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.
2
32
to
6
21
9
32
32
32
77
39
34
32
29
15
10
9
9
8
8
6
5
2
2
1
50
156
110
3
32
36
16
9
1
5
3
6
5
6
2
5
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
32
20
12
12
12
29
25
2
2
2
1
Style: Louis XV
Period: Early 20th Century
French Louis XV Bureau Plat Desk or Writing Table with Embossed Leather
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An outstanding French Louis XV desk having embossed leather top and a faux front on its back so will look lovely in the center of any room. The writing desk has three spacious drawer...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique French Walnut Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French walnut bureau plat desk, dating from around the 1900-1910 period.
It is of outstanding quality, this has fantastic gilt metal ormolu mounts all over, inclu...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Early 20thC Louis XVth Style Kingwood Bureau Plat
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early 20thC Louis XVth Style Kingwood Bureau Plat with fine gilt bronze mounts applied to cabriole legs by - Lysberg & Hansen – Copenhagen - 56"w x 30"h x 30"d - The Copenhagen firm ...
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Louis XV Walnut Serpentine Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XV Walnut Serpentine Desk is a splendid example of the style, rendered in sumptuous walnut and intricately cast brass to create a workspace like none other! The...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Louis XV Style Carved Oak Drop Front Two Drawers Secretary Bureau, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Louis XV Style carved oak drop front secretary or bureau or writing desk, two drawers with shaped bronze handles, made in France in the 1920s....
Category
1920s French Vintage Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Inlaid Walnut Table with Protective Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this antique writing table in a bedroom or use it as a side table next to a chair or sofa in your living room. Crafted in France, circa 1920, the delicate table stands on cabri...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor: An Exquisite Ormolu and Églomisé Bureau Plat
Located in New York, NY
A Timeless Masterpiece:
The Exquisite Bureau Plat of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
In the world of fine art and antiques, certain pieces transcend time, becoming symbols of opul...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Style Rosewood Inlaid Ladies Secretary
Located in Sofia, BG
Small ladies secretary animated form of veneer wood and rosewood marquetry, opening to two drawers in step. Bronze ornaments, pull handles the removab...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
French Louis XV Kingwood and Burl Wood Bureau Plat Leather Top Desk with Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Louis XV style executive writing desk or bureau plat desk
France, circa Early 20th century
Kingwood and burled walnut, with bronze trim and ornate ormolu ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak secretary desk bureau drop front Louis XV Style.
Direct from France, a lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with quintessential French ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Handsome Antique French Louis XV Style Writing Table or Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very beautiful maple desk in Louis XV style from the beginning of the 20th century. Elegant curved legs supporting sculpted frieze with five finely dovetailed drawers, each with gold...
Category
Early 20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique French Country Louis XV Walnut Writing Desk Table, Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic antique French desk. The desk is in good condition and measures 19 inches deep x 31 wide x 30 inches tall. The desk dates to teh 1920s.
Category
1920s French Vintage Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Louis XV Style Dressing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic dressing table is in the Louis XV style, and was fabricated sometime in the 1920s-1930s. The center opens up to reveal a dressing mirror, and just beneath that ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak secretary desk Bureau drop front Louis XV style.
Direct from France, a lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with quintessential French ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique French Writing Table Transition Style Louis XV – Louis XVI
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Antique Writing Table / Bonheur du Jour Transition Style Louis XV – Louis XVI
This beautifully made French lady's writing table has many outstanding features.
The pierce...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Italian Writing Desk or Dressing Table
Located in London, Park Royal
A charming, hand-painted, Louis XV style, Italian writing desk or dressing table from the early 20th century depicting floral motifs with Rococo flourishes and gilded highlighting.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
French Bureau Plat 20th C. with Black Gilt Trim Writing Surface
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite desk is very well made with beech wood and oak with
Kingwood marquetry decorative motifs. Gilt bronze mounts decorate
The edge and gilt masks embellish each corner....
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
Inlaid Parquetry Desk or Writing Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Elegant French Louis XV style parquetry writing desk with fitted interior and gilt mounts. Leather writing surface; standi...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Early 20th C. French Louis XV Carved Mahogany and Marble-Top Lady Table Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or boudoir with this elegant antique lady’s desk. Crafted in France, circa 1900, the cabinet shaped as a kidney sits on four carved ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Desk marquetry with Ormolu Bronze by F.Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Magnificent desk in marquetry and ormolu bronze bear the mark of F.Linke
transitional style XV, XVI.
Category
Early 1900s Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Gorgeous Inlaid Continental Louis XV Style Walnut Writing Desk circa 1920s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful desk that features the design of a Louis XV desk and has the traits of an Italian desk as well. The desk has beautiful inlay and even bronze hardware. The desk me...
Category
1920s European Vintage Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Unusual Transition Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Double Sided Writing Desk
Located in London, GB
Unusual Transition style marquetry and gilt bronze double sided writing desk
French, early 20th Century
Height 98cm, width 130cm, depth 94cm
This rare doubled-sided writing desk...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Louis XV Small Inlaid Petite Demilune Writing Desk Made in France
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Louis XV style small inlaid petite Demilune writing desk, made in France. Item features marble top, green leather pullout or pull-...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, 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 Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
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 Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
French Louis XV Style Marquetry & Gilt Bronze-Mounted Secretary Desk with Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style tulipwood and mahogany marquetry gilt bronze-mounted petit-bureau de dame (secretary). The bombe´ structure surmounted by a pair o...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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
French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted & Marquetry Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV Style gilt bronze-mounted, Mahogany and Tulipwood Marquetry Side Cabinet/Secretaire in the style of François Linke (1855-1946). The slender s...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
An elegant French Louis XV style petit writing desk with gilt-bronze mounts, including escutcheon, knees sabots and chutes. One central locking drawer and a nicely embossed brown le...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
20th Century France Louis XV Kingwood Inlaid Marquetry Desk and Writing Table
By Charles Topino
Located in Roma, RM
Purple ebony centre desk - France, 20th century, in the manner of CHARLES TOPINO, XIX century
Purple ebony inlaid with fruit wood with veneered top and table representing still life ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Kingwood
Louis XV Style Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Louis XV Style Tea / Centre Table From Paris. A combination of exotic woods including rosewood, tulip wood and more with delicate little bronze mounts were used in the creation of th...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Louis XV Walnut Side Table or Small Writing Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Louis XV style writing or side table made of solid walnut. Single dovetailed drawer on the right side. Top has marquetry inlaid detail and curved front corners with wood tri...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Victorian Pedestal Desk
Folding Table Drawers
Inlaid Walnut Writing Desk
George Iii Writing Desk
Desk Small Art Deco
Ormolu Small Table
Contemporary Desks With Drawers
Antique Walnut Veneer Writing Desk
Campaign Desks
All Marble Desk
Italian Walnut Modern Desk
Vintage White Desk With Drawers
Oak Desk Victorian
Antique Metal Legs For Tables
Antique Kneehole Writing Desk
Trestle Writing Table
Small Round Desk
Louis Xv Oak Table