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Rosewood Writing Desk

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Gianfranco Frattini Rosewood Writing Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Washington, DC
A beautiful Midcentury rosewood writing desk by an Italian design icon, Gianfranco Frattini for
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Antique English Inlaid Rosewood Writing Desk, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English inlaid rosewood writing desk on casters with leather and galleried top, Circa 1890.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Rosewood Writing Desk by Bernhard Pedersen
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Toledo, OH
This beautiful Danish rosewood writing desk is complete with 3 drawers and a barrel top that rolls
Category

Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Jacob Kjær Mid Century Rio Rosewood Writing Desk
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Freestanding Rio rosewood writing desk with beautiful grain designed by Jacob Kjær, Denmark 1950
Category

Mid-20th Century European Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Writing Desk, Erik Riisager Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1950
By Erik Riisager Hansen 1, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood Writing Desk, Erik Riisager Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1950s This rare
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Child Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage writing desk on rolling wheels, in an incredible rich rosewood color. This compact desk is
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Child Rosewood Writing Desk
Child Rosewood Writing Desk
H 24 in W 47 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Rosewood mid-century desk, circa 1960's. Sleek uncluttered design with bookmatched veneer top. Four
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Modern Rosewood Writing Desk
Danish Modern Rosewood Writing Desk
H 29.5 in W 59.5 in D 31.5 in
19th Century Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Hand-crafted in the 19th Century, this Louis XV-style desk is comprised of rosewood with decorative
Category

Antique 19th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Rosewood Writing Desk
19th Century Rosewood Writing Desk
H 39.25 in W 50.5 in D 25 in
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Rosewood Danish desk, circa 1960's. Unique 5 legged design with metal pulls and a bank of drawers
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rose Quartz, Rosewood

Severin Hansen 1950s Danish Rosewood Writing Desk
By Severin Hansen Jr., Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in London, GB
Severin Hansen Jnr. - Model 36 Writing Desk This iconic desk waa designed by Severin Hansen Jnr
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Writing Desk with Bookshelf, Danish Design
Located in The Hague, NL
Midcentury Danish rosewood desk A good quality Danish rosewood desk having four drawers to the
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Executive rosewood writing desk by erik riisager hansen
By Erik Riisager Hansen 1, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Berkeley, CA
Brazilian rosewood, the top slab features a raised lip around three quarters of the desk. The spacious
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Danish rosewood writing desk in the manner of ole wanscher
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood Measurements
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

20th Century Italian Vintage Rosewood Writing Desk Attributed to Vittorio Dassi
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rectangular, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian writing desk made of hand crafted polished
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian half-round writing desk with a clear glass top
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Arne Vodder Rosewood Desk
By Arne Vodder
Located in Toledo, OH
Arne Vodder rosewood desk. circa 1960s. Rosewood writing desk with a hinged fliptop to convert the
Category

Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Arne Vodder Rosewood Desk
Arne Vodder Rosewood Desk
H 34 in W 57 in D 29 in
1960s Danish Modern Rosewood Desk by Ganddal Mobelfabrikk
By Ganddal Mobelfabrik
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish modern rosewood writing desk designed and manufactured by Ganddal Mobelfabrikk in Denmark
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Anglo-Indian Rosewood Writing Desk, India, circa 1825
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant and finely crafted rosewood and ivory inlay traveller's writing desk from the late Mughal
Category

Antique 1820s Indian Islamic Scholar's Objects

Materials

Ivory, Rosewood

Rosewood Writing Desk, G. Falsig, Møbelfabrik Holstebro, 1970s
By Holstebro Møbelfabrik, Gunnar Falsig
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rosewood secretary desk, Danish design, 1960s Design by G. Falsig Very good condition
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Mid 20th Century Vintage Chinese Carved Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique writing desk has two drawers each side and one bigger drawer at center of the front and
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Early Baker Furniture Regency Rosewood Writing Desk or Console Table, 1930s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Regency style petite writing desk, sofa table, or entry console table By Baker
Category

Vintage 1930s American Regency Console Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Directoire Influenced Book-Matched Rosewood Writing Table or Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
19th c. Rosewood writing desk or work table of impressive book matched fiery grains, original
Category

Antique 19th Century French Directoire Desks

Materials

Brass

Rosewood Flip Top Writing Desk
Located in Malibu, CA
Antique European rosewood writing table. Hidden beneath the flip top, a desk in excellent condition
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Flip Top Writing Desk
Rosewood Flip Top Writing Desk
H 29 in W 37 in D 18.25 in
Jørgen Berg. Danish Writing Desk In Rosewood, 1960-1970
By Jørgen Berg
Located in Kastrup, DK
Jørgen Berg. Danish writing desk in Rio rosewood. Fall-front fitted with a writing slope with brown
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Regency period rosewood library or writing table, the lobed top with satinwood banding and
Category

Antique 1820s English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
H 28 in W 60 in D 35.5 in
Arne Jacobsen Rosewood and Steel Writing Desk FH3605, Danish, Designed 1955
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Arne Jacobsen, FH 3605 writing desk, designed 1955 and made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, in rosewood
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Hudson, NY
Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt with black leather top and gilded greek key design trim. 2 drawers on front and 2 false drawers on backside. With original castors and hardware.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
H 27.5 in W 35 in D 21 in
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top with new inset brown leather and cross banded edge over a frieze containing one long drawer , raised on circular tapered reeded legs ending on brass casters. P...
Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
H 28.5 in W 36 in D 21.5 in
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a beautiful rectangular green leather inset top with banded edge and two frieze drawers with trestle lyre form base. Turned stretcher. Raised on saber legs with brass paw feet c...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
H 30.5 in W 51.25 in D 38.25 in
Baker Furniture Regency Rosewood Drop Leaf Writing Desk or Console, Refinished
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Regency or Georgian style drop leaf writing desk, console, or sofa table By Baker
Category

Late 20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ebony, Rosewood, Satinwood

Rosewood and Chrome Drexel Index Writing Desk Library Table, circa 1970s
By Milo Baughman, Drexel
Located in New York, NY
Stunning midcentury, Hollywood Regency, Post Modern design writing table, desk, made by Drexel as
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
Late Regency Rosewood Writing Table with Mahogany Lined Drawer, Octagonal End Supports, and Blind
Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood 19th Century Writing Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An exceptional quality mid-19th century, William IV Period, rosewood writing table having blind
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood 19th Century Writing Table
Rosewood 19th Century Writing Table
H 29.25 in W 60 in D 28 in
Antique George III Banded Satinwood Lady's Writing Desk with Rosewood Inlay
Located in Morristown, NJ
18th c., England, a delightful George III cheveret lady's writing desk in two parts. The upper five
Category

Antique 1790s English George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ivory, Satinwood, Rosewood, Leather

George IV Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Dublin, GB
A George IV rosewood writing table. The rectangular tooled leather top, with a rosewood cross
Category

Antique 1820s English George IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

George IV Rosewood Writing Table
George IV Rosewood Writing Table
H 29.14 in W 50.01 in D 27.56 in
Oscar Writing Desk
By Guerra Vanni
Located in Milan, IT
A remarkable piece of refined taste, this splendid writing desk with 3 drawers and push pull
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Silver Leaf

Oscar Writing Desk
Oscar Writing Desk
H 31.5 in W 57.09 in D 21.26 in
Rosewood Executive Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern desk in rosewood with finished back. Beautiful office desk featuring bowtie
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Executive Desk
Rosewood Executive Desk
H 29 in W 55.5 in D 28 in
William IV Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with rounded corners and string inlay above a pair of drawers with opposing false drawers raised on a trestle base with roundel satinwood inlays. Shaped stretcher and...
Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

William IV Rosewood Writing Table
William IV Rosewood Writing Table
H 28.5 in W 41 in D 25.63 in
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk, Rosewood and Ormulu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Antique Louis XV style bureau plat writing desk, rosewood and Ormulu mounts, raised on cabriole
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Italian Rosewood MIM Writing Table - Vintage Desk by Ico Parisi
By Ico Parisi, MIM Roma
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian writing, office table with a large top, made of hand crafted
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

William IV Rosewood Writing / Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
William IV rosewood writing / games table, circa 1830. With a rectangular rosewood top with rounded
Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk Magic Box Made in Brazil with Key
By Jean Gillon
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Stunning closable and lockable rosewood writing desk. The piece closes completely and can be key
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Santos Rosewood 3 Drawer Desk/Writing Table by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a classic piece of early Scandinavian design, made from Santos Rosewood it's on the edge of
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Elegant French Deco Style Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sophisticated French Deco style rosewood veneer writing desk having gorgeous silhouette and unusual
Category

Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Regency Period Rosewood Writing Table
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Regency period well figured rosewood writing table, having rectangular top
Category

Antique 1820s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The shaped rectangular top fitted with hinged side compartment‚ above a reeded frieze drawing and a leather inset slide‚ raised on turned columnar supports joined by two baluster-tur...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Regency Rosewood Writing Table
Regency Rosewood Writing Table
H 28.75 in W 29 in D 17.5 in
A Regency Rosewood Kidney Shaped Writing Table
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A regency period rosewood lyre eneded kidney shaped writing table, with brass lyres and leathered
Category

Antique 19th Century European Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

A Regency Rosewood Kidney Shaped Writing Table
A Regency Rosewood Kidney Shaped Writing Table
H 28.35 in W 45.28 in D 24.41 in
19th Century Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Martlesham, GB
A very fine 19th century rosewood writing table in the style of Gillows, having a leather lined
Category

Antique 1830s English Desks and Writing Tables

Danish Cabinetmaker Rosewood Desk, c1950s
Located in London, GB
Danish Cabinetmaker - Writing Desk, c1940s A beautifully made cabinetmaker desk, produced in
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Danish Cabinetmaker Rosewood Desk, c1950s
Danish Cabinetmaker Rosewood Desk, c1950s
H 29.53 in W 45.28 in D 25.6 in
Gio Ponti Attributed "Rosewood Desk"
By Gio Ponti
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
GIO PONTI ATTRIBUTED 'ROSEWOOD DESK' c. 1950's ROSEWOOD, CRYSTAL GLASS 31.5 H x 73 W x 33 D
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Gio Ponti Attributed "Rosewood Desk"
Gio Ponti Attributed "Rosewood Desk"
H 31.5 in W 73 in D 33 in
19th Century William IV Rosewood Writing Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine quality William IV rosewood writing table, possibly Scottish, with velvet inset
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Rosewood Executive Desk for Nipu
By Nipu, Marius Byrialsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning rosewood executive desk by Marius Byrialsen for Nipu, c.1960s, Denmark. The desk
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Rosewood Executive Desk for Nipu
Rosewood Executive Desk for Nipu
H 28 in W 78.75 in D 39.5 in
English Chippendale Rosewood Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
19th century English Chippendale style rosewood double pedestal table desk with 2 drawers and brown
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

English Chippendale Rosewood Table Desk
English Chippendale Rosewood Table Desk
H 29.25 in W 49 in D 24.5 in
Pair of English Regency Period Rosewood Writing Tables
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of English Regency period rosewood writing tables with gold tooled green leather tops. The
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood desk by Arne Jacobsen
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Desk in rosewood with black lacquered drawers, chromed steel legs and solid rosewood shoes. Arne
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Rosewood desk by Arne Jacobsen
Rosewood desk by Arne Jacobsen
H 27.56 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Regency Rosewood and Brass Inlaid Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular green inset leather top with crossbanded brass inlaid edge over two drawers with brass inlays all around and false rear drawers raised on a trestle base with scrol...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Rosewood Laminate Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This impressive vintage secretary desk wows by combining rosewood print laminate, a spacious work
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Laminate, Rosewood

Roll Top Writing Desk by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and elegant rosewood and mahogany campaign desk having three drawers and two rosewood
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Regency Period Rosewood Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A fine early 19th century Regency period rosewood writing table, having rectangular bow end tooled
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Regency Rosewood Writing Table with Later Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Regency rosewood writing table with later marble top.
Category

Antique 19th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

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Rosewood Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the rosewood writing desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, rosewood and metal, every rosewood writing desk was constructed with great care. There are 1391 variations of the antique or vintage rosewood writing desk you’re looking for, while we also have 9 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect rosewood writing desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A rosewood writing desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Regency styles are sought with frequency. A well-made rosewood writing desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Arne Vodder, Dunbar and Edward Wormley are consistently popular.

How Much is a Rosewood Writing Desk?

The average selling price for a rosewood writing desk at 1stDibs is $5,903, while they’re typically $474 on the low end and $117,413 for the highest priced.

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 Rosewood 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 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 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 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.