Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Antique French Directoire Ebonized Bureau Plat w/3 Drawers
$18,800List Price
About the Item
A writing table or French bureau plat has a series of drawers directly under the surface of the table, to contain writing implements, so that it may serve as a desk. Antique versions have the usual divisions for the inkwell, the blotter and the sand or powder tray in one of the drawers, and a surface covered with leather or some other material less hostile to the quill or the fountain pen than simple hard wood.
1793 - 1804
The Directoire period, or French Directory, extends from between 1793 and 1804 although some dispute the end date.
Directoire furniture reflected the effect of the French Revolution on French furniture design, being a more restrained and simplified version of the earlier Louis XVI style using limited decoration and cheaper materials. Decoration used on Directoire furniture was normally a variation on the classically inspired ornamentation of the late 18th century, notably stylised foliage such as the anthemion motif. Marquetry was abandoned in favor of more austere forms of decorative work.
In Directoire furnishings, geometric patterns remained in use but, were less extravagant than before, often integrating a Grecian urn into the designs. The caryatid form was also used. And we note the entrance of Egyptian motifs into furniture design. Furniture of the Directoire time sometimes included carvings of sphinxes in the bronze hardware detailing.
The Directoire period is often considered to be a transition between Louis XVI and French Empire furniture, and therefore has characteristics of both, with a psychology all its own, and is sometimes called Transitional furniture. The Directoire marks the early beginnings of the Empire style and came about due to various historical circumstances: the luxury of the ruling classes under the Louis; the rebellion of an oppressed people and the Revolution; condemnation and destruction of luxuries and consequent reaction to simple living.
Perier and Fontaine, architects and interior decorators, steeped in the art of early Rome, as unearthed at Pompeii, returned to Paris and were instrumental in directing and satisfying the craving for order, restraint and simple strength. These two artists are responsible for the very beautiful decorative designs known as Directoire, original creations inspired by the classic models.
Architecture and interior decoration were in especially good accord during the Directorate and later First Empire. Directoire rooms and interiors are often what people unconsciously think of when something is called French.
- Dimensions:Height: 30.75 in (78.11 cm)Width: 70 in (177.8 cm)Depth: 30.25 in (76.84 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Giltwood,Ebonized
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1830 s
- Condition:In very nice, fully restored condition. The old appearing leather top is new and some of the gilding has been brightened.
- Seller Location:BENSENVILLE, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: j11341stDibs: U10120982433012
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1992
1stDibs seller since 2006
1,533 sales on 1stDibs
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.You May Also Like
Directoire-Style Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Chicago, US
Directoire/Napoleon III style desk composed of one large center and two side dovetailed drawers. The right drawer has a divided back section with an inset tray and a horizontal panel...
Category
Early 20th Century Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Directoire Style Small Bureau Plat
Located in Sheffield, MA
Directoire Maison Jansen style desk. Label inside drawer inscribed "A. Alavoine and Co., NY and Paris." Leather inset writing surface, drawer ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat
Located in Huntington, NY
Ebonized Leather top Bureau Plat/Desk, Louis XV period
3 working drawers on one side. Back side has 3 false drawers
Circa, 1760 with one Key
It's Old leather top in Useable but h...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Inlaid Bureau Plat Desk
Located in London, GB
An absolutely exquisite antique French inlaid bureau plat desk. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1880-1890 period.
It is one of ...
Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Regence Ebonized And Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top with inset black tooled leather surrounded by a brass inlaid ebonized border with brass edge. The frieze with three drawers with cast bronze handles and three ...
Category
Antique 1730s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Kingwood Bureau Plat
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A French kingwood bureau plat late 19th/early 20th century in Louis XV style, with applied gilt-bronze mounts, the serpentine rectangular top with...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Kingwood
Vintage Ebonized Leather-top French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner
s Desk
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ebonized French Bureau Plat Faux-Partner's Desk with Tooled Red Leather Top and Tapered Legs on Brass Sabots.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$22,000
H 30.25 in W 78.5 in D 39.25 in
Bureau Plat
Located in London, England
Paris made French walnut bureau plat / desk.
France Circa 1940
Category
Vintage 1940s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
A Nineteenth Century French Bureau Plat
Located in London, GB
A mid nineteenth century French bureau plat of good scale, in mahogany with kingwood veneer crossbanding, with brown leather writing surface with gilt tooling to the border, opening ...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique French Boulle Centre Table Bureau Plat C.1860
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French Boulle Centre Table Bureau Plat C.1860
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
More From This Seller
View AllAntique Spanish Console or Sofa Table Three Deep Drawers circa 1700
s Restored
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique Spanish Library Table, Sofa Table or Console Table made probably in the late 1600s or early 1700s, with three very deep hand-carved drawe...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Spanish Rustic Sofa Tables
Materials
Iron
Antique French Cherry Wood Kitchen Table or Small Desk or Writing Table Restored
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique Country French Small kitchen table or nice size small writing table or desk. Single drawer on one-side with hand-cut dovetail construction....
Category
Antique 1890s French Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Antique Irish Desk in White Oak Unrestored. Structurally Solid Original Finish
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique Country Irish White Oak Desk or Writing Table Made in the late 1700's and still appears to be unrestored and to our eyes, that is a very good thing. Look at the colour of the...
Category
Antique 1790s Irish Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Live Edge French Burl Elm Slab Dining Table, Desk or Work Table
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
This thick 2” slab of 40 year old French Burled Elm was found in the backyard of a famous French furniture maker, who unfortunately closed his doors after 60 years in business. The beauty of the slab speaks for itself, for I cannot think of any words that could accurately describe what Mother Nature created. Whether you use it for a desk, like I have for many years, or a dining table, or ever a kitchen island work table...
Category
Vintage 1970s French Country Dining Room Tables
Materials
Elm, Burl
Antique French Directoire Glazed Cabinet with Crossed Water-Gilded Arrows
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
About as original as can be, this stellar antique only received a minimal amount of conservation in our highly regarded workshop. Constructed of exotic rosewood, the case packs quite...
Category
Antique 1860s French Directoire Bookcases
Materials
Gold
Antique French Petite Louis XVI Console Table or Occasional Table Ebonized
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique French Petite Louis XVI Style Console Table or could be just an Occasional Table (could be placed almost anywhere) with a wide drawer in an Ebonized finish. The table is quit...
Category
Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Tables
Materials
Brass
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
George Peterson Desk
Hemingway Desk
Henredon Campaign Desk
Jean Prouve Compas Table
Kaufmann Table
Larkin Soap Desk
Metal Tanker Desk
Newcraft Home Office
Nyhavn Table
Sligh Mahogany Desk
Burmese Writing Desk
W C Wilkinson
Baker Campaign Desk
Rattan Desk Baker
Sligh Furniture Campaign Desk
Antique 7 Drawer Desk
Black Lacquer Campaign Desk
Harvard Desk



