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Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

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
Color:  Black
19th Century Lombardy Louis XV Style Center Table
Located in Encinitas, CA
Lombardy style center table in walnut with four curved legs and ebony profiles. Wonderful modern line, clean and elegant. Stylish for a small entry table...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Louis XV Style Ebonized Writing Desk
Located in Locust Valley, NY
An ebonized writing desk in Louis XV style with cabriole legs and ormolu mounts to the feet, two drawers, a curved apron and a glass top.
Category

20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

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...
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Beech

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

Designer Writing Desk / Bureau Plat in Louis XV Style, Piano Black
Located in Berlin, DE
Black designer writing desk / bureau plat in Louis XV style Piano black polished veneer on solid softwood with rocaille applications. extremely Fine, floral, silvered bronze fitti...
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

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19th Century antique Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Table bronze
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Desk French Style Writing Desk, Black Lacquer with Grey Leather Writing Surface
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20th Century Louis XV Style French Bureau Plat or Desk After Francois Linke
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Louis XV Style French Kingwood Parquetry and Gilt Bronze Bureau Plat 'Desk'
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1970s Chinoiserie-Style Walnut Desk with Engraved Leather Top & Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the world of French elegance with our vintage 1970s chinoiserie-style desk, a symbol of refined craftsmanship and artistic expression. Expertly handcrafted from p...
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20th Century Louis XV Style French Bureau Plat or Desk after Francois Linke
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French Louis XV Rococo Style Walnut Writing Desk Table Circa 1960s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very unique desk and perfect for your office. The desk measures 50 wide x 24 deep x 30 tall and is in good condition.
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French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 Drawers
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeles...
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2010s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

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Gorgeous French Louis XV Style Ebonized Writing Executive Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous superb quality desk. The desk features incredible bronze ormolu and mounts and a rich leather top. The desk Measures 43.5 wide x 27 deep x 30 tall. Dates to the 19...
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Louis XV Style Bureau Plate, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Louis XV style bureau plat, having an inset leather top, gilded ormolu mounts, three frieze drawers to one side, d...
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Louis XV Style Bureau Plate, 19th Century
Louis XV Style Bureau Plate, 19th Century
H 31.11 in W 70.87 in D 37.01 in
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Located in Hopewell, NJ
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Previously Available Items
French Black Lacquered Louis XV Style Writing Desk with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
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French Louis XV Style Ebonized Black and Bronze Writing Desk Bureau Plat
Located in West Hartford, CT
A beautiful French Louis XV style ebonized wood desk bearing ormolu mountings throughout the three drawer desk, with an inset leather writing surface.
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Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

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20th Century Elegant Black Bureau Plat / Writing Desk in Louis XV, Beech
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century elegant black bureau plat / writing desk in Louis XV, beech Exclusive bureau plat / desk in Louis XV style Solid beechwood ebonized/blackened. Very fine, floral bron...
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French Louis XV Black Lacquered and Faux Tortoise Leather Top Desk by Bodart
Located in Kennesaw, GA
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Antique Louis XV Style Bronze Mounted Black Lacquer Bureau Plat
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XV style bronze mounted black lacquer bureau plat, circa 1920's. With nice quality bronze mounts, brass inlay, leather top and hand dove tailed drawer construction. For...
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Louis XV Style Black Chinoiserie Decorated Vanity / Desk
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20th Century Elegant Black Bureau Plat / Writing Desk in Louis XV, Beech
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Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Desk, Black with Gilded Bronze Details
Located in Montreal, Quebec
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Vintage Louis XV Style Black Lacquer Desk
Located in North York, ON
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1920s American Vintage Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

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Louis XV Style Bureau Plat by Ralph Lauren
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black lacquer bureau plat with ruby red leather top by Ralph Lauren Home.
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20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

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Louis XV Style Black Lacquered Writing Desk, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small Louis XV style black lacquered writing desk opening by one apron’s drawer, standing on four cabriole legs. Scalloped shaped apron. Ornamentation of chiselled and gilt bronze o...
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1880s French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

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Louis Xv desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XV desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, 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 and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XV desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America 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 François Linke, Baker Furniture Company, Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley, and L. Cueunieres Ebeniste.. 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 $486 and tops out at $1,000,000 while the average work can sell for $6,433.

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