<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">escritoires</topic></authority><related type="other"><topic>secretaries</topic></related><related type="other"><topic>scrutoires</topic></related><related type="broader"><topic>writing desks</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>escritoire</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>escritories</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>scriptoires</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>scritoires</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ In modern usage, generally refers to small, portable writing desks that first appeared in 16th-century Europe, and were extremely popular in France in the 18th century. They are generally characterized by having a nest of drawers enclosed in a box, often with a sloping front that is hinged along the bottom edge and may be let down to provide a writing platform. An escritoire was placed on top of a table or had its own legs. Formerly, these small portable desks were also called "secretaries"; however, in modern usage, the term "secretaries" typically refers to larger pieces meant to be placed against a wall. ]]></note></mads>