Maple Drop Front Desk
Vintage 1970s American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1970s American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Desks
Maple, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Birdseye Maple
Mid-20th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1940s American Desks
Maple, Leather
Vintage 1950s American Desks
Antique 1820s American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century Desks
Maple
Mid-20th Century North American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables
Maple
Vintage 1960s American American Colonial Desks
Brass
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks
Maple
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Desks
Cherry
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Grasscloth, Maple, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Birdseye Maple
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Vintage 1920s American Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Secretaires
Maple, Birch
20th Century Federal Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Birdseye Maple
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Walnut, Maple
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Grasscloth, Maple, Lacquer
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Maple
Antique 1860s American American Classical Desks
Birdseye Maple
Vintage 1940s American Desks
Maple, Leather
20th Century American Secretaires
Maple
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
People Also Browsed
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 18th Century English George III Desks
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry
2010s French Other Wall Lights and Sconces
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1980s Credenzas
Marble
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Wood
Vintage 1950s American American Colonial Desks
Brass
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Maple
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Georgian Statues
Stone, Composition
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Walnut
Maple Drop Front Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Maple Drop Front 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.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.