![]() ![]() This secretary desk, ideal for small spaces, features three exterior drawers and is distressed just enough to resemble a true antique and charm you into writing cards and notes on its warm wood surface.īesides the extremely detailed desks that were created in this period there were also some secretaries that comprised a far more practical side: "campaign" or knockdown furniture was made to be assembled and taken apart quickly so that military officers could easily transport them as they moved on to the next battle. For example the Chateau Anjou Demi-Desk (AF7289) is a wonderful example of an 18 th century French antique with intricate wood carving, a sliding writing surface, an upright hutch with two shelved cabinets and one display shelf in the center. The most famous English maker of secretaries, and many other wonderful pieces of furniture, was Thomas Chippendale, and his son of the same name, who created painstakingly detailed pieces for houses and grand halls throughout Great Britain.ĭesign Toscano furniture collection includes a wide selection of these desks to fit your own home decor. From the late 18th century through the 19th there were many inventive styles featuring elaborate carving, inlays, and marquetry made of exotic woods or even lacquered black to resemble a piece of Chinese furniture. Secretary desks have evolved into many forms over time. As a kid many enjoyable Saturday mornings were spent discovering all the treasures that could be found in my father's roll-top desk drawers and cubbies. These antique secretary desks were filled with drawers, pigeonholes and all types of secret compartments, all hidden behind a drop-down or pull out panel that when open acted as a desktop. Oeben produced the first fall-front desk (or drop-leaf desk), also known as a "secretaire a abattant," and was known for his mastery in the creation of marquetry and mechanical desks. The first authentic secretaire desk is believed to have been created in the 18th century by Jean-Francois Oeben the royal cabinetmaker to Louis XV. Originally taking its name from the French word for writing desk, secretaire, it is a term for a rectangular desk, usually taller than it is wide. The history of the "secretary desk" is a long and very interesting one.
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