Skip to main content

French Antique Writing Desk

to
299
3,568
1,436
3,445
1,117
1,117
1,093
581
383
368
236
178
172
165
158
126
99
80
67
66
46
24
22
22
20
19
17
16
15
12
9
7
6
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
33
23
13
8
4
Sort By
19th-century French writing desk
19th-century French writing desk

19th-century French writing desk

Located in Cheshire, GB

This exquisite 19th-century French writing desk, or bureau de dame, showcases the elegance and

Category

Late 19th Century French French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century French Writing Desk
Early 20th Century French Writing Desk

Early 20th Century French Writing Desk

Located in New York, NY

An elegant French ladies’ writing desk, dating to the early 20th century, crafted in the Louis XV

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century French Writing Desk Secretary
19th Century French Writing Desk Secretary

19th Century French Writing Desk Secretary

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Very fine late 19th century French writing desk secretary with dore bronze mountings and Marble

Category

19th Century French French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Marble, Bronze

C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk
C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk

C19th French Ormolu Mounted Louis XV1 Style Writing Desk

By Paul Somani

Located in London, GB

Louis XV1 Style French Writing Desk In the Manner of Francois Linke Finished on Both sides so could

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Kingwood

Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk
Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk

Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk

Located in Chicago, IL

Antique French Napoleon Brass Ormolu Mounted 3 Drawer Writing Desk Antique French Napoleon III

Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Writing Desk with Frieze Drawer and Baluster Turned Legs
19th Century Writing Desk with Frieze Drawer and Baluster Turned Legs

19th Century Writing Desk with Frieze Drawer and Baluster Turned Legs

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

An absolutely charming 19th century French writing desk, crafted from walnut and featuring

Category

19th Century French French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Tulipwood Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk
Louis XVI Tulipwood Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk

Louis XVI Tulipwood Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Impressive late 18th century French writing desk with a tooled black leather top, probably original

Category

18th Century French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Tulipwood

French Louis XVI Ebonized Writing Table or Desk with Embossed Leather Top
French Louis XVI Ebonized Writing Table or Desk with Embossed Leather Top

French Louis XVI Ebonized Writing Table or Desk with Embossed Leather Top

Located in Austin, TX

An elegant double-sided French writing desk or table of ebonized mahogany with gilt accents in the

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Louis XV-Style Kidney-Shaped Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts, 19th Century
Louis XV-Style Kidney-Shaped Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts, 19th Century

Louis XV-Style Kidney-Shaped Writing Desk with Ormolu Mounts, 19th Century

Located in NICE, FR

French Kidney-Shaped Louis XV Style Writing Desk, Late 19th Century A beautifully crafted French

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Ormolu

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Inlaid Writing Desk with Parquetry Medallion
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Inlaid Writing Desk with Parquetry Medallion

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Inlaid Writing Desk with Parquetry Medallion

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Writing Desk A refined late 18th century French writing desk

Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Hardwood

Antique French Neo Classic Art Deco Writing Desk
Antique French Neo Classic Art Deco Writing Desk

Antique French Neo Classic Art Deco Writing Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Impressive French writing desk having a dramatic mixed wood top crafted with a burled walnut center

Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Writing Desk
French Empire Style Writing Desk

French Empire Style Writing Desk

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Large French burr elm empire style writing desk. 1900. Kneehole is 23.5" wide x 27" high

Category

Early 20th Century French French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Elm

French Charles X Writing Desk
French Charles X Writing Desk

French Charles X Writing Desk

Located in New Orleans, LA

The epitome of French elegance and style, this French Charles X-style writing desk takes the

Category

19th Century French Charles X French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

French Satinwood Writing Table / Desk
French Satinwood Writing Table / Desk

French Satinwood Writing Table / Desk

Located in Huntington, NY

French Satinwood Writing Table / Desk Magnificent French handmade desk of outstanding quality and

Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Silver, Brass

French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk

French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls

Category

Late 19th Century French Empire French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A petite mahogany and leather-top writing desk from France, circa 1840, ready to inspire you daily

Category

19th Century French French Provincial French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Writing Desk
Writing Desk

Writing Desk

Located in London, England

French two drawer bureau plat with brass moulds and parquetry inlaid top. Circa 1900. H 75cm (AH

Category

Early 1900s French Edwardian French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

French louis XV style writing table/desk
French louis XV style writing table/desk

French louis XV style writing table/desk

Located in Houston, TX

This table is multifunctional as it is lovely As a side table but also works well as a Writing

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Imposing French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
Imposing French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

Imposing French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk

Located in Rome, IT

A fine French 19th century Louis XV style , gilt bronze-mounted Mahogany bureau plat. The shaped

Category

19th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk
French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk

French 19th Century Mahogany Travel Writing Desk

Located in London, GB

French 19th century mahogany travel writing desk French, 19th century Measures: Height 94cm

Category

19th Century French Neoclassical French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk Table France
Antique Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk Table France

Antique Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk Table France

Located in Munich, DE

This charming small ladies writing desk – so called 'Écritoire de Dames' was made in France circa

Category

1890s French Belle Époque French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

Boulle Writing Desk
Boulle Writing Desk

Boulle Writing Desk

Located in New York, NY

Well-proportioned French black lacquer and Boulle writing desk with metal gallery raised back

Category

19th Century French French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Tortoise Shell

French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk
French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk

French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk

Located in Pembroke, MA

An elegant French Louis XV style petit writing desk with gilt-bronze mounts, including escutcheon

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk
Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk

Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

Late 19th Century French Barley Twist Writing Desk

Category

1880s French Mid-Century Modern French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Antique Country French Walnut Desk ~ Writing Table
Antique Country French Walnut Desk ~ Writing Table

Antique Country French Walnut Desk ~ Writing Table

Located in Dallas, TX

Antique Country French Walnut Desk ~ Writing Table is a classic piece with understated elegance

Category

Early 20th Century French Country French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from

Category

19th Century French French Provincial French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Fruitwood

Diminutive Country French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Diminutive Country French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

Diminutive Country French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Late 19th century country French provincial style diminutive writing table or desk crafted from

Category

19th Century French French Provincial French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Neoclassic Two Drawer Inlaid Writing Desk
Antique French Neoclassic Two Drawer Inlaid Writing Desk

Antique French Neoclassic Two Drawer Inlaid Writing Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Handsome 19th century French Restoration period writing desk handcrafted in exotic woods including

Category

Early 19th Century French Neoclassical French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

French Marquetry Inlaid 19th Century Writing Table Desk
French Marquetry Inlaid 19th Century Writing Table Desk

French Marquetry Inlaid 19th Century Writing Table Desk

Located in Shippensburg, PA

WRITING STAND IN ROGNON (KIDNEY) FORM French, late 19th century 34 7/8” W x 18 1/2” D (at feet) x

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Kingwood Writing Desk Bureau Plat
19th Century French Kingwood Writing Desk Bureau Plat

19th Century French Kingwood Writing Desk Bureau Plat

Located in Essex, MA

19th century French kingwood Bureau plat writing desk. Beautiful Louis XV Form. Lacquered Bronze

Category

19th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century
Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century

Antique French Oak Writing Desk Late 19th Century

Located in Toledo, OH

A late 19th century French two part writing desk. Oak construction with extensive hand carved

Category

Late 19th Century French French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Oak

Stunning French Empire Style Walnut Writing Desk
Stunning French Empire Style Walnut Writing Desk

Stunning French Empire Style Walnut Writing Desk

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer sell this stunning large French Empire style walnut desk having a gilt tooled

Category

Early 20th Century British Empire French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather
Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather

Antique French Louis XVI Writing Desk Cognac Leather

Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire

Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze. The front of the

Category

1910s French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Leather, Wood

French Louis XV Walnut Side Table or Writing Desk
French Louis XV Walnut Side Table or Writing Desk

French Louis XV Walnut Side Table or Writing Desk

Located in Hopewell, NJ

writing desk. From Provence, France. #8546 H skirt 20.5”

Category

19th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

Antique Country French Liégeoise White Oak Writing Desk
Antique Country French Liégeoise White Oak Writing Desk

Antique Country French Liégeoise White Oak Writing Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

This refined Country French Liégeoise writing desk in the Louis XV style was crafted in solid white

Category

1890s Belgian Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Diminutive French Louis XIV Style Walnut Writing Table Desk
Diminutive French Louis XIV Style Walnut Writing Table Desk

Diminutive French Louis XIV Style Walnut Writing Table Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Charming 19th century French writing table or desk made in a diminutive scale or ladies bureau plat

Category

19th Century French Louis XIV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Antique French Inlaid Walnut Ormolu Mounted Desk / Writing Table
Antique French Inlaid Walnut Ormolu Mounted Desk / Writing Table

Antique French Inlaid Walnut Ormolu Mounted Desk / Writing Table

Located in London, GB

An absolutely stunning and early antique French inlaid walnut ormolu mounted desk / writing table

Category

Early 1800s French Louis XIV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Desk
Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Desk

Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Desk

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Refined antique French Louis XVI style writing desk crafted in exotic tulipwood veneer with

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk
18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk

18th Century, French Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk

Located in IT

18th Century, Franch Louis XV Wood Flap Writing Desk Measures: cm H 94 x W 83,5 x D 46; D with the

Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk

French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

French Louis XV Style Kingwood Bombay Writing Table Desk

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Kingwood

French Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Writing Desk After Cressent
French Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Writing Desk After Cressent

French Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Writing Desk After Cressent

By Charles Cressent

Located in London, GB

French gilt bronze and marquetry writing desk after Cressent. French, late 19th century Measures

Category

Late 19th Century French Régence French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Ebonized Writing Desk with Brass Trim, French, 1920
Louis XVI Ebonized Writing Desk with Brass Trim, French, 1920

Louis XVI Ebonized Writing Desk with Brass Trim, French, 1920

Located in Austin, TX

French Louis XVI style desk made of solid wood construction; primarily mahogany. It has been

Category

1920s French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk
Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk

Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Found near Paris, France, we purchased this museum quality 18th century Empire style desk for its

Category

18th Century French Empire French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920
20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920

20th Century Wood French Louis XV Style Writing Desk, 1920

Located in Miami, FL

20th century Louis XV style French walnut writing desk with three drawers and cabriolet legs

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XV Writing Desk, Ebonized Mahogany, Leather, 19th Century
French Louis XV Writing Desk, Ebonized Mahogany, Leather, 19th Century

French Louis XV Writing Desk, Ebonized Mahogany, Leather, 19th Century

Located in Austin, TX

Writing desk from France in a transitional style. This piece is made of solid wood construction

Category

Early 1800s French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Brass

French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk
French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk

French 18th Century Louis XV Bureau Plat, Writing Desk

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

. The iconic Coco chancel lived with a Rococo writing desk just like this one and indeed this Bureau

Category

Mid-18th Century French Rococo French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Gothic Walnut Writing Desk with Leather Top
19th Century French Gothic Walnut Writing Desk with Leather Top

19th Century French Gothic Walnut Writing Desk with Leather Top

Located in Dallas, TX

This exceptional 19th-century French Gothic Writing Desk is crafted from richly patinaed solid

Category

1870s French Gothic Revival French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Bonheur Du Jour Mahogany Lady Writing Desk
French 19th Century Bonheur Du Jour Mahogany Lady Writing Desk

French 19th Century Bonheur Du Jour Mahogany Lady Writing Desk

Located in Rome, IT

Elegant French 19th century , gilt bronze-mounted Mahogany Bonheur Du Jour , lady writing desk

Category

19th Century French Louis XV French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Renaissance Sculptural Leather Top Writing Table ~ Desk
19th Century French Renaissance Sculptural Leather Top Writing Table ~ Desk

19th Century French Renaissance Sculptural Leather Top Writing Table ~ Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

19th Century French Renaissance Sculptural Leather Top Writing Table ~ Desk is a spectacular

Category

1850s French Renaissance Revival French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Sheepskin, Oak, Paint

Important French Brass Inlaid Paint Decorated Rolltop Ladies Writing Desk
Important French Brass Inlaid Paint Decorated Rolltop Ladies Writing Desk

Important French Brass Inlaid Paint Decorated Rolltop Ladies Writing Desk

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This important French brass inlaid paint decorated rolltop ladies writing desk is a rare and

Category

1890s French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890

French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890

Located in Philadelphia, PA

French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting

Category

Late 19th Century French Empire French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Marble, Bronze

High Adjustable Architect's Desk, Writing Desk, circa 1800
High Adjustable Architect's Desk, Writing Desk, circa 1800

High Adjustable Architect's Desk, Writing Desk, circa 1800

Located in Greven, DE

Antique height-adjustable desk, architect's table, around 1800 France Mahogany circa 1800

Category

Early 1800s French Louis XVI French Antique Writing Desk

Materials

Mahogany

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "French Antique Writing Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

French Antique Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the French antique writing desk you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each French antique writing desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and animal skin. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer French antique writing desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right French antique writing desk, those designed in Louis XVI, Louis XV and Empire styles are of considerable interest. François Linke, Paul Sormani and Louis Majorelle each produced at least one beautiful French antique writing desk that is worth considering.

How Much is a French Antique Writing Desk?

A French antique writing desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,800, while the lowest priced sells for $200 and the highest can go for as much as $1,740,240.

Finding the Right Desks-writing-tables for You

Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.

Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.

Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.

Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.

The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.

From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.

Questions About French Antique Writing Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.