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1940s Writing Desk

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1940s Writing Desk by Ico Parisi for Brugnoli Mobili, Cantu, Wax-Polished
By Brugnoli Mobili Cantú, Ico Parisi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant writing desk with legs and frame in solid walnut, veneer teak wood the tops and partridge
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak, Walnut

Danish Cabinetmaker 1940s Mahogany Desk
Located in London, GB
Danish cabinetmaker - 1940s writing desk This exceptional, minimalist desk was produced in
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Danish Cabinetmaker 1940s Mahogany Desk
Danish Cabinetmaker 1940s Mahogany Desk
H 29.93 in W 63 in D 30.32 in
French Louis XV Style Writing Desk w/ Drawers C. 1940's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1940's French writing desk, rich in history and detail, a testament to the craftsmanship of the era
Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

1940's Hollywood Regency Campaign style Giltwood Writing Desk
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1940's Hollywood Regency Campaign style Writing Desk Made by Drexel. This desk is 2 toned. Lots of
Category

Vintage 1940s North American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1940's Traditional style 9 Drawer Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1940's Traditional style 9 Drawer Mahogany Writing Desk. Finished all the way around and can be
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian 1940's Walnut Folding Writing Desk or Console Table, Italy, circa 1940
Located in New York, NY
An Italian 1940's folding or flip-top walnut writing desk or console with two faux drawers, the top
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

1940s Italian Writing Desk in Ash and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, ash, brass, Italy, 1940s Made in Italy, this writing desk is a testament to the
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1940s Italian Writing Desk in Ash and Brass
1940s Italian Writing Desk in Ash and Brass
H 31.3 in W 59.06 in D 27.76 in
Vintage Writing Desk Sessile Oak Veneer from the, 1940s
Located in Milano, IT
Desk with side drawers and under-top drawer in oak veneered wood with linoleum top.
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl Waterfall Writing Desk Table
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in veneer burl wood with elegant
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Opaline Glass, Wood

Italian 1940's wooden desk attributed to Ignazio Gardella
Located in Milan, IT
Exquisite craftsmanship desk, Attributed to Ignazio Gardella. The desk has 3 side drawers and 3
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Root Burl Curved Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Stunning Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in beautiful veneer burr walnut
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Slat Carved Wood Writing Desk Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, with beautiful side and front
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

1940s Art Deco Italian Walnut Burl Black Glass Waterfall Writing Desk Table
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Vittorio Dassi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, in veneer burl wood and precious
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Opaline Glass, Wood

Industrial Portuguese Oak-wood Tambour Door Desk, 1940's
Located in Lisboa, PT
the 1940's. It is made of oak and it features a tambour door to close the table top and hide some
Category

Vintage 1940s Portuguese Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Wood and Brass Writing Desk Table
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern desk writing table, with black glass top and
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Rundform Series Berlin Writing Desk by Mauser Werke 1940s
By Mauser Werke
Located in Aachen, NW
This rare and impressive Berlin executive desk from the Rundform series was designed in the 40s and
Category

Vintage 1940s German Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Gio Ponti Writing Desk in Walnut and Brass for the BNL Offices, Italy 1940s
By Gio Ponti, Schirolli
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
a typical example of the Ponti's way of thinking lines and proportions. The writing desk has been
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Writing Desk in Elm, Förenade Möbelfabrikerna, Swedish Grace, 1940s
By AB Förenade Möbelfabrikerna Linköping
Located in Odense, DK
This Art Deco Writing desk crafted by Förenade Möbelfabrikerna in the 1940s embodies timeless
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm

Antique French Louis XVI Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
Writing Desk. This exquisite piece, made in France circa 1940’s, exudes timeless charm and grandeur
Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Mid-Century Louis XV Style Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
French, Louis XV style, black lacquered chestnut writing desk, circa 1940's features a brass
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Architectural Mid Century Desk, 1940s, Sweden
Located in Berlin, DE
Architectural mid century desk, 1940s, Sweden.
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Architectural Mid Century Desk, 1940s, Sweden
Architectural Mid Century Desk, 1940s, Sweden
H 29.34 in W 43.31 in D 23.63 in
French 1940s Leather Top Mahogany Desk
Located in Buchanan, NY
Unusual and handsome mahogany French desk from the 1940s-1950s with a distressed leather top. There
Category

Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 1940s Leather Top Mahogany Desk
French 1940s Leather Top Mahogany Desk
H 31.5 in W 64.5 in D 36.5 in
French Andre Arbus Ormolu Maple Writing Desk
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
French 1940s ormolu mounted maple writing desk with leather inset top above 2 frieze drawers on
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Paolo Buffa Vintage Petite Writing Desk/ Console Table
By Paolo Buffa
Located in East Hampton, NY
This very sweet writing desk with black glass plateau and two tone walnut and wood frame. Two small
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Walnut

French Maison Dominique Palisander and Glass Writing Desk
By Maison Dominique
Located in New York, NY
French 1940s palisander writing desk with rounded rectangular glass top above 2 frieze drawers
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Palisander

Eugenio & Ermenegildo Soncini Architects Desk, Italy, 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Architects Desk from the Eugenio & Ermenegildo Soncini Architecture Firm, Milan, Italy, 1940s. A
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Silvio Cavatorta Writing Desk in Mahogany
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
mahogany designed by Silvio Cavatorta in the late 1940s. The desk consists of a sleek top, cross shaped
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Silvio Cavatorta Writing Desk in Mahogany
Silvio Cavatorta Writing Desk in Mahogany
H 29.73 in W 68.9 in D 30.71 in
1940s Norman Bel Geddes Metal Desk for Simmons
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Wilton, CT
Offering a rare 1940's industrial design desk designed by Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons Furniture
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
French 1940s brass mounted black lacquered bureau plat /writing desk with tan leather inset top
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rationalist Compact Plywood Desk with Drawer, Italy 1940s
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1940s desk featuring plywood legs and one drawer. Shape and proportions resemble the work
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Frits Henningsen Cabinetmaker Copenhagen, Fine Large Desk 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Fine large desk by the famous danish cabinetmaker and designer Frits Henningsen 1940s. With 3
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Genuine Mahogany Writing Desk with 8 Drawers
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Genuine mahogany writing desk, made approximately in 1930-1940s. It's 44" wide, 22" deep and 30
Category

Mid-20th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Gio Ponti Writing Desk in Walnut and Grissinato Mahogany
By Gio Ponti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti, writing desk, walnut, mahogany, glass, Italy, 1940s This writing table, a rare find
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Walnut

Art Deco Walnut, Birch and Beech Writing Desk, Brianza, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s. It's made in walnut, birch and beech. This desk was probably realized in
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech, Birch, Walnut

Swedish Art Moderne Black Writing Desk with Zebra Hide Insert
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fabulous black lacquered writing desk with bookcase and lockable cabinet on front and curved
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cowhide, Leather, Wood

Bauhaus Oak Wood Desk With Roller Doors, Czechoslovakia 1940s
Located in Zohor, SK
Czechoslovakia in 1940s, the desk came to us in a rather poor condition, so we had it redone into this beautiful
Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Bauhaus Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Ico Parisi Partners Desk, Italy, 1940s
By Ico Parisi
Located in New York, NY
1940's Italian Ico Parisi designed partners desk. Signature steel tip toe on all legs of the desk
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara Desk, 1940s, Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Helsinki, FI
Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara desk, Domus Academica student house, 1940s. Birch with painted table top
Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Paint

Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara Desk, 1940s, Finland
Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara Desk, 1940s, Finland
H 28.94 in W 47.25 in D 29.53 in
Paolo Buffa grissinato wood desk with four drawers, Italy 1940s
By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid and essential Paolo Buffa Desk in grissinato wood with four drawers and saber legs. Iconic
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1940s Mid Century Italian Leather Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian Mid century modern leather desk with two drawers. The desk had ben polished in
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

1940s Mid Century Italian Leather Desk
1940s Mid Century Italian Leather Desk
H 29.5 in W 47.5 in D 24 in
Imposing 1940's French Modernist Desk in Mahogany in Style of Dupré Lafon, E498
Located in Lyon, FR
Imposing 1950's French modernist desk. Structure in solid mahogany and veneer, top in black glass
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1940s Writing Table, with Drawers and Gilded Bronzes, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Tavolo scrittoio anni '40, in bellissimo legno chiaro lastronato, massello e intarsiato con trama geometrica, originale con cassettini e bronzi dorati come arricchimento, costruito i...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Rare 1940s Hollywood Regency 'Mandarin' desk / dressing table by Kittinger, USA
By Kittinger
Located in Hastings, GB
A rare 1940s Hollywood Regency 'Mandarin' desk / dressing table by Kittinger, USA. Greek key design
Category

Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Mahogany Finely Carved Ball & Claw Console Writing Table Desk Two Drawers Rope
By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahoganyfinely carved ball & claw console writing table desk two drawers rope edge.
Category

20th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Arnold Madsen Club Legged Desk / Table in Beech, Scandinavian Modern, 1940s
By Arnold Madsen, Philip Arctander
Located in Odense, DK
Early and important desk attributed to Danish designer Arnold Madsen. The club-shaped legs are made
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Mid-Century Modern Italian Blue Desk, Drawers, 1940s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Blue Desk, Drawers, 1940s
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Gio Ponti for BNL Walnut and Brass Writing Table / Desk
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic writing table designed in the 1940s by Gio Ponti for Schirolli to furnish BNL (Banca
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Pine Wood Desk by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1940s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare Scandinavian mid century wooden desk model "Värmdö" in pine by Axel Einar Hjorth for
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pine

Very rare Børge Mogensen Desk 1940s for FDB Møbler
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Very rare Børge Mogensen desk / library table in teak and beech. Designed in 1940s and produced by
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Wood, Fabric and Glass Italian 1940s Rationalist Desk
By Franco Albini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
A beautiful and rare desk in the style of Franco Albini. It is made from a wooden crossed structure
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Le Corbusier LC16 Writing Wood Desk and Shelve by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Writing desk designed by Le Corbusier in 1957. Relaunched in 2010. Manufactured by Cassina in
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Carlo de Carli Writing Desk Solid Beech Maple and Mahogany
By Carlo De Carli
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-Century Modern Carlo di Carli writing desk in solid beech, maple, and mahogany the bottom of
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech, Mahogany, Maple

Le Corbusier LC16 Writing Wood Desk and Shelve by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Writing desk designed by Le Corbusier in 1957. Relaunched in 2010. Manufactured by Cassina in
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Danish Modern Desk / Dining Table in Birch Attributed to Philip Arctander, 1940s
By Philip Arctander
Located in Odense, DK
Arctander. Beautiful structure and lines. It can also be used as a desk. Each extendable measure 25cm.
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch

A Black Art Deco Desk for the Boss Voltaire by De Coene Frères Belgium 1940s
By De Coene Frères
Located in Ulm, DE
Desk from the Belgian Furniture Manufactory DeCoene Frères. Double Face desk for the boss on one
Category

Vintage 1940s Belgian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Desk /Writing Table by Jacques Adnet 1940
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important French mid-century 1940's desk or writing table by Jacques Adnet symbolizing the
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Constantine Oak and Metal Writing Desk, Bronze Age Collection by Mark Zeff
By Mark Zeff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Constantine writing desk from Blackbarn bronze age collection by Mark Zeff, oak stand with metal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Frits Henningsen Solid Mahogany Writing Table and Chair Set
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Kastrup, DK
writing table and chair. The writing desk displays a rectangular top with molded edge above three cock
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Oak Wood Desk or Dining Table Style of Charles Dudouyt, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in New York, NY
1940s French desk in the style of Charles Dudouyt. Also would make a great dining table. Two
Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Wooden library table. Portugal, 1940s.
Located in Lisboa, PT
drawers designed by Olaio. Portugal, 1940s.
Category

Vintage 1940s European Space Age Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Wooden library table. Portugal, 1940s.
Wooden library table. Portugal, 1940s.
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 78.75 in
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1940s Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 1940s writing desk you’re looking for. Each 1940s writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and brass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect 1940s writing desk — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A 1940s writing desk made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. A well-made 1940s writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Maison Jansen, Frits Henningsen and George Nelson are consistently popular.

How Much is a 1940s Writing Desk?

A 1940s writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,995, while the lowest priced sells for $60 and the highest can go for as much as $113,245.

Finding the Right desks-writing-tables for You

Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.

Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.

Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.

Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.

The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.

From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.

Questions About 1940s Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs 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 ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A 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, 2021
    A 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 ExpertJune 15, 2023
    What 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.
  • 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.