Drop Lid Desk
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Secretaires
Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American American Craftsman Desks
Spruce
Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Steel
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires
Paint
Mid-20th Century North American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Desks
Brass
20th Century American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Desks
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Rosewood
Antique 1780s Dutch Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Steel
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Birch, Rosewood
Vintage 1950s American Credenzas
Iron
Vintage 1940s Cabinets
21st Century and Contemporary American Desks and Writing Tables
Antique 1790s Great Britain (UK) Desks
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Regency Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
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2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass
2010s English Ladders
Ash
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Upholstery, Elm
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Brass
Vintage 1950s Desks
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Glass, Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Teak
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vanities
Mirror, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Cane, Oak
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Softwood
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Desks
Teak
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Busts
Carrara Marble
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
Birch, Teak
Antique 1780s Cabinets
Walnut
Drop Lid Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Drop Lid 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.
- 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 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.
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