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 size.
Brass
Impressive French Writing Desk in the Antique Style of Louis XIV Mahogany Bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal palisander and tulip wood on softwood. Three-part straight frame base. Slightly protruding, broadly framed writing surface, inlaid with gold embossed leather surface, including...
Mahogany
French 18th Century Writing Table, Walnut, Louis XIV Style
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This writing table is made of walnut with wonderful patina.
Walnut
20th Century Louis XIV Style French Piano-Black Writing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Imposing French writing table in style of Louis XIV. Piano black polished veneer on solid pinewood. Three part, straight border. Narrow overlapping, wide framed writing plate, middl...
Bronze
Louis XIV Walnut Writing Table Or Occasional Table From The17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb walnut table from the 17th century Louis XIV period and style Good quality table resting on a very elegant base with turned legs connected by spacers and ending with balls. Th...
Walnut
Italian, Tuscany, Louis XIV Walnut 2-Drawer Writing Table/Console, 1st q 18thc.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Constructed entirely of walnut and having a rectangular top with a serpentine front resting upon a conforming case with a lower molded edge and housing two drawers, the case raised o...
Walnut
An Italian early 18th century Louis XIV Period Walnut desk, circa. 1730
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome Italian early 18th century Louis XIV Period Walnut desk, circa. 1730. This wonderful desk is raised by four square tapered legs with a concave shaped bases and top mottled...
Walnut
$1,038Sale Price|20% Off
Louis XIV Style Desk 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful 19th century Louis 14 desk. Beautiful solid wood, whose legs are carved in a baluster and are joined by an "H" brace. There is also a drawer along the length below the top...
Wood
1950s French Louis XIV Style Desk / Bureau Plat With Gilt Bronze Ormolu
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French Louis XIV style desk that is in very good condition. The desk is marked. The antique hardware is gilt bronze and not original. The turquoise top has an antique glaze.
Bronze
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century, Italian Louis XIV Style Ebonized Desk W/ Brass & Important Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
This remarkable 19th-century Italian desk, crafted in the opulent Louis XIV style, embodies the grandeur and precision of Italian craftsmanship of the period.
Brass
A rare French Louis XIV large pewter and fruitwood inlaid marquetry desk
By Pierre Gole
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare French Louis XIV large pewter and fruitwood inlaid marquetry desk called “bureau Mazarin” attributed to Pierre Gole (1620 – 1684) Dimensions : h. 32.68 in, w. 70.8 in, d. 35....
Bronze, Pewter
$1,873Sale Price|20% Off
Ladies' Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in the Style of Louis XV
Located in Opole, PL
Ladies' Writing Desk From the Early 20th Century in the Style of Louis XV A ladies' writing desk inspired by the Louis XV style, dating back to before 1939. The furniture stands on ...
Wood, Rosewood
Gorgeous 18th Century Tin Marquetry Writing Desk/ Cabinet
Located in Brussels, BE
18th century tin marquetry writing desk.
Tin
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
French Vernis Martin Decorated Louis XIV Mahogany & Ormolu Lady’s Roll Top Desk
Located in Big Flats, NY
French Vernis Martin Decorated Louis XIV Mahogany & Ormolu Lady’s Roll Top Desk Measures - 42 3/8" x 30 1/2" x 21 1/8" This antique French Louis XIV style lady’s roll top desk, dat...
Mahogany
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. This dates from around the 1800-1820 period. It is of exceptionally fine quality, ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Desk With Glass Top & Drawer In Gustavian/Louis XVI Style From 1850s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique desk from the 1850s in Gustavian/Louis XVI style, gilded wood, glass top and drawer. — Style: Gustavian / Louis XVI — Period: 1850s — Material: Gilded wood with glass top — ...
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Writing Table
Located in Rome, IT
An early 20th century Italian writing table, with rectangular top. Measures: 164 x 79 x 50 cm.
18 th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut Lectern Desk on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a touch of French provincial charm to your home with this elegant antique slant-top desk. Crafted in France circa 1790, the petite lectern is built of solid fruitwood and stand...
Walnut
Italian Writing Table, Early 20th Century
Located in Rome, IT
An early 20th century Italian writing table, with rectangular top. Measures: 164 x 79 x 50 cm.
Wood
A French Louis XVI style three drawer mahogany bureau plat desk C 1930
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Louis XVI style French three drawer mahogany bureau plat desk having extensive bronze decoration, finished rear and gilt embossed leather top circa 1930. Kneehole Dimensions: 26" X...
Bronze
French Directoire Style Ebonized Mahogany Leather Top Writing Table, C. 1945
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Directoire-style writing desk features beautiful brass mounts with matching brass handles on each of its three drawers. The leather features a slight patina with years of use le...
Leather, Wood
$5,400
French 17th Century Desk
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 17th century desk, Louis XIV period. It was originally a trunk which has been transformed during the 19th century into a desk.
Oak
Exceptional Italian, Venezia, LXIV Period Carved Walnut Writing Table, ca. 1735
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a rectangular top with rounded and notched corners atop a case housing a writing slide and a single drawer, the opposite side with a faux paneled drawer, raised on slight cab...
Walnut
$8,274 / item
Outstanding Pair of Red Laquered Bureau Plat Desks
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A wonderful pair of French red laquered partners bureau platt desk, with outstanding ormolu mounts, three opening drawers to one side and dummy drawers to the opposite side, dark bro...
Oak
20th Century Bureau Plat Desk According to the Style of Andre Charles Boulle
Located in Berlin, DE
Piano black polished veneer on solid beech and oak. Extremely finely chiselled bronze. Slightly protruding, profiled tabletop and gold-embossed leather insert, flanked by a grotesque...
Beech
$8,281Sale Price|20% Off
French 19th Century Louis XVI style bureau plat.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French parquetry inlaid Louis XVI style bureau plat. Having an inset leather tooled top, gilded ormolu mouldings and classical monopodia mounts ...
Ormolu
Fine quality Louis XVI Bonhuer du juer, circa 1880.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century French LOUIS XVI style, Sevres style porcelain mounted Bonheur du jour. Having an inset white marble top, ormolu gallery + mounts. Three drawers abov...
Ormolu
French Chestnut and Oak Desk from Le Grand Monarque À Chartres, circa 1720
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved, circa 1720, using chestnut and oak woods, this desk was recently part of Le Grand Monarque hotel in Chartres, France. The desk has been stripped at some point, allowing ...
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Desk in Neoclassical Style
Located in Manzano, IT
elegant center desk (bureau plat) of fine Italian manufacture circa 1950. The cabinet recalls the lines of Louis XVI taste and features beautiful fishbone parqueterie work that conve...
Wood
Italian, Bologna, LXIV Period Shaped Walnut & Inlaid 2-Drawer Table, ca. 1715
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with notched corners and line inlay above a conforming case housing two drawers, raised on turned and block legs with lozenge form carvings near the feet
Walnut
Antique French Breton Carved Oak Sofa Table Writing Library Desk Louis XIV
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French Breton Carved Oak sofa table writing desk Louis XIV. Direct from France, a highly carved, excellent quality antique oak sofa table or writing desk with outsta...
Oak
Louis XIV Style Inlaid Writing Desk, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Louis XIV style inlaid writing desk, 20th century.
Wood
Mazarin Desk, Louis XIV Period
Located in Biarritz, FR
Rare Mazarin desk , Louis XIV period with turbulent shape, curved sides and 7 drawers in front, lemon nets and walnut top decorated with large elm losange On the visitor side t...
Louis XIV Desk
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Louis XIV oak desk hand crafted with four turned legs, cross stretcher at the bottom and three drawers with the original hardware and original patina.
Oak
Louis XIV beechwood writing table
Located in San Francisco, CA
Louis XIV beechwood writing table with inlaid leather top.
Beech, Leather
18th Century Louis XIV Walnut Wood French Desk, 1790s
Located in Wyboston Lakes, GB
This desk has a drawer. It is made of walnut wood. It is French, 18 century. It has to be restored.
18th Century Mazarin Writing Desk
Located in Vilnius, LT
A wonderful Italian inlaid bureau Mazarin in the style of Louis XIV The shaped front desk of burl walnut and satin wood inlay with convex drawer fronts and canted corners is intri...
Wood
Louis XIV Brass-Inlaid Mazarin Bureau
Located in Paris, FR
Boulle marquetry en contrepartie It contains six drawers in boxes on three rows separated by crossbars, and a drawer en ceinture surmounting a set back leaf. It rests on light ...
Bronze, Copper
17th Century Epoque Louis XIV Walnut Table
Located in Lokeren, BE
17th century Epoque Louis XIV walnut table.
Walnut
18th Century Louis XIV Style Table
Located in Montecito, CA
18th century Louis XIV style cherrywood writing table, stenciled leather inset with a centre medallion.
Leather, Cherry
Boulle Style Desk
Located in Estepona, ES
An imposing yet subtle piece which plays upon the contrast and harmony of black, gold and red tortoiseshell. A very robust piece, with three drawers in perfect condition. The top of ...
Wood
Unavailable
H 29.14 in W 64.97 in D 29.53 in
Italian Double Wooden Desk with Pigeonholes from 19th Century
Located in Florence, IT
Italian double wooden desk with pigeonholes from 19th century, the writing top could be lift to access the containment. Measures: Total height cm.157.
Wood
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 74.5 in D 44.5 in
French Boulle Bureau Plat / Library Table, Late 18th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Charleston, SC
Exceptional French Boulle bureau plat has the English feel of a library table with the four rams head mounted bronze fluted legs terminating in a bronze caster stylized as a beehive....
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Unavailable
H 110 in W 120 in D 62 in
18th Century Louis XIV Walnut Wood Travel Italian Writing Desk, 1750s
Located in Wyboston Lakes, GB
This is like a travel desk, the legs below fall apart and split from the top. Is in solid walnut Italian It has to be restored.
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 56.3 in D 29.53 in
Italian Writing Desk Table, Venice, 17th Century, Venetian Walnut Wood Inlay
Located in Varmo, IT
Writing desk - table in solid walnut, veneered with carob wood and inlaid with soft woods, Venice, late 17th century. Decoration motifs depicting: "Parrot and plant decorations". ...
Wood
Louis XIV Painted Writing Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
Period Louis XIV walnut French writing table with later painted decoration.
Wood
Louis XIV Period Desk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis XIV period desk In veneer, burr walnut and solid walnut on the base The top is decorated with marquetry It has a large drawer in front French work, workshop of Thomas Hach...
Walnut
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Boulle Inlay Writing Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in London, GB
This splendid writing desk is an example of skilled craftsmanship of the highest order, and features some breathtakingly complex Boulle work all around its surface. The tabletop is p...
Ormolu, Pewter, Bronze
Antique French Louis XIV Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Featuring the regal look of the Louis XIV style, this impressive desk, or bureau, features two acanthus corbels on each corner. The tapered, carved and fluted column legs are connec...
Vintage Louis XIV Walnut Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Benchmade from fine Italian walnut, this handsome desk, rendered in the manner of Louis XIV, features cabinets and drawers elevated by no less than eight carved pediments, connected ...
Exceptional and Rare Louis XIV Period Writing Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
Exceptional and very rare Louis XIV period writing desk. Exquisitely crafted from the finest walnut - exceptional patina - rich and luminous.
Alfonso Marina Louis XIV Style Writing table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Louis XIV style mahogany writing table, made by Alfonso Marina, circa 2008.
Brass
Antique Louis XIV Style Occasional / Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XIV style walnut and elm occasional / writing table, 19th century. Height from floor to bottom of top 29". Height from floor to bottom of drawer 22.25". Distance betwee...
Elm, Walnut
Sold
H 30.5 in W 50 in D 30 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Louis XIV
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French carved oak desk writing table Barley twist Louis XIV ~Direct from France~ ~Stunning 19th century antique French desk or ‘bureau plat’ writing table!
Oak
Antique Louis XIV Style Walnut Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XIV style walnut writing table, circa 1910. With a 3 board top with thumb molded front, side and back edges, a large frieze drawer with brass drawer pull, 4 barley twis...
Brass
Louis XIV Style Mixed Wood Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Louis XIV style walnut desk, made from antique and later elements, assembled circa 1950's. With a rectangular top with 5" wide banded borders, central points of star inlay, molded fr...
Steel
19th Century French Louis XIV Marquetry Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XIV marquetry desk features exotic wood veneering all around accented by inlay work and marquetry which is artistry using inlay itself, plus the intricate c...
A French Louis XIV Style Walnut 2-Drawer Writing Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome French Louis XIV style walnut two drawer writing desk with elaborate stretcher; the rectangular plank top with molded edge above a conforming body fitted with two drawers;...
A Louis XIV Walnut Writing Table
Located in Hixson, TN
A Louis XIV walnut writing table with one drawer and iron pull. Wonderful patina and resting on turned legs and H-stretcher. Early 19th Century.
Year: 19th Century
Meas...
Walnut
As opposed to the styles that would follow from the other 18th-century French kings, Louis XV and Louis XVI, antique Louis XIV furniture is rigid and imposing. It expresses opulence — even its armchairs, with their upright backs, straight legs and lavish ornamentation, look like thrones. Authentic Louis XIV sofas, a then newly emerging iteration of seating, are fully upholstered and often feature decoratively carved frames of walnut, chestnut or oak.
When French King Louis XIV established his royal court at Versailles in 1682, he transformed what was once a hunting lodge into a palace that declared his wealth and power through its design. Until his death in 1715, he reigned with a spirit of excess and absolute political dominance. The “Sun King,” as he called himself, believed that France revolved around him as planets do the sun. Louis XIV adopted the sun as his emblem, decorating the grounds with symbols of the sun and Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. As he stated, “There is nothing that indicates more clearly the magnificence of great princes than their superb palaces and their precious furniture.” He was a child when he became king in 1643, only shaping his style after he became absolute monarch in 1661.
Reflecting trends in French Baroque art, Louis XIV furniture characteristics included exuberant decoration. There were gilded bronze details including shells, suns, grotesques, lions and classical references like acanthus leaves. The years of growth in the country’s manufacturing, such as the tapestries and cabinets made at Gobelins, led to design innovations. The commode replaced the chest as a storage device, with drawers and a surface that could double as a desk.
The materials were luxurious, such as the popular tortoiseshell veneer technique that leading cabinetmaker Pierre Golle used in his designs. André-Charles Boulle, who became royal cabinetmaker in 1672, was a masterful artist of marquetry, using inlays of ebony, exotic woods and mother-of-pearl.
Find a collection of antique Louis XIV bedroom furniture, chairs, tables and other pieces on 1stDibs.
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.