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Small Writing Desks

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Vintage French Louis XV Style Marquetry Inlay Bronze Ormolu Small Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XV style marquetry inlay bronze ormolu small writing desk. Item features
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Satinwood

19th Century Italian Solid Walnut Antique Small Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
essential antique Italian small writing desk. The desk is made of solid walnut wood. Important
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Desks

Materials

Walnut

Italian Small Writing Desk in Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Small writing desk, mahogany, brass Italy, 1950s. Sculptural Italian desk with beautiful curved
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian Small Writing Desk in Mahogany
Italian Small Writing Desk in Mahogany
H 27.37 in W 44.89 in D 18.9 in
1800s New England Pine Writing Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
Small writing desk from the 1800s in New England. Original patina. Good steady condition
Category

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

Materials

Pine

1800s New England Pine Writing Desk
1800s New England Pine Writing Desk
No Reserve
H 33.5 in W 28 in D 18 in
Wooden Writing Desk with Metal Structure, Italy, 1960s
Located in Madrid, ES
Small writing desk of wood and metal, Formica table top. Front of the two drawers painted in black
Category

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

Materials

Metal

19th Century Transition-Style Writing Desk from the Napoleon III Period
Located in NICE, FR
This small writing desk from the 19th century is crafted in rosewood with inserted brass fillets
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Italian Midcentury Desk/Dressing Table Attributed Carlo de Carli, Italy 1950
By Carlo De Carli
Located in London, GB
An Italian designed small writing desk in walnut,. Fantastic proportions on sculptural legs
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Italian Occasional Table with Floral Medallion Inlay Adorning Top, Early 19th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian occasional table or small writing desk from the early 19th century. This antique table
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

18th Century Louis XV Walnut Table or Ladies Desk
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
walnut, and opening with a single apron drawer, it would make a fabulous end table, or small writing desk
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Louis XV Walnut Table or Ladies Desk
18th Century Louis XV Walnut Table or Ladies Desk
No Reserve
H 26.78 in W 34.65 in D 22.84 in
Modern Black Lacquer Occasional Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
design feature of the mid-century. This piece would work well as a small writing desk or as a side
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Modern Black Lacquer Occasional Table
Modern Black Lacquer Occasional Table
H 27.75 in W 21 in D 9 in
Antique French Console Table or Ladies Small Writing Desk, Restored circa 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Petite console Table or ladies Writing Desk, made in France during the late 1800s from solid
Category

Antique 1880s French Country Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Tall Standing Desk / Table by Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdley
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in Dallas, TX
a Louis XV style Second Empire (Napoleon III) small writing desk / table (lectern, stand, or podium
Category

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

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Spanish 19th C. Desk or Console Table with Beautiful Lyre-Carved Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
an attractive console, entry table, or a small writing desk.
Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

writing desk model Roman Small
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Roman is an elegant and minimalist furniture line inspired by the values of Scandinavian functionalism. Entirely made in France, each piece is individually produced according to you...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...

Materials

Walnut

writing desk model Roman Small
writing desk model Roman Small
H 28.35 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in
writing desk model Roman Small
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Roman is an elegant and minimalist furniture line inspired by the values of Scandinavian functionalism. Entirely made in France, each piece is individually produced according to you...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...

Materials

Oak

writing desk model Roman Small
writing desk model Roman Small
H 28.35 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in
Small Desk, Kids Desk or Writing Table by Torck, 1950s
By Torck
Located in Schagen, NL
The cutest piece in stock! This small oak veneered writing table, (kids)desk or Secretaire was
Category

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

Materials

Oak

Small Wooden Italian Writing Desk with Brass Details
Located in Madrid, ES
Writing desk made in Italy, circa 1960s. The desk has been partially restored and has a tabletop
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Direttorio Writing Desk
By Morelato
Located in Milan, IT
Strict and classic lines for the small and large Direttorio Writing desks. Pieces, which combine
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Leather

Direttorio Writing Desk
Direttorio Writing Desk
H 31.5 in W 46.46 in D 24.81 in
Small teak writing desk / vanity by svend aage madsen
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Svend Aage Madsen Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 31.5″ wide x 17.75″ deep x 28.5″ tall Condition: In excellent original con...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table. Item features
Category

Antique 19th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small Teak "Varie" Writing Desk By Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen, IKEA
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Arne Wahl Iversen Manufacturer: IKEA Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 39.5 wide x 17.75 deep x 29.5 tall. Condition: In excellent original c...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Small Antique Kneehole Desk, English, Writing Table, Georgian Revival, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique kneehole desk. An English, mahogany writing table with Georgian revival
Category

Early 20th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Art Nouveau Writing Desk with 6 Dawers (Vienna 1910)
Located in Wien, AT
Objekt: Schreibtisch Entwurf: - Modell-Nummer: - Ausführung: unbekannter Kunstmöbelhersteller, Wien um 1910 Maße in cm (H x B x T): 70,5 x 101 x 51 Material: Buche massiv (ebonisiert...
Category

Vintage 1910s Austrian Jugendstil Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Zanotta Small Quaderna Table/Writing Desk in White Plastic Laminate, Superstudio
By Zanotta, Superstudio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Small Quaderna Table/Writing Desk in White Plastic Laminate, Superstudio Honeycomb core
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Plastic

1960s Italian Art Deco Midcentury Walnut Brass Small Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern small desk or writing table secretaire, in
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brandt Flip Top Piano Style Small Wooden Writing Desk Table
By Brandt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage brandt flip top Piano style small wooden writing desk table. Item features rolling casters
Category

Mid-20th Century Federal Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small 20th Century Satin Birch Writing Desk by Heal & Son London
By Heal's
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A beautiful Satin Birch writing desk by Heal & Son London. This little desk will light up any room
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birch, Satinwood

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very useful antique Victorian writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
H 29.14 in W 42.13 in D 19.69 in
Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very useful antique Victorian writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
H 29.93 in W 42.13 in D 20.08 in
Late 18th Century Small Lady's Mahogany Writing Desk with Ink Pot & Well
Located in Shrewsbury, GB
A superb George III lady's mahogany writing desk with hidden ink pots and a drawer, circa 1790. The
Category

Antique Late 18th Century George III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A smart and very useful antique Victorian writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates
Category

Antique 1860s British High Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
Antique Victorian Writing Table / Desk
H 29.93 in W 42.13 in D 20.08 in
Lous XVI-Style Writing Desk
By CG capelletti
Located in Milan, IT
An exclusive Louis XVI-style design of extraordinary refinement, this writing desk will imbue a
Category

2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Lous XVI-Style Writing Desk
Lous XVI-Style Writing Desk
H 31.11 in W 70.87 in D 33.86 in
Smaller Danish Lady’s writing desk in mahogany with drawers and brass details
By Ole Wanscher, Fritz Hansen
Located in DK
This smaller Danish modern writing desk was designed ca. 1950 by Danish architect Ole Wanscher
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1960s Italian Midcentury Metal Cross Bar Wood & Brass Small Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Typical Italian Late Mid-Century Modern desk or writing table in black metal cross bar base
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Antique very fine quality small 19th Century mahogany writing side table desk
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique very fine quality small 19th Century mahogany writing side table desk. Lovely age colour
Category

Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
. The desk is equipped with a central drawer flanked by 2 smaller drawers at either side. A pull-out
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
EXQUISITE SMALL WILLIAM IV CIRCA 1830 HARDWOOD WRiTING TABLE DESK CARVED LEGS
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, small
Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Régence Style Marquetry Writing Desk
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A magnificent and very rare Régence style marquetry inlaid grand bureau plat or writing desk
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Régence Style Marquetry Writing Desk
Régence Style Marquetry Writing Desk
H 37.41 in W 87.8 in D 43.31 in
Small 19th Century writing table
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique mahogany writing table with 2 drawers. Gold-edged Burgundy leather top. Table
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Small 19th Century writing table
Small 19th Century writing table
H 29.14 in W 40.16 in D 28.35 in
Antique French Cherry Wood Kitchen Table or Small Desk or Writing Table Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Country French Small kitchen table or nice size small writing table or desk. Single drawer
Category

Antique 1890s French Country Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry

Italian Smaller-Sized Table or Writing Desk w/Shapely Hourglass Legs, 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian small sized table, or writing desk, from the 19th century. This antique table from Italy
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Desk, 1970.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small 1970s desk. Small desk in light wood with chrome-plated metal legs. h: 76cm, w: 60cm, d
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Small Desk, 1970.
Small Desk, 1970.
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Vintage American Mahogany Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful and timeless 1970's American escritoire desk. The writing desk is made of solid
Category

Late 20th Century American Classical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

small modernist desk
By Jacques Hitier
Located in TARBES, FR
Small modernist style desk in wood and steel, tubular leg and brass wrist, some signs of wear and
Category

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

Materials

Metal

small modernist desk
small modernist desk
H 29.53 in W 40.16 in D 23.63 in
Small Functionalist Desk
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Small functionalist desk around 1930s professionally stained and repolished.
Category

Vintage 1930s Slovak Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Small Functionalist Desk
Small Functionalist Desk
H 27.56 in W 39.77 in D 18.9 in
Antique French Louis XV Small Inlaid Petite Demilune Writing Desk Made in France
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Louis XV style small inlaid petite Demilune writing desk, made in France. Item
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage Writing Desk, 1970´S, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This Vintage writing desk was made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1970´s. It´s made of
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Vintage Writing Desk, 1970´S, Czechoslovakia
Vintage Writing Desk, 1970´S, Czechoslovakia
H 30.32 in W 53.15 in D 27.56 in
Vintage Writing Desk, 1970's, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This Vintage writing desk was made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1970´s. It's made of
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Vintage Writing Desk, 1970's, Czechoslovakia
Vintage Writing Desk, 1970's, Czechoslovakia
H 30.32 in W 59.06 in D 27.56 in
Small Campaign Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Campaign style mahogany campaign desk, the circular crossbanded molded edge top hinged and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Campaign Desk
Small Campaign Desk
H 34.75 in W 29 in D 29.75 in
Xiitle Desk Small
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Xiitle Desk Small
Xiitle Desk Small
H 29.53 in W 51.97 in D 23.63 in
Small Writing Table, France around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Small desk on high square legs with rectangular black table top and one drawer. The painting of the
Category

Antique Early 1800s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Small Writing Table, France around 1800
Small Writing Table, France around 1800
H 27.17 in W 37.41 in D 20.28 in
Biedermeier Writing Desk/ Side Table, Austria
Located in Antwerp, BE
This small Lady desk was crafted in Austria. The top is wonderfully smooth and displays the
Category

Antique 1870s Austrian Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Writing Desk/ Side Table, Austria
Biedermeier Writing Desk/ Side Table, Austria
H 34.26 in W 41.34 in D 19.69 in
Writing Desk in High Gloss Lacquer
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a wonderfully versatile and useful piece of furniture. I personally used it as a desk in
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Writing Desk in High Gloss Lacquer
Writing Desk in High Gloss Lacquer
H 30 in W 82 in D 19 in
Antique French Inlaid Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A beautiful original small antique French writing table. This was made in France and dates from
Category

Antique 1860s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Carved Mahogany Folding Desk Writing Table
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning antique heavily carved mahogany desk/writing table from the late 19th century. Note the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Italian Neoclassical Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Carmine, TX
Stunning writing desk hand-made in Italy in the mid 1700s using walnut. This really is the mother
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed
Category

Antique Early 1800s Scandinavian Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk Table France
Located in Munich, DE
This charming small ladies writing desk – so called 'Écritoire de Dames' was made in France circa
Category

Antique 1890s French Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Victorian Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A very smart and useful antique Victorian writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Italian Bamboo Rattan Writing Table or Desk
By Dal Vera
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Amazing midcentury bamboo and wicker desk with drawers. This wonderful piece was designed in Italy
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Campaign Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Italian Bamboo Rattan Writing Table or Desk
Italian Bamboo Rattan Writing Table or Desk
H 30.71 in W 45.67 in D 24.02 in
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Small Writing Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of small writing desks is available at 1stDibs. The range of distinct small writing desks — often made from wood, metal and steel — can elevate any home. There are 209 antique and vintage small writing desks for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 17 modern editions to choose from as well. Small writing desks have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Small writing desks made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Victorian — are very popular at 1stDibs. Large small writing desks can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller small writing desks available at 1stDibs — each spanning 19.69 inches in width — may make for a better choice. Many small writing desks are appealing in their simplicity, but Matthias Demacker, Jean Pauchard and Tolix produced popular small writing desks that are worth a look.

How Much are Small Writing Desks?

Prices for small writing desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, small writing desks begin at $325 and can go as high as $18,000, while the average can fetch as much as $2,477.

Finding the Right Desks and 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 Small Writing Desks
  • 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 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 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.