Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Antique Ormolu Mounted French Empire Revival Pedestal Desk 20th Century

$11,771.93
£8,500
€9,997.92
CA$16,014.79
A$17,795.96
CHF 9,325.27
MX$218,235.75
NOK 118,938.42
SEK 111,892.90
DKK 74,620.23
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This is an exquisite antique French Empire Revival pedestal desk, Circa 1920 in date. This desk has been beautifully crafted from flame mahogany. The top has a decorative ormolu boder and is inset with a beautiful gold tooled green leather writing surface. It has been smothered in a plethora of gilded ormolu mounts making it an incredibly imposing and impressive item of furniture. The desk features seven drawers for maximum storage, it is freestanding and the back is beautifully finished with three dummy drawers along the frieze and a central modesty panel. It is raised on elegant square tapering legs that terminate in ormolu sabots and is complete with working locks, keys and tassels. This desk will soon become the centrepiece of your furniture collection, there is no mistaking the sophisticated quality and design and it is certain to enhance the style and elegance of any living area, bedroom, or reception. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THAT THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY RESTRICTED MATERIALS. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 79 x Width 184 x Depth 88 Dimensions in inches: Height 2 foot, 7 inches x Width 6 foot x Depth 2 foot, 11 inches Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'. The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object. Empire style, is an early-19th-century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until around 1830. The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon's leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France. The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of neoclassicism which is also called "Directoire", after a goverment system. Furniture typically had symbols and ornaments borrowed from the glorious ancient Greek and Roman empires. The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N." Gilded bronze (ormolu) details displayed a high level of craftsmanship. Our reference: A3165
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.11 in (79 cm)Width: 72.45 in (184 cm)Depth: 34.65 in (88 cm)
  • Style:
    Empire Revival (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1920
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: A31651stDibs: LU950635484492

More From This Seller

View All
Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Desk, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite French Empire Revival pedestal desk, circa 1880 in date. This desk has been beautifully crafted from flame mahogany. The top has a striking gold tooled black leather inset writing surface which has a decorative geometric inlaid satinwood and ebony border around it. It features beautifully cast gilded Ormolu mounts including angels, pharaonic herms above paw feet and swan escutcheons. It is further enhanced with male masks wearing nemes headress's on the sides, making it an incredibly imposing and impressive item of furniture. The desk features seven drawers for maximum storage, it is freestanding with a beautifully panelled back and comes complete with the original working locks and keys. This desk will soon become the centrepiece of your furniture collection, there is no mistaking the sophisticated quality and design and it is certain to enhance the style and elegance of any living area, bedroom, or reception. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THAT THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY RESTRICTED MATERIALS. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, French polished, waxed and releathered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 76 x width 150 x depth 80 Dimensions in inches: Height 29.9 x width 59.1 x depth 31.5 Empire style, is an early 19th century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until circa 1830. The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon's leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France. The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of neoclassicism which is also called "Directoire", after a government system. Furniture typically had symbols and ornaments borrowed from the glorious ancient Greek and Roman empires. The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N." Gilded bronze (ormolu) details displayed a high level of craftsmanship. Flame mahogany Thomas Sheraton - 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as "best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works...
Category

Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Partners Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Empire Revival Flame Mahogany Partners Pedestal Desk, Circa 1870 in date. This imposing Empire Revival partners desk is mounted with fine ormolu...
Category

Antique 1870s Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Louis Revival Ormolu Bureau Plat Desk, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous antique French Louis Revival gilt bronze mounted amaranth bureau plat, Circa 1880 in date. The rectangular top has a decorative...
Category

Antique 1880s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Louis Revival Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat Desk 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous antique French Louis Revival gilt bronze mounted amaranth bureau plat, Circa 1860 in date. The shaped top has a decorative gilt ...
Category

Antique 1860s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date. The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Category

Antique 1870s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Petite French Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an fine and beautiful petite French Louis XV Revival goncalo alves and ormolu mounted bureau plat, circa 1850 in date. This fantastic bureau plat features an ornate serpentin...
Category

Antique 1850s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

French Desk with Ormolu and Brass Mounts Louis XVI Style
Located in Toronto, CA
French Desk with Ormolu and Brass Mounts Louis XVI Style On offer here a Timeless Piece of French Elegance that is sure to elevate your home o...
Category

20th Century Spanish Louis XVI Desks

Materials

Hardwood

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 writing desk, made of mahogany wood, covered with remarkable marquetry veneers and fin...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Style Desk with Gilt Metal Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
A perfect example of the Bureau Plat. French Empire style desk with wood marquetry and gilt metal mounts at all angles. This piece features three working drawers on the front with three faux drawers on the back. The superb gilt metal hardware is on the front as well as the back. The four arched legs grace gorgeous gilt metal decor...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Kingwood Ormolu Mounted Desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality large 19th century French Kingwood and ormolu mounted bureau-plat desk, having a rectangular shaped top with an ormolu moulded edge, decorative shell engraved corner...
Category

Antique 1860s French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany and Ormolu Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb French 19th century Louis XVI style mahogany and ormolu desk. The desk is raised by slender tapered legs with ormolu trim ...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Late 1900's Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous Late 1900's Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk! Late 1900's Louis XVI Style, Ormolu, Bureau Plat, Cartonnier, Writing Desk! Bureau Plat, Carton...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu