The flip-top secretaries appeared during the reign of Louis XV (1715-1774). This type of secretary has at the time a curved front and is divided into three parts. The upper part is a drawer covered with marble and bordered by a copper gallery. The central part which corresponds to the storage space (pigeonholes, drawers) is called a "theater", it is closed by a flap which becomes a writing table once opened. The lower part opens on two doors. They are covered with precious wood veneer, marquetry and finely gilded bronzes on the entries of lock and the "sabots". The "sabot" ( the hoof) is a metal ornament placed at the base of the legs of certain pieces of furniture to protect it from humidity and shocks. The shape of these secretaries has of course evolved a little over time.