Escritoires: Identification and Furniture History

Escritoire is used for upright writing cabinets with a fall front or other concealed writing surface, but usage varies between countries and periods. Describe the physical arrangement before applying the name. Inspect fall supports, fitted drawers, locks, secret spaces only where safely accessible, lower cupboards or drawers, and evidence of altered interiors.

Recognising the form

Describe the writing surface, storage, doors, drawers and mechanism before relying on a market name. Related terms can vary by country and period.

Construction and dating

Inspect backs, undersides, interior fittings, secondary woods, locks and unused holes. Combine these clues with maker marks, patents, catalogues and provenance.

Condition

Support writing falls and moving covers before operation. Look for replaced leather, rebuilt mechanisms, missing fitted parts, veneer damage and top-and-base marriages.

Care and use

Keep tracks clean and dry, avoid overloading writing surfaces and store keys separately. Do not force stiff tambours, cylinders, drawers or concealed compartments.

Attribution

Revival furniture can reproduce fashionable earlier styles very closely. Use a precise maker, nationality or date only when multiple strands of evidence agree.