Secrétaire à abattant  (drop-leaf secretary) 
French Empire (18^th century)

The drop-leaf secretary is a derivative of:

• The writing desk, whose origin logically goes back to the time of writing on parchment,
• The writing table that appeared in the same period as the cabinet under Louis XIII,
• Office furniture around the 17th century, which is a table on legs with or without drawers on the side.

Post-office-box cabinet. This piece of furniture may at first glance seem unusual, even surprising, as it has little to do with what one thinks of typical domestic furnishings. Yet, upon closer examination, one gains a sense of familiarity after noting the bank of keyless lockboxes, each face marked with a number, suggesting a bank of mailboxes.