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
French Louis XV Style Walnut Table Desk
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV style (19/20th Century) walnut table desk with gilt trim and stretcher.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Louis XV Style Inlay Butler's Desk, circa 1920
Located in Southampton, NY
Louis XV style inlay butler's desk, circa 1920.
Two tiers, both with small central drawers, topped by marble. Leather top which pulls out atop of drawer sitting on cabriole legs. Lovely banding details and original ormolu hardware...
Category
Early 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Fine Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Tulipwood Bureau Plat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Louis XV style gilt bronze-mounted tulipwood bureau plat.
Late 19th century. The replaced gilt-stamped green leather writing surface with...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Régence Napoleon III Ebonized Desk/Bureau Plat Stamped Gros/Paris
By Benjamin Gros
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent and rare French 19th century Napoleon III ebonized black lacquer Bureau plat or writing desk made in the Régence/Louis XV style made by Benjamin Gros/Paris, ca. 1855.
Rais...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Late 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Small Double-sided Writing Table In Rosewood Louis XV Style From The 19th Centur
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb desk in rosewood Louis XV style from the 19th century
Very beautiful double-sided desk composed of 5 drawers decorated with bronze on all its sides.
It rests on arched legs d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Attractive Louis XV style bureau plat, gilt embossed tanned leather top writing surface centered on a beautiful satinwood veneered panel and...
Category
Late 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Leather Top Writing Table
Located in New York, NY
A striking 19th-century walnut French writing table with one drawer and a black leather top. The table has developed a rich, warm patina and its size make it perfect as a small desk...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
19th Century, French Louis XV style Natural Wood Center Desk with Gilt Bronzes
Located in IT
19th Century, French Louis XV style Wood Center with gilded bronze applications desk table
This elegant centre desk, therefore finished on all four sides, was made in the first half...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Louis XV Style Tall Standing Desk / Table by Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdley
Located in Dallas, TX
a Louis XV style Second Empire (Napoleon III) small writing desk / table (lectern, stand, or podium) of fruitwood and kingwood, with an embossed gilt green leather slant-front writin...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Black French Louis XV Lacquered Desk Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 18th century French Louis XV style is known for its luxurious and ornate design, featuring curved lines, intricate carvings, and elegant finishes. A black lacquered Louis XV tabl...
Category
18th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
20th Century Elegant Veneered Bureau Plat or Writing Desk in Louis XV Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant veneered bureau plat or desk in Louis XV style
Solid beechwood and veneer. Very fine, floral bronze fittings.
Curved and pronounced or arched wooden body. Frame base with...
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Louis XV Style Kingwood Veneer End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV-style (19th Century) kingwood veneer end table with 2 drawer (top drawer for writing) with an inlaid top and gilt bronze trim.
Category
19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
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 ...
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
20th Century Louis XV Style Womens Tulip Veneer, Bureau Plat or Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
Tulip wood veneered. Extremely fine, floral, bronze fittings. Four-sided, slightly curved, three-edged frame base with wide knee patch on elegantly curved squares in sabots. Slightly...
Category
20th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk, Rosewood and Ormulu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Antique Louis XV style bureau plat writing desk, rosewood and Ormulu mounts, raised on cabriole legs. Tooled leather top.
Dimensions: 43” W x 31.5” H x 25.5” D
Side drawers (2): ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Elegant antique Louis XV Style Veneered lady Bureau Plat / Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
Exclusive Louis XV style ladies bureau plat/desk
Solid beech wood with exotic root veneer.
Extremely fine, floral bronze fittings.
Cambered and ...
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bone, Rosewood, Walnut
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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