how to clean a painted desk?

Dry dusting is the safest approach. Use a soft bristle brush or a microfibre cloth to lift loose dirt from the surface without catching on any flaking paint. Damp cloths risk softening old water-based paints or lifting fragile gesso. If a spill happens, blot it quickly rather than rubbing.

I have a painted bureau with a drop down front and I was wondering what the original key might have looked like for the lock?

Most original keys for these locks were simple iron or brass barrel types. They usually had a plain oval or kidney-shaped bow, designed to be functional rather than ornate. Keys were easily lost when pieces moved between houses. A replacement key from a later period is standard and won't affect the function of the old iron lock.

what goes in the small drawers?

Small interior drawers held writing materials. Sand, ink powder, sealing wax and spare nibs were kept out of sight here. Larger compartments sometimes held rolled paper. The varied sizing helped organise a messy desk.

The paint on my piece looks very chalky and dull compared to others I have seen, does this mean the finish is mostly gone?

Chalky finishes often mean the piece was painted with milk paint or a simple distemper. These traditional mixtures dry to a matte, powdery surface and lack the sheen of oil-based paints. Over time, dust and dry air can make them look even flatter. A gentle coat of microcrystalline wax is sometimes used by conservators to protect the surface, which also brings back a slight, subtle gloss.

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Antique Painted Bureau

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An antique painted bureau is a slope-fronted writing desk with a hinged fall that opens to reveal pigeonholes, sat above a chest of drawers and finished in decorative paintwork rather than exposed timber.