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.

19th French Desks

Antique Small Writing Desk

Louis Xv Style Desk

Antique French Writing Table

Bureau Plat Desk

Marble Top Desk

Carved Oak Writing Desk

Circular Desk

Corner Office Desk

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Men's Dressing Table, French, 19 th

H 28.75 in W 24.81 in D 15.36 in

19th Century French Wooden Desk

Located in High Point, NC

The commanding presence of this 19th-century French desk is attributed to its square pedestal

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Wooden Desk

H 50.4 in W 73.6 in D 25.2 in

19th Century French Oak Writing Desk

Located in High Point, NC

This oak desk was made in France in the 19th Century. An original concept for a standing height

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Oak Writing Desk

H 46.1 in W 39.4 in D 29.5 in

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk

Located in IT

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk Measures: cm H 103 x W 52 x closed D 9. Open D 59 cm This

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk

H 40.56 in W 20.48 in D 3.55 in

19th Century French Oak Desk

Located in London, GB

19th century French oak desk. This lovely country house bureau plat is in an earlier C18th style

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Oak Desk

H 29.93 in W 51.58 in D 27.17 in

Rustic Wabi Sabi Desk, France, 19th Century

Located in Antwerp, BE

; Folk Art; Travail Populaire; Desk; Console Table; 19th-century writing table or desk, a true

Category

Antique 19th Century French Rustic Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rustic Wabi Sabi Desk, France, 19th Century

H 29.53 in W 72.84 in D 25.6 in

French 19th Century Desk Chair

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Handsome 19th century desk chair raised on turned front legs, on original brass casters and saber

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Desk Chair

H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in

French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

French 19th century mahogany travel writing desk French, 19th century Measures: Height 94cm

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk

H 37.01 in W 20.87 in D 7.09 in

19th Century French Brass Inlaid Mahogany Desk

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Fine 19th century French brass inlaid mahogany desk of exceptional quality. Having old tooled

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Brass Inlaid Mahogany Desk

H 29.93 in W 57.09 in D 31.5 in

19th Century French Wooden Desk Organizer

Located in High Point, NC

This 19th-century French wooden desk organizer is an artifact that exudes timeless elegance and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desk Sets

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Wooden Desk Organizer

H 5.9 in W 21.8 in D 19.5 in

19th Century French Wooden Desk Organizer

Located in High Point, NC

This 19th-century French wooden desk organizer is a remarkable piece of functional antique decor

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desk Sets

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Wooden Desk Organizer

H 12.1 in W 23 in D 23.4 in

French 19th Century Architect's Desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

French 19th century ebonized wood architect's desk. Features elegant utilitarian lines and

Category

Antique 1880s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Architect's Desk

H 38 in W 72.4 in D 31.1 in

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk

Located in Houston, TX

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk. Outstanding 19th century French Louis XVI style

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk

H 32.5 in W 48.82 in D 27.13 in

French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mid-19th century The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk

H 30.5 in W 60.5 in D 31.25 in

19th Century French Wooden Desk

Located in High Point, NC

A wooden desk from 19th century France. The lower portion of this exquisitely crafted desk is

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Wooden Desk

H 34.6 in W 50.4 in D 29.1 in

19th Century Brass Inlaid French Boulle Style Desk

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in London, GB

A fine 19th century French Boulle style desk, brass inlaid on a black background with classical

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Brass Inlaid French Boulle Style Desk

H 29.73 in W 49.41 in D 27.56 in

19th Century French Oak Writing Desk

Located in High Point, NC

19th century oak desk from France. The top is banded and has beveled and hand carved decorated

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Oak Writing Desk

H 29.13 in W 47.13 in D 25.5 in

Gilt Bronze and Ebony Table Top /Mantel Clock French 19 Th Century

Located in Houston, TX

This clock is very dramatic in appearance with bright gold gilt ornamentation With designs in floral and foliate elements. Gilt masques decorate the The sides. The clock is in goo...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Gilt Bronze and Ebony Table Top /Mantel Clock French 19 Th Century

H 30.5 in W 12 in D 12 in

Mahogany Wood “Architect Desk” Table, France, 19th Century

Located in Madrid, ES

Mahogany wood “architect desk” table, France, 19th century. On four solomonic legs with a central

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Other

Mahogany Wood “Architect Desk” Table, France, 19th Century

H 41.34 in W 39.38 in D 23.63 in

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

H 28.5 in W 34.5 in D 23 in

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century

Located in Toledo, OH

A late 19th century French two part writing desk. Oak construction with extensive hand carved

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century

H 66 in W 62 in D 24 in

Mid-19th Century French Butlers Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

This beautifully detailed item is made of oak with inlay mahogany. Item dates back to the 1850s and contains many drawers inside of fall-front.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Mid-19th Century French Butlers Desk

H 42.25 in W 57.5 in D 23.5 in

19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Desk

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Beautiful 19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Desk with immaculate new embossed leather writing

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Desk

H 29.75 in W 55 in D 30.75 in

Desk accessories, France, French 19th Century

Located in PARIS, FR

Lovely damascened metal smoking kit composed of a tray with branch-shaped handles and four removable containers. It’s adorned with flowers, red and gilt orientalist pattern friezes. ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Desk Sets

Materials

Metal

Desk accessories, France, French 19th Century

H 3.35 in W 14.97 in D 9.85 in

19th Century Country French Provincial Walnut Writing Table Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Handsome 19th century country French provincial diminutive writing table or desk carved from walnut

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Country French Provincial Walnut Writing Table Desk

H 29 in W 39.5 in D 24 in

19th Century French Wooden Desk Organizer

Located in High Point, NC

A wooden desk organizer created in 19th century France. Ornate, tidy, and presenting a collected

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Wooden Desk Organizer

H 10 in W 25.2 in D 21.9 in

19th Century Antique French Mahogany Desk

Located in Martlesham, GB

A freestanding 19th century French mahogany writing desk, the moulded edge top having a green

Category

Antique 1880s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Antique French Mahogany Desk

H 30.5 in W 57 in D 29 in

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Partners Desk

Located in Troy, NY

Elegant French Empire bureau-plat or partners desk, The top, inlaid with a center-star-motive and

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Partners Desk

H 30 in W 57 in D 31 in

French Pedestal Desk, 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

With six drawers and simulated door in the rigth side. Two pull out side shelves. Beautiful construction and finish.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks

Materials

Sycamore, Wood

French Pedestal Desk, 19th Century

H 30.32 in W 63.78 in D 35.83 in

19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desk is a magnificent example of master cabinetmaking by

Category

Antique 1870s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desk

H 32 in W 62.5 in D 37 in

Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk

Located in Troy, NY

Stately Empire desk on four monopodia legs painted a dark verdis gris, joined by two stretchers

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk

H 30 in W 70 in D 37 in

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance writing table ~ desk is an ode to a bygone era before the digital

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Desk

H 28.5 in W 40 in D 28.5 in

French Directoire Desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage French directoire desk. Wonderful shape with inset green leather top. Great storage too

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Desk

H 31 in W 60 in D 30 in

19th Century French Oak Barley Twist Bureau Plat Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Spectacular 19th century French bureau plat writing table or desk featuring barley twist legs and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Oak Barley Twist Bureau Plat Desk

H 29 in W 35.5 in D 20 in

19th Century, French Louis XV Style, Lacquered Wood Desk

Located in IT

19th century, French Louis XV style, lacquered wood desk This elegant lacquered wooden desk was

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, French Louis XV Style, Lacquered Wood Desk

H 29.53 in W 39.77 in D 27.56 in

19th Century French Kingwood Writing Desk Bureau Plat

Located in Essex, MA

19th century French kingwood Bureau plat writing desk. Beautiful Louis XV Form. Lacquered Bronze

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Kingwood Writing Desk Bureau Plat

H 30 in W 33 in D 83 in

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A charming and unique French 19th century Louis XVI st. solid Mahogany desk. The ‘Billet Doux

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany Desk

H 42.75 in W 26.5 in D 19.5 in

French 19th Century Regence Style Rosewood, Ormolu and Brass Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An extremely elegant French 19th century Regence st. rosewood, ormolu and brass desk. The desk is

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

French 19th Century Regence Style Rosewood, Ormolu and Brass Desk

H 30 in W 53.5 in D 29.25 in

Fine 19th C. French Louis XV Style Bronze-Trimmed Desk

Located in New York, NY

Nineteenth century French Louis XV style kingwood desk decorated with ornate bronze trim and inlaid

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th C. French Louis XV Style Bronze-Trimmed Desk

H 31.5 in W 71.5 in D 37.5 in

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany and Ormolu Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An exquisite and very attractive French 19th century Louis XVI st. mahogany and ormolu desk. The

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany and Ormolu Desk

H 30.5 in W 47.5 in D 27 in

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive

Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk

H 31.5 in W 69 in D 31.5 in

French 19th Century Stained Pine Desk Organizer

Located in Santa Monica, CA

French 19th Century Stained Pine Desk Organizer

Category

Antique 19th Century European More Desk Accessories

Materials

Pine

French 19th Century Stained Pine Desk Organizer

H 9.25 in W 53.75 in D 10 in

19th Century French Kingwood Ormolu Mounted Desk

Located in Martlesham, GB

A superb quality large 19th century French Kingwood and ormolu mounted bureau-plat desk, having a

Category

Antique 1860s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

19th Century French Kingwood Ormolu Mounted Desk

H 31 in W 67 in D 34 in

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A handsome and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Tulipwood, Charmwood, and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk

H 30.5 in W 53 in D 32 in

19th Century French Walnut Writing Desk Side Table

Located in Llanbrynmair, GB

A highly decorative 19th Century Walnut Side Table with Frieze Drawer. The table displays some

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Walnut Writing Desk Side Table

H 28.5 in W 34.25 in D 21.5 in

19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Writing Desk

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Beautiful Patina. Condition commensurate with age. Gorgeous piece, see photos.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Writing Desk

H 32.5 in W 46.5 in D 25.25 in

French Early 19th Century Transitional Drop Front Desk

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This amazing walnut desk has a slanted front that drops to reveal an interior writing surface and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Other Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Early 19th Century Transitional Drop Front Desk

H 35.25 in W 44.38 in D 22.5 in

19th Century French Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A pretty French Louis XV style writing desk or ‘bonheur du jour’, the serpentine case veneered in

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

19th Century French Bonheur Du Jour Writing Desk

H 46 in W 40 in D 23 in

19th Century French Rustic Industrial Dining or Writing Table or Desk

Located in Bradenton, FL

19th century French industrial, rustic writing table or desk. Soundly constructed, all wood top

Category

Antique 19th Century French Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Rustic Industrial Dining or Writing Table or Desk

H 30 in W 59.25 in D 29.5 in

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Belle Époque Period Desk

By Henry Dasson

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period

Category

Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Belle Époque Period Desk

H 23.75 in W 43.25 in D 31.5 in

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Student Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance writing table ~ student desk is a remarkable example of the

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Student Desk

H 29 in W 33.5 in D 20.5 in

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A wonderful mid-19th century French Louis XVI style mahogany desk hand-crafted in France circa 1850

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk

H 39.5 in W 51.38 in D 29.75 in

19th Century Antique French Mahogany Wooden Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk

Located in Baambrugge, NL

19th century antique French mahogany wooden, low by the ground, childrens writing desk. This lift

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Antique French Mahogany Wooden Childrens Lift Top Writing Desk

H 25.2 in W 36.62 in D 24.81 in

French 19th Century Writing Desk

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A French writing desk made of rosewood and mahogany. This desk has an upper console containing four

Category

Antique 19th Century French Other Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Rosewood

French 19th Century Writing Desk

H 38.75 in W 56.75 in D 33.5 in

Transforming Ladies Desk, so called Secretaire a Culbute, France, 19th Century

Located in Greven, DE

Convertible small desk - so-called Secrétaire à culbute France 19th c. Dimensions: H x W x D: 70

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Transforming Ladies Desk, so called Secretaire a Culbute, France, 19th Century

H 27.56 in W 25.6 in D 18.51 in

19th Century French Oak Desk Organizer

Located in High Point, NC

This authentic desk organizer was crafted from fine oak wood in 19th-century France. Adorned with

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Oak Desk Organizer

H 12.6 in W 21.9 in D 17.9 in

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk ‘A la Tronchin’

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An attractive and unusual French 19th century Louis XVI st. mahogany desk 'A la Tronchin'. The desk

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk ‘A la Tronchin’

H 30 in W 35 in D 21 in

19th Century French Bronze and Burl Wood Desk Set

Located in Richmond, VA

Listed is an absolutely stunning, 19th century French bronze and burl wood desk set. The set

Category

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Bronze and Burl Wood Desk Set

H 4.25 in W 14.38 in D 10.19 in

French 19th Century Charles X Period Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning French 19th century Charles X period Rosewood and brass inlaid desk. The unique and most

Category

Antique 19th Century French Charles X Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Charles X Period Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Desk

H 31.75 in W 57.25 in D 31.5 in

19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Desk ~ Bureau Plat

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Desk ~ Bureau Plat is a splendid example of the period

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Barley Twist Desk ~ Bureau Plat

H 32.5 in W 50.5 in D 29 in

Tables Under $2,000

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19th French Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of 19th French desks available for sale. Each of these unique 19th French desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and bronze. 19th French desks have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Louis XVI, Louis XV and Empire 19th French desks are consistently popular styles. 19th French desks have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by François Linke, Paul Sormani and Albert Marionnet are consistently popular.

How Much are 19th French Desks?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $4,500, while they’re typically $144 on the low end and $298,500 highest priced.

Questions About 19th French Desks

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.