| _start --> | | | | desks that are meant to be used sideways, with one |
| Contemporary and authentic, antique writing desks | | | | knee only beneath the work surface. |
| could serve a multifunctional purpose as side tables, | | | | 9. Ergonomic desk: related to the computer desk, it is |
| dining tables, coffee tables, foyer tables or bathroom | | | | designed to comfortably and aesthetically provide a |
| vanities. Let's examine the style and function of these | | | | working surface and conceal office and computer |
| 12 works of art: Wooten, Cylinder, Armoire, Slant Top, | | | | equipment and their peripherals. |
| Bureau a gradin, Pedestal Desk, Bureau Plat, Bureau | | | | 10. Carrel desk: A predecessor to the cubicle desk that |
| Mazarin, Ergonomic Desk, Carrel Desk, Carlton and | | | | is small and features high sides meant to visually |
| Cheveret desk. | | | | isolate its user from any surroundings either partially or |
| 1. Wooton desk: Wooton desks were probably not the | | | | totally. |
| costliest desks in series production, but they were | | | | 11. Carlton House Desk: This desk is similar to a normal |
| possibly the ones with the most drawers, nooks and | | | | writing table. The small drawers above the surface |
| crannies imaginable. A Wooten Desk is a variation of | | | | form a U shape around the user instead of being set |
| the Fall Front Desks. | | | | up in front. |
| 2. Cylinder desk: This desk has small stacked shelves | | | | 12. Cheveret (or Sheveret) desk is very small and |
| in front of the user's main work surface, and a | | | | features a single drawer under the writing surface. In |
| revolving cylinder part that comes down to hide and | | | | some cases small drawers and pigeonholes are built |
| locked work. | | | | on top. It is also written with an "S": Sheveret. Some |
| 3. Armoire Desk: Often referred as a computer desk, it | | | | variations of the Cheveret are much taller and meant |
| has a writing table built within a large cabinet closed by | | | | to be used standing up. |
| doors to hide any clutter and give the room a tidy | | | | Here are a few resource books to delve into the |
| appearance. | | | | origins of antique writing desks: |
| 4. Slant top desk: This type of desk is practically a | | | | 1. Portable Writing Desks (Paperback) by David Harris |
| secretary desk, without the massive bookcase on top | | | | 2. Desks, Tables and Chairs by The Woodsmith |
| of it. | | | | Collection |
| 5. Bureau a gradin: An antique desk resembling a | | | | You can also find a wide variety of antique desks and |
| writing table with one or several tiers of small drawers | | | | affordable reproductions online from sites like eBay |
| and pigeonholes built on part of the desktop surface. It | | | | and Leonard's Direct. |
| is usually placed in front of the user. | | | | Classical desk forms we are presently familiar with |
| 6. Pedestal desk: A large free-standing desk made of | | | | evolved from the 17th and 18th centuries. Desks of this |
| a rectangular working surface nestled on two | | | | period were typically massive structures. Not all desks |
| pedestals or small stacked drawers of one or two | | | | have the form of a table. The generic concept of a |
| sizes, with support around the bases. | | | | desk is the pedestal desk, which is also referred to as |
| 7. Bureau plat: A series of drawers directly under the | | | | an executive desk. Desks were designed with slots, |
| surface of the table (desk), to contain writing | | | | nooks, crannies, pigeonholes and hooks for the |
| implements. | | | | convenience of storing writing implements. |
| 8. Bureau Mazarin: Many of these desks are kneehole | | | | |