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Louis XV Desk Sets

LOUIS XV STYLE

The style of 18th-century French furniture was guided by the court. When Louis XV, who reigned from 1715–74, focused royal life on the smaller salons of Versailles rather than its grand chambers, it transformed the aesthetics away from the imposing and angular furniture that characterized the style of Louis XIV. A broader focus on comfort and more delicate forms define antique Louis XV furniture, with nature-inspired carvings, wood inlays, curved cabriole legs, asymmetrical shapes and rounded oval seat backs. The furnishings changed throughout the king’s life, as he ascended to the throne as a child and then grew to establish his own tastes.

Pieces like the bergère, an upholstered armchair with a wide cushion that fit the flowing dresses in fashion at the time, reflected this more informal court. Introduced at the start of Louis XV’s reign, bergère chairs in this style were deeper and broader than other chairs of the period.

Louis XV tapestries and carpets tended to be floral and colorful, and design elements were borrowed from Asia. Dutch-born cabinetmaker Bernard van Risenburgh brought lacquer techniques influenced by Japan and China into his luxuriously made furniture. Along with its fine details, the furniture of the era also featured new innovations including mechanical devices. Jean François Oeben, a royal cabinetmaker, created such intricate pieces as a mechanical table for Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress. It involved a sliding top and a writing surface that extended from its marquetry panels.

During the later years of Louis XV’s reign, there was a shift from the ostentatious rocaille style, part of the exuberantly decorative Rococo movement in Europe for which designers such as Nicolas Pineau and Juste-Aurèle Meissonier are known. The style under Louis XVI would return to boxier forms, but with a neoclassical touch inspired by the ancient world.

Find antique Louis XV bedroom furniture, seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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Style: Louis XV
Fine 19th Century Ormolu Mounted KPM Porcelain Desk Set - Inkwell Candlesticks
By Berlin Royal Porcelain Factory
Located in Forney, TX
A very fine quality, exquisitely hand-crafted, late nineteenth century bronze doré mounted Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin (KPM) porcelain five piece desk set. The breathtaking anti...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Louis XV Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th Century Ormolu Mounted KPM Porcelain Desk Set - Inkwell Candlesticks
Fine 19th Century Ormolu Mounted KPM Porcelain Desk Set - Inkwell Candlesticks

Fine 19th Century Ormolu Mounted KPM Porcelain Desk Set - Inkwell Candlesticks

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Encrier Inkwell by Boin Taburet
By Boin-Taburet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt-bronze, mahogany and porcelain Encrier (Inkwell). The oval mahogany base surmounted with an ormolu mounted trim, dual-trays and fi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Encrier Inkwell by Boin Taburet
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Encrier Inkwell by Boin Taburet

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Encrier Inkwell by Boin Taburet

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H 4 in W 8 in D 4 in
19th Century Victorian Malachite and Ormolu-Mounted Inkwell
Located in London, GB
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H 3.15 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
19th Century Crystal Inkwell
Located in Stamford, CT
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Late 19th Century American Antique Louis XV Desk Sets

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Glass

19th Century Crystal Inkwell
19th Century Crystal Inkwell

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H 3.5 in Dm 4 in
19th century Embossed Bronze Inkwell
Located in Savannah, GA
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19th Century Bronze Inkwell
Located in Delft, NL
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19th Century Bronze Inkwell
19th Century Bronze Inkwell

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Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Marble 19th Century
Located in CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FR
Richly chiseled and gilded bronze inkwell. Basin with lion's mouth, arched feet with scrolls and acanthus leaves, resting on an oval marble base rimmed with bronze. 19th century peri...
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Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Marble 19th Century
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H 5.512 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
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19th Century French Inkwell and Ink Stand with Letter Holder in Louis XV Style
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Antique Italian Louis XV Rocaille Desk Stand with Double Inkwell
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19th Century Gilt Bronze Inkwell in Rocaille Style
Located in Paris, FR
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19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desk Sets

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French 19th Century Liquor Baccarat Crystal Tantalus Casket as Leather Books
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H 11.75 in W 15.63 in D 10.5 in
Louis XV Style Desk Inkwell in Bronze Boulle Marquetry
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
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1860s French Antique Louis XV Desk Sets

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Louis XV Style Desk Inkwell in Bronze Boulle Marquetry
Louis XV Style Desk Inkwell in Bronze Boulle Marquetry

Louis XV Style Desk Inkwell in Bronze Boulle Marquetry

H 3.55 in W 12.21 in D 8.67 in
18th Century Louis XV Wood Marquetry Writing Box
Located in Paris, FR
French Louis XV writing box, decorated with geometrically patterned wood marquetry. The front of this antique box has two small drawers with sandbox and several compartments for pape...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XV Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Louis XV Wood Marquetry Writing Box
18th Century Louis XV Wood Marquetry Writing Box

18th Century Louis XV Wood Marquetry Writing Box

H 22.45 in W 13.39 in D 10.24 in
19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secretary, Attributed to Millet
By Maison Millet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze-mounted kingwood and tulipwood parquetry decorated bombé secretary bureau-plat, attributed to Maison Millet. The kidney sha...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secretary, Attributed to Millet
19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secretary, Attributed to Millet

19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secretary, Attributed to Millet

H 36.5 in W 49 in D 26 in

Louis Xv desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XV desk sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bronze, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XV desk sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk sets, popular names associated with this style include Berlin Royal Porcelain Factory, Boin-Taburet, and Bradley & Hubbard. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desk sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $17,500 while the average work can sell for $7,788.

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