How do you move these safely?

Lift the top section off the base first. They separate at the waist mould. Secure the fall and all drawers with their locks or masking tape before lifting. Remove any loose shelves from the upper case to reduce the weight.

We have a narrow staircase with a tight turn at the top landing, so will one of these break down into smaller parts?

Yes, almost all antique bureau cabinets divide into two horizontal sections. The heavy base separates from the lighter bookcase top. You can also remove the drawers to make the base lighter. The upper doors often lift off their hinges if you need to squeeze through a narrow gap.

What goes in the top part?

Books usually fill the shelves. Early owners kept business ledgers up there. Glazed versions act as display cabinets.

I really like the look of the wooden interior compartments but they seem too small for anything modern like a laptop or folders, what do people use them for now?

Small items fit well. Keys and everyday post slide neatly into the pigeonholes. Modern users often clear the central section for a laptop. The fall rests flat on the lopers to provide plenty of room for typing. Those tiny side drawers hold pens and paperclips. The layout remains practical for managing a modern household.

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Antique Bureau Cabinets

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An antique bureau cabinet features a sloping fall-front writing surface above a chest of drawers, topped with a tall bookcase or storage section originally used for securing ledgers and correspondence.