Drop Down Writing Desk
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
20th Century Korean Campaign Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Rosewood, Glass
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Wood, Boxwood, Rosewood
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Vintage 1970s British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1980s Malaysian Malayer Furniture
Rosewood
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Desks
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century Italian Desks
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century Campaign Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century English Hepplewhite Desks
Mahogany, Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Side Tables
Bronze
Vintage 1960s Dutch Secretaires
Steel
Antique Early 1900s French Rustic Secretaires
Pine
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Bronze
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Rosewood, Glass
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Bookcases
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Secretaires
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Birch
20th Century American Desks
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Dressers
Stone
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 1830s British Victorian Bookcases
Leather, Oak
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George III Secretaires
Mahogany, Glass, Silk
Antique Early 19th Century British Bookcases
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
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Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Wardrobes and Armoires
Pine, Paint
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
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Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
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20th Century British Cabinets
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Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
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Oak
Drop Down Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Drop Down Writing Desk?
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.
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of desks.
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