Editing Liseuse desk

[[File:Mechanical table (Table mécanique) MET DP102668.jpg|thumb|Liseuse desk]]
A '''liseuse desk''' is a medium-sized [[writing table]] with a small hinged panel in the middle which can spring up by the aid of a mechanism or be propped up at a desired angle to facilitate reading, or writing on its slanted surface.  Many have lateral panels which swing out on both sides to give a larger desk surface.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lovreglio |first1=Aurelia |last2=Lovreglio |first2=Anne |title=Dictionnaire des mobiliers et des objets d'art du Moyen Age au XXI siècle |date=2006 |publisher=Le Robert |page=410}}</ref>

The name comes from "liseuse" which is the feminine form of "liseur" in French.  This is often translated as "reader" but it is used normally to describe a person who really likes to read, while a simple reader is called "lecteur" or "lectrice" in the feminine gender.  This is one indication of who this type of desk was originally marketed to.

The liseuse is an antique [[desk]] form which was popular in [[France]] during the 18th century and produced again in the first part of the 19th century.  It was copied in several continental countries and in the [[United Kingdom]].

Many liseuses are polyvalent pieces of furniture with a double or triple use.  Geared towards an 18th-century feminine market for the most part, they often have drawers made specially for storing toiletry and [[cosmetics]] in addition to the drawer or drawers containing paper, [[quill]], ink and other writing implements.

See also the [[list of desk forms and types]].

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

*De Reyniès, Nicole.  Le Mobilier Domestique:  Vocabulaire Typologique.  Paris, Ministère de la Culture et de La Communication, 1987.

[[Category:Desks]]