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Raymond Loewy for Mengel Drop Front Secretary Desk on Iron Legs, Refinished
Raymond Loewy for Mengel Drop Front Secretary Desk on Iron Legs, Refinished

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Drop Front Secretary Desk on Iron Legs, Refinished

By Mengel Furniture Co., Raymond Loewy

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern drop front secretary desk By Raymond Loewy for Mengel

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Iron

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk
Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk

By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie drop front secretary desk By Michael

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Gilbert Rohde Low Chest
Gilbert Rohde Low Chest

Gilbert Rohde Low Chest

Located in Dallas, TX

hardware. Top drawer opens to reveal a drop front desk perfect for your mac book pro.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Mahogany Bevan Funell Desk Bureau Chest of Drawers Drop Front Green Leather
Mahogany Bevan Funell Desk Bureau Chest of Drawers Drop Front Green Leather

Mahogany Bevan Funell Desk Bureau Chest of Drawers Drop Front Green Leather

By Bevan Funnell Ltd.

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

, the top section has a drop fronted green leather writing or work surface, ideal for a laptop, there

Category

20th Century English Modern Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Flame Mahogany Breakfront
Flame Mahogany Breakfront

Flame Mahogany Breakfront

Located in Tarry Town, NY

a Flame Mahogany Breakfront with Bubble Glass Doors & A Drop Front Desk Section with a Leather

Category

20th Century Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Fantastic Art deco Secretaire Abattant
Fantastic Art deco Secretaire Abattant

Fantastic Art deco Secretaire Abattant

Located in Westport, CT

A streamline French Art Deco Secretaire Abattant in maple wood veneer with a drop front desk, when

Category

Early 20th Century French Secretaires

Ramseur MCM Walnut Thin Drop Front Secretary Desk Bar Credenza Buffet and Hutch
Ramseur MCM Walnut Thin Drop Front Secretary Desk Bar Credenza Buffet and Hutch

Ramseur MCM Walnut Thin Drop Front Secretary Desk Bar Credenza Buffet and Hutch

By Ramseur Furniture Company

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Ramseur mid century walnut thin drop front secretary desk bar credenza buffet and hutch Buffet and

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Chrome

French Rococo Style Green Painted Secretary Bookcase
French Rococo Style Green Painted Secretary Bookcase

French Rococo Style Green Painted Secretary Bookcase

Located in Stamford, CT

, over a drop-front desk atop two drawers, the front with elaborate carving of floral detail and shell.

Category

20th Century American Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Japanese Series CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958
Japanese Series CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958

Japanese Series CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958

By Cees Braakman

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Japanese series CU07 cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958. Teak and white laminate drop-front

Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Steel

French Louis XV Style Carved Oak Drop Front Secretary Bureau, 1930s
French Louis XV Style Carved Oak Drop Front Secretary Bureau, 1930s

French Louis XV Style Carved Oak Drop Front Secretary Bureau, 1930s

Located in Barntrup, DE

Louis XV Style carved oak drop front secretary or bureau or writing desk, France, 1930s. Opened it

Category

Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Louis XV Style Kingwood, Rosewood, Ormolu & Marble Abattant Secretary
French Louis XV Style Kingwood, Rosewood, Ormolu & Marble Abattant Secretary

French Louis XV Style Kingwood, Rosewood, Ormolu & Marble Abattant Secretary

Located in Big Flats, NY

rosewood case having drop front desk surmounting case with drawers, foliate cast ormolu mounts throughout

Category

20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Metal, Ormolu

Attractive Mid-Century Walnut Room Divider
Attractive Mid-Century Walnut Room Divider

Attractive Mid-Century Walnut Room Divider

By Hooker Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Vintage modern coffee table with hutch by Hooker. Features double side glass cabinet, drop front

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Queen Anne-Style Chinese Red Chinoiserie Desk and Bookcase
Queen Anne-Style Chinese Red Chinoiserie Desk and Bookcase

Queen Anne-Style Chinese Red Chinoiserie Desk and Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

gilt decoration, a drop-front desk / writing surface, a scroll bonnet top / pediment, raised on

Category

Mid-20th Century English Queen Anne Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Georgian Drop-Front Bureau with Elaborate Interior
Georgian Drop-Front Bureau with Elaborate Interior

Georgian Drop-Front Bureau with Elaborate Interior

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A mid-18th century Georgian drop-front bureau or desk in Cuban mahogany, having three drawers below

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

Petite 1860s French Empire Style Walnut and Marble Drop-Front Secretary
Petite 1860s French Empire Style Walnut and Marble Drop-Front Secretary

Petite 1860s French Empire Style Walnut and Marble Drop-Front Secretary

Located in Atlanta, GA

, made of the drop-front desk sitting atop two lower drawers. The desk, decorated with a laurel wreath

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Night Stands

Materials

Marble

Large Swedish 19th Century Karl Johan Corner Cabinet Made of Painted Fir Wood
Large Swedish 19th Century Karl Johan Corner Cabinet Made of Painted Fir Wood

Large Swedish 19th Century Karl Johan Corner Cabinet Made of Painted Fir Wood

Located in Atlanta, GA

doors. Two doors up and down, mall drop front desk and cutaway opening for storage. Karl Johan is the

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Corner Cupboards

Materials

Fir, Paint

French 40's Cerused-Oak Secretaire
French 40's Cerused-Oak Secretaire

French 40's Cerused-Oak Secretaire

Located in Doylestown, PA

A large French drop-front desk in cerused oak, with two drawers below the open shelf at top, two

Category

Vintage 1940s French Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Noral Olson For Kopenhavn Freestanding Scandinavian Style Unit

Noral Olson For Kopenhavn Freestanding Scandinavian Style Unit

By Noral Olson

Located in Pasadena, TX

made of walnut includes a drop front desk, shelved storage unit with sliding doors, section with three

Category

Vintage 1960s American Cabinets

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Large 19th Century Swedish Painted Wood Corner Cabinet
Large 19th Century Swedish Painted Wood Corner Cabinet

Large 19th Century Swedish Painted Wood Corner Cabinet

Located in Atlanta, GA

doors. Two doors up and down. Centered on the piece is a small drop front desk area. Karl Johan is

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Corner Cupboards

Materials

Fir, Paint

Antique Victorian Oak Horner School Side by Side Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1900
Antique Victorian Oak Horner School Side by Side Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1900

Antique Victorian Oak Horner School Side by Side Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1900

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in Big Flats, NY

carved foliate crest surmounting bookcase with single glass door beside drop front desk with upper mirror

Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Nils Strinning String Storage Unit by Deutsche Gmbh
Nils Strinning String Storage Unit by Deutsche Gmbh

Nils Strinning String Storage Unit by Deutsche Gmbh

By Nils Nisse Strinning

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Solid birch shelves and drop front storage unit which can be used as a desk or bar suspended by

Category

Vintage 1940s German Scandinavian Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Chinoiserie Decorated Chippendale Style Ebonized Drop Front Secretary
Chinoiserie Decorated Chippendale Style Ebonized Drop Front Secretary

Chinoiserie Decorated Chippendale Style Ebonized Drop Front Secretary

Located in Big Flats, NY

and garden scenes having pagodas and birds including herons, slant front drops down to reveal desk

Category

20th Century European Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Metal

Secretary By Hans J. Wegner
Secretary By Hans J. Wegner

Secretary By Hans J. Wegner

By Ry Møbler, Hans J. Wegner

Located in Sagaponack, NY

upper portion having a well organized and illuminated drop-front desk and two open shelves, the lower

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Steel

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 George Nelson, Herman Miller

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 19th Century Louis Philippe Abattant Secretary
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Abattant Secretary

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Abattant Secretary

Located in Wilton, CT

Louis Philippe style burled Walnut. Locks with brass escutcheon plate, drop front desk with

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Country French Oak Secretary, Bookcase
Country French Oak Secretary, Bookcase

Country French Oak Secretary, Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

Combining a drop-front desk with a book display, this charming country French secretary-bookcase is

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Secretaires

Peter Hvidt for John Stuart Cabinets
Peter Hvidt for John Stuart Cabinets

Peter Hvidt for John Stuart Cabinets

By Peter Hvidt

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Gorgeous secretary with cubbyhole top with adjustable shelves and drop front desk. Five drawers

Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire

English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

adjustable shelves at 8” deep. A drop front desk opens to a wine colored leather writing surface with gold

Category

Antique 19th Century English Other Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Danish Baroque Drop Front Bureau Secretary, circa 1770
Antique Danish Baroque Drop Front Bureau Secretary, circa 1770

Antique Danish Baroque Drop Front Bureau Secretary, circa 1770

Located in Round Top, TX

style of desk. In the inside center is one small cabinet door, which opens to reveal a small storage

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Danish Baroque Desks

Materials

Pine

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Abattant Secretary
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Abattant Secretary

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Abattant Secretary

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

Louis Philippe style burled cherry wood, locking with ivory escutcheon plate, drop front desk with

Category

Antique 19th Century French Secretaires

A.B. Svenska Moebel Fabrikerna Swedish Birchwood Secretary Cabinet
A.B. Svenska Moebel Fabrikerna Swedish Birchwood Secretary Cabinet

A.B. Svenska Moebel Fabrikerna Swedish Birchwood Secretary Cabinet

By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors

Located in Oakland, CA

locking drop front desk with series of drawers, over a cabinet with two doors and drawers. Key provided

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Teak Cabinets by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard
Teak Cabinets by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard

Teak Cabinets by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard

By Hvidt & Mølgaard

Located in Dallas, TX

has a locking drop front desk with drawers.

Category

Vintage 1950s Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Antique Arts & Crafts Weis Mahogany Two-Stack Barrister Bookcase Secretary c1910
Antique Arts & Crafts Weis Mahogany Two-Stack Barrister Bookcase Secretary c1910

Antique Arts & Crafts Weis Mahogany Two-Stack Barrister Bookcase Secretary c1910

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique Arts and Crafts barrister secretary by Weis offers mahogany construction with drop front

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany, Fiberglass

1960s Danish Teak High Sideboard Cabinet
1960s Danish Teak High Sideboard Cabinet

1960s Danish Teak High Sideboard Cabinet

Located in Oakland, CA

-front desk surface, and open bookcase with adjustable shelves. The cabinet is raised on a sculptural

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets

Materials

Oak, Teak

Piero Fornasetti Gio Ponti Architettura Trumeau Secretary Bookcase Cabinet, 1951
Piero Fornasetti Gio Ponti Architettura Trumeau Secretary Bookcase Cabinet, 1951

Piero Fornasetti Gio Ponti Architettura Trumeau Secretary Bookcase Cabinet, 1951

By Piero Fornasetti, Gio Ponti

Located in Brooklyn, NY

original state, less than 40 of these cabinet were produced between 1951 and 1975. The Trumeau (drop-front

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Wood

18th Century Painted Swedish Secretary, Bookcase
18th Century Painted Swedish Secretary, Bookcase

18th Century Painted Swedish Secretary, Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

-front desk surface and lower drawers, circa 1770s. Measures: 79 H x 39 W x 20.5 D.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique Monumental Eastlake Stepback Walnut & Burl Secretary Bookcase, C1890
Antique Monumental Eastlake Stepback Walnut & Burl Secretary Bookcase, C1890

Antique Monumental Eastlake Stepback Walnut & Burl Secretary Bookcase, C1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

construction with central case having upper bookcase with double glass doors over drop front desk and drawer

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Swedish Mid 19th Century Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Broken Pediment
Swedish Mid 19th Century Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Broken Pediment

Swedish Mid 19th Century Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Broken Pediment

Located in Atlanta, GA

cabinet above a drop-front desk and three lower drawers. This Swedish tall secretary features an exquisite

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Style French Secretary
Louis XVI Style French Secretary

Louis XVI Style French Secretary

Located in Austin, TX

Secretary, drop front desk, French, in the Louis XVI style. This cabinet is finished in a lustrous

Category

Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Dresser / Chest of Drawers by Raymond Loewy for Mengel

Dresser / Chest of Drawers by Raymond Loewy for Mengel

By Raymond Loewy

Located in New York, NY

painted black steel legs and hardware. We also have a matching drop front desk in this

Category

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Greco America Empire Flame Mahogany Quervelle School Secretary 19th C
Antique Greco America Empire Flame Mahogany Quervelle School Secretary 19th C

Antique Greco America Empire Flame Mahogany Quervelle School Secretary 19th C

By Anthony Gabriel Quervelle

Located in Big Flats, NY

form overlay surmounting lower case with drop front desk and long drawers raised on bracket feet, 19th

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

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Drop Front Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of drop front desks is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and hardwood, all drop front desks available were constructed with great care. Drop front 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. Drop front desks bearing Mid-Century Modern or Louis XV hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Not every interior allows for large drop front desks, so small drop front desks measuring 14 inches across are available at 1stDibs. Raymond Loewy, Hvidt & Mølgaard and Arne Wahl Iversen each produced beautiful drop front desks that are worth considering.

How Much are Drop Front Desks?

Prices for drop front desks start at $750 and top out at $30,000 with the average selling for $2,997.

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 Drop Front Desks
  • 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.
  • 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.

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