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Empire Desks and Writing Tables

EMPIRE STYLE

From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in ​​Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.

Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.

Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.

Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.

Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Empire
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

1870s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century

Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century

$12,162
Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ash, Burl

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash

$14,500
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A exceptionally rare Period French Empire (1804-1814) walnut bureau a cylindre. Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, most likely Parisian work, dating to the early 19th century, the large antique cylinder desk...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk

$9,500
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed sides. The top is provided with inlaid green leather; the drawers have divided small...
Category

Early 1800s Scandinavian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres

Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres

$1,985
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted, leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.

French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.

$2,450
French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany roll top desk with bronze trim.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim

French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim

$24,500
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

$24,058 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 18th Century Empire Roll Top Writing Desk, Nutwood, AT ca. 1790/1800
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute extraordinary and rare late 18th century roll top writing desk from the period around 1790/1800 in Austria. This noteworthy, elegantly designed nutwood writing desk was artfully handcrafted in the transition period from the so-called "Josephinism" (1780-1790) to the famous Empire era (1800 - 1815). The extravagant executed mirrored veneer work as well as the superb shape, reflects perfectly the form language of this famous, long past period. According to the previous owner´s story who owned the castle where we found this outstanding looking, valuable Empire roll top desk...
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century Empire Roll Top Writing Desk, Nutwood, AT ca. 1790/1800
Late 18th Century Empire Roll Top Writing Desk, Nutwood, AT ca. 1790/1800

Late 18th Century Empire Roll Top Writing Desk, Nutwood, AT ca. 1790/1800

$15,400
19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A handsome antique French gilt bronze mounted mixed wood bureau plat writing desk with warm dark patina. circa 1880 France, late 19th century, high quality hand crafted workmanship...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Writing Desk
19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Writing Desk

19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat Writing Desk

$3,000
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 green leather top with a ormolu edge and scrolling mounts flanked by an arrangement ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

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

Stunning French Empire Style Walnut Writing Desk

$6,950
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 on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

$4,250
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk

$48,500
Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Stately Empire desk on four monopodia legs painted a dark verdis gris, joined by two stretchers. Top inset with a tooled black leather writing surface and slide outs (16.5 inches eac...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk
Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk

Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk

$65,000
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather

French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather

$2,766
1800's Antique French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leather Slides, Mahogany, Desk, Bureau
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous 800's Antique French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leather Slides, Mahogany. Desk, Bureau!! Antique Bureau Desk, French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leathe...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

1800's Antique French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leather Slides, Mahogany, Desk, Bureau
1800's Antique French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leather Slides, Mahogany, Desk, Bureau

1800's Antique French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leather Slides, Mahogany, Desk, Bureau

$4,012
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk

French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk

$15,000
Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Empire Style Burlwood Desk

Empire Style Burlwood Desk

$11,800
19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany adjustable height tabletop desk, made for writing or reading in bed. Beautifully crafted desktop has a green leather writing surface, wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk
19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk

19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk

$4,500
Antique Leather Top Austrian Empire Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very rare antique leather top Austrian Empire desk, dating from around the 1830-1850 period. This has a beautiful and very useful design, the quality is outstanding. ...
Category

1830s Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Leather Top Austrian Empire Desk
Antique Leather Top Austrian Empire Desk

Antique Leather Top Austrian Empire Desk

$3,822
Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...
Category

Early 20th Century British Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk

Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk

$5,393 Sale Price
20% Off
Large French Neoclassical Mahogany Roll-Top Desk
Located in Troy, NY
French mahogany Empire desk of stately proportions, with a roll top, revealing a double row of total six drawers under an open shelf, as well as a sliding writing surface with inset ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Large French Neoclassical Mahogany Roll-Top Desk
Large French Neoclassical Mahogany Roll-Top Desk

Large French Neoclassical Mahogany Roll-Top Desk

$32,000
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Writing Desk with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant dual-sided 1880s French Empire style pedestal leg desk featuring the original rectangular gold embossed green leather top in good condition. Top sits on turned trestle legs w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Writing Desk with Embossed Leather Top
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Writing Desk with Embossed Leather Top

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Writing Desk with Embossed Leather Top

$4,200
19th Century Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Distinctive and elegant, this small ladies writing desk has decorative inlaid brass filigree embellished with colorful stone and shell details along the top. Please enlarge photos t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk, Denmark
19th Century Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk, Denmark

19th Century Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk, Denmark

$4,150
French 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany, Ormolu and Leather desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most elegant French 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany, Ormolu and Leather desk. This exceptional desk is raised by eight Mahogany legs with superbly detailed Orm...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany, Ormolu and Leather desk
French 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany, Ormolu and Leather desk

French 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany, Ormolu and Leather desk

$29,800
French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat
By Empire Furniture
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and Amazing Large Empire French writing desk or bureau plat with embossed black leather top, bronze dore mounts, column legs, and five .drawers. Spectacular French wor...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat
French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat

French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat

$6,649 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Introducing this elegant Italian desk dating back to the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Empire style. Featuring a linear design with black ebonized column ...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk

Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk

$6,014
French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Gentleman's Desk
Located in New York, NY
Procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, this desk showcases the timeless craftsmanship of the French Empire period. Crafted from rich mahogany, this desk features...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Gentleman's Desk
French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Gentleman's Desk

French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Gentleman's Desk

$24,000
Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Pearwood Partners Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Elegant Continental (possibly French) Empire bureau-plat or partners desk. The pearwood top, inlaid with a center-star-motive and small decorations on each corner, made of a light co...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Pearwood

Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Pearwood Partners Desk
Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Pearwood Partners Desk

Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Pearwood Partners Desk

$35,000
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century French Empire style roll-top desk French, Early 20th Century Height 113cm, width 84cm, depth 62cm This charming roll-top desk is crafted from ormolu mounted hardw...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk

Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk

$6,255
19th Century Swedish Empire Desk
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish Empire desk. With one single drawer and two doors opening to use full storage. Dry scraped to secondary paint. Knee hole size: 58cm high drawer to floor 43cm wide
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Empire Desk
19th Century Swedish Empire Desk

19th Century Swedish Empire Desk

$4,726
20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
Writing table or bureau plat in Empire style after Jacob Desmalter. Solid, ebonized beech, partially carved and hand-painted. Cutted out pedestal on profiled disc feet. Over which ar...
Category

20th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat
20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat

20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat

$9,443
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 impeccable quality and style. Made predominantly from walnut and featuring Empiric s...
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

$3,800
French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-19th century The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender drawers on each side, with gilt-bronze mounts and inset tooled green leather writing su...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk

French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk

$6,800
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beech wood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers. Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Three-bar frame, brass-framed, protruding rectangular worktop with historically three-section, gold-embossed leather plate...
Category

20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style

20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style

$5,473 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century Empire Style Gold Leaf Library Table / Desk
Located in Houston, TX
This 19th Century Empire Style Gold Leaf Library Table/Desk is a truly exquisite piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted in the opulent Empire st...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Empire Style Gold Leaf Library Table / Desk
19th Century Empire Style Gold Leaf Library Table / Desk

19th Century Empire Style Gold Leaf Library Table / Desk

$6,500
19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine quality, 18th century Louis XV Escritoire. The Escritoire has a drawer at the top with ornate mounts, above a fall front opening...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Escritoire
19th Century French Empire Escritoire

19th Century French Empire Escritoire

$3,822
Empire Burl Wood Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful burl wood set against ebonized legs and trim. Desk has a single compartmentalized drawer with key and elegantly curved legs.
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Empire Burl Wood Desk
Empire Burl Wood Desk

Empire Burl Wood Desk

$8,500
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany. Completely restored, Shellac polish. Period: 1820-1829 Source: Austria, Wien.
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria

$6,856 Sale Price
40% Off
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany. Completely restored, Shellac polish. Period: 1820-1829 Source: Austria, Wien. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air ...
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829

$11,343
Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
An early 19th century gilt bronze and walnut veneer ladies desk or dressing table or vanity, with a rectangular grey fossil marble top above two mirror paneled doors and two drawers, flanked by Greek Revival female caryatids, above a folded leather lined writing surface and a frieze drawer, raised on square legs, joined by an incurved stretcher. The whole mounted with finely chased ormolu casts depicting winged figures, ribbons and foliage. Beautiful early 19th century French Empire small desk...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk
Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk

Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk

$4,900
Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk in beech from Hotel Knaust by Nordiska Kompaniet / NK, Sweden 1931. With brass details and signed with NK badge and tracking number (easy to see who ordered the furniture and w...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.
Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.

Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.

$5,950
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan leather writing surface, an interior...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

$24,058 Sale Price
20% Off
Elegant bureau, late 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany bureau with writing surface. Spacious opening drawer, lockable with a key. Drawers for small items in the upper part. Very good condition, after professional renovation. D...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Elegant bureau, late 19th century.
Elegant bureau, late 19th century.

Elegant bureau, late 19th century.

$2,887
Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Baltic writing or sofa table in the Empire style (and edging toward the Art Deco period that would follow.) In Cuban mahogany with carved trestle-base ending in carved li...
Category

1910s Baltic Vintage Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany
Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany

Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany

$9,950
French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The rectangular top inset with a beige tooled leather writing surface and slide outs on both ends. Above five drawers, the reverse side with dummy drawers raised on columnar legs wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850
French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850

French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850

$10,800
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
Located in IT
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk Measures: cm H 103 x W 52 x closed D 9. Open D 59 cm This particular travel desk was made in France, in the earl...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk

19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk

$4,089
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810

$24,058 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 drawer table desk with stretcher, griffins, and green marble top.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk
French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk

French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk

$28,500
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant and attractive early 19th century Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). The double ratcheted hinged rectangular top lined with dark green oi...
Category

19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis

Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis

$16,239
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany and bronze trimmed table with single drawer and green (repaired) marble-top.   
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table

French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table

$9,500
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900
By Maison Forest
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat by Maison Forest. Paris, circa 1900. Bearing two labels to the underside: 'FOREST/TAPISSERIE/EBENISTERIE/31 RUE CAMBACERES.PARIS...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900

Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900

$22,240
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

French Empire Style Desk with Gilt Metal Mounts
French Empire Style Desk with Gilt Metal Mounts

French Empire Style Desk with Gilt Metal Mounts

$4,250

Empire desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Jean Joseph Chapuis, Maison Forest , and NK (Nordiska Kompaniet). 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,495 and tops out at $65,000 while the average work can sell for $7,500.

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