Drop Front Desks
Mid-20th Century Secretaires
20th Century Unknown Cabinets
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Other Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American American Classical Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century American Secretaires
20th Century English Cupboards
Glass, Leather
Antique 19th Century French Rustic Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Secretaires
Mid-20th Century Danish Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Teak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Shelves
Vintage 1950s American Secretaires
Maple, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Desks
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Desks
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 18th Century European Desks
Burl, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Teak
Antique 19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1910s American American Craftsman Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1920s Scottish Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Desks
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Desks
Antique Early 19th Century English Renaissance Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Desks
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Antique 1820s English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Quartz, Marble, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Desks
Bronze
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Drop Front Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Drop Front Desks?
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.
- 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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