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Desks and Writing Tables

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Desks and Writing Tables For Sale
Style: Louis XV
Style: Regency
English Regency Mahogany Leather Reading Table with Flanking Candle Slides 1790
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Regency mahogany satinwood and ebony inlaid one drawer reading table with a ratcheted leather top, cross banded tulip wood, flanking candle slides...
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1790s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French, Early 19th Century, Louis XV Style Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most elegant French early 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood, Rosewood, exotic wood, and ormolu bureau plat desk. The desk is raised by cabriole legs with fine pie...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 18th Century Louis XV Period Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent and very high quality French 18th century Louis XV period Tulipwood, Kingwood, and ormolu Bureau Plat desk. The desk is raised by elegant cabriole leg with exquisite pierced fitted ormolu sabots with fine foliate designs and hoof feet below a delicate ormolu chute leading upwards to impressive richly chased ormolu masks of handsome bearded men. The apron displays three drawers separated by impressive curved foliate gadroon designs each displaying superb quarter veneered Kingwood...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk Secretary from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in southern France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and functional; the elegant writing desk crafted from solid walnut, stands on cabriole legs over a scalloped apron and dressed with bombe drawer across the front embellished with the original patinated bronze handles. The top folds down to reveal a large writing surface, a theater with four smaller drawers on the sides, and a double compartment niche in the center. When sliding out the drawers and niche, the cabinet reveals different secret storage compartments underneath (see pictures). Both sides with scalloped apron are decorated with recessed panels. Flaunting beautiful lines, a rich patina, and complete functionality, this "Secretaire a Abattant" is in excellent condition and includes all the original keys; put a sophisticated spin on your study or bedroom with this antique slant front desk commode, or "commode scriban...
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Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

20th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table Piano White
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat writing table in the style of Louis XV style, silvered bronze fittings. Piano lacquer white on solid beech wood. Heavily arched, four-sided passively curved tripod frame ...
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20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Regency Rosewood Library Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular crossbanded top over two frieze drawers and raised on a trestle supports carved with anthemium, scroll feet. Provenance: Naill Smith Antiques.
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1810s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Very Fine 19th Century English Regency Writing Table
Located in Charleston, SC
Very fine English Regency bronze mounted mahogany writing table. Single board top made of beautiful mahogany timber, with brass gallery flanking the sides atop of 2 mahogany lined dr...
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Regency Walnut Leather Top Library Table
Located in Norwood, NJ
Fine quality tapered leg walnut, gilt and painted leather top library table. Burgundy tooled and gilt leather top. Tapered pedestal legs endi...
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Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Giltwood, Paint, Walnut

French Louis XV Style 19th Century Walnut Desk with Drawers and Cabriole Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style walnut desk from the 19th century, with two drawers and cabriole legs. Created in France during the 19th century, this walnut desk features a rectangular plan...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XV Style Desk with Leather Writing Pad, Black with Brass Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style desk, with leather writing pad top, from the 19th century. This antique table from France has been designed in the Louis XV...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Outstanding Louis XV-Style Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An outstanding Louis XV-style mahogany bureau plat after a model by Jacques B. Dubois, from the estate of Phyllis McGuire, the shaped leather-inset top above an elaborate frieze with...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Anglo Indian Mahogany Sofa Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Inspired by the 19th Century age of exploration, this Regency Anglo Indian Style reeded-edge drop-leaf mahogany sofa table doubles as a writing table. The top is set on turned, reede...
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Desk in Cherry Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful desk in Louis XV cherrywood from the beginning of the 19th century very beautiful curved legs Elegant sculpted frieze two drawers in the frieze Very beautiful pati...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Transitional St. Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XV st. Rosewood, Kingwood, Tulipwood, ormolu, and Incarnat Turquin marble desk. The three drawer desk is raised by slender cabriole legs with fin...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Louis XV st. kingwood, tulipwood and ormolu desk. The desk is raised by beautiful slender tapered cabriole legs with fine fitted foliate ormolu sab...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Important Regency Mahogany Partners Writing Table in the Manner of George Smith
By Charles Norman, George Smith
Located in Benington, Herts
A highly Important, Early Regency period mahogany, ebonised and parcel-gilt partners writing table on monopodia legs of exceptional quality and design, in the manner of George Smith, stamped Chas Norman, whom was associated with the work of Gillows. Labelled ‘Morning Room’. English, Regency period, circa 1810. Rarely seen, the crescent shaped ended rectangular top, beautifully lined with the original gilt tooled leather writing surface, enclosed by a mahogany cross-banded border and reeded edge. The frieze, containing four finely chosen fiddle-back mahogany drawers, two pairs to opposing sides, each retaining the original gadrooned carved ebonised knob handles. The perimeters having a finely ebonised cockbead, whilst the drawer liners being executed in mahogany retain the original recessed brass locks, which look to have never been removed. Flanking the drawers are bead-moulded ebonised panels which conform to either end above a reeded mould. Raised on four boldly designed and imposing, crisply carved, ebonised and parcel-gilt leopard monopodia supports, of wonderful original waxed condition. The Egyptian leopards mask above a bold breast decorated with carved gilt anthemion and guilloche motifs, finishing on a finely detailed carved leg and paw foot. The condition is excellent, retaining the original hand-dyed and gilt tooled waxed leather writing surface along with original locks, handles and ebonising with gilt-work to the legs. Commissioned for what presumes to be a private collection and due to its condition, being obvious to see, this writing table has been home to an important household. Labelled ‘Morning Library’ to the underside, whilst in this exemplary condition strongly suggests this striking piece of Regency furniture has furnished the library of the said house for the majority of its life. As can be noted, this is an extremely rare, elegant, early Regency writing table of exceptional colour, which corresponds with designs of the celebrated furniture maker and designer George Smith, workmanship of Gillows, being stamped to the underside Chas Norman four times. George Smith (1756 - 1826) was one of the most influential furniture designers of the English Regency Period (1811-1830). Smith, who began his pattern-book in 1804, wrote of ‘the great taste and elegance’ of this design. In 1808 he published his influential and definitive text on Regency interior Design titled ‘ A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration’ and classed himself as ‘Upholder Extraordinary to His Royal Excellency the Prince of Wales’…The Prince Regent. Smith was inspired in his designs from his earlier career as an Egyptologist, producing drawings incorporating motifs of Leopards heads and paws, Lions, sphinx’s, anthemia, and griffons amongst others. Charles Heathcote Tatham (1772-1842) published ‘Etchings, Representing the Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture; Drawn from the Originals in Rome, and Other Parts of Italy During the Years 1794, 1795, and 1796’, in which he illustrated an antique tripod table...
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1810s British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Early Paint Antique French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk & Stool
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning early painted circa 1880-1900 French Louis XV style Bureau plat writing table with later stool This is a wonderful find, the burea...
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1880s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Late English Regency Satinwood Davenport Attributed to Gillows
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning quality late Regency satinwood Davenport, the sliding top section with three-quarter foliate brass gallery above a sloped and hinged leather inset top enclosing an arrange...
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19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Satinwood

18th Century French Marquetry Louis XV Dressing Table or So-Called Coiffeuse
Located in Berlin, DE
18th century French Louis XV marquetry dressing table or so-called Coiffeuse 18th century Louis XV vanity dressing table or coiffeuse...
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Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Kingwood Inlaid Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Louis XV st. Rosewood, ormolu, and Brocatelle d’Espagne marble secretary desk. The two door five drawer secretary is raised by fine cabriole legs w...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Italian Mid 18th Century Louis XV Period Center Table/Desk circa 1740
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and very high quality Italian mid 18th century Louis XV period Walnut, Rosewood, Charmwood and bone center table/desk circa 1740. This table from the Piedmont region is...
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18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bone, Rosewood, Walnut

19th Century Italian Louis XV Style Walnut Large Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Majestic antique Italian louis XV style large writing desk. Rare and precious walnut wood. Comfortable size for a practical use. The desk has elegan...
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1880s Italian Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Regency Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with inset brown leather over three drawers with wood knobs , the reverse with same configuration all raised on circular tapered legs and casters.
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood, Tulipwood and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and extremely high quality French 18th century Louis XV period Kingwood, Tulipwood, and ormolu desk circa. 1750. The Bureau à Cylindre desk...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

20th Century Desk Bureau Plat in Antique Louis XV Style Mahogany Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
In Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round full-length mirror veneer with seed beads. Extremely fine, floral, bronze fittings in the form of chutes, handmade patinated bronze. Rosewood veneere...
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Late 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Tulipwood and Ormolu Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very impressive and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Tulipwood, Rosewood, ormolu, and Rouge Royale marble center table/desk by Theodore Millet...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique Louis XV Provincial Style Leather Top Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XV provincial style leather top writing / games table, late 19th century. With an old tooled leather top, carved aprons, with carved c scrolled...
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Late 19th Century European Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Oak

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Kingwood and Ormolu Desk Possibly by François L
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. Kingwood and ormolu desk possibly by François Linke. The desk is raised by elegant cabriole legs with handsome ...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Brass Desk Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic solid brass desk is attributed to Maison Jansen and was acquired from a Palm Beach estate. The leather top is a mo...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 18th Century Louis XV Period Kingwood And Tulipwood Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and elegant French 18th century Louis XV period kingwood and tulipwood inlaid desk, with all of its original ormolu and hardware. The desk is raised by slender cabriole...
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18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Rounded Italian Executive Desk in Louis XV Style Marquetry Bronze 1950 Inlaid
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Breathtaking & impressive! This rounded Italian Louis XV style executive desk with inlaid wood & bronze. A desk build to impress and impress she does, truly amazing craftsmanship ...
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19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century English Regency Chinese Export Gilt Black Lacquer Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Regency Chinese export (19th Century) black lacquer desk with foliate trim and Chinese landscape imagery in gilt throughout with 3 frieze drawers over a kneehole flanking 2 d...
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19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Elegant French Louis XV Period Secretary Writing Desk with Hidden Compartment
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV period Rococo secretary with hidden compartment, circa 1760. This antique French writing desk features a slant-leaf front...
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Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XV-Style Gilt Bronze Cylinder Desk by François Linke
Located in New York, NY
A stunning cylinder desk with roller shutter in the style of Louis XV, plum pudding mahogany, modeled by Jean-Henri Riesener, signed François Linke. The upper structure fitted with t...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Kingwood and Ormolu Desk, Attributed to Linke
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XV st. kingwood and ormolu desk, attributed to François Linke. The desk is raised by elegant cabriole legs with fitted...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Fine Regency Mahogany Davenport Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine regency mahogany davenport desk with brass mounts and leather inset top. Circa 1815. Dimensions: Height 36 x width 14 1/2 x depth 18 5/8 inc...
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19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

French 19th Century Louis XV St. Ebony, Tortoiseshell, Brass, and Leather Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and unique French 19th century Louis XV st. ebony, tortoiseshell, brass, and leather Boulle st. desk. The desk is raised by four elegant cabriole legs with fine fitted fol...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Fine Regency Rosewood and Bronze Mounted Writing / Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with bronze gallery and ratcheted writing surface over a frieze containing drawers and a game board, raised on a trestle base with saber legs mounted with leaf form mounts.
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Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique circa 1830-1850 James Winter & Sons London Satinwood Green Leather Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and important original fully stamped James Winter & Son’s 101 Wardour St Soho London Satinwood & Regency green leather partner desk circa 1830-1850 This is a very rare and fine piece of English craftsmanship, the timber is sublime, the leather top nicely aged and the stamps to the drawer’s crisp, this piece is pure quality The renowned cabinet makers James Winter & Sons were based in Soho London between 1823 to 1870 and produced some amazing pieces of antique furniture. James Winter founded his company in 1823 as a cabinet maker, undertaker, dealer, appraiser and specialised as a restorer of second hand and antique furniture to retail in his Soho shop. His sons joined his firm and then the business was renamed James Winter & Sons, 101 Wardour St., Soho, London. It was throughout the Regency and Victorian period, James Winters Company...
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1830s English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Satinwood

19th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Castle worthy desk, solid wood. Rosewood veneer edged by finely engraved brass fittings. On angled, with four looking forward, imposing female busts on curly legs, on all sides scalloped, dreischübige frame with slightly recessed and elevated knee compartment. Protruding, profiled and curved writing...
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19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XV style folding desk with one drawer. An exceptional Louis XV style desk, made of early Italian antique oak wood. This piece screams high quality. Beautiful grain and patina....
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Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Regency period Gillows Mahogany Writing Table
Located in London, GB
A fine early 19th century Regency period six-drawer mahogany writing table having reeded edged gilt-tooled leather top with two inset reading stands above cockbeaded drawers flanked ...
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Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Baker Furniture Lyre Motife Birdseye Maple Drop-Leaf Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Startlingly beautiful bird’s-eye maple drop-leaf writing desk having gorgeous satinwood and ebony inlay and elegant detailed lyre motife legs. with leaves open 64.5 W.
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1980s American Regency Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple

French Louis XV Black Lacquer Bronze Figural Ormolu Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Louis XV ebonized black lacquer bronze figural Ormolu Bureau plat writing desk. Item features faux 3 drawer finished back (image 10), ornate bronz...
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Mid-20th Century Spanish Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

20th Century French Bureau Plat Desk in the Louis XV Style Black Ebonized Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Black ebonized, four-sided passively curved frame base on high, elegantly curved squares. Encased in finely chiseled brass fittings. Slightly protruding tabletop with profiled decorated bronze lining and gold-imprinted leather imitation insert (the color of the leather is black not blue) Decorative perforated rocaille appliques and decorative moldings...
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20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Late 19th Bureau Antique Cartonnier Sliding Top for Hidden Storage
Located in Miami, FL
An Italian smaller-sized writing desk with storage hidden beneath top from the 19th century. This super cute desk, or occasional table from I...
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Late 19th Century French Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine Restored Hamptons Burr Walnut Cushion Drawer Brown Leather Partner Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine fully restored Hamptons of Kensington Burr Walnut twin pedestal partner desk with hand dyed brown leather top What a desk….. these cushion curved drawer desks almost never come up for sale, they are based on early Regency pieces which screamed English fine furniture...
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20th Century British Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

20th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table Piano Black
Located in Berlin, DE
Bureau plat writing table in the style of Louis XV style, silvered bronze fittings. Piano lacquer black on solid beech wood. Heavily arched, four-sided passively curved tripod frame ...
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Régence Style Marquetry Writing Desk
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A magnificent and very rare Régence style marquetry inlaid grand bureau plat or writing desk. Inscribed to the carcass 'Moreaux 72'. Dating from the second half of the nineteenth century this magnificent and very rare bureau plat has finely cast rocaille gilt-bronze mounts and is decorated overall with truly breath-taking seventeenth century marquetry, depicting fantastical townscapes, knights, soldiers, hunting and architectural-scenes. Of serpentine rectangular form the top is veneered with superb marquetry panels within a foliate scrolled border and a rocaille shell-cast gilt-bronze surround, both sides featuring a recessed central drawer flanked on each side by a drawer applied with male and female terms, scrolled handles, and reserves with conforming drawers; the bombé sides are centred by foliate scrolls, and the whole raised on cabriole legs headed by cartouches with foliate entwined chutes terminating in scrolled sabots. Of impressive scale this fine bureau plat, in the manner of a partners desk, features working drawers to each side. This model of bureau plat was made by a small number of celebrated Parisian cabinet makers in the second half of the 19th century including Beurdeley, Cremer and Befort Jeune. It is incredibly rare to see this model of bureau plat inlaid in marquetry. The exceptional quality and style indicate the use of older reused marquetry, almost certainly dating from the late 17th century and originating from the Augsburg region of Germany. Similar models but lacking the exceptional marquetry inlay can be found in the collection of the Duke of Buccleuch at Bowhill, and the Earl of Normanton at Somerlely. Christopher Payne notes that the latter was part of a pair sold by the London dealer Toms & Luscombe in 1871. He illustrates the present bureau plat in his book ‘European Furniture of the 19th Century’ (p. 88-89), along with two related desks minus the marquetry inlay (p. 92 -93). The exceptional and highly complex marquetry inlay and intarsia work, that sets this important bureau plat apart from other extant examples, would originally have formed the decorative panels of a late 17th century table cabinet, almost certainly ascribable to the Augsburg region of Germany. Augsburg emerged from the middle of the 16th century as the German centre of luxury cabinet making for the international market. In particular, the development of marquetry contributed to this prominent position, favoured by the ready availability of indigenous woods and the reputation that Augsburg had the best craftsmen able to cut thin layers of veneers in the most intricate motifs (C.S. Wood, ‘The Perspective Treatise in Ruins: Lorenz Stöer, Geometria et perspectiva, 1567’, Studies in the History of Art, no. 59, p. 246). Table cabinets, conceived as a form of Wunderkammer or cabinets of curiosities, were intended as repositories for all manner of wondrous and exotic objects and by the 1550s the grandest cabinets in Europe were being made in Augsburg. Decorated almost entirely with sumptuous marquetry, often depicting perspective views of ruins and fantastical townscapes, they become by the 1590s highly regarded as important diplomatic gifts. Fine Augsburg marquetry panels remained popular throughout the ages and were frequently re-used to create or embellish new items of furniture, such as this magnificent bureau plat. Their inclusion was not only for their highly decorative appeal, but to contemporary eyes, a means by which to imbue a new creation with a sense of true historical authenticity. The importance of such panels is often reflected in the high cost involved in repurposing them. A fine example of this is the celebrated 17th century cabinet on stand...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Regency Diminutive Writing Table
By John Mclean
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine English Regency period bonheur du jour attributed to John McLean & Son, the rectangular top having pierced gallery with turned and ring collared brass column supports with ...
Category

19th Century Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine Louis XV Style Marquetry Bureau Plat Attributed to François Linke
Located in Montreal, QC
A fine and Important Louis XV style Bureau plat attributed to François Linke (1855-1946) after a model by Jean François Oeben. Typical of the work by François Linke, this desk featur...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style giltwood carved center gall table with marble top. The rectangular shaped frame intricately carved frame with an "X" stretcher centered...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble

Majestic French Bureau Plat Desk antique According to Andre C. Boulle bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Root veneer on solid beech and oak. Extremely finely chiselled bronze. Slightly protruding, profiled tabletop and gold-imprinted leather insert, flanked by a grotesque mask on each c...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Louis XV Style Walnut Writing Table with Red Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A Louis XV style French writing table in walnut with bronze hardware and an antique red leather tooled top. This beautiful table is probably from ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis XV Leather Top Rosewood Marquetry & Bronze Ladies Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique rosewood table was crafted in France, circa 1860. The writing table with serpentine front and bombe sides, stands on cabrio...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Rococo Style Writing Desk Mounted with Gilt Bronze
Located in London, GB
Rococo style writing desk mounted with gilt bronze French, late 19th century Measures: Height 78cm, width 134cm, depth 64cm This superb ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Antique English Rosewood Regency Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1830
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English rosewood regency inlaid lap desk, circa 1830.
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Faux Bamboo Black Leather Top Mahogany Desk with Curved Bottom Doors Compartment
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Faux bamboo Regency style mahogany desk with black leather top and curved doors compartment underneath.
Category

20th Century American Regency Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique and Vintage Desks and Writing Tables

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.

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