Bureau Mazarin

It is the earliest predecessor of the pedestal desk and differs from it by having only two tiers of drawers or three tiers of rather small drawers under the desktop surface, followed by eight legs supporting the whole.

Also, the bureau Mazarin has cross braces between the legs, forming two Xs or two Hs on each side.

[1] A bureau Mazarin is usually a kneehole desk, in that it is meant to be used sideways, with one knee only beneath the work surface.

Members of the nobility often wore a ceremonial or practical sword, which was forever in the way.

As with the Kunstschrank of the lands of the Holy Roman Empire, the desk was sometimes more of a status symbol than a useful piece of furniture.