Escritoire
An
escritoire is a small, portable writing
desk with a sloping front door,
hinged at the bottom edge, that can be opened downwards to provide a writing surface. It is usually larger than a
lap desk. The interior may contain small drawers designed to hold the traditional ink pot, sand container, blotter and writing feathers or pens. This type of antique appeared in the 16th century in
Europe and was produced in large quantities in
France in the 18th century. Modern reproductions are sometimes made of this compact desk form.
*
list of desk forms and types.
