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Børge Mogensen Drop Front Secretary Desk in Walnut
By Børge Mogensen, Søborg Møbler 1
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Børge Mogensen
Manufacturer: Søborg Møbler
Era: 1950s
Materials: Walnut
Measurements: 47.5" wide x 18" deep x 39.5" tall
Condition: In excellent ori...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Børge Mogensen Drop Front Secretary Desk in Teak
By Børge Mogensen, Søborg Møbler 1
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Børge Mogensen
Manufacturer: Søborg Møbler
Era: 1950s
Materials: teak
Measurements: 39.5? wide x 18? deep x 47.25? tall
Condition: In excellent orig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Antique Burled Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk by Lebus
By Harris Lebus
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique burled walnut drop-front secretary desk by Lebus Furniture, circa 1940s. The
Category
Vintage 1940s Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Danish Modern Bow Edge Teak Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
This lovely drop front Danish modern secretary desk in teak was manufactured in the 1960s. With its
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
French Secretary and Bookshelf by Rene Gabriel
By Rene Gabriel
Located in Atlanta, GA
lot of storage in a small footprint. The drop front secretary desk opens to reveal slotted storage
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Oak Inlaid Marble Top Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the South of France, this 19th Century French Drop Front Secretary Desk features a marble
Category
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Renaissance Revival Carved Burl Walnut Secretary Writing Desk Slant Drop Front
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian/Renaissance Revival burl walnut drop front secretary desk. (Be sure to check item
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Beidermeier Drop Front Abattant Secretary Desk Writing Table
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning 19th century French Empire drop leaf secretary abattant with ebony accents and columns
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique 18th Century Dutch Oak Drop Front Bombe Secretary Desk Secretaire
Located in Casteren, NL
.
The drop front opens up to reveal an oak writing area and stepped drawers. This compartment is
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Drop-Front Marquetry Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, Spain circa 1900. The outside with fall front and one low door with
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak secretary desk bureau drop front Louis XV style
~Direct from France
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Biedermeier Style Inlay Drop Front Secretary Desk 3 Drawers Dresser NICE
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique Biedermeier Style Inlay Drop Front Secretary Desk 3 Drawers Dresser NICE.
Beautiful inlay
Category
20th Century European Biedermeier Dressers
Materials
Walnut
Dutch Baroque Drop Front Secretary
Located in Barntrup, DE
Dutch Baroque style bombe form drop front secretary desk has carved ball and claw feet.
Behind the
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Paul McCobb Drop Front Cabinet
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall cabinet with drop front storage/desk area. Grass cloth doors, maple wood, tapered legs
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Grasscloth
Unusual Early 20th Century Vintage Oak Arts
Crafts Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Lafayette, IN
Very unusual Arts & Crafts drop-front secretary desk made in the early 20th century. Desk cabinet
Category
Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield China Cabinet with Drop Front Writing Desk
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Freehold, NJ
shelves in the upper cabinet. Four drawers, one with a drop front writing desk, and one cabinet with
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Maple
French Mid-20th Century Secretary Curio Cabinet with Drop Front Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French display curio cabinet with slat front desk from the mid-20th century. This vintage cabinet
Category
Mid-20th Century French Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique French Carved Dark Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV style
Located in Shreveport, LA
~Direct from France~
~A lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with
Category
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Country French Drop-Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
full-width drawers as well as an upper section that features a slant-front, drop down desk surface that
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Danish Modern Bow Front Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
This lovely drop front Danish modern secretary desk in teak was manufactured in the 1960s. With its
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Danish Modern Rosewood ‘Cado’ Modular Wall System by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in San Antonio, TX
- 31.67") and features a drop-front desk, 2 sliding door cabinets, open bookcase, drawers, and multiple
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Materials
Rosewood
Petite Cerused Oak Drop Front Dresser, France 1940s
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A petite French drop front dresser / desk circa 1940s. Cerused oak finish in the manner of Jean
Category
Vintage 1940s French Rustic Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
Black Laminate Glass Brass Modular Freestanding Wall Unit Display Cabinet
Located in Topeka, KS
for lighted display, solid doors for storage, and even a drop front desk. It is all highlighted by
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
Materials
Brass
English Chinoiserie Black and Gold Tall Secretary / Slant Front Desk
Located in Tarry Town, NY
chinoiserie décor with drop slant front desk. The secretary features a twin front door top. When open it
Category
Vintage 1930s English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Gold, Brass
19th Century English Pine Fall Front Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand 19th century English pine secretary featuring a fall front or drop front writing surface. The
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Metal
English Georgian Styling Bookcase with Secretary Desk Mahogany with Fitted Desk
By Bevan Funnell Ltd.
Located in Toronto, CA
fittings. The glass doors are hand glazed with individual panes of glass. A drop front drawer reveals a
Category
20th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Poul Volther Teak Secretary Desk
By Poul Volther
Located in Berkeley, CA
This lovely drop front Mid-Century secretary desk in teak was designed by Poul Volther in the 1960s
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Fall-Front Secretary in Mahogany, c. 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
, and a birch inlaid drop-front opening to a desk with a long open storage area for papers below a
Category
Antique 1820s Danish Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Satinwood
Country French Style Carved Fruitwood Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Carved fruitwood frame with bookcase top with chickenwire front doors. Drop down fitted desk
Category
20th Century Secretaires
Italian Venetian Style Off White Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase Trumeau
Located in Dayton, OH
two shelves over a drop front secretary desk that opens to cubies and drawers. The cabinet base opens
Category
20th Century French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Yellow Lacquer Chinoiserie Style Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Manhasset, NY
bracket feet stands this two over two drawer under a drop slant front desk with full fitted interior. The
Category
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Secretary Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century secrétaire à abattant from France, circa 1880, this drop-front secretary desk is
Category
Antique 19th Century French Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Faux Bamboo Chest Of Drawers With Desk
Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
functionality. Chest features a drop front secretary desk over three storage drawers. Interior of desk features
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Aesthetic Movement Commodes and Chests...
Materials
Marble
19th Century Painted Venetian Secretary or Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
with a tall bookcase and a slant front drop leaf desk. Beautifully hand-painted with floral bouquets
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Pine Secretary Desk from Sweden, circa 1860
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine drop front secretary desk from Sweden, circa 1860. The desk has four large drawers
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
George Nelson Secretary Desk or Cabinet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Drop front secretary desk designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. All original walnut finish
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Aluminum
Karges Oriental Bubble Glass China Cabinet Breakfront Secretary Desk Chinoiserie
By Karges Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
High quality vintage black oriental bubble glass breakfront with drop front leather top desk by
Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood
1850s French Empire Secretaire a Abattant Brul Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1850s French Empire secretaire also known as a drop-front brul mahogany secretary desk. White
Category
Antique 1850s French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Georgian Inlaid Mahogany Bureau With Bookcase Hutch and Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Federal style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
*SALE* George Nelson for Herman Miller, Dresser with pull out Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
used to! Top drawer is a drop-front pull-out desk with several compartments. Also has a round hole in
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
19th C. French Empire Flame Mahogany a Abattant/Desk with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in San Francisco, CA
front writing desk (great for 21st century laptop use), with fitted interior
The lower cabinet offers
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Midcentury Danish Teak Secretaire by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbler, 1950s
By Søborg Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Asaa, DK
secretary desk designed by famous Danish architect Børge Mogensen in 1951. Drop down front. Large desk area
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Petite Louis XVI Period Secretaire Abatante
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming and petite French secretaire abatante (drop-front secretary desk), Louis XVI period
Category
Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Gilbert Rohde Paldao Secretary Bookcase for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
Gilbert Rohde large-scale bookcase with drop-front secretary desk and storage drawers in exotic
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Paldao
Baker Furniture Georgian Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous English Georgian style breakfront bookcase cabinet with drop-front secretary desk
By
Category
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Impressive Mid-Century Modern Bookcase or Wall Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
storage, and unique drop front work desk or bar area. Adjustable shelves and quality midcentury
Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
area with two large locking doors. The bottom chest has a slant front or drop front opening to a
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bookshelf Room Divider
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish walnut bookshelf features an array of storage options including drop front writing
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Poul Hundevad Teak Secretary by Carlo Jensen
By Carlo Jensen, Poul Hundevad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
front writing desk make this stylish Poul Hundevad & Co. sideboard an impressive addition to any
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
shelves. The lower case features a fall front or drop front slant desk measuring 36 inches wide and 13
Category
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Iron
19th Century Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
drawer having a drop front which reveals a desk with tooled leather writing surface backed by five pigeon
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Louis Philippe Period Mueche Mahogany Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
utter distinction! The serpentine curved drop front is beautiful when closed thanks to the sheer natural
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
1960s Poul Cadovius Modular Teak 3-Bay Danish Royal System Wall Unit Shelving
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
adjustable glass shelves, a very attractive basketweave lockable drop front bureau / desk with key
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Metal
Danish Teak Wall-Mounted Shelving Unit by Poul Cadovius (Cado)
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Peabody, MA
cabinet with drop-down desk surface and interior storage for folders, a cabinet with sliding teak doors
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
Materials
Teak, Glass
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Secretaire
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French secrétaire à abattant, or drop front secretary desk, with the case made of
Category
Antique 19th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Brass
Drop front secretary by Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful drop down secretary finished on all sides. Geometric inlaid pattern.Base in darkened
Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Desks
Paolo Buffa Bookcase
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Bookcase with drop front desk by Paolo Buffa. Petite bookcase of Italian walnut. Angular front
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Bookcases
$10,500
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Drop Front Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of drop front desks is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and hardwood, all drop front desks available were constructed with great care. Drop front desks have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Drop front desks bearing Mid-Century Modern or Louis XV hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Not every interior allows for large drop front desks, so small drop front desks measuring 14 inches across are available at 1stDibs. Raymond Loewy, Hvidt
Mølgaard and Arne Wahl Iversen each produced beautiful drop front desks that are worth considering.
How Much are Drop Front Desks?
Prices for drop front desks start at $750 and top out at $30,000 with the average selling for $2,997.
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.
Questions About Drop Front Desks
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In 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.
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