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Block Front Desk

19th C Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy
19th C Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy

19th C Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy

Located in Philadelphia, PA

19th century Chippendale style mahogany blockfront secretary desk. Item features solid mahogany

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Chippendale Style Block Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Top
Mahogany Chippendale Style Block Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Top

Mahogany Chippendale Style Block Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Top

Located in Milford, NH

bookshelves, and flanked by reeded corner pilasters, over a lower case with slant front desk top, opening to a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Brass

Diminutive George III Walnut Block Front Slant Front Bureau Bookcase Cabinet
Diminutive George III Walnut Block Front Slant Front Bureau Bookcase Cabinet

Diminutive George III Walnut Block Front Slant Front Bureau Bookcase Cabinet

Located in Germantown, MD

A mid 19th century, fully professionally restored Diminutive George III Walnut And Block Front

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Maddox Refinished Red Mahogany Block / Slant Front Secretary Desk with Key
Maddox Refinished Red Mahogany Block / Slant Front Secretary Desk with Key

Maddox Refinished Red Mahogany Block / Slant Front Secretary Desk with Key

By Maddox Furniture

Located in Germantown, MD

A refinished Maddox Red Mahogany Chippendale Block front, Slant Front Secratary Desk with Key

Category

Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Mahogany

American Block Front Dropdown Mahogany Secretary Desk
American Block Front Dropdown Mahogany Secretary Desk

American Block Front Dropdown Mahogany Secretary Desk

Located in Queens, NY

American (18/19th Century) block front mahogany secretary desk with a slant top drop front over 3

Category

Antique 19th Century American Country Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Georgian Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk
Georgian Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk

Georgian Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy. Item features solid mahogany wood

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary MINT!
Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary MINT!

Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary MINT!

By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company, Kittinger Furniture Company

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary Desk Bookcase MINT!

Category

20th Century American Chippendale Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Pennsylvania House English Chippendale Cherry Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase
Pennsylvania House English Chippendale Cherry Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase

Pennsylvania House English Chippendale Cherry Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase

By Pennsylvania House

Located in Dayton, OH

1970s Vintage Pennsylvania House English Chippendale style cherry block front secretary desk with

Category

Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Cherry

Recent Sales

Chippendale Mahogany Block Front Desk, Boston, circa 1780
Chippendale Mahogany Block Front Desk, Boston, circa 1780

Chippendale Mahogany Block Front Desk, Boston, circa 1780

Unavailable

H 42.25 in W 42.25 in D 22 in

Chippendale Mahogany Block Front Desk, Boston, circa 1780

Located in Providence, RI

A commanding Chippendale mahogany block front desk, Boston, circa 1780, Aldrich & Dorrance family

Category

Antique 1780s American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Mahogany

A Rare Diminutive Chippendale Block Front Desk and Bookcase
A Rare Diminutive Chippendale Block Front Desk and Bookcase

A Rare Diminutive Chippendale Block Front Desk and Bookcase

Located in New York, NY

-FRONT DESK AND BOOKCASE The blockfront desk-and-bookcase is one of the most highly

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Cedar

Chippendale Block-Front Slant-Top Desk
Chippendale Block-Front Slant-Top Desk

Chippendale Block-Front Slant-Top Desk

Unavailable

H 45 in W 41 in D 23 in

Chippendale Block-Front Slant-Top Desk

Located in Litchfield, CT

extended robust brackets of the feet are attributes found on Salem block-front desks. The base & feet are

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

Swedish Gustavian Bureau, circa 1760
Swedish Gustavian Bureau, circa 1760

Swedish Gustavian Bureau, circa 1760

Unavailable

H 42.5 in W 46.3 in D 25.5 in

Swedish Gustavian Bureau, circa 1760

Located in Charlotte, NC

Swedish Gustavian beautifully shaped block front desk. Light blue paint has had some touch up. The

Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Chippendale Mahogany Slant-Lid Desk with a Blocked Serpentine Front, MA
Chippendale Mahogany Slant-Lid Desk with a Blocked Serpentine Front, MA

Chippendale Mahogany Slant-Lid Desk with a Blocked Serpentine Front, MA

Located in Providence, RI

This is an estimable serpentine desk with blocked ends on magnificent gadrooned feet. Interestingly

Category

Antique 1780s North American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Important Paneled Block-Front Paduk Wood Fall-Front Desk, China
Important Paneled Block-Front Paduk Wood Fall-Front Desk, China

Important Paneled Block-Front Paduk Wood Fall-Front Desk, China

Located in Providence, RI

This desk is a tour de force and meant to last forever, circa 1730-1740. It retains its original

Category

Antique 1730s Chinese Dutch Colonial Furniture

Materials

Padouk

Sypher & Co. 19th Century Chippendale Block Front Slant Front Desk
Sypher & Co. 19th Century Chippendale Block Front Slant Front Desk

Sypher & Co. 19th Century Chippendale Block Front Slant Front Desk

By Sypher & Co.

Located in Parkesburg, PA

Sypher & Co. 19th century Chippendale block front slant front desk with excellent original finish

Category

Antique Late 19th Century North American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Massachusetts Chippendale Mahogany Block Front Desk circa 1780
Massachusetts Chippendale Mahogany Block Front Desk circa 1780

Massachusetts Chippendale Mahogany Block Front Desk circa 1780

Located in Milford, NH

An exceptional hand carved Chippendale mahogany block front desk with slant front top, which opens

Category

Antique 1780s American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Brass

Chippendale Boston Mahogany Block Front Slant Front Desk, circa 1770
Chippendale Boston Mahogany Block Front Slant Front Desk, circa 1770

Chippendale Boston Mahogany Block Front Slant Front Desk, circa 1770

Located in Milford, NH

An exceptional block front slant front desk, Boston, circa 1770, in Honduran mahogany with

Category

Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Cherry Chippendale Block Slant Front Secretary Desk by Jasper Cabinet Co
Vintage Cherry Chippendale Block Slant Front Secretary Desk by Jasper Cabinet Co

Vintage Cherry Chippendale Block Slant Front Secretary Desk by Jasper Cabinet Co

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage cherry Chippendale style block slant front secretary desk by Jasper Cabinet Co. Item

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Crotch Mahogany Chippendale Block Front Green Leather Top Knee Hole Writing Desk
Crotch Mahogany Chippendale Block Front Green Leather Top Knee Hole Writing Desk

Crotch Mahogany Chippendale Block Front Green Leather Top Knee Hole Writing Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

desk. Item features green tooled leather top, block front drawers, bracket feet, 2 pullout / pull-out

Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Secretary c. 1910
Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Secretary c. 1910

Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Secretary c. 1910

Located in Westfield, MA

A beautifully crafted early 20th century block front secretary in the Chippendale style, likely

Category

Vintage 1910s American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Habersham Chinoiserie Decorated Ebonaized Block Front Chest 20th C
Chippendale Habersham Chinoiserie Decorated Ebonaized Block Front Chest 20th C

Chippendale Habersham Chinoiserie Decorated Ebonaized Block Front Chest 20th C

By Habersham

Located in Big Flats, NY

A chest of drawers by Habersham offers ebonized wood construction in Chippendale block front form

Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Wood

American Chippendale Oxbow Desk on Ball and Claw Feet, Boston c. 1760
American Chippendale Oxbow Desk on Ball and Claw Feet, Boston c. 1760

American Chippendale Oxbow Desk on Ball and Claw Feet, Boston c. 1760

Located in Shippensburg, PA

, p. 241-246 f. 50 catalogues a Boston, Massachusetts c. 1765-75 block front secretary desk with the

Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Brass

Ornate Late Victorian Block Front Drop Front Secretary Desk
Ornate Late Victorian Block Front Drop Front Secretary Desk

Ornate Late Victorian Block Front Drop Front Secretary Desk

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in Petaluma, CA

This is quite an incredible desk. As a starter the handsome block front style drawers with some of

Category

Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Block Front Georgian Style Goffard Townsend Secretary Desk
Mahogany Block Front Georgian Style Goffard Townsend Secretary Desk

Mahogany Block Front Georgian Style Goffard Townsend Secretary Desk

Located in Manhasset, NY

A mahogany block front Goddard Townsend secretary . This fine custom quality block front secretary

Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

American Chippendale Slant and Block Front Antique Desk, Newburyport, MA
American Chippendale Slant and Block Front Antique Desk, Newburyport, MA

American Chippendale Slant and Block Front Antique Desk, Newburyport, MA

Located in Shippensburg, PA

Very fine American Chippendale slant front desk with fitted interior Probably Newburyport

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera Desk Cabinet
George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera Desk Cabinet

George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera Desk Cabinet

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in New Windsor, NY

” pulls. Walnut case on those black block feet. Drop front desk over three deep drawers and a side door

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Wood, Walnut

French Art Deco Slant Lid Secretaire Desk and Chest of Drawers or Cabinet
French Art Deco Slant Lid Secretaire Desk and Chest of Drawers or Cabinet

French Art Deco Slant Lid Secretaire Desk and Chest of Drawers or Cabinet

Located in Miami, FL

An unusual and sculptural block fronted Art Deco slant lid desk in wood with pierced metal drawer

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Late 19th Century American Mahogany Block Front Bureau
Late 19th Century American Mahogany Block Front Bureau

Late 19th Century American Mahogany Block Front Bureau

Sold

H 42.75 in W 36.25 in D 22.75 in

Late 19th Century American Mahogany Block Front Bureau

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Late 19th century American mahogany block front bureau Good quality mahogany bureau, circa 1890

Category

Antique 1890s American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

American Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Desk
American Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Desk

American Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Desk

Sold

H 82 in W 33 in D 17.5 in

American Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Desk

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Classic American mahogany block front secretary desk. The glass doored top with swan neck pediment

Category

Vintage 1920s American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Mahogany

American  Block-Front kneehole desk
American  Block-Front kneehole desk

American Block-Front kneehole desk

Sold

H 33 in W 36 in D 20 in

American Block-Front kneehole desk

Located in Norwalk, CT

Rare New York mahogany Chippendale block-front kneehole desk with a molded and shaped top

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Dutch Colonial Slant Lid Desk and Chest of Drawers
Dutch Colonial Slant Lid Desk and Chest of Drawers

Dutch Colonial Slant Lid Desk and Chest of Drawers

Located in Essex, MA

An unusual and sculptural block fronted Dutch Colonial slant lid desk in padouk wood with pierced

Category

Antique 19th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Desks

Materials

Metal

TOMLINSON Crotch Mahogany Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase
TOMLINSON Crotch Mahogany Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase

TOMLINSON Crotch Mahogany Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase

By Tomlinson

Located in Charlotte, NC

adjustable wood shelves and two pull out candle slides at bottom. Lower desk is block front with automatic

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

JASPER "Legacy" Cherry Chippendale Bonnet Top Block Front Secretary Desk
JASPER "Legacy" Cherry Chippendale Bonnet Top Block Front Secretary Desk

JASPER "Legacy" Cherry Chippendale Bonnet Top Block Front Secretary Desk

By Jasper Furniture Company

Located in Charlotte, NC

, brass hardware, double bonnet arched top, block front and ogee bracket feet. Upper cabinet features two

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

MADDOX Cherry Chippendale Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase
MADDOX Cherry Chippendale Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase

MADDOX Cherry Chippendale Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase

By Maddox Furniture

Located in Charlotte, NC

at bottom and handles on both sides. Lower desk is block front with four locking drawers of dovetail

Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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Italian Green Silk Blend Brocade Fabric with Red Roses and Gold Floral Patterns

Italian Green Silk Blend Brocade Fabric with Red Roses and Gold Floral Patterns

Located in Firenze, IT

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Rare Princess Diana's Althorp Estate Living History Collection Library Bookcase
Rare Princess Diana's Althorp Estate Living History Collection Library Bookcase

Rare Princess Diana's Althorp Estate Living History Collection Library Bookcase

By Brights of Nettlebed, Theodore Alexander

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare, now discontinued, Thomas Chippendale Library bookcase which is an exact authorised copy of one from Princess’s Diana’s family home,...

Category

20th Century English Chippendale Bookcases

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Glass, Hardwood

George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase

George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase

$18,579 / item

H 88.5 in W 40.75 in D 22 in

George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase

Located in Westwood, NJ

Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...

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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires

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Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas

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Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure

Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure

Located in London, GB

A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Our research confirms it is French, da...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch

Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch

By Henredon

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous figured walnut, with original bra...

Category

Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

Outstanding Quality Large Victorian Antique Figured Mahogany Four Door Wardrobe
Outstanding Quality Large Victorian Antique Figured Mahogany Four Door Wardrobe

Outstanding Quality Large Victorian Antique Figured Mahogany Four Door Wardrobe

Located in Suffolk, GB

Outstanding quality large Victorian antique figured mahogany four door wardrobe having two moulded cornices and a figured mahogany pediment to the centre, two figured mahogany panell...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Other

Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs
Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs

Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A late 19th century Queen Anne style small walnut mini slant front desk on stand resting on graceful cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The slant drop front, topped with a Chippendale...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Queen Anne Desks

Materials

Walnut

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk, Queen Anne Style, 1880s
Antique Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk, Queen Anne Style, 1880s

Antique Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk, Queen Anne Style, 1880s

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Late 19th century English Queen Anne style slant front desk with three drawers & inner compartments.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Walnut Pair of Bookcases Boiserie de Bibliothèque
19th Century Walnut Pair of Bookcases Boiserie de Bibliothèque

19th Century Walnut Pair of Bookcases Boiserie de Bibliothèque

Located in Vosselaar, BE

A rare pair of heliocodal French Directoire library bookcases in solid walnut. This type of bookcases is also known as 'boiseries de Bibliothèque' as they often, together with pannel...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

John Stuart Georgian Burl Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch
John Stuart Georgian Burl Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch

John Stuart Georgian Burl Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch

By John Stuart

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top By John Stuart USA, circa 1960s Gorgeous burled walnut, with leather wr...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks

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Brass

18th Century Lacquer and Gilt Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase
18th Century Lacquer and Gilt Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase

18th Century Lacquer and Gilt Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquered Bureau Bookcase Item Code: S26-61 A striking 18th century chinoiserie bureau bookcase, decorated throughout in later red lacquer with hand-painted...

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Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases

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Oak

Antique English Mahogany Chippendale Breakfront Bookcase, Circa 1890.
Antique English Mahogany Chippendale Breakfront Bookcase, Circa 1890.

Antique English Mahogany Chippendale Breakfront Bookcase, Circa 1890.

Located in New Orleans, LA

Antique English mahogany Chippendale breakfront bookcase, circa 1890.

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Antique Late 19th Century English Chippendale Bookcases

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Mahogany, Glass

Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany
Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany

Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany

$4,500Sale Price|43% Off

H 41.74 in W 45.28 in D 23.63 in

Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany

Located in Belmont, MA

Dutch secretary desk, Netherlands, around 1800. This elegantly curved secretary desk has three spacious drawers in the lower part. The writing flap opens to a beautiful interior w...

Category

Antique 1790s Dutch Baroque Secretaires

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Mahogany

Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk

Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk

$2,796Sale Price|20% Off

H 98.75 in W 42 in D 22.5 in

Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Discover timeless elegance with this fantastic American Centennial solid walnut Philadelphia carved secretary desk, a true testament to 19th-century craftsmanship. This exquisite pie...

Category

Antique 1870s American Federal Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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Block Front Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal block front desk for your home. Each block front desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and brass. There are many kinds of the block front desk you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A block front desk, designed in the Victorian style, is generally a popular piece of furniture.

How Much is a Block Front Desk?

Prices for a block front desk start at $1,100 and top out at $70,000 with the average selling for $7,296.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Block Front Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A drop-front desk is usually called a secretary. Other names for this type of desk include writing cabinet, fall-front desk and secrétaire à abattant. The name secretary can be traced back to the 18th century when estate secretaries used the drop-front desks as workstations for paying bills and reconciling accounts. On 1stDibs, find a range of secretary desks.

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