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Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

LOUIS XVI STYLE

Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.

Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.

Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.

The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.

Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Louis XVI
19th Century Louis XVI Style Leather Top Writing Desk
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A lovely 19th century French leather-topped writing desk in warm-coloured walnut and veneer. Hand-crafted in the Louis XVI style, this charming desk has two lockable drawers complete...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French writing Table 2 drawers in Solid Cherry Wood - Louis XVI Directoire style
Located in Landivy, FR
This writing table is part of the Mélanie collection, a modern interpretation of the French Directoire style of the late 18th century. This style is famous for its straight, classi...
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2010s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Oak

Antique French Louis XVI Cylinder Desk - Late 18th Century (AF5-002)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Age: 1750 - 1800 Furniture Style: Louis XVI (1770 - 1789) Overall Dimensions: 43"h x 48"w x 27"d Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Cylinder Desk. The domed front opening to the f...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Italian Modern Desk Attributed To Vittorio Dassi
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Desk Attributed To Vittorio Dassi. We offer this shapely Italian Louis XVI style mid century desk with a single drawer, bronze handl...
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1950s Italian Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Walnut Leather Top Desk with Four Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style walnut desk from the 19th century with leather top, lateral pull-outs and tapered legs. This exquisite French Louis XVI style walnut desk from the 19th centu...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Serpentine Desk Burr Walnut Ormolu Center Table Satinwood Cabriole Legs 19th C
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Desk Burr Walnut Ormolu Center Table Satinwood Serpentine Cabriole Legs 19th C A mid 19th century burr walnut rectangular double serpentine center table, the satinwood banded top an...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Style French Writing Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Writing desk from France in the Louis XVI style. This piece has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. There are four dovetailed drawers all with brass original ha...
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1930s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Louis XVI Kidney-Shaped Mahogany Leather Top Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Kidney-Shaped Mahogany Leather Top Desk is a stunning example of the refinement of Parisienne craftsmanship during the end of the 1800s. Using a combination of exotic imported mahogany, satinwood for inlaid French bordering, and olive wood for contrasting panels and enhancements, even stained walnut to simulate rosewood bordering! Enhancing the design even further are brass bale pulls with brass rosette guards, and brass tips on the eight legs with solid brass casters. Even the original green leather top still shows a gold embossed bordering around the edge, all combining to speak of the extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship that went in to this single piece of keepsake...
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1890s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Louis XVI Writing Desk, Cognac Leather, Bonze & Brass
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique Louis XVI style desk with cognac leather top and gold embossed frieze, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs. Three dovetail drawers with brass details. The locks wo...
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1910s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Italian Louis XVI Style Desk with Painted Charcoal Top and Light Brown Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Louis XVI style painted desk from the 20th century with five drawers and tapered legs. This exquisite Italian Louis XVI style painted desk from the 20th century captures t...
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20th Century Italian Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Carved Lacquered Wood Italian Louis XVI Style Writing Desk, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Large Italian writing desk from the mid-20th century. Furniture in carved and lacquered wood in Louis XVI style of beautiful lines and pleas...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th French Louis XV Style Walnut Desk or Library table with Drawer
Located in Miami, FL
This elegant fruitwood desk was created in France, circa 1920. Made of blond walnut timber, the large writing table sits on four legs The front has a wide opening with plenty of kne...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

1930’s French Ebonised Desk with Leather Top
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style minister's desk in ebonized blackened wood with drawers and leather top from circa 1930’s. Good quality and elegant proportions in the Louis XVI style. Brass & gilde...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Fine Bronze Mounted Lion Head Mahogany French Louis XVI Style Desk Manner Linke
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular desk and features superb quality bronze and lion head pulls and ormolu. The desk has two sides and one side is faux and doesn't have drawers. Look for the keyho...
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Early 1900s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XVI Style Flame Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning French mahogany bureau plat writing desk. Exquisitely hand-crafted in France in the first half of the 20th century, most likely Parisian work, exceptionally executed in s...
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20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Style Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Refined 19th century Louis XVI style desk featuring the original tooled leather top on a case with three drawers in the front and the reverse of the desk with false drawers, geometri...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Theodore Alexander French Regency Louis XVI Painted Walnut Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Regency Louis XVI style bureau plat desk or writing desk By Theodore Alexander, "Ateliers de la Madeleine" Circa Late ...
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Late 20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Louis XVI Bureau à Cylindre or Roll Top Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century Louis XVI period bureau à cylindre, or roll top desk, made of solid walnut with marquetry veneers of walnut, mahogany and cherry. Pine as a secondary wood. ...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Kidney Shaped Leather Top Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French kidney shaped leather top desk, dating from around the 1930’s period. It is of fabulous quality, with a solid birch construction and contrasting veneers of...
Category

1930s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Mid-20th Century Writing Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This beautiful table is made of lemon wood and inlay. It is very much quality.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful 19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Desk with immaculate new embossed leather writing surface. French Louis XVI bureau plat table desk...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique French Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French leather top bureau plat desk, made in France and dating from around the 1930’s. This is of outstanding quality, with beautifully cast ormolu mounts through...
Category

1930s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI style ebonised writing desk
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Quality early 20th Century French Louis XVI style writing desk. Dating to around the 1930’s with original brass mounts and leather inserts and two pull out slides with original leath...
Category

1930s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI Writing Desk
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Beautiful Patina. Condition commensurate with age. Gorgeous piece, see photos.
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Style Desk with Vitrine Top
Located in Stamford, CT
A Louis XVI style desk with vitrine Top. This fine custom quality Louis XVI style desk has long tapering bronze-mounted legs supporting a center drawer flanked by larger drawers leading to a set of three smaller drawers under a vitrine mirrored shelving...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Boulle Louis XVI Style Mazarin
Located in Houston, TX
The 18th Century French Boulle Louis XVI Style Mazarin exudes timeless elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. Adorned with intricate detailing characterist...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

"Roller" desk Louis XVI from the late 1700s with floral inlays
Located in Cesena, FC
Emilian "roller" writing desk of great quality, the manufacture is along the lines of Rolo, late 1700s Louis XVI. Entirely veneered in walnut, with beautiful floral inlays, Bois de ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI writing desk with pull-out surface, featuring an inlaid compass rose
Located in Cesena, FC
Elegant Louis XVI writing desk with pull-out writing surface, inlaid on the top with a compass rose. Elegant writing desk with pull-out writing surface, inlaid on the top with a com...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Maple

Small Writing Table, France around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Small desk on high square legs with rectangular black table top and one drawer. The painting of the table is new and was then given an antique patina.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Painted Writing Table
Located in Houston, US
Decoratively painted Victorian age parlor table in Louis XVI style. Quality construction and painted in cream with a Neoclassic motif painted on center top. Table can be used as a de...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Louis XVI Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bonheur du Jour by Winckelsen
Located in London, GB
Antique Louis XVI style mahogany and ormolu bonheur du jour by Winckelsen French, 1864 Height 105cm, width 73cm, depth 42cm Charles-Guillaume Winckelsen (French, 1812-1871) is the c...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th C Louis XVI Style Ebonised Desk with Brass Mounts and New Leather Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this Louis XVI style desk dates from the 1880s. We had this mahogany desk professionally ebonised in Europe and the leather writing surfaces were also replaced. Lock...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

18th Century Louis XVI Style Blue Painted Table / Desk from France
Located in Houston, TX
The 18th Century Louis XVI Style Blue Painted Table from France embodies the spirit of the era with its symmetrical and balanced design. Each detail, from the delicate floral motifs ...
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Paint

18th Century Louis XVI desk with sheath legs.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Beautifully scaled mahogany and mahogany veneer bureau plat from the Louis XVI period Double-sided decoration, with lateral pulls., resting on elegant tapered legs, with brass beadin...
Category

1790s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Louis XVI Style Large Mahogany Desk with Green Leather Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this Louis XVI style mahogany desk dates from the 1830s. Generously sized at over five feet wide, this desk is finished on both sides and can float in a room. Front ...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Ormolu and marble desk/table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Gris St. Anne marble center table/desk, attributed to François Linke. This wonderful single dra...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XVI Tulipwood Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive late 18th century French writing desk with a tooled black leather top, probably original, on a case with three drawers in f...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Tulipwood

Antique French Louis XVI Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in North York, ON
Introducing the epitome of elegance and sophistication - the Antique French Louis XVI Escritoire Writing Desk. This exquisite piece, made in France circa 1940’s, exudes timeless char...
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1940s French Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Late 20th-C. French Maison Jansen Style Silver & Gold Leaf Writing Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a show stopper! It is a French Louis XVI style writing desk that has been finished in the manner of Maison Jansen. It is unmarked and in very good condition. It dates most li...
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Late 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

20th Two sides French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Desk with Three Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
This elegant fruitwood desk was created in France, circa 1920. Made of blond walnut timber, the large writing table sits on four carved legs with two iron stretchers. The front has a...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine marquetry bureau plat, after Edward Holmes Baldock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality 19th Century English Victorian marquetry inlaid bureau plat in the French style. Having wonderful scenes of garlands of flowers and ribbons to the top and frieze. Thre...
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19th Century English Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Style French Bureau Plat, Circa 1860 - 1890
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Louis XVI style mahogany writing desk with satinwood and French walnut marquetry with bronze banding. The desk is double sided with the original...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Inlaid Wood French Louis XVI Style Napoleon III Era Writing Desk
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French writing desk from the second half of the 19th century. Napoleon III furniture in Louis XVI style elegantly inlaid in walnut, palisander, maple, mahogany, ebonized wood and fru...
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1860s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Canvas

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk, Writing Table, Leather Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI style mahogany desk features a gold tooled red leather top surrounded by a bronze trim border. The corners are detailed with bronze striated plaques. Two drawers of dovetail construction are fitted with bronze square drop handles. The table rests...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Gilt Bronze Brown Desk Table, Napoleon III Boulle Louis XVI 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Louis XVI style Beautiful table desk, France 19th Century Napoleon III period. With 2 hidden sliding extensions. Full walnut veneer. Important ornamentation of gilded bronzes with ...
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1870s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk. Outstanding 19th century French Louis XVI style desk, writing table, bureau plat or center table with a single drawer, solid bronze...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

French Black Desk Table Napoleon III Boulle Louis XVI Gilt Bronze 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Table desk with drawbars decorated with bronzes from the Napoleon III period and Boulle style. Beautiful desk with 2 opening side parts. Full walnut veneer. Important ornamentation o...
Category

1870s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Ebonized Center or Writing Table, Napoleon III Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An imposing Napoleon III center table (or 'Table de Milieu') in ebonized fruit wood, rectangular in shape, with rounded sides. Its ornate top, which is bordered all around with a gilt bronze frieze and two further inner bands, features at its centre an intricate marquetry inlaid design of a foliage cartouche framing a vase of flowers. The smoothly curving belt of the table encloses a frieze drawer on one long side, with a repeat, inlaid design that echoes that of the top. The table rests on four turned, tapered and fluted legs, ending in toupie feet, and these are connected by two half-moon spacers...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI style Mahogany Tric Trac / Writing table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XVI style mahogany brass mounted tric trac / writing table, 19th century. Removeable mahogany top inset with faux leather, frieze with brass mounted drawers, drawer on ...
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19th Century European Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Writing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Writing Table combines classic architecture with modern sensibilities creating a table that can be used for a wide variety of purposes, all while...
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1880s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Iconic Mastercraft Brass Desk With Leather Top
Located in Houston, TX
Iconic Mastercraft Brass Desk With Leather Top. Stunning large mid century brass desk or writing table by Mastercraft. This handsome desk...
Category

1970s American Vintage Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk in Wood, 1900, Made in France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. It is an icon of distinction. You want to live in the golden yea...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fine C19TH French Kingwood & Marquetry Bureau Plat /Writing Table
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine C19TH French Burr Walnut & Marquetry Bureau Plat /Writing Table Black Leather inset top, gold tooling decoration, with Walnut cross banding. thumb mould edge. Shaped Burr Waln...
Category

1870s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Louis XVI Solid Walnut Wood Antique Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant antique Italian writing desk of the period Louis XVI, 18th century. Rare and precious solid walnut wood. Comfortable size for a practical use. The desk has elegant turned leg...
Category

1780s Italian Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Fine C19th French Thuya wood & Marquetry Bureau Plat
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine C19th French Thuya wood & Marquetry Bureau Plat Top with Green inset Leather writing surface, with gold tooling decoration, possibly the original leather , worn & faded, Cros...
Category

1870s French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

French Ebonized Writing Table or Desk with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French bureau writing desk (or table) of ebonized mahogany, in the Louis XVI style, featuring an embossed leather top with gilt bronze accents over a frieze with fitted dr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

SALE 19th Century French Louis XVI Mahogany Inlaid Ladies Desk Brass Ornaments
Located in Sofia, BG
This is a beautiful antique French mahogany inlaid Ladies writing desk made circa 1890. The fall front opens to reveal an interior of leather writing surface, and bank of three drawe...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Exceptional Bronze Mounted French Writing Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well-made French desk with lovely chosen and contrasting woods, serpentine form and bronze mounts on the corners, legs and feet with the top edges also bronze clad. The drawer...
Category

20th Century Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Bronze

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

Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI 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 XVI desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy 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 Maison Jansen, John Vesey, Paul Sormani, and A.M.E Fournier. 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 $956 and tops out at $230,146 while the average work can sell for $8,500.

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