Drop Front Secretary Desk
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
20th Century American Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
20th Century American Federal Dressers
Cherry
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks
Brass
Antique Early 1900s Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Country Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1980s American Chinoiserie Bookcases
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Iron
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Renaissance Revival Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1950s French Secretaires
Elm
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
20th Century American Regency Revival Cupboards
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Secretaires
Bronze
Vintage 1930s American Sheraton Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Desks
Brass
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks
Brass
Vintage 1930s American Georgian Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Iron
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Glass, Birch
Antique Early 19th Century French Aesthetic Movement Commodes and Chests...
Marble
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Louis XV Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Louis XVI Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1870s Renaissance Revival Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century European Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Biedermeier Desks
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Teak
20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Olive, Burl
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks
Brass, Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Eastlake Secretaires
Cherry
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Secretaires
Hardwood
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
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Drop Front Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Drop Front Secretary 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.
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