What is the difference between a slant-top desk and a secrétaire à abattant?

A slant-top desk (bureau de pente) is a low piece with a fixed or slightly hinged angled writing surface, standing on four legs. A secrétaire à abattant is taller, typically set on a storage base, with a fall-front that opens horizontally to form a writing surface. The slant-top desk is generally more compact and earlier in date.

How do I date an antique slant-top desk?

Study the leg form — cabriole legs indicate Louis XV, tapered legs point to Louis XVI — along with the timber, bronze mounts and joinery. A Parisian ébéniste's stamp with a jurande guild mark confirms manufacture before 1791. Provincial pieces were not subject to guild rules and are rarely stamped, but can still be firmly dated by style and construction.

What should I expect to pay for a period slant-top desk?

A good provincial example in walnut or oak typically sells for between £400 and £1,500. A stamped Parisian piece in mahogany or rosewood with original gilt-bronze mounts can reach £3,000 to £8,000 or more, depending on quality, maker and provenance.

How should I care for an antique slant-top desk?

Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth and feed the wood once or twice a year with natural beeswax or a suitable furniture oil. Avoid direct sunlight and significant humidity fluctuations, which can cause veneers and joints to lift. Never force original locks or hinges.

Can an unstamped slant-top desk still be genuinely antique?

Absolutely. The vast majority of provincial slant-top desks were never stamped, as craftsmen outside Paris were not members of the guild. Authenticity is assessed through construction quality, timber choice, proportions and stylistic consistency — ideally confirmed by a specialist antique dealer.

Antique Slant-Top Desks

71 objects found

Condition

Period

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16th century and before 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century

Style

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Art Déco Art Nouveau Contemporary Design Directoire Empire French Regency Gothic Louis XIII Louis XIV Louis XV Louis XVI Louis-Philippe Medieval Modern Art Napoléon III Orientalist Renaissance Restauration Transition

Category 1

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Verre ▸

Cristal Verre moulé Verre soufflé Verre taillé Пат де верр 乳白玻璃彩色ガラス

Дерево ▸

Bambou Bois doré Hêtre Noyer Palissandre Оливковое дерево マホガニー乌木彩绘木彫刻木橡木漆木白蜡木野樱桃木

Камень и минералы ▸

Ardoise Алебастр Гранит Янтарь オニックス大理石孔雀石珊瑚石灰岩

Композитные материалы ▸

Bois & marbre Маркетри 布勒镶嵌（玳瑁与黄铜）木材与铜bronze 纸浆塑形纸浆板

Текстиль ▸

Laine Tapisserie Лён Хлопок レース丝绒刺繍彩绘布絹

有機素材 ▸

Corne Écaille de tortue Ivoire Nacre 羽毛蜡骨

金属 ▸

Bronze Laiton Métal argenté Золото Цинк Чугун スチール銅银锡锻铁镀金金属镀金银

陶磁器 ▸

Delft Majolique Фарфоровый бисквит Фаянс Эмаль 炻器瓷器赤陶

革・皮革 ▸

Золочёная кожа モロッコ革皮革羊皮紙

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Alsace Bretagne Île-de-France Languedoc Savoie Бордо Лотарингия Овернь 勃艮第巴斯克地区普罗旺斯诺曼底

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Autriche Дания スウェーデンベルギー佛兰德斯德国斯堪的纳维亚瑞士荷兰

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Australia

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Amérique du Sud Antilles Северная Америка

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モロッコ埃及撒哈拉以南非洲突尼斯阿尔及利亚

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Irlande Англия Шотландия 威尔士

Sort by

No matching tags

16th century and before 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century

No matching tags

-Corner cupboards

-Four doors cupboards

-One door cupboards

-Small cupboard

-Two doors cupboards ▸

High cupboards

Antique jewelery

Antique mirrors

Antique mirrors ▸

Mercury mirror Murano mirror Trumeau venitian mirror

Antique Photography

Antique tables ▸

Card Table Consoles Farmhouse tables Low tables Monestry tables Occasional tables Pedestal table Round tables

Antique tapestry

Antique textiles ▸

Lacework

Antique wheapons

Antiquites industrielles

Architectural elements ▸

Bathroom elements Doors Fire places Flooring Garden furniture Stairs Tiles Wood panelling

Bedroom suites ▸

Beds Bedside tables

Billiard

Bookcases

Bronze ▸

Animal bronzes

Cabinets

Cartonnier

Ceramics ▸

Chinaware earthenware Pottery 亚洲陶器

Chest of drawers ▸

Commode arbalete Commode sauteuse Commode tombeau Military chests Pine chests of drawers

Chests

Clocks ▸

Clocks Wristwatch

Curiosities & Collections ▸

Antique Canes Antique Fans Archaeology Freemasonry Medals & Decorations Numismatics Objects of Curiosity Philately Tobacciana & Opium

Decorative furniture

Decorative objects

Desks ▸

Bureau cylinder top desk Flat top desk Slope top desks

Dressers

Dressing tables

English furniture ▸

English chests of drawers English wardrobes

Fairground art

Fishing-Hunting

Glassware

Glazed cabinets

Hallstand

Kitchenelia

Lighting ▸

Chandeliers

Miscellaneous ▸

Advertising aeronautica Folk Art Miniatures Musical instruments Old tools Sport memorabilia Taxidermy Vineyard antique

Nautical antiques ▸

Model boats Objects

Oeuvres d'art ▸

Primitive Art Sacred art

Old documents ▸

Antique Drawings Livres anciens

Old Frame

Old toys

Oriental furniture ▸

Oriental cupboards Seating

Oriental objects

Painted furniture

Paintings

Pens & writting ▸

Writting box

Pewter

Posters ▸

Advertising posters Cinema posters

Pottery

Scientific instruments ▸

Antique barometers Chronometers Globes Octants Sextants

Sculptures

Seating ▸

Armchairs Chairs Chaises longues Fauteuil bergère Fauteuil cabriolet Fauteuil chesterfield Fauteuil crapaud Fauteuil dagobert Fauteuil voltaire Leather armchairs Sofas Stools

Shop fittings

Sideboard

Silverware ▸

Argent massif Métal argenté

Tableware

Vineyard antiques

Vintage luggage

Wardrobes ▸

Armoires Pine cupboards Wedding armoire

工业古董

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Paper