What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

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.

French Renaissance Desk

Gothic Finial

Carved Gothic Desk

Gothic Dolphin

Barley Twist Writing Table

Antique French Library

Renaissance Revival Library Table

1890 Oak Desk

French Oak Dolphin Table

Category

Vintage 1920s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Vintage Rustic Renaissance Writing/Sofa Table

$1,495

Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Table or Desk with Iron Stretcher

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Found in Le Mans, France, this oak Spanish Renaissance style table features two gracefully carved

Category

Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Early 20th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Table or Desk with Iron Stretcher

$1,795

19th Century Renaissance Revival Library Table

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Impressive 19th century French carved oak Renaissance-Revival library table, the lavishly-carved

Category

Antique 1870s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century Renaissance Revival Library Table

$10,500

19th Century Renaissance Barley Twist Walnut Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French Renaissance barley twist walnut bookcase bibliotheque is not only rare to find

Category

Antique 1890s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

19th Century Renaissance Barley Twist Walnut Bookcase

$8,950

!9th Century French Henri II Walnut Desk ~ Saturday Sale

Located in Dallas, TX

Handsome bench-made from fine French walnut, this 19th century French Henri II Desk features an

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

!9th Century French Henri II Walnut Desk ~ Saturday Sale

$6,980

Renaissance Style Walnut Small Table, 19th Century

Located in Beaune, FR

Small living room table or side table in carved walnut Renaissance style. It rests on 9 feet and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Renaissance Style Walnut Small Table, 19th Century

$1,779

Antique French Petite Desk Writing Table with Drawer Oak Barley Twist Nightstand

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful 19th century antique petite French oak renaissance revival desk or table with drawer

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Petite Desk Writing Table with Drawer Oak Barley Twist Nightstand

$2,875

1800 s Antique Highly Carved, Foliate Mask, Renaissance Revival Writing Table!

Located in Austin, TX

Beautiful Antique Table, Writing, Highly Carved, French Renaissance Revival, 19th C, 1800s

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

1800 s Antique Highly Carved, Foliate Mask, Renaissance Revival Writing Table!

$2,812

19th Century Bronze Renaissance Style Letter Rack

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

Late 19th century French bronze letter rack, richly decorated with ornaments and griffins in

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Renaissance Style Letter Rack

$889

Thomas Sergent French Palissy Lizard on Mound Desk Paperweight, Signed

By Thomas Sergent

Located in Philadelphia, PA

From France, a signed Palissy style majolica paperweight, a lizard on a mound, Thomas Sergent

Category

Antique 1870s French Renaissance Revival Paperweights

Materials

Earthenware

Thomas Sergent French Palissy Lizard on Mound Desk Paperweight, Signed

$3,200

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Hand Carved Oak Desk or Writing Table

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late 19th century French Henri II style hand carved oak writing table or desk features hand

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Hand Carved Oak Desk or Writing Table

$995

Late 19th Century French Desk/Writing Table

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A richly-carved, French late-19th century Renaissance Revival writing table in walnut, with turned

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th Century French Desk/Writing Table

$4,975

Antique French Desk Upper Bookcase Cabinet Barley Twist Writing Desk Oak 19th C

Located in Tyler, TX

Outstanding 19th century antique French oak renaissance revival library office desk with drawers

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Upper Bookcase Cabinet Barley Twist Writing Desk Oak 19th C

$5,400

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Hand Carved Walnut Desk or Writing Table

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This hand carved walnut French Henri II style writing desk with turned legs and stretcher is carved

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Hand Carved Walnut Desk or Writing Table

$1,995

19th Century French Oak Carved and Barley Twist Library Table Desk Sofa Table

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A French Renaissance-Revival oak library table featuring boldly-turned barley twist legs and a long

Category

Antique 1880s European Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Oak Carved and Barley Twist Library Table Desk Sofa Table

$5,500

Antique 19th Century French Henry II Style Walnut Trestle Table Library Desk

Located in Dayton, OH

a shell. The desk is carved in traditional French fashion and features a unique spindled apron above

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks

Materials

Abalone

Antique 19th Century French Henry II Style Walnut Trestle Table Library Desk

$1,800

French Barley Twist Writing Table

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

An excellent-quality, highly carved, oak French Renaissance Revival writing table with two drawers

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing T...

Materials

Oak

French Barley Twist Writing Table

$4,250

Fine French Floating Barley Twist Writing Table

Located in Birmingham, AL

A fine antique French Renaissance Revival barley twist desk with it's original leather blotter

Category

Antique 1850s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Fine French Floating Barley Twist Writing Table

$5,995

Antique Walnut French Renaissance Double Pedestal Side Table by Imperial Tables

By Imperial Desk Co.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Walnut French Renaissance Double Pedestal Side Table by Imperial Tables. Item features a

Category

Early 20th Century Renaissance Side Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Walnut French Renaissance Double Pedestal Side Table by Imperial Tables

$595

French Carved Oak Writing Table

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A smaller, carved oak, French Renaissance-Revival writing table with barley twist legs and a drawer

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing T...

Materials

Oak

French Carved Oak Writing Table

$3,120

Antique French Victorian-Style Oak Desk with Turned Legs and Hand Carving C.1880

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

This 19th century Victorian-style bureau a gradin is in superior original condition. It is a large, solid oak, hand-carved piece that’s finished on both sides, offering a great look ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Oak

Antique French Victorian-Style Oak Desk with Turned Legs and Hand Carving C.1880

$5,000

19th Century French Barley Twist Walnut Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

Nothing beats the convenience of an Antique Writing Table, small enough to fit where larger desks

Category

Antique 1850s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Barley Twist Walnut Writing Table

$1,985

19th Century Antique Leather Top Writing Table, France circa 1800

Located in Sofia, BG

This is a sublime walnut writing table with twisted legs, two drawers, that features light brown leather top and has rich carvings in Henry II style, circa 1800 Measures: 73/138/77 c...

Category

Antique Early 1800s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century Antique Leather Top Writing Table, France circa 1800

$3,559

Antique Henri II Bureau Plat

Located in Dallas, TX

Finished all around for placement in the center of the office or study, this handsome Renaissance

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Antique Henri II Bureau Plat

$2,970

Antique Solid Oak Barley-Twist Writing Table, circa 1890

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A French three-drawer Renaissance Revival dark oak library, or writing, table, with barley-twist

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing T...

Materials

Oak

Antique Solid Oak Barley-Twist Writing Table, circa 1890

$2,650

Antique French Dining Table Desk Library Conference Table Renaissance Walnut

Located in Tyler, TX

Stunning antique French walnut Renaissance Revival dining table conference library table or desk

Category

Vintage 1910s French Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Dining Table Desk Library Conference Table Renaissance Walnut

$11,750

Vintage French Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Dining Table Library Desk

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Dimensions: W 78.2" / D 34.2" / H 31" Timeless Vintage French Renaissance Revival Dining Table or

Category

Early 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Vintage French Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Dining Table Library Desk

$3,000

19th Century Petite French Carved Oak Dolphin Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century Petite French carved oak dolphin table desk renaissance gothic ~Direct from France

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century Petite French Carved Oak Dolphin Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

$3,685

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century antique French carved oak dolphin table desk Renaissance Gothic ~ Direct from

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

$3,785

19th Century Petite French Carved Oak Dolphin Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century Petite French carved oak dolphin table desk renaissance gothic ~Direct from France

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century Petite French Carved Oak Dolphin Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

$3,585

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century French carved oak dolphin library table desk Renaissance Gothic ~Direct from France

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Center Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

$3,845

Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic c1890

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century French carved oak Dolphin library table desk Renaissance Gothic. Direct from France

Category

Antique 1890s French Renaissance Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic c1890

$3,485

19th Century Petite French Carved Oak Dolphin Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century Petite French carved oak Dolphin table desk Renaissance Gothic ~Direct from France

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Side Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century Petite French Carved Oak Dolphin Table Desk Renaissance Gothic

$3,585

Antique French Renaissance Secretary Abattant Desk Carved Oak Embossed Brass

Located in Shreveport, LA

Antique French Renaissance Secretary Abattant Desk Carved Oak Embossed Brass ~Direct from France

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique French Renaissance Secretary Abattant Desk Carved Oak Embossed Brass

$7,145

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Desk Table Renaissance Gothic

Located in Shreveport, LA

~Direct from France~ ~A wonderful antique French carved oak library tale or “bureau plat” desk

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Sofa Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Library Desk Table Renaissance Gothic

$3,475

19th century French Carved Oak Desk Sofa Side Table Dolphin Renaissance Gothic

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century French carved oak desk sofa side table dolphin Renaissance Gothic ~Direct from

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Sofa Tables

Materials

Oak

19th century French Carved Oak Desk Sofa Side Table Dolphin Renaissance Gothic

$4,275

19th Century Antique French Renaissance Walnut Writing Table/Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

Just a hint of Renaissance style executed in sumptuous French walnut writing desk with full width

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Antique French Renaissance Walnut Writing Table/Desk

$1,950

Jules BRATEAU, Four-Sided Clock On A High Base, 1900

By Jules BraTeau

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

relief, is a tribute to the artists of the Italian and French Renaissance. The foliage, for their part

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Pewter

Jules BRATEAU, Four-Sided Clock On A High Base, 1900

$28,477

French Abattant Secretary Carved Desk Cabinet Renaissance Louis XIII

Located in Shreveport, LA

~Direct from France~ ~Lovely 19th century French “secrétaire à abattant”, so elegant and classic

Category

Antique 19th Century French Black Forest Secretaires

Materials

Marble

French Abattant Secretary Carved Desk Cabinet Renaissance Louis XIII

$4,145

19th Century Oak Renaissance Revival Figural Secretary Desk Cabinet

Located in Long Branch, NJ

19th Century Oak Renaissance Revival Figural Secretary Desk Cabinet Dimensions : 98 Tall X 56

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Oak Renaissance Revival Figural Secretary Desk Cabinet

$6,600

19th Century French Carved Lion Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic Large Oak

Located in Shreveport, LA

19th century French carved lion library table desk Renaissance Gothic large oak. Direct from

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Carved Lion Library Table Desk Renaissance Gothic Large Oak

$6,850

Antique French Farmhouse Table Desk Conference Draw Leaf Table Oak Pedestal

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful antique French oak double pedestal Renaissance Revival draw leaf dining table conference

Category

Vintage 1920s French Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Farmhouse Table Desk Conference Draw Leaf Table Oak Pedestal

$4,475

Antique French Table Dining Breakfast Table Writing Desk Carved Oak SUPERB

Located in Tyler, TX

SUPERB Antique French Renaissance Revival Oak Breakfast Dining Table or Writing Desk ~~HIGHLY

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Table Dining Breakfast Table Writing Desk Carved Oak SUPERB

$9,800

Antique French Dining Table Draw Leaf Desk Library Conference Table Barley Twist

Located in Tyler, TX

Superb 19th century antique French oak barley twist dining table farm table conference library

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Dining Table Draw Leaf Desk Library Conference Table Barley Twist

$5,875

19th Century French Renaissance Desk, Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French Renaissance desk ~ Writing table will make a wonderful addition to any

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Desk, Writing Table

$2,780

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French renaissance writing table, desk features stunning relief carving all around the

Category

Antique 1860s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Desk

$1,800

19th Century, French Renaissance Dolphin Desk, Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century, French Renaissance Dolphin desk, writing table is a stunning tribute to the master

Category

Antique 1860s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century, French Renaissance Dolphin Desk, Writing Table

$3,200

Antique French Partners Desk Writing Table Walnut Renaissance Conference

Located in Tyler, TX

Stunning antique French walnut renaissance revival partners desk, writing table, conference or

Category

Antique 1890s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Partners Desk Writing Table Walnut Renaissance Conference

$4,700

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Desk, Sofa Table

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance writing table ~ Desk ~ Sofa Table is unusually shallow for its type

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing T...

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table, Desk, Sofa Table

$2,980

French Renaissance Walnut Stand Up Writing Desk

Located in Hixson, TN

French walnut stand up writing desk in the Renaissance style. The top rest upon the base and is

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks

Materials

Walnut

French Renaissance Walnut Stand Up Writing Desk

$3,250

Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Carved Oak

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful executive size antique french oak renaissance revival library office desk with double

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Carved Oak

$4,500

Antique French Desk Conference Table with Drawers Oak Renaissance Revival Dogs

Located in Tyler, TX

Exquisite antique French oak renaissance revival desk, library or conference table, or dining table

Category

Antique 1860s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Conference Table with Drawers Oak Renaissance Revival Dogs

$9,750

Antique French Desk Writing Table Secretary Drawers Oak Petite Renaissance Table

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful 19th century petite Antique French Oak Renaissance revival small desk secretary and

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Writing Table Secretary Drawers Oak Petite Renaissance Table

$2,850

19th Century French Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Desk

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A late 19th century heavily carved French ‘Henri II’ or Renaissance Revival style desk, the case

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Carved Oak Renaissance Revival Desk

$5,995

Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Carved Oak 2 Drawers

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful antique French oak renaissance revival library office desk with double drawers, barley

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Carved Oak 2 Drawers

$3,575

Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Lions Carved Oak 19C

Located in Tyler, TX

BEAUTIFUL 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Library Office Desk with Double

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Table Renaissance Revival Barley Twist Lions Carved Oak 19C

$3,445

Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Sofa Table Desk Renaissance Gothic 19th c

Located in Shreveport, LA

Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Sofa Table Desk Renaissance Gothic 19th c ~Direct from France

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Carved Oak Dolphin Sofa Table Desk Renaissance Gothic 19th c

$3,285

Tables Under $2,000

Antique and Vintage Tables

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French Renaissance Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the French renaissance desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each French renaissance desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, oak and walnut. There are 114 variations of the antique or vintage French renaissance desk you’re looking for, while we also have 2 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect French renaissance desk — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A French renaissance desk, designed in the style, is generally a popular piece of furniture.

How Much is a French Renaissance Desk?

The average selling price for a French renaissance desk at 1stDibs is $3,592, while they’re typically $349 on the low end and $19,500 for the highest priced.

Questions About French Renaissance Desk

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?
1 Answer
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.

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