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

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Carved Oak Renaissance Desk Barley Twist Gothic Library 19th c

$3,675

19th Century Carved Oak Renaissance Style Desk with Bluestone Top from France

Located in Dallas, TX

From France, circa 1860, this ornate, stripped oak desk has been carved in the Renaissance style

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Limestone

19th Century Carved Oak Renaissance Style Desk with Bluestone Top from France

$4,600

Renaissance Revival French Writing Table

Located in Bradenton, FL

Antique French Desk or library Table Renaissance Revival last quarter 19th century. Heavy Barley

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Renaissance Revival French Writing Table

$2,800

Antique French Henri II Style/ Renaissance Library Table/ Desk in Carved Walnut

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

drawer. France, circa 1880. Makes a splendid desk! Measures: 70 1/2" long x 34" deep x 31 1/2" high.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Henri II Style/ Renaissance Library Table/ Desk in Carved Walnut

$5,950

Antique Bronze Renaissance Style Desk Letter Rack

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

, in Renaissance style. Heavy quality bronze as well as very refined. Made in France, 1900-1910. Some

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Antique Bronze Renaissance Style Desk Letter Rack

$535

Antique French Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Renaissance Revival Tiger Oak

Located in Tyler, TX

EXCELLENT 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Library Office Executive Desk with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Renaissance Revival Tiger Oak

$3,700

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French Renaissance writing table is often called a "dolphin table" due to the motifs

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Ta...

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table

$2,450

Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Oak Renaissance

Located in Shreveport, LA

Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Oak Renaissance. Direct from France, a

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Sofa Table Writing Desk Barley Twist Carved Oak Renaissance

$2,650

19th Century French Carved Oak Renaissance Desk Barley Twist Gothic Library

Located in Shreveport, LA

~Direct from France~ A superb antique French oak desk with exquisite, opulent, ornate carvings

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Carved Oak Renaissance Desk Barley Twist Gothic Library

$3,875

19th Century French Renaissance Stripped Oak End Table

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance Stripped Oak Writing Table ~ End Table will make a wonderful

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Stripped Oak End Table

$2,980

Antique desk, France, late 19th century.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Antique desk from France from around 1880. Furniture in very good condition, after professional

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Antique desk, France, late 19th century.

$2,736

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table with Lions

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table with Lions immortalizes the King of Beasts, the proud

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Renaissance Writing Table with Lions

$3,250

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Hand Carved Walnut Console Table, Desk, c. 1850

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This mid nineteenth century Spanish Renaissance style walnut console table or writing table is

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Hand Carved Walnut Console Table, Desk, c. 1850

$2,995

19th Century French Walnut Henri II Writing Table or Desk

Located in Labrit, Landes

Desk two drawers or writing table, 19th century, France Henry II style, walnut Very good

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Walnut Henri II Writing Table or Desk

$2,855

Antique French Desk Writing Table Drawer Oak Barley Twist Office Library Study

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful 19th Century antique French oak Renaissance revival library office desk with drawer

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Writing Table Drawer Oak Barley Twist Office Library Study

$3,575

Antique French Desk Nightstand Entry Hall Writing Table Drawer Oak Barley Twist

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful 19th century antique French Oak Renaissance revival small desk, writing table, or

Category

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

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Nightstand Entry Hall Writing Table Drawer Oak Barley Twist

$2,675

Antique French Writing Desk Barley Twist Sofa Table Entry Hall Table Carved Oak

Located in Tyler, TX

BEAUTIFUL Antique French Honey Oak Renaissance Revival Library Office Writing Desk or Sofa/Entry

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Writing Desk Barley Twist Sofa Table Entry Hall Table Carved Oak

$3,300

Antique 19th Century French Writing Table / Desk by Victor Aimone Carved Walnut

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

This exquisite Renaissance writing table / desk by Victor Aimone was crafted in 1890 from solid

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Antique 19th Century French Writing Table / Desk by Victor Aimone Carved Walnut

$17,604

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Table with Forged Iron Stretcher

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This 19th century walnut table from France features a beveled top supported by Classic barley twist

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Table with Forged Iron Stretcher

$2,195

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Walnut Desk with Two Drawers, Felt Top

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late 19th century French Henri II Renaissance style walnut desk is finished on all sides

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Felt, Walnut

Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Walnut Desk with Two Drawers, Felt Top

$1,795

19th Century French Henri II Hand Carved Oak Partner s Desk, Drawers Each Side

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late nineteenth century French Henri II style hand carved oak partners' desk features a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Henri II Hand Carved Oak Partner s Desk, Drawers Each Side

$3,495

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Writing Table with Iron Stretcher

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This small scale late nineteenth century Spanish Renaissance style table features a 29-inch wide

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Writing Table with Iron Stretcher

$2,695

Artisan-Made Spanish Renaissance Writing Table with Single Plank Amaranth Top

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This beautiful artisan-made Spanish Renaissance style table or writing desk from the turn of the

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Artisan-Made Spanish Renaissance Writing Table with Single Plank Amaranth Top

$2,595

Antique French Desk Entry Table with Drawers Oak Barley Twist Sofa Table c 1900s

Located in Tyler, TX

BEAUTIFUL Antique French Carved Oak Desk, Writing Table, Entry or Sofa Table with Two Drawers

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Entry Table with Drawers Oak Barley Twist Sofa Table c 1900s

$2,850

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Table with Forged Iron Stretcher

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late nineteenth century walnut table from France features a hand-carved beveled top made from

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Spanish Renaissance Style Walnut Table with Forged Iron Stretcher

$2,195

Late 19th Century French Henri II Hand Carved Walnut Desk Chair or Side Chair

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late 19th century French Henri II style walnut side chair features hand carved scrolling

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Upholstery, Walnut

Late 19th Century French Henri II Hand Carved Walnut Desk Chair or Side Chair

$495

Antique French Desk Table with Drawers Oak Barley Twist Library Study Office 19C

Located in Tyler, TX

Superb 19th century antique French oak barley twist library office desk or table with drawers~~c

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Table with Drawers Oak Barley Twist Library Study Office 19C

$4,275

Antique English Desk Table with Drawer Oak Leather Top Barley Twist Petite

Located in Tyler, TX

GORGEOUS Antique PETITE English carved oak desk or writing table with Drawer~~ Green Leather Top

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique English Desk Table with Drawer Oak Leather Top Barley Twist Petite

$2,875

19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century French Barley twist writing table is a great addition to any room! Providing a surface

Category

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

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Table

$1,800

Important French 1940s Bureau Plat, Style of Jean-Charles Moreux

By Jean-Charles Moreux

Located in Doylestown, PA

A French 1940s cerused oak double-sided partner's desk in the manner of Jean-Charles Moreux, with

Category

Vintage 1940s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Important French 1940s Bureau Plat, Style of Jean-Charles Moreux

$4,500

Superb Hand Carved Antique Oak Desk With Leather Top

Located in Round Top, TX

This highly carved Renaissance Revival oak desk with a brown leather top is visually stunning

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Oak

Superb Hand Carved Antique Oak Desk With Leather Top

$4,800

French Faience Inkwell with Lion

Located in Pembroke, MA

An unusual and highly-decorative 19th century French faience inkwell from Normandy, featuring a

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

French Faience Inkwell with Lion

$1,500

Gothic Curule Armchair in Carved Walnut, France, circa 1880

Located in VÉZELAY, FR

the chair derived from the royal fleur-de-lys. Neo / Revival Gothic / Renaissance style, France

Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Gothic Curule Armchair in Carved Walnut, France, circa 1880

$1,142

Inkwell by Odiot À Paris, France Probably End of 19th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Inkwell with a heavy glass body with a gadrooned wall and a round stand with rocaille and shell décors. The hinged lid is decorated with shell ornaments as well. Stamped on the botto...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Inkwell by Odiot À Paris, France Probably End of 19th Century

$2,260

Antique Renaissance Desk Chair with Leather

Located in Dallas, TX

This handsome antique Renaissance desk chair is upholstered in red leather and will make the

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Renaissance Armchairs

Antique Renaissance Desk Chair with Leather

$1,650

Antique French Table Library Office Desk Renaissance Revival Dark Oak c1880

Located in Shreveport, LA

Antique French Table Library Office Desk Renaissance Revival Dark Oak c1880. Direct from

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Table Library Office Desk Renaissance Revival Dark Oak c1880

$5,550

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Table or Desk Renaissance Gothic Style

Located in Miami, FL

A stunning 19th century French carved oak Dolphin library table desk Renaissance Gothic style

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Carved Oak Dolphin Table or Desk Renaissance Gothic Style

$3,300

Large Antique French Carved Oak Dining Table Library Desk Lion Renaissance 19thc

Located in Shreveport, LA

Large antique French carved oak dining table library desk Lion Renaissance 19thc ~Direct from

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Large Antique French Carved Oak Dining Table Library Desk Lion Renaissance 19thc

$5,785

Antique French Carved Oak Desk Hall Accent Arm Chair Renaissance, 19th century

Located in Shreveport, LA

Antique French carved oak desk hall accent arm chair Renaissance, 19th century. ~Direct from

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Oak

Antique French Carved Oak Desk Hall Accent Arm Chair Renaissance, 19th century

$1,575

Antique French Farm Table Dining Breakfast Table Desk Farmhouse Oak 19th C

Located in Tyler, TX

Charming antique French country Farm Farmhouse Breakfast Dining Table or Desk with Trestle Base~~c

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Farm Table Dining Breakfast Table Desk Farmhouse Oak 19th C

$4,500

Antique French Dining Table Desk Conference Library Table Paw Feet Oak 19th C

Located in Tyler, TX

Beautiful antique French oak Renaissance revival dining table conference library table or desk~~c

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Dining Room Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Dining Table Desk Conference Library Table Paw Feet Oak 19th C

$6,875

Late 19th Century French Hand-Carved Oak Henri II Style Armchair or Desk Chair

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This hand-carved French oak armchair in the Renaissance style of Henri II features barley twist

Category

Antique 1890s French Renaissance Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Late 19th Century French Hand-Carved Oak Henri II Style Armchair or Desk Chair

$650

19th Century Oak French Renaissance Desk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a Early 19th Century Renaissance-style desk. Made from Oak wood in its natural color

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

19th Century Oak French Renaissance Desk

$3,475

Renaissance Desk

Located in Noord-Brabant, NL

Renaissance Desk

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Renaissance Desk

$11,898

French Renaissance Style Desk

Located in Austin, TX

A French Renaissance Revival Style walnut Desk from the late 1800's that was found in the city of

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

French Renaissance Style Desk

$2,500

19th Century French Renaissance Style Writing Desk

Located in New Jersey City, NJ

A late 19th Century French writing desk offers turned legs and stretcher with intricate carved

Category

Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

19th Century French Renaissance Style Writing Desk

$2,800

Antique Oak Desk, French Barley Twist Renaissance Table, France, 1870

Located in Vancouver, BC

Antique oak desk, French carved oak barley twist Renaissance table, Antique Furniture, France, 1870

Category

Antique 1870s French Renaissance Desks

Materials

Oak

Antique Oak Desk, French Barley Twist Renaissance Table, France, 1870

$2,450

French Renaissance Style Oak Table

Located in Cheltenham, GB

Hutton-Clarke Antiques takes great pleasure in presenting a remarkable French Renaissance-style oak

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

French Renaissance Style Oak Table

$2,679

Renaissance Style Writing Table

Located in Austin, TX

A small Desk made of carved walnut with a gorgeous patina from the late 1800's. The Writing Table

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Renaissance Style Writing Table

$2,800

Fine French 19th Century Renaissance Revival Writing Table or Console Table

Located in Hialeah, FL

Antique French Renaissance writing table or console table handcrafted in solid walnut by skilled

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Fine French 19th Century Renaissance Revival Writing Table or Console Table

$2,400

French Oak Library Desk or Table

Located in Chamblee, GA

A beautifully carved and decorated piece. The top has a carved edge around the four sides going down to the apron. The front of the table has 2 carved drawers with ring pulls. It is ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Desks

Materials

Oak

French Oak Library Desk or Table

$1,400

French Renaissance Revival Style Oak Library Table or Desk, Late 1800s

Located in Austin, TX

An important French library table made of oak in the Renaissance Revival style, circa 1880s. This

Category

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

Materials

Oak

French Renaissance Revival Style Oak Library Table or Desk, Late 1800s

$8,500

Antique French Renaissance Library Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This 19th Century French Renaissance Library Table is made of walnut wood and has been newly

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Paint

Antique French Renaissance Library Table

$1,875

French Bleached Wood Finish Renaissance Style Oak Library Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This 1820s French Renaissance-style library table is made of oakwood that has been bleached. The

Category

Antique 1820s French Renaissance Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

French Bleached Wood Finish Renaissance Style Oak Library Table

$6,475

Collecting Box 17th Century

Located in Diest, Vlaams Brabant

Money box cashbox pennybank piggybank? 17th century metal Beggar pot!

Category

Antique 16th Century French Renaissance Paperweights

Materials

Metal

Collecting Box 17th Century

$892

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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