Drop front, slant front, roll top, flat top- just some of the many types of secretary desk styles that have donned the homes of many over the last few centuries. While many modern day desks no longer have “secretary” as part of their title, for the 18th and 19th century into the early 1900’s, the main function of the desk was for secretaries to perform secretarial tasks. Secretaries worked for wealthy individuals, businesses or organizations completing tasks like writing letters, managing correspondence, and handling records. Poor or low-class families or individuals did not have the need or means for a separate piece of furniture solely for writing and document storage. 

Secretary desks were popularized in the United States during the Victorian era (1837-1901) and were a sign of prosperity. During this era, slant-front and roll-top styling was more common. Prior to these two styles, the drop-front secretary desk was the showrunner. Following all three- the flat-top. Nearly all desks produced from the early 1900’s to modern times are flat-top. At this point we begin to see less usage of the term “secretary desk” and more references of “writing desk” or “office desk”, as these work areas were no longer being used solely by secretaries or clerks. 

Of course, styling alone is not enough to date a piece of furniture. Many other characteristics; brand, dovetails, hardware, etc.) should be investigated to accurately date a piece. 

For my recent find, the desk I worked on was estimated to have been made around 1920-1930. I was not able to find a lot of details on its origin story like my last post; Art Deco Dry Bar, but from what I can tell it’s made from mahogany and it mimics Hepplewhite and Sheraton styles. 

In the 18th century there were three major English furniture makers; George Hepplewhite, Thomas Sheraton, and Thomas Chippendale. Reproductions of their distinctive styles have been created for hundreds of years since. 

I purchased this desk from someone locally on Facebook Marketplace for $35. Here it was it looked liked before:

Handcrafted Renewal:

1. Inner contact paper was removed and the inside and outside of the desk was thoroughly washed. 
2. Damaged veneer on desk top and on upper drawer portion was removed. Remaining glue was removed and washed. 
3. Desk top and the top of the upper drawer sections were thoroughly sanded with multiple grits to raw wood.
4. All other desk material was scuff sanded.
5. Rewashed all desk material, allowed time to dry.
6. Raw wood areas were coated with multiple layers of stain and polyurethane.
7. Scuffed wood areas were coated with furniture paint.
8. Hardware was cleaned and coated with Rubb’ n ’Buff.  

Product Description:

• Height: 29 in

• Height: (w/ Top Drawers) 33.5 in

• Width: 36 in

• Depth: 19 in