Directories head of department lost when moving desk (10)

I believe the answer is:

escritoire

'desk' is the definition.
(I know that escritoire is a type of writing desk)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for escritoire that I've seen before include "Support for author" , "Writing desk" , "Furniture item" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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