mid 20th Century

By Le Corbusier

Located in London, GB

A sculptural statement desk in patinated black enamelled steel, with new floating frosted glass top

Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Modernist Steel and Glass Desk, French Early-Mid 20th Century

H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 21.86 in

French Blue Cerused Oak Moderne Desk

Located in New York, NY

French midcentury desk featuring a custom cerused oak finish in French Blue, accented with white to

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Oak

French Blue Cerused Oak Moderne Desk

H 30 in W 49 in D 24 in

Pair of Auxiliary or Desk Armchairs, Attributed De Coene Frères - Belgium, 1940s

By De Coene Frères

Located in Girona, ES

Pair of auxiliary or desk armchairs, solid cherrywood, French polish. New seat and mauve wool

Category

Vintage 1940s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wool, Cherry

Pair of Auxiliary or Desk Armchairs, Attributed De Coene Frères - Belgium, 1940s

H 33.08 in W 23.63 in D 20.48 in

Desk in Wood and chrome, France, 1940

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

(AIFAF)" Desk Year 1940 French Wood and chrome Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Desk in Wood and chrome, France, 1940

H 30.52 in W 42.92 in D 23.63 in

French Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials: Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Art Deco Desk Year 1920 French Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials: Wood

H 42.13 in W 16.15 in D 33.08 in

Desk in Wood, 1920, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk Book: Buenos Aires Art Deco y Racionalismo Author: Mimi Bohm Page: 68 Year: 1920 It is

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk in Wood, 1920, Made in France

H 45.28 in W 26.78 in D 15.75 in

French Mid-Century Ebonized and Mirrored Desk, by Maison Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in New York, NY

French mid-century (1940s) ebonized and mirrored desk with five drawers and an off-white leather

Category

Vintage 1940s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mirror, Leather, Wood

French Mid-Century Ebonized and Mirrored Desk, by Maison Jansen

H 31.5 in W 33 in D 68.5 in

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk Year: 1940 It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France

H 31.11 in W 36.62 in D 22.05 in

Desk in Wood, 1900, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

find the well-known French designer, Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and also

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Desk in Wood, 1900, Made in France

H 51.19 in W 29.14 in D 22.05 in

French Desk with Horses in Wood, 1920

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Art Deco desk Year 1920 French It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. It has a large work

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Desk with Horses in Wood, 1920

H 44.49 in W 16.54 in D 29.93 in

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Material: Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an elegant and

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Material: Wood

H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 59.06 in

France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material, Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Material: carved wood It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material, Wood

H 30.32 in W 31.5 in D 47.25 in

French Louis XV Kingwood Bureau Plat Leather Top Desk With Mounted Bronze Ormolu

Located in South Bend, IN

An outstanding French Louis XV style writing desk or bureau plat desk France, Circa 1940s

Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XV Kingwood Bureau Plat Leather Top Desk With Mounted Bronze Ormolu

H 31.38 in W 52.5 in D 26.63 in

Desk Style: Art Deco, 1930, France, Material: Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Desk Year 1930 French Wood Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an elegant and sophisticated dream

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk Style: Art Deco, 1930, France, Material: Wood

H 31.89 in W 25.99 in D 61.82 in

France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material: Carved Wood

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk Style: Art Deco Year 1920 Material: carved wood It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

France Desk Art Deco, 1930, Material: Carved Wood

H 30.32 in W 30.71 in D 51.19 in

Amazing Desk Art Deco 1930 France Wood Zebrano

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Desk Year 1930 French Wood is Zebrano Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Amazing Desk Art Deco 1930 France Wood Zebrano

H 31.11 in W 26.78 in D 100.4 in

France Desk Art Deco, 1950, France, Material: Wood Attributed to Jean Souvrain

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk Style: Art Deco Year 1940 Wood and bronze Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

France Desk Art Deco, 1950, France, Material: Wood Attributed to Jean Souvrain

H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 60.24 in

Desk Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty , 1900, France, Wood

By Louis Majorelle

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty , 1900, France, Wood

H 31.5 in W 30.71 in D 49.22 in

Vintage French Design Kidney Shape Carved Walnut Office Library Desk

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage French Design Kidney Shape Carved Walnut Office Library Desk Featuring a charming

Category

Vintage 1940s French Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Design Kidney Shape Carved Walnut Office Library Desk

H 30 in W 58 in D 20 in

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

find the well-known French designer, Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and also

Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Desk in Wood, 1940, Made in France

H 63.78 in W 44.49 in D 19.69 in

Art Deco Desks in Wood, 1930, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1930 Material: wood It is an elegant and sophisticated dream

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Desks in Wood, 1930, Made in France

H 43.31 in W 30.32 in D 16.54 in

Desk Art Deco in Wood, 1930, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1930 Material: wood It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk Art Deco in Wood, 1930, Made in France

H 32.29 in W 52.76 in D 36.62 in

Desk, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1940 Material: Wood and bronze It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Desk, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze, Made in France

H 30.71 in W 51.19 in D 22.84 in

Desk in Wood, 1920, Sign: Made in France 7382

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk Sign: Made in France 7382 Year: 1920 It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Desk in Wood, 1920, Sign: Made in France 7382

H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials, Wood and Chrome

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Material: Wood and chrome It is an elegant and sophisticated

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials, Wood and Chrome

H 32.29 in W 34.45 in D 56.3 in

Desk Art Deco, 1920, France, Materials: Wood and Bronze

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk Style: Art Deco Year 1920 Wood and bronze Finish: polyurethanic lacquer. It is an

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Desk Art Deco, 1920, France, Materials: Wood and Bronze

H 29.53 in W 22.84 in D 36.62 in

French Art Deco Cerused Oak Curved Desk Attributed to Jules Leleu

By Jules Leleu, Gio Ponti, André Arbus, Charles Dudouyt, Francisque Chaleyssin

Located in Houston, TX

French Art Deco cerused oak curved desk attributed to Jules Leleu. This stunning French Modern

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Art Deco Cerused Oak Curved Desk Attributed to Jules Leleu

H 29.75 in W 60 in D 28.75 in

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood, 1940, Made in France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

French Desk style: Art Deco Year: 1940 It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Desk Style Art Deco in Wood, 1940, Made in France

H 30.32 in W 58.27 in D 29.53 in

Desk Chair Style: Art Deco, France, 1930

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Art Deco desk chair Wood Year: 1930 Country: France If you are looking for a desk chair to match

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood

Desk Chair Style: Art Deco, France, 1930

H 35.44 in W 22.84 in D 18.12 in

Desk Chair Style: Art Deco, France, 1920

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Art Deco desk chair Country: France If you are looking for a desk chair to match your desk, we

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood

Desk Chair Style: Art Deco, France, 1920

H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 21.26 in

Vintage Jaguar Green Lacquered Louis XVI Style Writing Desk

Located in East Hampton, NY

British Jaguar green lacquered Louis XVI style desk with original embossed leather top and two

Category

Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Jaguar Green Lacquered Louis XVI Style Writing Desk

H 30 in W 44 in D 23 in

French Desk in the Style of André Arbus

By André Arbus

Located in New York, NY

1940s Desk in the style of Andre´ Arbus. Black lacquered, original bronze sabots with three pull

Category

Vintage 1940s Desks

Materials

Bronze

French Desk in the Style of André Arbus

H 30 in W 55 in D 28 in

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1940s French Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal 1940s French desk for your home. Each 1940s French desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and animal skin. Your living room may not be complete without a 1940s French desk — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right 1940s French desk, those designed in Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and Louis XVI styles are of considerable interest. A well-made 1940s French desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Maison Jansen, Jacques Adnet and Jules Leleu are consistently popular.

How Much is a 1940s French Desk?

The average selling price for a 1940s French desk at 1stDibs is $5,192, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $113,245 for the highest priced.

Questions About 1940s French Desk

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?
1 Answer
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.