A fall front desk is a piece of cabinetry with base drawers or doors and a hinged top that serves as a writing surface and a cover for inside shelves and storage. Although it is frequently compared to the secretary desk, the writing panel on the fall front desk fits more securely vertically when closed.
What is the History of the Fall Front Desk?
The fall front desk lost its popularity by the mid-1800s and made a comeback in the mid-20th century.
Fall front desks originated in Europe in the 16th century and were referred to in Spain as “vargueno”. The fall front desk originally consisted of a cabinet with an open stand and a vertical front panel. This panel can be connected with hinges to create a writing table. The slant front desk was created in the 17th century when Prince William hired Dutch cabinet makers to create a fall front desk that would stay closed even without a lock or latch.
With the adaptation of Queen Anne and Chippendale designs by cabinet builders like Benjamin Frothingham, Samuel Prince, and John Cogswell, the fall front desk rose to prominence in the late 18th century.
The fall front desk reemerged in the middle of the 20th century after becoming falling out of trend in the mid-1800s.
Is the Fall Front Desk Still Used Today?
Fall front desks are still in use today and come in both traditional and contemporary styles. The fall front desk continues to be a useful piece of furniture that offers lots of storage, a fold-away top for gadgets, and tiny drawers for things like accessories and jewelry. Modern Miami is the top choice for modern storage furniture.
Walnut, maple, and cherry are the traditional materials for fall front desks. Imported mahogany is used to build the more expensive fall front desks, while wood or birch is used for the supporting and interior framework. Modern fall front desks are lighter and attached with metals, staples, or plastic drawer slides. The interior and paneling are composed of particleboard or plywood.
